RIYADH: The United Arab Emirates (UAE) emerged as the top destination for Saudi Arabia's non-oil exports in September, with shipments to the Emirates totaling SR6.54 billion ($1.74 billion), according to official data.

The General Authority for Statistics reported that Saudi Arabia exported SR3.10 billion worth of mechanical and electrical equipment to the UAE, followed by transport parts and chemical products at SR1.64 billion and SR375.8 million, respectively.

Boosting non-oil exports is a key objective under Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030, aimed at reducing the Kingdom's reliance on crude oil revenues. At the World Investment Conference earlier this month, Saudi Arabia's Minister of Economy and Planning, Faisal Alibrahim, stated that non-oil activities now constitute 52 percent of the Kingdom's GDP, growing at 20 percent since Vision 2030's launch.

In September, Saudi Arabia's exports of plastic and rubber products to the UAE were SR345.9 million, with live animals and animal products at SR149.6 million. India was another significant recipient of Saudi non-oil goods, importing SR2.35 billion worth of products, including SR1.21 billion in chemical products.

China ranked third, receiving SR1.73 billion in non-oil exports from Saudi Arabia. Other major destinations included Singapore (SR1.39 billion), Turkey (SR973.4 billion), and Belgium (SR964.7 billion).

Saudi Arabia's non-oil exports rose by 22.8 percent year-on-year to SR25.95 billion in September. The Kingdom's purchasing managers' index reached a six-month high of 56.9 in October, indicating expansion in non-oil business activities.

Moody's forecasted that Saudi Arabia's non-hydrocarbon GDP will grow between 5 and 5.5 percent from 2025 to 2027, driven by increased government spending. GASTAT data showed that non-oil exports via sea, land, and air were SR16.52 billion, SR4.96 billion, and SR4.46 billion, respectively.

Saudi Arabia's overall merchandise exports in September were SR88.56 billion, a 14.9 percent decline year-on-year, with oil exports falling by 24.5 percent. China remained the Kingdom's top trading partner, with exports to the country amounting to SR13.91 billion.

Saudi Arabia's imports in September totaled SR69.8 billion, a 15 percent increase year-on-year. Major import sources included China (SR17.99 billion), the US (SR5.39 billion), and Germany (SR3.45 billion).

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