Sharjah rakes in Dhs18.9bn in foreign trade revenues for 2006

H.E Ali Bin Salem Al Mahmoud, General Manager of the Sharjah Economic Development Department, said, "Foreign trade statistics show that Sharjah's total foreign trade revenues have increased year on year, from Dhs13.3bn in 2004 to Dhs16.8bn in 2005 - a rate of 26.3% - and a reported Dhs18.9bn in 2006 - a further 12.5% increase.

"Capital goods topped the list at Dhs8.6bn in 2004, accounting for 64.7% of the emirate's total imports, followed by consumer goods and intermediate goods, which accounted for 20.3% and 15% respectively.

Capital goods continued to dominate in 2005, accounting for 64.3 percent of import revenues, while consumer goods made up 22% and intermediate goods, 13.7%.

Sharjah's foreign trade revenues surged to Dhs18.9 in 2006, with capital products accounting for 63%of the total revenues at Dhs11.9bn. Consumer goods and intermediate goods accounted for 19.6% and 17.4%, respectively.

"Out of all the types of exchangeable goods, consumer products showed the greatest growth in 2005, with an increase of 37% over the 15.7% growth reported in 2004, while capital goods saw a 24.7% growth. In 2006, intermediate goods surged by 42.5%, capital goods by 10.7% and consumer goods declined by 1.3%."