FOCUS: THE UAE’S BUDDING TEXTILE INDUSTRY

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has developed a significant textile industry, making knitwear, child safety seats, curtains, luggage, and some high end fashion for local purchase. The industry sells to more than  50 countries, with a large customer base domestically. Some manufacturers have been attracted to the country’s many free trade zones which enable them to operate without much tax or fees. Given the importance of the UAE as a trading and retail hub we offer an article looking at what kind of fabrics are being made in the UAE and for what customers and how the textile trade will grow as part of the area’s economic diversification strategy. Through our network of local reporters, we would look at the area’s intrinsic economic strengths, such as excellent logistics and low tax as well as strong research and development funding, and how these strengths will help grow the regional textile sector.