RIYADH: The strong performance of the UAE’s non-oil sector is expected to drive the country’s economic growth beyond the 6 percent mark in 2023, according to Minister of Economy Abdulla bin Touq Al-Marri. He noted that the non-oil sector had achieved a 4.5 percent growth in the first half of the year, contributing to an overall gross domestic product growth rate of 3.8 percent, as reported by the local newspaper Al-Ittihad. Al-Marri emphasized that the national economy is moving steadily toward achieving rapid and sustainable growth. The minister clarified that new engines have been added over the past three years to accelerate progression and ensure continuity and are expected to double the UAE’s GDP by 2031. This plan will look at expansion in the new economic sectors and the launch of innovative strategic initiatives to elevate them further, he added. According to Al-Marri, the ministry continues to review more laws that could contribute to consolidating the competitiveness of the national economy while enhancing its capabilities. This approach includes updating the competition and consumer laws and regulating competition, which is essential in consolidating the economy’s overall attractiveness. The minister noted that it also entails guaranteeing a firm and fair competition environment. In return, this will increase productivity, encourage innovation, contribute to providing goods and services at better prices for consumers and improve the effectiveness of the economic system. He further indicated that the Cabinet will introduce a legislative amendment to the Consumer Protection Law and other specializations that will give the competent local authorities a more significant role. The UAE achieved an all-time high of 1.13 trillion dirhams ($337.6 billion) in non-oil foreign trade during the first half of 2023. The robust performance in the first half was driven by record non-oil exports, which reached 205 billion dirhams in the first half of 2023, up 11.9 percent compared to the same period in 2022, news agency WAM reported in August, citing figures released by the Ministry of Economy. According to the report, non-oil exports in the first six months of 2023 exceeded those in 2017. The report added that non-oil exports’ contribution to the UAE’s total foreign trade was 16.6 percent in the first half of this year, compared to an estimated share of 14.2 percent during the same period in 2019.