Author: Dr Issac PJ

Abu Dhabi’s state energy giant Adnoc is preparing for one of the most important growth phases in its history, with its trading arm set to boost the volume of oil and refined products it handles by nearly two-thirds over the next few years.The move is part of a sweeping international expansion strategy designed to position the UAE as a leading player in global energy trading and value creation.Ahmed bin Thalith, chief executive officer of Adnoc Global Trading, said the company’s rapid progress since its launch in 2018 reflects the UAE’s broader strategy to diversify its energy revenues and deepen its…

Dubai’s status as one of the world’s fastest-growing digital innovation hubs is gathering speed, with the Dubai Chamber of Digital Economy announcing support for the establishment and expansion of 582 digital startups in the first nine months of 2025 alone.The surge underscores the emirate’s rising influence in technology entrepreneurship and its drive to attract the next generation of global digital pioneers.According to the chamber, 70 per cent of these startups were international companies, confirming Dubai’s growing appeal among global founders seeking access to Middle Eastern, African, and Asian markets. Artificial intelligence (AI) led the way, accounting for 21 per cent…

Gold has been treading water in recent weeks, holding near the $4,000-an-ounce mark but showing little conviction either way. However, precious metals analysts say beneath this surface calm, the market is simply gathering strength before its next big move—one that could carry prices toward an unprecedented $5,000 per ounce by 2026.Despite the metal’s inability to sustain gains above the symbolic $4,000 level, the underlying tone in the gold market remains strikingly optimistic. Ewa Manthey, commodities strategist at ING, believes the current pause is less a sign of exhaustion and more of a healthy reset. In her latest monthly update, Manthey said…

Emaar Properties has  reported for the first nine months of 2025 a 22 per cent increase in property sales to Dh61 billion, crossing a significant milestone with its revenue backlog surpassing Dh150 billion. The Dubai-based global property developer delivered  growth across all key financial metrics, underscoring the sustained demand for premium real estate in Dubai and the strength of its diversified business model.The company’s revenue surged 39 per cent to Dh33.1 billion during the period, while earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortisation (Ebitda) grew 32 per cent to Dh16.6 billion. Net profit before tax reached Dh16.7 billion, reflecting a healthy…

The global crypto wealth boom is driving a historic migration of digital assets and investors to the UAE, with its zero-tax environment and progressive regulatory framework positioning it as the world’s premier crypto hub.The ranks of crypto millionaires have reached an unprecedented 241,700 individuals worldwide — a striking 40 per cent year-on-year increase — according to the newly published Crypto Wealth Report 2025 by Henley & Partners. This surge, fuelled by a 45 per cent rise in total market value to $3.3 trillion, represents one of the most significant wealth transfers in modern history, with 36 crypto billionaires now commanding…

Dubai-based real estate developer Deyaar Development on Wednesday reported a substantial 23.7 per cent year-on-year increase in profit after tax for the first nine months of 2025, reaching Dh406.4 million. The company’s strong financial performance was propelled by a significant 39.1 per cent surge in total revenue, which climbed to Dh1.447 billion from Dh1.040 billion in the same period last year.The results underscore the company’s successful execution of its development strategy. The core property development segment was the primary growth engine, with its revenue soaring 46.4 per cent to Dh1.196 billion. Other business segments also contributed positively, registering a 12.2 per cent…

The UAE’s non-oil private sector maintained strong growth momentum in October 2025, with business activity expanding at a solid pace that remained above mid-year trends despite a slight moderation from September’s peak.The seasonally adjusted S&P Global UAE Purchasing Managers’ Index registered 53.8, down marginally from 54.2 the previous month but still well above the 50-point mark that separates expansion from contraction. This sustained growth aligns with the International Monetary Fund’s bullish outlook for the UAE economy, which projects real GDP growth of 4.8 per cent in 2025, outperforming both regional and global averages.The underlying drivers of October’s expansion revealed significant strength…

Dubai’s real estate market continues to exceed expectations, with the residential sector achieving unprecedented sales volumes in 2025 and the office market maintaining near-full occupancy amid soaring demand. This record-breaking performance is driven by sustained population growth, robust investor confidence, and Dubai’s evolving status as a permanent home for global citizens rather than a transient destination.By the end of October, real estate sales had reached a historic Dh559.4 billion, already surpassing the previous full-year record of Dh522.1 billion set in 2024 . Another report, tracking the first 290 days of the year, noted sales of Dh525.87 billion, further confirming the market’s explosive…

The cryptocurrency market stumbled into November, with the flagship digital asset, Bitcoin, plunging below the psychologically critical $100,000 mark to its lowest level since late June. This sharp correction, which has seen Bitcoin shed over 20 per cent from its record high above $126,000 set on October 6, has ignited a fierce debate among analysts: is this a healthy pullback or the beginning of a more profound bear market?The immediate triggers for the decline are a confluence of technical breakdowns, shifting macroeconomic winds, and internal market dynamics. Technically, the breach of a key support level — the 200-day moving average at…

Oil markets opened the week with steady gains as Opec and its allies opted to pause production increases during the first quarter of 2026, signalling a careful recalibration of supply in response to seasonal demand weakness and continuing geopolitical uncertainty.Brent crude futures fell 81 cents, or 1.25 per cent, to $64.08 a barrel by 1310 GMT. US West Texas Intermediate crude was down 84 cents, or 1.38 per cent, at $60.21.The decision, announced following a virtual Opec+ ministerial meeting, confirmed that the coalition will proceed with a modest supply increase of 137,000 barrels per day (bpd) in December 2025, consistent…