WAM Abu Dhabi, 2nd July 2012 (WAM) -- The UAE's non-oil foreign trade grew 23% or AED 173.3 billion in 2011 to AED 927.6 billion from AED 754.4 billion in 2010, official figures showed.

Figures released by National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) said imports surged to AED 602.8 bn in 2011 from AED 485.4 bn in 2010, an increase of 24.2%, while exports saw a growth of 37.2% from AED 83.1 bn in 2010 to AED 114 bn in 2011. Re-exports soared 13.4% to AED 210.8 bn in 2011 from AED 185.9 bn in 2010.

In terms of imports, East Asian countries emerged as top suppliers with India having the lion share of 17.1%. China and US took the second and third place at 10.3% 8.5% respectively.

India came in the first place as a key market to UAE non-oil exports accounting for 33.7% , followed by Switzerland (16.2%) and Saudi Arabia (5.4%).

India also remained the top market for UAE's re-exports taking 28.1% of total re-export goods and commodities. Iran and Iraq came second and third at 17% and 8.2% respectively.

WAM/TF