Standard Chartered announced the findings of its latest ‘Future of Trade: Resilience’ report, which identifies the United Arab Emirates (UAE) as one of six stand-out markets shaping the future of global trade. The report highlights that 20 per cent of corporates globally are reviewing their supply chains through the UAE, underscoring its position as a resilient commercial hub with strong international connectivity.
The study, which covers 1,200 corporates with annual revenues above USD 250 million across 17 markets, also reveals that companies are increasingly looking to the UAE to access opportunities with Mainland China, ASEAN, Africa and the United States, reflecting its growing role as a connector across some of the world’s most dynamic growth corridors.
Commenting on the findings, Mohammed Salama, Regional Head of Client Coverage for Corporate and Investment Banking, at Standard Chartered, said: “The UAE’s rise as a global trade hub is a direct reflection of the vision of its leadership to diversify the economy, strengthen resilience and invest in world-class infrastructure. That vision is positioning the country at the centre of tomorrow’s trade corridors and attracting corporates worldwide to place the UAE at the heart of their supply chains.”
Alongside this global trend, the report further highlights that 50 per cent of corporates from Saudi Arabia, Egypt and India intend to expand trade and investment with the UAE, underlining its role in strengthening intra-regional flows and cementing the Middle East–India corridor.
Salama added: “As regional economies deepen their trade links; the UAE is playing a central role in connecting partners across the Middle East and South Asia. With its position along corridors linking the region to India, China, Africa and beyond, the country is driving new flows that extend well past traditional sectors. At Standard Chartered, we are proud to support this by leveraging our presence in 54 markets to connect clients, mobilise capital and help facilitate the growth of trade.”
The UAE’s growing role in both regional and global trade flows is reinforced by sustained investment in infrastructure and diversification. The country’s attractiveness is further strengthened by its world-class infrastructure, including some of the busiest ports globally, alongside Operation 300bn, which aims to raise the industrial sector’s contribution to AED 300 billion (USD 81.7 billion) by 2031. These efforts are complemented by rapid diversification into financial services, artificial intelligence and digital infrastructure, supported by growing investment in data centres and cloud ecosystems.
This diversification is reflected in the UAE’s increasingly important trade corridors that now extend well beyond petrochemicals, linking the Middle East globally while driving new flows in renewable energy, technology and e-commerce.
