Dubai, Feb 23 (IANS) Dubai’s non-oil direct exports grew at an average rate of 23 percent in 2009, while the value of exported goods through all Dubai customs entries last year amounted to 52.4 billion UAE dirhams (about $14 billion), WAM news agency reported Tuesday.
In 2008, the value of exported goods was 42.6 billion UAE dirhams, while the growth rate over the past five years rose to 47 percent.

Ahmed Butti Ahmed, director general of Dubai Customs said the UAE adopted a strategy to diversify the production base and economic activities. It also reinforced trade and economic relations with other countries that played a major role in attracting investment, nourishing the worldwide trade movement and positioning the UAE as a hub for trade in the Middle East, he said.