Dubai’s foreign trade in perfumes and cosmetics recorded a 9% surge in 2013 over 2012, with a total value of AED 18 billion of which AED 11 billion for imports, AED 2 billion exports and AED 5 billion re-exports. These figures reflect the active market for beauty products in Dubai, which demands a streamlined trade flow of these products to and from regional and international markets.
Commenting on these figures, Ahmed Kazim, Director of Strategy and Corporate Excellence at DC, said, ” The mounting foreign trade of perfumes and cosmetics mirrors how well the Emirate attracts trade flow of all kinds of commodities, by offering traders and investors top competitive advantage and cutting-edge infrastructure; ports, airports and free zones, as well as in areas of navigation, transportation, freight and logistics, combined with the highly efficient Customs services we offer. Dubai Customs is committed to maintaining world-class services by incorporating innovation and excellence in our operations and motivating human cadres to give their best and deliver top quality of services.”
Coinciding with Beauty World Middle East 2014, held in Dubai between 27-29 May, Dubai Customs released statistics showing France as Dubai’s top trading partner in the foreign trade of perfumes and cosmetics, with a total value of AED 3 billion, followed by the USA with AED 1.5 billion, then KSA with AED 1.2 billion and the UK and Germany at AED 1 billion each.
Kazim further noted that: ”Dubai Customs strives to leverage the exhibition industry in Dubai, by providing latest statistics on Dubai’s foreign trade pertaining to commodities of all kinds. Such digits serve as clear indicators for exhibitors and traders on the size of the market Dubai offers them. They also help traders and investors make well-informed decisions regarding expanding their businesses locally and to other neighbouring markets”.
Dubai’s exports and re-exports of perfumes and cosmetics to Gulf and Arab countries remarkably expanded. KSA topped the list of Dubai’s export partners for these products with AED 204 million, followed by Oman with exports valued at AED 143 million, and Egypt at AED 121 million.
In terms of re-exports, Saudi Arabia ranked first with AED 1 billion, followed by Kuwait with AED 424 million and USA at AED 406 million.
France leads the countries from which Dubai imports perfumery and beauty products, with imports recording AED 2.8 billion, followed by the US with a total value of AED 1.1 billion. Germany follows with imports valued at AED 1 billion.
Perfumes are at the top of beauty products traded through Dubai, representing 21% of total imports worth AED 2.4 billion, and 28% of overall exports and re-exports at AED 2 billion.