Author: Dr Issac PJ

The UAE and Saudi Arabia have emerged among the world’s most advanced adopters of agentic artificial intelligence — a new generation of AI capable of making decisions and performing tasks independently — with more than a third of organisations already deploying the technology in live business environments.According to Confluent’s 2026 Data Streaming Report, 38 per cent of organisations in both countries have agentic AI solutions running in production, placing the Gulf among the global leaders in translating AI ambition into operational reality.Unlike traditional AI systems that primarily respond to questions or generate content, agentic AI can analyse information, make decisions…

Global oil prices fell sharply on Monday as investors welcomed signs of progress in talks between the United States and Iran, raising hopes of increased oil supplies and reducing fears of a prolonged disruption to energy flows from the Gulf.Brent crude, the international benchmark, dropped more than 2 per cent to trade around $79 a barrel after briefly climbing above $82 earlier in the session, while US West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude slipped about 3 per cent to near $75 a barrel. The decline extended last week’s losses of more than 8 per cent, reflecting a dramatic shift in market…

The Reserve Bank of India’s (RBI) decision to relax rules governing Foreign Currency Non-Resident (Bank), or FCNR(B), deposits has opened a new avenue for Non-Resident Indians (NRIs) seeking higher returns while protecting their savings from currency fluctuations.The temporary relaxation, which remains in force until September 30, 2026, allows banks greater flexibility to raise foreign-currency deposits from NRIs at a time when global interest rates remain elevated, and the Indian rupee faces pressure from volatile oil prices and uncertain global economic conditions.The move has triggered considerable interest among NRIs, particularly in the Gulf region, where a large proportion of expatriate Indians…

Gold’s spectacular rally may have hit a speed bump, but Wall Street’s biggest banks remain convinced that the precious metal’s long-term bull market is far from over.Goldman Sachs and Morgan Stanley have both trimmed their near-term gold price forecasts in recent weeks, reflecting a shifting interest-rate outlook in the United States and a moderation in safe-haven demand. Yet both institutions continue to project gold prices well above $5,000 an ounce over the next 12 to 18 months, underscoring their belief that the structural forces supporting bullion remain intact.The revisions come as gold trades around $4,200-$4,300 an ounce after retreating from…

Businesses across the GCC are set to face a more coordinated but more demanding VAT regime as new amendments to the GCC Unified VAT Agreement reshape the tax treatment of intra-regional trade, imports and cross-border supplies.The amendments, approved by Saudi Arabia’s Council of Ministers under Decision No. 887, update five key areas of the regional VAT framework: intra-GCC supplies of goods, supplies to individuals and non-registered customers, VAT rates, import VAT and information sharing between tax authorities. Other GCC member states are expected to follow with local implementation measures.In simple terms, the changes are designed to ensure VAT is paid in…

The global oil market could swing from one of the worst supply shocks in decades to a substantial surplus next year as Gulf crude production recovers following the US-Iran peace agreement, the International Energy Agency (IEA) has warned.  In its latest monthly oil market report, the Paris-based agency said the oil supply disruption triggered by the Iran conflict has not only curtailed production but also weakened global demand, setting the stage for a potentially dramatic market reversal in 2027.  The IEA now forecasts global oil supply to rise by around 8 million barrels per day (bpd) next year, while demand…

The reopening of the Strait of Hormuz under the latest US-Iran ceasefire agreement may have removed one of the biggest threats to global energy markets. Still, economists warn that Gulf economies are unlikely to stage a rapid recovery, as lingering investor caution, disrupted trade flows, and weaker oil revenues continue to weigh on growth.Oxford Economics has sharply downgraded its outlook for the GCC, projecting the region’s aggregate real GDP to contract by 2.4 per cent in 2026, compared with an earlier forecast of a 1.2 per cent decline.The downgrade reflects the deeper-than-expected impact of months of conflict-related disruptions that curtailed…

For millions of Indians living and working in the Gulf, investing back home is about to become significantly easier. In a major reform aimed at attracting a larger share of overseas Indian wealth, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has simplified investment and repatriation rules, raised stock market investment limits and expanded access to Indian equities for individuals residing outside the country.The changes are particularly relevant for Gulf-based Non-Resident Indians (NRIs), who account for a substantial portion of the more than $125 billion India receives annually in remittances. By introducing a dedicated repatriable rupee account and streamlining the movement of…

For non-resident Indians, investing in India has just become easier, with new Central Bank rules streamlining fund flows, raising investment limits, and simplifying repatriation.1. What is the biggest change?You can now use a single designated repatriable rupee account to:Invest in Indian shares and other eligible assets.Receive sale proceeds.Reinvest funds.Transfer money back overseas after paying taxes.Benefit: Less paperwork and fewer bank-account complications.2. Can I bring my money back easily?Yes.After selling investments and paying applicable taxes:Money can remain in the designated account for reinvestment, orBe remitted abroad.Benefit: Greater liquidity and flexibility.3. Have investment limits changed?Yes.Individual limit increased from 5 per cent to…

Dubai’s mortgage market is showing remarkable resilience in 2026, with competitive borrowing costs, stable lending rules and growing buyer confidence driving demand despite a backdrop of regional geopolitical uncertainty.Industry executives say the most notable trend this year is the growing shift towards fixed-rate mortgages as homebuyers seek to secure lower borrowing costs while protecting themselves against future interest-rate volatility.According to Betterhomes’ mortgage arm, Lomond, fixed-rate mortgage products are currently offering some of the most attractive financing terms seen in recent years, making them increasingly popular among both first-time buyers and investors.Major UAE banks are offering one-year fixed rates from 3.75…