Author: Dr Issac PJ

The GCC stands at a crossroads in its economic diversification journey, with a new report showing the region has significant untapped potential to attract climate-aligned foreign direct investment (FDI).While more than $1 trillion in global green FDI flowed into projects between 2020 and 2024, the UAE, Saudi Arabia, and Oman together captured just $24 billion — or 2 per cent — of the total. This modest inflow contrasts sharply with the $132 billion the three countries invested abroad in green projects over the same period, highlighting a gap the region is now determined to close.The analysis by Strategy& Middle East,…

Dubai’s real estate sector has extended its remarkable run through 2025, with new data pointing to a surge in both off-plan and secondary sales as residents and international investors deepen their commitment to the city.The latest analysis by eXp Dubai shows that transactions climbed 26 per cent in the four months from May to August compared with the first four months of the year, a sign that momentum continues to build despite the seasonal slowdown in August.The Dubai Land Department recorded 75,519 property transactions between May and August, up sharply from 60,110 in the January–April period. While transactions dipped 4.5…

HSBC has unveiled its first wealth centre in the Middle East, choosing Dubai as the location for the flagship facility as the bank sharpens its focus on the UAE’s rapidly expanding affluent and high-net-worth population.The state-of-the-art centre, housed within HSBC’s Jumeirah branch, is designed to serve Premier and wealth clients with private meeting spaces, dedicated relationship managers, and bespoke solutions to manage, grow and protect assets.The launch comes as the UAE enhances its status as the world’s leading magnet for millionaires. According to the latest Henley & Partners wealth migration data, the UAE is projected to attract about 9,800 new…

Emirates Islamic has entered into a strategic partnership with GJ Properties to provide project financing and escrow account services for The Biltmore Residences – Al Sufouh, a luxury development inspired by the iconic Biltmore Hotel in Los Angeles.The agreement underscores the bank’s commitment to supporting Dubai’s thriving real estate sector through innovative financial solutions and secure, regulated systems that enhance investor confidence. Under the partnership, Emirates Islamic will oversee transparent escrow management, ensuring funds are released in line with construction milestones and reinforcing trust among international and elite buyers.Ali Ghaleb Jaber, CEO of GJ Properties, said the collaboration marks an…

Gold surged to yet another record on Tuesday, powered by expectations that the US Federal Reserve will deliver its first rate cut in more than a year this week.Investors are betting not just on a quarter-point reduction but also on the prospect of further easing as the world’s largest economy shows signs of strain.The Fed, which has held its benchmark rate steady for five consecutive meetings, is widely expected to cut by 25 basis points on September 17, bringing the policy rate closer to 4.1 per cent.Bullion climbed to $3,686 an ounce in Asia, surpassing Monday’s all-time high of $3,685,…

The UAE continued to attract landmark deals that reinforce its position as the region’s most diversified startup hub as funding across the Middle East and North Africa surged in August.In August, startups in Mena raised $337.5 million across 47 transactions, up 74 per cent compared with the same period last year, underscoring resilient investor appetite despite a cautious global funding environment. The monthly figure, however, marked a 57 per cent dip from July’s exceptional $783 million, reflecting the market’s natural recalibration after blockbuster rounds.Saudi Arabia emerged as the frontrunner for the second consecutive month, attracting $166 million through 19 deals,…

Abu Dhabi’s entrepreneurial landscape is undergoing a generational shift as thousands of young innovators pour into the city’s business ecosystem, marking one of the fastest expansions in youth enterprise in the region.The Abu Dhabi Chamber of Commerce and Industry reported that youth-led businesses registered with the chamber soared by an extraordinary 97.8 per cent between 2023 and 2024, a surge that reflects both the confidence of a new generation and the emirate’s increasingly magnetic appeal as a hub for startups and technology-driven ventures.According to the chamber’s latest data, more than 21,240 members aged between 18 and 35 are now affiliated…

The UAE Central Bank’s recent decision to phase out one-time passwords (OTPs) in favour of stronger authentication methods has underscored the Emirates’ leadership in safeguarding bank customers at a time when many of its regional peers are falling behind.Fresh research reveals that while UAE regulators are tightening digital security standards, banks across much of the GCC are showing worrying signs of complacency.According to Proofpoint, a leading cybersecurity company, adoption of Domain-based Message Authentication, Reporting, and Conformance (DMARC) — the global email protocol designed to block phishing and spoofing — has slipped across the region. In 2024, 96 per cent of…

Dubai’s First-Time Home Buyer Programme, launched in July 2025, is already emerging as a lifeline for long-term residents caught between rising rents and soaring property prices. By lowering the barriers to homeownership, the initiative is reshaping the path from renting to owning.For tenants, the programme provides a realistic alternative to escalating rents. With average apartment leases now at Dh85,000 and villas at Dh190,000 annually, monthly mortgage instalments—when supported by preferential pricing and flexible repayment plans—can often work out cheaper. Participating banks such as Emirates NBD, Dubai Islamic Bank, and Mashreq are offering customised mortgage products with lower rates, quicker approvals,…

Dubai’s property sector, long known for its appeal to global investors and high-net-worth individuals, is now witnessing a structural shift in the wake of the game-changing initiative.According to Dubai Land Department data, Dubai’s property sector saw transactions surpass Dh90 billion in July and August, up nearly 12% year-on-year, driven by the launch of the First-Time Home Buyer Programme in July 2025.The initiative has opened doors for Emiratis and expatriates who previously found homeownership out of reach, injecting fresh momentum into the market.Spearheaded by the Dubai Land Department (DLD) and the Department of Economy and Tourism (DET), the programme is already…