UAE Ranks Second Globally in Digital Trade Agreements

Abu Dhabi – The United Arab Emirates has secured the second position worldwide in terms of the number of digital trade agreements signed or under negotiation, highlighting the intensifying global race to shape the rules of the digital economy.

Data published by Visual Capitalist in collaboration with the Hinrich Foundation shows that the UAE holds 21 digital trade agreements, placing it behind Singapore with 26 agreements, while the European Union ranked third with 20.

Digital trade encompasses cross-border data flows, e-commerce, digital services, and electronic payment systems—sectors that are increasingly central to the global economy as reliance on technology and cross-border services expands.

According to the report, digital trade agreements have grown rapidly worldwide, with 165 signed since 2001. More than half of global commitments in this field were recorded in just the past four years.

This expansion reflects a shift in trade competition from traditional goods to the regulation of data, digital services, artificial intelligence, and electronic infrastructure, as countries seek to establish frameworks for the future of the global digital economy.

Such agreements are crucial for facilitating data and service flows between nations, reducing barriers to e-commerce, and setting standards for privacy, cybersecurity, and digital payments. They also intersect with a broader global race for digital economic influence, particularly amid the rise of AI, cloud services, and global e-commerce.