Abu Dhabi's non-oil trade grew 11.9 per cent year-on-year basis in March. However, it dropped 2.4 per cent to Dh13.4 billion in comparison to February.

The emirate's non-oil trade reached at Dh1.4 billion in March. Imports rose 10 per cent to Dh884 million, exports surged 24.9 per cent, or Dh423 million, and re-exports climbed 8.5 per cent to Dh125 million, according to the latest data.

In its monthly report on non-oil merchandise trade through the ports of Abu Dhabi for the month of March 2015, the Statistics Centre — Abu Dhabi (SCAD) said imports grew due to an increase in the trade of machinery and transport equipment valued at Dh706 million and crude materials, inedible, except fuels worth Dh273 million.

The value of non-oil exports increased by 24.9 per cent, mainly due to an increase of Dh706 million in commodities exports.

The value of re-exports climbed 8.5 per cent during the month, led by an increase of Dh100 million in the re-exports of miscellaneous manufactured articles and a rise of Dh47 million in the re-exports of commodities.

The three main countries of origin for imports were the US at Dh1.5 billion, Saudi Arabia at Dh1.1 billion and Japan at Dh965 million.

The top three trading partners for non-oil exports were Saudi Arabia at Dh790 million, China at Dh248 million and Switzerland at Dh199 million.

For re-exports, the top three destinations were Saudi Arabia at Dh373 million, Bahrain at Dh277 million and Kuwait at Dh210 million.