Vaccination drive, Expo 2020, government incentives and increasing digitization are expected to boost apparel and textile exports of the United Arab Emirates (UAE). UAE’s apparel exports are expected to increase to monthly average of $10.55 million during the period of January-August 2021. In 2020, these exports had declined by 13.91 per cent due to COVID-19 impact.

UAE’s home textiles exports rose to $136.16 million in 2020 with slight rise of 3.94 per cent despite the impact of COVID-19 pandemic all over the world. It is further expected to increase by 14.83 per cent to monthly average of $13.03 million during January-August 2021.

Fabrics exports of the country declined by 45.80 per cent to $41.31 million in 2020. They are expected to increase by 33.99 per cent to monthly average of $4.61 million during January-August 2021.

Around 40 per cent of the UAE population has already been vaccinated against COVID-19, and this has given a boost to the country's trade. The Expo 2020 Dubai which is scheduled to start on October 1, 2021, is anticipated to further stimulate the textiles and apparels trade of the country.

In addition to these, the UAE government has provided an incentive to business sectors at the federal and local levels. The UAE led the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region for spending on e-commerce which is approximately double the global average and four times the average spending in MENA region. Further, the sharp growth of digitalization during COVID-19 has created new trade opportunities for the country.