UAE - Mubasher: Dubai Airport Freezone Authority (DAFZA) revealed that its contribution to Dubai's foreign trade stood at 12% in the first half of 2019, Emirates News Agency (WAM) reported.

DAFZA has recorded a healthy growth rate of 8% or AED 5.7 billion in the total value of foreign trade in H1-19, surpassing AED 78 billion, according to WAM.

This was mainly driven by an 11% increase in re-exports that valued at nearly AED 45 billion, accounting for 21% of the total re-exports in Dubai.

The free zone has achieved a large trade surplus of over AED 11 billion in the first six months of 2019, which is up by 35% year-on-year.

India represented 18% of DAFZA's trade with AED 14.1 billion, followed by Switzerland and China that accounted for 16.4% and 15.7% with AED 12.8 billion and AED 12.3 billion, respectively.

Switzerland’s re-exports from DAFZA valued at AED 12 billion in H1-19, rising 16% compared to the corresponding period of 2018.

Meanwhile, India was ranked first in terms of its contribution to the imports of DAFZA, valuing at AED 13.8 billion.

The group of machinery and electrical equipment accounted for 58% of DAFZA’s total re-export in H1-19, valuing at AED 25.7 billion, up 15% from the prior-year period.

Moreover, the group of pearls, semi-precious stones, and metals made up 35% of the total re-export at a value of AED 15.5 billion.