Author: Dr Issac PJ

[Editor’s Note: Follow media live blog amid US-Israel-Iran ceasefire for the latest regional developments.]Airfares are set to rise across several international routes even after a temporary ceasefire between the US and Iran eased crude oil prices below $100 a barrel, as airlines warn that jet fuel supply disruptions linked to the Strait of Hormuz could take months to normalise.Benchmark crude slipped sharply after Donald Trump announced a conditional two-week suspension of military operations tied to reopening the Strait, which carries roughly one-fifth of global oil trade and a large share of refined fuel shipments to Asia. Brent crude fell to around $95…

Dubai’s residential real estate market maintained steady momentum in the first quarter of 2026, recording more than 44,000 transactions as strong off-plan demand continued to offset a slowdown in ready-home activity amid regional geopolitical uncertainty.According to Cavendish Maxwell, the emirate registered 44,100 residential sales between January and March, marking a 4.2 per cent increase compared with the same period last year. The performance underscores the structural strength of Dubai’s housing sector, which continues to benefit from investor inflows, population growth and expanding development pipelines.Off-plan properties dominated market activity, accounting for 73 per cent of all transactions during the quarter and…

The UAE real estate services market is powering into a new growth phase, with its value projected to climb to nearly Dh97 billion by 2031—highlighting the sector’s resilience and reinforcing the nation’s position as a global investment magnet despite ongoing international uncertainty.According to Mordor Intelligence, the market is expected to expand from Dh74.5 billion in 2026 to Dh97.6 billion by 2031, registering a steady compound annual growth rate of 5.54 per cent. The growth is being driven by sustained demand for brokerage, property management, valuation and facility management services, reflecting the increasing scale and sophistication of the UAE’s property sector.At…

[Editor’s Note: Follow media live blog amid US-Israel-Iran war for the latest regional developments.]Global oil markets are entering a critical phase of volatility as a deadline set by US President Donald Trump for Iran looms, intensifying fears of a major supply shock that could send crude prices sharply higher and destabilise the global economy.Brent crude futures climbed to around $111 per barrel, while US West Texas Intermediate traded above $114, extending a rally that has seen prices surge by more than 50 per cent since the conflict escalated in late February. The spike reflects mounting concern over disruptions in the Strait of…

The UAE’s property market is showing signs of short-term recalibration rather than retreat as geopolitical tensions in the wider region prompt investors to delay decisions without undermining underlying demand, according to new industry assessments and market data.Executives at Betterhomes said during a recent market update webinar that recent regional developments have affected sentiment more than fundamentals, with activity slowing modestly but remaining firmly anchored by strong population growth, investor inflows and continued off-plan momentum.Transaction volumes softened in March largely due to seasonal factors including Ramadan, Eid holidays, school breaks and weather-related disruptions, alongside geopolitical caution. However, brokers said daily business…

The UAE is positioning itself to become one of the world’s top five exporting nations within five years, building on its historic entry into the global top 10 exporters after total trade in goods and services surged to $1.637 trillion (Dh6 trillion) in 2025, according to the latest World Trade Organisation data released this week.The country ranked ninth globally in goods exports, marking a rapid climb from 17th place just five years ago and underscoring a structural shift from a regional re-export hub to a diversified global trade platform spanning hydrocarbons, aluminium, gold, machinery, electronics and high-value services.“The UAE’s rise…

Abu Dhabi’s tourism sector delivered a record-breaking performance in 2025, welcoming 26.6 million visitors across the emirate and reinforcing its emergence as one of the Middle East’s fastest-growing cultural and leisure destinations, with India leading the surge in international arrivals, according to the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi.Strong hotel revenues, rising global air connectivity and expanding cultural infrastructure powered the growth, highlighting steady progress toward the emirate’s long-term Tourism Strategy 2030, which targets 39 million visitors annually and tens of billions of dirhams in sector contribution to GDP.Hotel revenues climbed 19.5 per cent year-on-year to Dh9.1 billion,…

The UAE’s non-oil private sector continued to expand in March despite regional conflict disrupting supply chains and raising costs, underlining the economy’s structural resilience and the strength of domestic demand even as business confidence softened.The seasonally adjusted Purchasing Managers’ Index compiled by S&P Global slipped to 52.9 in March from 55.0 in February, remaining comfortably above the neutral 50 mark that separates growth from contraction. Although the reading was the joint-lowest since mid-2021, it still signalled a solid improvement in operating conditions across the non-oil economy.The moderation largely reflected the impact of the Middle East conflict on logistics routes, tourism…

Global food prices climbed in March as rising energy costs linked to the Middle East conflict began filtering through agricultural supply chains, raising inflation concerns across war-hit economies and import-dependent regions — even as the UAE’s diversified sourcing strategy and strong reserves helped keep domestic pressures contained.The latest Food Price Index compiled by the Food and Agriculture Organisation averaged 128.5 points in March, up 2.4 per cent from February, reflecting higher fuel, fertiliser and transport costs across global food markets. While the increase remains moderate by historical standards, economists warn that prolonged disruption to shipping routes and farm inputs could…

Dubai’s real estate market maintained strong momentum in the first quarter of 2026, recording transactions worth Dh138.7 billion across 44,150 deals, underlining sustained investor confidence and resilient end-user demand despite regional geopolitical uncertainty.The latest market data shows transaction values rose 21.2 per cent year-on-year while volumes increased 4.35 per cent, highlighting a continued shift toward higher-ticket purchases and premium residential assets.“The market is holding firm, supported by a depth of demand driven by long-term investors and end-users who view Dubai as a strategic destination for capital,” said Farooq Syed, CEO of Springfield Properties.Industry analysts say the widening gap between value…