Standard Chartered’s new report ranks the UAE as the world’s most digitally advanced trade market, driven by high cloud and tech adoption rates.
DUBAI: The UAE has been named the most advanced country globally for digital trade readiness, according to the latest ‘Future of Trade: Digitisation’ report released by Standard Chartered. The report ranks the UAE as a world leader in digital infrastructure, regulatory innovation, and private sector adoption of cutting-edge technologies driving cross-border commerce.
The global study surveyed 1,200 multinational companies across 17 key markets. It found that 97 percent of UAE corporates have adopted cloud computing—marking the highest cloud adoption rate globally. This places the UAE at the forefront of digital transformation and trade innovation.
Digital asset usage is also exceptionally high, with 68 percent of businesses using tokenised instruments, blockchain-based solutions, and digital settlement models. Meanwhile, 43 percent have adopted augmented and virtual reality, while 36 percent use artificial intelligence to enhance operations, customer engagement and supply chains.
Unified digital frameworks are gaining overwhelming support, with 96 percent of surveyed UAE corporates supporting the expansion of Digital Economy Agreements (DEAs) to standardise cross-border trade digitally. Internal capability is also a standout feature, with 73 percent of UAE corporates leading their own digital transformation programmes in-house—signalling high self-sufficiency and confidence in local digital talent.
Syed Khurrum Zaeem, Managing Director, Head of Trade and Transactional Banking for the Middle East, Pakistan, and Africa at Standard Chartered, said, “The UAE has created one of the most advanced digital ecosystems in the world, where policy, infrastructure and corporate ambition work together to drive rapid innovation.”
This ranking confirms the UAE’s position as a global hub for tech-enabled trade. With robust digital strategies, high tech adoption, and forward-thinking regulation, the country continues to define the future of international digital commerce.
