The volume of non-oil trade between Nigeria and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) stood at $1.5 billion (N525 billion) in 2018, UAE Ambassador to Nigeria, Dr. Fahad Al Taffaq, has said.
He also said around 100,000 Nigerians visit UAE annually, while one of UAE’s main airlines operates 21 flights weekly from Lagos and Abuja to Dubai.
The Ambassador, who spoke on Wednesday at the Dubai Tourism Road Show 2020 in Abuja, said Nigerians visit Dubai either for tourism or medicals.
In his words: “Nigeria represented the fastest growing market for Dubai with an impressive 33 per cent increase in visitor arrivals…..
“This truly is a testament to the success of Dubai’s market diversification strategies, its global appeal and the excellent work of Dubai Tourism and other stakeholders like you all present here today.
“Our economic cooperation and tourism growth has been fuelled by enhanced connectivity between both nations. As at 2018, the total volume of non-oil bilateral trade between the UAE and Nigeria was $1.5 billion
“One of the two main UAE Airlines, Dubai-based Emirates Airline, operates a combined 21 flights weekly from Lagos and Abuja to Dubai.
In addition, Nigerian carrier, Air Peace, recently launched three weekly flights from Nigeria to Dubai via Sharjah.”
Al Taffaq also said trade relations between both countries have improved tremendously after the two visits of President Muhammadu Buhari to his country in 2016 and 2019.
The envoy said around 100, 000 Nigerians visit UAE on annual basis either for medical tourism or mainly for leisure.