DUBAI'S NON-OIL TRADE GROWS BY 54 PCT IN H1 2008

DUBAI, Sept 8 (Bernama) -- Dubai's non-oil direct foreign trade grew by 54.3 percent in the first half of 2008 compared to the corresponding period last year, according to latest statistics.

A report prepared by Dubai's world statistics department, revealed that
its direct foreign trade recorded a massive first-half jump of around US$28.4
billion to reach US$80.8 billion.

The department's unit procurement director, Saeed Al Qaizi said the growth
reflected the position the emirate now enjoys in global trade.

"An excellent development of infrastructure and reinforcement of its
competitive potential, has helped Dubai become an attractive economic hub for
investments in diverse areas.

"This is clearly reflected in the statistics department report, which has
been prepared from carefully documented data of the trading activity in the
emirate," he said in a statement.

According to the report, India topped the list of Dubai's main trading
partners during the period in the import, export and re-export sectors.

In imports, the bilateral trade volume during the period grew by 49.6
percent to reach US$6.5 billion.

India also came in first in exports at US$2.2 billion during the first six
months of this year -- a growth rate of 44.4 percent when compared to the same
period last year.