Author: Dr Issac PJ

Dubai’s residential property market continues to flourish, with six communities emerging as key hotspots for investors and first-time buyers, offering rental yields of up to 7.39 per cent. The six standout communities — Jumeirah Village Circle (JVC), Damac Island, Downtown Dubai, Dubai Marina, Meydan City, and Dubai South — are registering strong sales volumes and capital appreciation, underscoring a shift toward value-driven locations supported by master-planned development and improved connectivity, according to the latest analysis by Chestertons Mena. The study highlights a market defined by strategic urban planning, infrastructure development, and growing investor confidence — trends that are shaping the…

As US President Donald Trump’s sweeping new trade tariffs ripple across the globe, India — now the world’s fourth-largest economy — is grappling with a fresh economic shock: an additional 25 per cent tariff on its exports to the United States, bringing the total duty on several Indian products to 50 per cent. While the punitive measure is a response to New Delhi’s continued oil trade with Russia, analysts and policy thinkers are debating whether this moment, fraught with economic risks, could also be a once-in-a-generation opportunity for India to reform and reimagine its export competitiveness. The secondary tariff, effective…

Abu Dhabi’s non‑oil foreign trade jumped by 34.7 per cent in the first half of 2025 to Dh195.4 billion, underscoring the emirate’s resilience, competitiveness, and growing role in global trade.The sharp increase, from Dh145 billion during the same period in 2024, far outpaces the 1.75 per cent average global trade growth recorded during the first six months of the year, highlighting how Abu Dhabi is bucking the global slowdown.Recommended For You Fact check: Will UAE see the longest total solar eclipse of the century on August 2?Different, but no less: A tale of autism, family and ambitionFifa boss Infantino offers…

Dubai Islamic Bank (DIB) delivered another strong performance in the first half of 2025, achieving a 16 per cent year‑on‑year rise in pre‑tax profit to Dh4.3 billion as operating revenue climbed to Dh6.4 billion.The solid results, supported by double‑digit growth in financing and deposits and improved asset quality, helped the bank surpass the $100 billion mark in total assets for the first time in its history.Recommended For You UAE: Meet residents who work abroad but spend every weekend in DubaiUS not rushing trade deals ahead of August deadline, will talk with China, Bessent saysFears of escalation after Israel hits Houthi-held…

Dubai’s real estate market delivered another stellar month in July, recording Dh63.6 billion in sales transactions as buoyant off‑plan activity, robust demand for ready properties, and a landmark corporate tax concession fuelled investor appetite.The city’s property sector, already on a multi‑year growth trajectory, continues to attract global capital and end-user interest, underscoring its position as one of the most dynamic and resilient real estate markets in the world.Recommended For You UAE: Meet residents who work abroad but spend every weekend in DubaiUS not rushing trade deals ahead of August deadline, will talk with China, Bessent saysFears of escalation after Israel…

The Indian rupee has slipped close to record lows against the UAE dirham, presenting a windfall for Indian expatriates in the Emirates who are remitting more to take advantage of favourable exchange rates. Currency dealers and remittance companies say activity has surged in recent days as the rupee traded around Rs23.91 per dirham, with intra‑week swings between Rs23.63 and Rs23.95 — among the weakest levels in recent years. Recommended For You Heated exchanges at Lord’s were fun, says England’s BrookUN Palestinian refugee agency staff, doctors fainting from hunger in Gaza, says UNRWAECB expected to hold rates as Trump tariff uncertainty…

International Holding Company (IHC) has delivered a strong first-half performance for 2025, posting revenue of Dh54.7 billion, up 31.1 per cent from Dh41.7 billion a year earlier, and a net profit of Dh10.8 billion.The Abu Dhabi‑based global investment group credited the results to disciplined strategic investments, portfolio strength across multiple sectors, and one of its best‑ever second quarters.Recommended For You Fit4It unveils CNS Reset™ Programme in Dubai to combat fatigue, weight gain, and burnoutVenus Williams makes a comeback at 45, wins doubles matchCFI welcomes Maria Sharapova as global brand ambassadorKarma Developers unveils a striking new chapter in Dubai’s architecture and…

Entrepreneurial ambition among young people in the Mena region is on a sharp rise, with 46 per cent of workers expressing interest in starting their own business. Nowhere is this intent more visible than in the UAE, where a dynamic ecosystem of startups and small and medium enterprises (SMEs) is enabling youth to turn vision into reality.A new PwC Middle East report, Future Ready Mena, highlights the urgent need to strengthen entrepreneurial capabilities across the region. It notes that the survival rate of small businesses doubles when guided by experienced mentors, and that mastery of emerging technologies — from artificial…

Dubai’s non‑oil private sector regained momentum in July, reinforcing the emirate’s position as a growth leader in the UAE’s diversified economy.The Dubai Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI) climbed to 53.5 from a 45‑month low of 51.8 in June, signalling a solid improvement in operating conditions. The rebound was driven by stronger demand, rising client enquiries and a marked pick‑up in sales volumes, in sharp contrast to the overall UAE trend where growth slowed.Recommended For You Paret-Peintre wins stage 16 as Pogacar keeps Tour de France leadUAE: Over 32,000 visa violators recorded in first half of 2025India’s golf revolution tees off with…

The overall growth trajectory of the UAE economy is expected to continue its upward trend, with the Central Bank of the UAE (CBUAE) forecasting 4.4 per cent growth in 2025 and a stronger rise to 5.4 per cent in 2026.Unveiling its 2024 Financial Stability Report, the apex bank portrayed a buoyant financial system and projected reassuring economic growth for the years ahead. The optimistic outlook is reinforced by independent forecasts from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank, offering further validation of the UAE’s stability and resilience.Recommended For You Dubai: Accident on Financial Centre Street bridge; traffic delays…