Author: Dr Issac PJ

Wealth-holding families in the UAE are moving decisively into the realms of digital assets and artificial intelligence, underscoring the country’s position as one of the world’s most advanced hubs for tech-driven wealth management, a new study from Standard Chartered Global Private Bank reveals.The report, conducted among more than 300 ultra-high-net-worth (UHNW) families and advisers across global wealth centres, shows that 71 per cent of UAE families believe they should strategically invest in digital assets — including cryptocurrencies, non-fungible tokens and tokenised traditional assets — versus 69 per cent globally.Meanwhile, 75 per cent of UAE respondents say they trust AI tools…

The GCC is on the cusp of a decades-long consumer boom, with its young, expanding and increasingly affluent population driving a wave of spending that will eclipse many advanced economies.New research by Oxford Economics forecasts that the region’s consumer sector will outperform global peers for years to come, powered by robust demographics, surging labour participation and sustained migration flows that are fuelling household income and demand across all segments.Oxford Economics’ newly-appointed Head of GCC Macroeconomic Analysis, Azad Zangana, emphasises that youthful populations, high migration and increasing labour participation will fuel both per-capita and aggregate consumption across the region.Zangana notes that one…

India’s economic juggernaut shows no sign of slowing despite global headwinds.  The International Monetary Fund (IMF), in its latest Regional Economic Outlook for Asia, projects India to grow at a robust 6.6 per cent in 2025–26 (FY26), up from 6.5 per cent in the previous fiscal year, making it the world’s fastest-growing major economy. The momentum, the IMF said, stems from strong second-quarter performance and the rollout of GST 2.0 reforms that are boosting tax compliance, formalisation, and fiscal efficiency.The Fund’s revision marks an upgrade from its April forecast, underscoring India’s resilience at a time when higher US tariffs and intensifying protectionism…

India and the US are closing in on a long-awaited trade deal that could set the stage for a dramatic expansion of bilateral commerce to $500 billion by 2030 — more than double the current value of $191 billion. Officials say most sticking points have been resolved, even as New Delhi insists it will not rush into any agreement that compromises its economic sovereignty or policy flexibility.A senior government official confirmed that “there has been convergence on most issues, and a deal is in sight.” The comments come amid renewed negotiations between the two countries following several rounds of technical talks…

The UAE has opened a new investment channel for citizens and residents with the launch of its “Retail Sukuk” initiative, enabling individuals to invest in sovereign-backed Islamic financial instruments starting from just Dh4,000.Announced by Sheikh Maktoum bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, First Deputy Ruler of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance of UAE, the programme aims to widen participation in public-sector financing and foster a culture of saving and financial inclusion.In practical terms, the retail version of the government T-Sukuk programme (the T-Sukuk) allows an ordinary investor to lend money to the federal government via a Shariah-compliant…

LuLu Group International, in collaboration with Sheikh Abdul Aziz bin Humaid Al Nuaimi, Chairman of Ajman Land Department and Ajman Tourism Development Department, and Mulk International, has unveiled plans to develop the region’s first mixed-use freehold and freezone retail hub — Mirkaaz Mall by LuLu.The announcement, made following the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) at the Middle East Council of Shopping Centres and Retailers (MECSR) event in Dubai, marks a major step in Ajman’s journey toward becoming a key destination for investment, retail, and leisure. The 2.5 million square-foot development, located at T10 Mirkaaz City, will integrate retail,…

Emirates NBD, one of the Middle East’s largest banking groups, reported an income of Dh36.7 billion for the first nine months of 2025, driven by strong growth in both interest and non-funded income across all geographies and segments.Operating profit rose 10 per cent year-on-year to Dh25.5 billion, reflecting “exceptional loan and deposit growth” that more than offset the impact of global interest rate cuts. Profit before tax climbed 6 per cent to Dh23.4 billion despite lower recoveries during the third quarter.The results come as the group deepens its regional and international expansion strategy, highlighted by its landmark acquisition of a…

Abu Dhabi’s delivery riders are getting a game-changing boost with the launch of the capital’s first battery-swapping station for electric motorbikes, an innovative initiative by Adnoc Distribution and Terra Tech Ltd.The first-of-its-kind facility allows bikers to swap depleted batteries for fully charged ones in seconds — cutting downtime, reducing emissions, and accelerating the UAE’s green mobility drive.Located at one of Adnoc’s flagship service stations, the station is designed to transform last-mile logistics by making delivery operations cleaner, faster, and more cost-efficient. The move aligns with Abu Dhabi’s goal of having 50 per cent of vehicles electric by 2040 and the…

First Abu Dhabi Bank (FAB) on Wednesday reported record earnings for the first nine months of 2025, with Group net profit jumping 24 per cent year-on-year to Dh16.02 billion — its highest ever for the period. Profit before tax rose 26 per cent to Dh19.25 billion, while return on tangible equity (RoTE) stood at 20 per cent, well above the bank’s medium-term target.The robust performance reflects broad-based growth across all divisions, driven by strong client activity, diversified revenue streams, and productivity gains from FAB’s AI-driven transformation strategy. Operating income climbed 16 per cent year-on-year to Dh27.65 billion, supported by sustained business momentum.…

Gold and silver’s spectacular rally hit a wall this week, raising the question of whether the sharp pull-back marks a healthy correction or the beginning of a deeper crash. After months of relentless gains, both metals tumbled in one of their steepest declines in years, forcing traders and investors to reassess the strength of the precious-metals bull run.Gold plunged by as much as six per cent, wiping $235 off its price in a single day — its sharpest fall since 2013 — while silver slumped more than seven per cent, the biggest drop since 2011. Analysts describe the move as a…