UAE’s nominal GDP grew by 25.6% in 2005 to reach AED485.5bn (US$132.3bn), according to the Central Bank of United Arab Emirates.

Real GDP grew by 8.2% to AED357.6bn on the back of strong economic activity, high oil prices, and large fiscal and external surpluses.

Dubai Department of Economic Development reported a 16% growth in Dubai’s GDP in 2005, reaching an estimated AED136bn. This dramatic growth was largely accounted for by the Emirate’s non-oil sector, which grew at 14.92% and accounted for 94.2% of Dubai’s GDP.

Dubai is projected to post a surplus of AED5.1bn in its 2007 budget which was approved by His Highness Shaikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai. Details of the budget issued by the Dubai Finance Department, envisaged revenues at AED99.5bn against expenditures of AED94.4bn.

Ongoing financial reforms will boost the UAE’s attractiveness to investors, both in FDI and portfolio terms. Such a positive macroeconomic outlook will continue to underpin the food and drink sector’s impressive growth, particularly as it helps draw in more expatriate labour with high earning potential.

The UAE manufacturing sector recorded a substantial growth of 23.6 per cent to touch Dh90.8 billion in 2007, compared to Dh73.4bn in 2006.
It has been recorded a compound annual growth rate of 21.1 per cent during 2003 to 2007

Within the manufacturing sector, Food and Beverage contributed for the lion's share of manufacturing investments totalling a massive Dh32.1bn in 2007

The UAE foodservice market is larger and more important than is initially apparent and is also growing at rates not seen in any developed countries of the world (over 10% per annum in most channels)

Dubai and Abu Dhabi account for 80% of total beverage demand amongst the seven Emirates. In Dubai, it shows the highest per capita beverage consumption at 635 litres annually against the 197-litre global average. The market keeps pushing up levels of beverage expenditure and creates enormous business opportunities for companies in the beverage sector

The UAE carries an important strategic role for the much larger Middle East region. It is the primer trade hub for the Gulf region and also acts as an entry point, showcase and regional leader for new products, outlets and other trends

Take advantage of participating DDTE this December to penetrate and capture the blooming Middle Eastern market!