Dubai: Trade leaders in the United Arab Emirates rank among the most confident globally heading into 2026, supported by sustained investment in trade infrastructure, advanced logistics, and early adoption of digital technologies.
According to Emirates News Agency, DP World's Global Trade Observatory (GTO) Annual Outlook Report 2026 reveals that nearly two-thirds of UAE-based executives expect trade growth in 2026 to match or exceed 2025 levels. This optimism places the UAE ahead of many mature and emerging trade markets in the 19-country survey, even as global trade growth is expected to slow due to geopolitical risk, supply chain disruption, and rising operating costs.
UAE executives report that their organizations are adapting to these pressures by diversifying suppliers, expanding route options, and investing in logistics capacity, thus positioning resilience as a competitive advantage. The UAE's trade performance is supported by strong ties with trade partners such as India, China, and Japan, along with growing engagement with new markets and consumer bases. Executives identify warehousing, logistics hubs, and customs processes as critical enablers of growth as supply chains are reconfigured across Asia, Europe, and Africa.
Digitalization is viewed as central to maintaining trade momentum, with technology increasingly integrated across supply chain operations. However, executives also note that cybersecurity is a key barrier that must be addressed to unlock the full potential of digital trade.
Abdulla Bin Damithan, CEO and Managing Director, DP World GCC, stated, "UAE trade leaders are confident because the fundamentals are strong. The expected impact of escalating global tariffs remains limited, while CEPA agreements (Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreements) and continued customer growth in Jafza are reinforcing Dubai's role as a reliable base for global trade. As traditional East-West trade flows come under pressure, our integrated infrastructure, connectivity, and digital capabilities give businesses the confidence to manage disruption and grow into new markets."
Key insights from the report include that 64% of executives expect trade growth to match or exceed 2025 levels, 49% identify new markets and consumers as the primary growth driver, 43% cite customs infrastructure as a top enabler of growth, and 17% expect significant impact from tariffs.
The DP World Global Trade Observatory (GTO) is a data- and insights-led platform providing decision-makers with actionable intelligence on the forces reshaping global trade. The research, conducted in November 2025 with Geneva-based insights agency Horizon Group, includes a proprietary survey of 3,500 supply chain and logistics executives across eight industries and 19 countries.