Author: Dr Issac PJ

Dubai’s short-term rental market is enjoying robust growth across all pricing tiers, even as the broader rental market begins to show signs of stabilisation amid an expected surge in new housing inventory. The shift reflects a maturing market where tenants are increasingly weighing short-term flexibility against long-term commitments, and where new government initiatives and increased supply are bringing balance to previously overheated segments. According to new data from Bayut and dubizzle, demand for both monthly and daily rental formats has remained strong, particularly in lifestyle-centric areas such as Dubai Marina, Downtown Dubai, Business Bay, and Jumeirah Village Circle (JVC). The…

Dubai’s real estate market is entering a new era, powered by blockchain and tokenisation, as it emerges as a global hub for digital property investment. The city’s second fully tokenised property sale, completed earlier this month via the Dubai Land Department’s (DLD) pilot platform, sold out in under two minutes and drew investors from more than 30 countries — signaling a seismic shift in how the world views access to real estate. Tokenisation allows physical real estate assets, such as office buildings, residential towers, and mixed-use developments, to be split into digital tokens. These tokens represent fractional ownership and can…

The oil market is absorbing additional crude supplies from Opec+ without creating excess inventories, underscoring robust global demand and justifying the recent accelerated output hikes, UAE Energy Minister Suhail Al Mazrouei said in Vienna. Speaking on the sidelines of the 9th Opec International Seminar, Al Mazrouei emphasised that the oil market fundamentals remain strong despite persistent speculation and price volatility. He pointed to the lack of stockbuilds in recent months — even after eight core Opec+ members began raising production targets — as evidence that the market needed the additional supply. “You can see that even with the increases for…

A massive $4.3 trillion in global investment will be required by 2030 to meet surging demand for natural gas and support a balanced energy transition, according to Crescent Petroleum CEO Majid Jafar.Speaking at the 9th Opec International Seminar in Vienna, Jafar warned that the world is heading into a critical phase where all energy sources — including gas, oil and renewables — must be scaled up simultaneously to ensure a just, realistic, and resilient energy future.Recommended For You ‘Greet and go’: Dubai Airports announces new smart pickup service UAE, Pakistan discuss ways to enhance cooperation in financial fieldsIndia electoral roll…

Strategic adoption of artificial intelligence (AI) and bold action on climate resilience could boost the Middle East’s gross domestic product by as much as $232 billion by 2035, according to new research by PwC.The report identifies the UAE as a key driver of this transformative growth, thanks to its early investments in AI infrastructure, strong climate commitments, and leadership in renewable energy.Recommended For You Denis Villeneuve’s ‘Dune 3’ gets an official titleDebunking top 3 UAE Golden Visa rumours; what you need to knowRyder Cup countdown: Quiet confidence or calm before the storm for Team Europe?GFS Developments breaks ground on Coventry…

Global oil prices are poised to fall below $60 per barrel by year-end as Opec+ accelerates its unwinding of production cuts, catching markets off guard with an aggressive push to reclaim market share.In a surprise move over the weekend, the group announced a larger-than-expected hike of 548,000 barrels per day (bpd) for August, the fourth consecutive monthly increase in output, and signaled another 550,000 bpd rise in September. These supply additions will effectively complete the rollback of the 2.2 million bpd cuts initiated in 2023.Recommended For You Djokovic stays on track for Wimbledon glory under Federer gazeUAE extends housing loan…

The global sukuk market is poised to maintain its resilience in 2025, with foreign currency-denominated issuance expected to range between $70 billion and $80 billion, according to the latest forecast by S&P Global Ratings.Despite mounting geopolitical tensions, the agency believes that issuance activity will be shaped more by monetary policy shifts, domestic liquidity dynamics, and ongoing investments across key Islamic finance hubs, rather than political uncertainties.Recommended For You ‘Will it make me less of a man?’: Vasectomy in UAE remains a stigma, say doctorsAfter the revolution, Bangladesh warms to China as India fumesUp on Dakota Johnson’s list: Directing her first…

Dubai’s Expo City is rapidly gaining investors’ appeal as a premier destination in the UAE, attracting significant interest from global buyers — particularly high-net-worth individuals from Germany and Switzerland. A combination of visionary planning, robust infrastructure, and compelling returns has turned this government-backed smart city into a magnet for real estate investment, setting the stage for a long-term boom. In a sign of growing confidence, six full buildings, multiple floors, and dozens of individual units were sold in just two months, led by Provident Estate. Recommended For You Property Network concludes Dh125 million sale of prime Arada unitKenyans Chebet, Kipyegon light up…

Bitcoin slid on Tuesday, reflecting renewed investor caution after US President Donald Trump announced sweeping tariffs on 14 countries, dampening global risk sentiment.The world’s most valuable cryptocurrency, which briefly touched $110,000 last week on upbeat US jobs data, pulled back to hover around $108,000 amid geopolitical and policy uncertainty. Market participants expect choppy trading in the short term, but analysts remain largely optimistic about Bitcoin’s long-term trajectory.Recommended For You Visa’s 24/7 war room takes on global cybercriminalsUAE expresses solidarity with US over Texas flash floodsWhat’s On This Week: A blockbuster clash as golf’s biggest tours collide in ScotlandScott Vincent seals…

The UAE’s banking sector is powering ahead with added momentum, recording the highest quarter-on-quarter increase in market capitalisation among lenders across the Middle East and Africa in the second quarter of 2025, according to S&P Global Market Intelligence. Riding a wave of economic resilience, regulatory support, and strategic innovation, the sector is emerging as a beacon of strength and stability in an otherwise mixed regional banking landscape. Leading this remarkable performance is Abu Dhabi Islamic Bank (ADIB), which posted a 34 per cent surge in market value to reach $21.26 billion by the end of June. This leap pushed ADIB…