The United Arab Emirates (UAE) is a diverse and dynamic market, offering significant opportunities for Malaysian exporters. Malaysia has strong bilateral trade with the UAE, with the top exported products being E&E, petroleum, jewellery, palm oil and pail oil-based products. In 2022, exports to the UAE market increased due to heightened demand for palm oil and palm-based agriculture products.

There is high export potential for the food and beverage sector in the UAE market due to the increase in demand for F&B products. This is a result of population growth, rising income and high number of tourists and visitors in the country. The current trend of the UAE food market are healthy food products, which includes naturally healthy, organic and free-from food. E-commerce is also a growing market in the UAE, and sales are expected to grow exponentially by 2025.

MATRADE has highlighted several challenges of doing business in the UAE. Firstly, Malaysian companies will need to find a local company to share their business ownership. Secondly, it is expensive to conduct business in the UAE due to the high cost of living and real estate in the country. Thirdly, exporters are subject to a corporate tax of 9 percent and VAT of 5 percent. Finally, Malaysian companies need to be aware of local social and cultural norms

Malaysian companies who are interested in exporting to the MENA region may reach out to MATRADE for enquiries and assistance.

For more enquiries, please contact:

Malaysia Trade Centre
c/o Consulate General of Malaysia
Lot 1-3 Ground Floor & 6-10 Mezzanine Floors
Al-Safeena Building, Near Lamcy Plaza
Zaabeel Road, P.O. Box 4598
Dubai 23760,
United Arab Emirates

E: dubai@matrade.gov.my
T: +971-4-335 5528

Sources:
MATRADE Webinar (Exporting to the MENA Region)