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The General Administration of Customs - Abu Dhabi announced that external trade in the first half of 2008 increased by 28.4 per cent over the same period in 2007, highlighting the high-growth trade environment of Abu Dhabi. Overall trade volume was AED 46.641 billion in the first six months of the year as against AED 36.336 billion for half-year 2007.
 
Presenting the comprehensive report on external trade activities including imports, non oil exports and re-exports transactions during the first half of 2008, His Excellency Saeed Ahmed Al Muhairi, Vice Director of the Abu Dhabi Customs Administration, said the data underscored the proactive attitude and international best practices followed by the Customs sector.
 
He attributed the impressive growth in external trade to the unprecedented economic and commercial growth initiatives unveiled by Abu Dhabi under the leadership of His Highness Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE; and His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces.
 
Al Muhairi said that the continuous support of Abu DhabiCs leadership contributed to establishing Abu DhabiCs stature as a leading trading destination on regionally and internationally. “Currently with Saudi Arabia and Qatar as our top trading partners, we are working to promote Abu Dhabi as the trading hub of the GCC region.  We are fully committed to the directives of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Khalifa, Chairman of DoF, and the guidance of His Excellency Hamad El Hurr Al Suwaidi, Undersecretary of the Department, to energize the Customs AdministrationCs role, which is crucial in further strengthening the sector.”
 
According to the new statistics, imports during the first half of 2008 reached AED 40.145 billion compared to AED 30 billion in the same period in 2007 – registering an increase of 31 per cent.
 
Non-oil Exports of Abu Dhabi increased to AED 3.341 billion in half-year 2008 compared to AED 2.761 billion in the first half of 2007 – an increase of 23 per cent.  Re-export activities grew from AED 2.938 billion in the first six months of 2007 to AED 3.154 billion for the same period this year.
 
Saudi Arabia, Japan and USA were the top three exporters to the Emirate in the first-half of 2008 while Saudi Arabia, Qatar and China were the top three destinations for Abu DhabiCs non-oil exports.  The top re-exports destinations were Qatar, Oman and India. The Department also announced that 58 per cent of imports were through sea ports while 30 per cent merchandise passed land borders and 12 per cent were through air freight.

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