UAE Enhances Trade Routes to Counter Iran Conflict Disruptions

Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi highlighted that the UAE has initiated significant measures to safeguard global trade flows and preserve economic stability amid the ongoing conflict in Iran.

Addressing the GLOBSEC Forum 2026 in Prague during the panel titled “The Ripple Effect: How the Iran War is Shaping Global Economies and Politics”, Al Zeyoudi elaborated on the swift actions taken by the UAE to mitigate the impact on international shipping and supply chains.

The UAE has activated alternative trade corridors, facilitating the seamless movement of goods throughout the region. Notable measures include increased utilization of Fujairah and Khorfakkan's eastern ports, establishment of air freight links for essential food and medicine deliveries, a Green Corridor with Oman, and a new trade bridge between Sharjah and Dammam.

Furthermore, Al Zeyoudi announced the rollout of an AED 1 billion economic support fund targeting businesses to sustain their operations throughout the crisis, particularly aimed at small and medium enterprises (SMEs) impacted by regional trade disruptions.

The UAE Central Bank has also unveiled a Five-Pillar Financial Institution Resilience Package focused on ensuring a steady flow of credit and bolstering financial stability nationwide.

Al Zeyoudi mentioned that the ongoing crisis has accelerated the UAE’s strategic initiatives to enhance Gulf logistics and develop a more robust trade system.

Additionally, he emphasized that the UAE’s Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) program is crucial in expanding foreign trade, having successfully negotiated 36 agreements with nations across six continents, contributing to the UAE’s non-oil foreign trade reaching US$1.03 trillion by 2025.

Al Zeyoudi reiterated the UAE's pivotal position as a global trade and investment hub, bridging markets in the Gulf, Africa, and Asia, a role that is increasingly vital amid current geopolitical tensions.