TEHRAN – In the first month of the Iranian calendar year Farvardin (March 21 – April 21), Iran’s exports of non-oil goods to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) reached a value of $395 million, as reported by the Islamic Republic of Iran Customs Administration (IRICA).
According to IRICA statistics, the UAE ranked as Iran’s third-largest destination for non-oil exports during this period.
In terms of imports, the UAE was the leading source for Iran, with non-oil commodities worth $859 million coming into the country in the same month, as indicated by the IRICA report.
Abolfazl Akbarpour, the deputy head of IRICA for planning and international affairs, previously stated that in the last Iranian calendar year, which concluded on March 20, 2025, Iran’s non-oil exports to the UAE amounted to $7.2 billion.
He noted that the UAE served as Iran’s third main export destination over the last year.
Additionally, the UAE was Iran’s largest supplier for non-oil imports last year, with a total value of $21.9 billion, as mentioned by the official.
On May 1, 2024, Iran and the UAE signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) aimed at enhancing economic collaboration across various sectors, culminating from their third Joint Economic Committee meeting.
This agreement was formalized by Mehrdad Bazrpash, the former Iranian Minister of Transport and Urban Development, alongside UAE Economy Minister Abdullah bin Touq Al Marri, who co-led the joint meeting.
During the meeting, representatives from both nations underscored the importance of further developing economic relations between Tehran and Abu Dhabi.
Bazrpash remarked, “We have revived the joint committee after a decade, providing a significant opportunity to strengthen commercial and economic partnerships between our countries.”
He emphasized the strategic value of the UAE, which stands as Iran’s second-largest trading partner.
Highlighting the geographical positioning of both nations within the International North-South Transit Corridor (INSTC), Bazrpash stated, “Access to markets to the north and south presents an exceptional opportunity for cooperation.”
He concluded by stressing the importance of addressing banking and financial issues to facilitate trade relations between the two nations.
Abdullah bin Touq Al Marri recognized the significance of the meeting, saying, “Today’s discussions reflect the strengthening and expansion of economic ties. Following China, the UAE has the most extensive trade relations with Iran, culminating in a trade value of $27 billion, with numerous Iranian businesses established in the UAE.”
“The creation of new opportunities for transportation and banking collaboration is among the meeting’s achievements,” he stated.
He also acknowledged the UAE government’s successful initiatives in investment, mentioning a new law facilitating the formation of foreign companies and support for businesses in renewable energy sectors as promising for commerce with Iran.
The third Joint Economic Committee meeting took place in Abu Dhabi from April 30 to May 1, 2024.
Increasing non-oil exports to neighboring countries remains a central objective of the Iranian government in recent years.
Iran has suggested forming a cooperative working committee between its Chamber of Commerce and the UAE Chambers Confederation to fully leverage the re-export potential of Iranian products via the UAE.
At the Iran Expo 2025 event held in late April, Ghadir Ghiafeh, deputy head of the Iran Chamber of Commerce, Industries, Mines, and Agriculture (ICCIMA), expressed that this initiative will facilitate trade and enhance compliance with global standards. “To maximize the advantages of the UAE’s logistics and re-export capabilities, it is essential to establish a formal committee between our chambers,” he stated to the Secretary General of the UAE Chambers Federation.
Ghiafeh also announced plans to set up the ICCIMA’s inaugural overseas Trade and Investment Development Agency office in the UAE, aimed at attracting foreign investment and bolstering collaborative efforts. He added that similar offices would be established in additional countries in the future.
Emphasizing the need for improved access for Iranian traders to UAE business networks, he advocated for the formal introduction of a UAE Chamber representative in Iran and reiterated Iran’s desire to open an ICCIMA office in the Emirates. “We have already established a joint Iran-UAE chamber in Iran, but its counterpart in the UAE is crucial for fostering private sector collaboration,” he mentioned.
Ghiafeh also highlighted the value of B2B meetings between Iranian trade delegations, many of whom visit the UAE annually, and their Emirati counterparts, urging the UAE Chamber to facilitate these interactions.
He further called for enhanced implementation of existing trade agreements through coordinated actions between the two chambers, asserting that the proposed working committee could assist in ensuring Iranian goods adhere to international standards with the support of the UAE. “Significant potential exists for joint investments, and we should take proactive steps to utilize it,” he noted.
Hamid Mohammed bin Salem, Secretary General of the UAE Chambers Federation, welcomed Ghiafeh’s proposals and assured him that he would relay Iran’s request to establish a chamber office in the Emirates. “We are prepared to facilitate B2B events and encourage the development of bilateral trade relations,” he affirmed.
He emphasized that the private sectors in both nations have substantial capabilities but require structured support through their respective chambers to fully harness this potential. Bin Salem concluded by stating that there is considerable scope for cooperation in sectors such as logistics, customs, transport, and food products, and reiterated that re-exporting Iranian goods via the UAE is a feasible opportunity, provided Iranian traders comply with international standards.