Author: Dr Issac PJ
Dubai’s property market is showing early signs of stabilisation despite ongoing regional tensions. Fresh government policies, resilient investor appetite, and strong off-plan demand are helping the sector weather geopolitical uncertainty, according to industry experts and new market data.A market analysis presented during a recent Betterhomes webinar indicated that the emirate’s real estate sector remains fundamentally strong, nearly 10 weeks into the regional conflict. However, rental corrections and softer secondary market activity suggest the market is entering a more balanced phase after years of rapid growth.Data discussed during the webinar showed total property transactions in April edged up nearly 2 per…
The Gulf job market is showing signs of recovery after suffering a sharp slowdown triggered by the regional conflict earlier this year, with fresh data indicating that both employers and jobseekers are gradually returning to the market as business confidence stabilises following the ceasefire.According to data released by GulfTalent, daily registrations by professionals seeking jobs in the Gulf fell 35 per cent in March compared with February, while the number of companies actively posting vacancies declined 24 per cent over the same period.The slowdown followed the outbreak of hostilities on February 28, which disrupted regional trade routes, weakened business sentiment…
The UAE’s Capital Market Authority (CMA) has facilitated a Dh1.2 billion financial settlement between an investor and a licensed brokerage firm, underscoring the regulator’s growing focus on investor protection, market transparency and regulatory oversight amid rapid expansion in the country’s capital markets.The authority said the settlement followed extensive legal and regulatory review and reflected its commitment to safeguarding stakeholder rights in line with the UAE’s supervisory and legal frameworks.The announcement comes as the UAE’s financial markets continue to witness strong growth in trading activity, foreign investment inflows and listings, reinforcing the country’s emergence as one of the region’s leading capital…
The UAE has taken a decisive step towards building a sovereign defence and advanced technology ecosystem after Lockheed Martin, the world’s largest defence contractor, signed a landmark agreement with the Tawazun Council to establish an advanced microelectronics design and assembly facility in the country.The agreement, announced on the sidelines of “Make it in the Emirates 2926,” UAE’s flagship industrial platform, marks a significant milestone in Abu Dhabi’s strategy to localise critical defence technologies, deepen semiconductor capabilities and position the country as a regional hub for next-generation manufacturing.The project will be developed in partnership with Edge Group and Khalifa University and…
[Editor’s Note: Follow the media live blog for the latest regional developments with the US-Israel-Iran ceasefire now in effect.]DP World has launched a first-of-its-kind cargo war-risk insurance solution aimed at protecting businesses from mounting disruption across Middle East trade routes, as geopolitical tensions, shipping instability and soaring insurance costs continue to pressure global supply chains.The move comes amid prolonged uncertainty around the Strait of Hormuz and Red Sea shipping corridors, where conflict-related risks have sharply increased freight rates, insurance premiums and operational disruptions for companies dependent on Gulf trade routes.Industry analysts say the initiative could provide significant relief to importers, exporters and…
The move towards provisional liquidation of Dubai-based food conglomerate IFFCO is emerging as one of the Gulf’s most significant corporate distress stories in recent years, exposing how debt, geopolitical shocks and supply-chain disruptions can destabilise even long-established regional business groups.Founded in 1975, IFFCO grew into one of the Middle East’s largest privately held FMCG and agri-business companies, with operations spanning edible oils, packaged foods, logistics, manufacturing and distribution across more than 50 countries. The group owns several well-known regional brands, including London Dairy, Tiffany and Noor.What exactly happened at IFFCO?Over decades of expansion and acquisitions, the company reportedly accumulated debt…
Oil prices retreated on Wednesday as tentative signs of easing tensions between the US and Iran reduced immediate fears of a major supply shock in the Gulf, although analysts warned that constrained shipping through the Strait of Hormuz and falling crude inventories continue to keep markets on edge.Brent crude, the benchmark for two-thirds of the world’s oil, traded near $106 a barrel in Asian trading after a volatile week driven by geopolitical tensions, while West Texas Intermediate (WTI) slipped below $103 a barrel after briefly climbing above $110 earlier this week.The pullback followed comments by US President Donald Trump suggesting…
Mergers and acquisitions deal values across the Gulf surged in 2025, defying a sluggish global market as the UAE cemented its status as the region’s dominant dealmaking hub, buoyed by sovereign wealth firepower, record foreign investment inflows and a wave of billion-dollar strategic transactions.A new report by Marsh McLennan showed that M&A activity across the Middle East and Africa expanded strongly last year, driven primarily by GCC economies, with the UAE emerging as one of the region’s clear frontrunners in high-value transactions spanning technology, infrastructure, energy transition, real estate and financial services.The report highlighted that the Middle East continued to…
The UAE has unveiled plans to establish a dedicated defence industrial free zone in Abu Dhabi as the country accelerates efforts to build a self-reliant military manufacturing ecosystem and strengthen long-term national security capabilities amid heightened regional tensions.The new Al Selmiyyah Defence Industrial Free Zone, announced on Wednesday through a strategic partnership between Tawazun Council and AD Ports Group, is expected to emerge as one of the region’s most ambitious defence manufacturing hubs, aimed at attracting leading global original equipment manufacturers (OEMs), accelerating technology transfer and deepening local supply chains. The initiative comes at a time when Gulf countries are ramping…
[Editor’s Note: Follow the media live blog for the latest regional developments with the US-Israel-Iran ceasefire now in effect.]The move towards provisional liquidation of Dubai-based food conglomerate IFFCO Group marks one of the most significant corporate distress cases in the Gulf consumer sector in recent years, highlighting how mounting debt, shareholder complexities and geopolitical disruptions can rapidly destabilise even long-established regional business groups.The 50-year-old food and agri-business giant, known for household brands such as London Dairy, Tiffany and Noor, is facing a deepening financial crisis after months of debt restructuring negotiations failed to produce a breakthrough with creditors.According to reports by the…