India emerges as UAE's top trading partner

India was the UAE's top trading partner last year with non-oil trade totalling $32.11 billion, the data by the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs has showed.

India was the UAE's top export destination with exports valued at $15.24 billion while the UAE's imports from India amounted to $16.87 billion in 2008.

India's two-way non-oil trade with the UAE jumped 53.45 per cent to $44.53 billion in India's fiscal year that ended March 2009, enabling the UAE to retain its status as India's largest trading partner.

China was India's second largest trading partner in 2008-09 with two-way trade valued at $40.61 billion. It was followed by the US with $38.98 billion, Singapore with $15.64 billion and Hong Kong with $13.07 billion, the data by the Indian embassy showed.

India's exports to the UAE comprise mainly petroleum products, finished precious and semi-precious jewellery, machinery, textiles, apparel and cereals. India's imports from the UAE consist primarily of crude oil, petroleum products, raw pearls, precious metals, electrical machinery and equipment and iron and steel.