Author: Dr Issac PJ

Global shipping costs are soaring as the Israel-Iran war escalates, prompting insurers to raise premiums sharply for vessels passing through critical maritime chokepoints such as the Strait of Hormuz and Israeli ports. The rise in shipping risk and associated costs threatens to upend regional trade flows and strain global supply chains already reeling from ongoing Red Sea disruptions.According to data from Marsh McLennan, the world’s largest insurance broker, insurance prices for ships transiting the Strait of Hormuz have surged more than 60 per cent since the conflict erupted. Hull and machinery insurance premiums — covering damage to the vessel itself…

Dubai’s luxury real estate market is witnessing an extraordinary boom, with sales of homes priced over Dh10 million rising 10-fold in just four years. This surge highlights the emirate’s growing appeal to global high-net-worth individuals (HNWIs), backed by investor confidence, world-class developments, and lifestyle-focused planning. According to Savills Middle East’s latest “Dubai Prime Residential 2025” report, the number of Dh10 million-plus transactions surged from just 469 in 2020 to 4,670 in 2024. In the first quarter of 2025 alone, more than 1,300 properties at this price point changed hands — representing a 31 per cent year-on-year increase. Luxury property experts…

The UAE, particularly Dubai and Abu Dhabi, is emerging as a global magnet for capital, bolstered by rising foreign investor appetite, strong fundamentals, and a robust pipeline of initial public offerings (IPOs) across diverse sectors. As global markets navigate an era of elevated tariffs and macroeconomic uncertainty, the UAE’s financial markets are standing out for their stability, depth, and reform-driven momentum. This sentiment was evident at HSBC’s fourth annual GCC Exchanges Conference in London, which brought together over 300 institutional investors and more than 100 corporates from the Gulf region. All seven GCC stock exchanges, including the Dubai Financial Market…

The US military strike on Iranian nuclear facilities and the widening war in the Middle East have sent fresh shockwaves through global markets, heightening fears of spiralling oil prices, inflationary pressure, and economic disruption. As tensions escalate following Iran’s intensified missile attacks on Israel and the sudden US involvement, analysts warn that a full-blown regional conflict could push Brent crude toward the $100 mark, ignite market volatility, and derail the fragile global recovery. India-based maritime analyst and WMC Blue Economy Forum Chairman Nanoo Viswanadhan said the most immediate impact is being felt in the shipping sector. Insurance premiums for ships…

India’s cultural and economic fascination with gold has turned the country into the world’s largest private gold vault. Households, including religious institutions like temples, collectively hold an estimated 25,000 tonnes of gold, valued at approximately $2.4 trillion at current market prices, according to the World Gold Council (WGC). This massive stockpile equates to nearly 56 per cent of India’s projected nominal GDP for FY26, underlining the metal’s central role in the nation’s financial ecosystem. A recent report by HSBC reveals that Indian household gold reserves have surpassed the combined official gold holdings of the world’s top 10 central banks —…

Gulf stock markets gained ground on Monday as oil prices surged to a five-month high, driven by mounting geopolitical tensions following US strikes on Iranian nuclear sites. Investor anxiety has deepened over the possibility of an Iranian response, especially amid growing fears that Tehran may attempt to disrupt or block the critical Strait of Hormuz—a conduit for more than 20 per cent of the world’s oil supply. Brent crude rose sharply in the wake of the US offensive, which marked a dramatic escalation in the ongoing Middle East conflict. This spike in oil prices, while boosting energy-exporting economies in the…

Gulf stock markets rallied on June 24, 2025, driven by renewed investor confidence following a US-brokered ceasefire between Iran and Israel, which ended a 12-day conflict. The announcement, made by US President Donald Trump, alleviated concerns over potential disruptions in the Middle East, a critical hub for global oil supply, leading to sharp declines in oil and gold prices as risk appetite shifted toward equities. In Dubai, the main share index soared 3.4 per cent, marking its largest intraday gain since December 2024. Emaar Properties, a leading developer, surged 5.1 per cent, fueling the rally. Air Arabia, a budget airline,…

The World Bank has warned that escalating tensions between Iran and Israel pose a serious threat to economic stability across the GCC region, potentially derailing growth prospects and intensifying global uncertainty. While the immediate economic impact of the conflict remains difficult to quantify, the bank cautions that the fallout could ripple far beyond energy markets, affecting trade, inflation, investor sentiment, and fiscal stability. Safaa El Tayeb El-Kogali, the World Bank’s regional director for the GCC, highlighted the risks during the release of the Bank’s latest Gulf Economic Update. She noted that the region remains particularly vulnerable to geopolitical shocks, given…

The UAE is rapidly reinforcing its status as a global powerhouse in artificial intelligence, propelled by an ambitious multi-billion-dollar agenda. The agenda aligns cutting-edge infrastructure with deep-rooted government strategy, strategic alliances, and a bold push to build homegrown talent and innovation, according to leading analysts. As AI becomes a central pillar of the country’s non-oil diversification drive, its impact is expected to be transformational — potentially contributing up to 20 per cent of the UAE’s non-oil GDP by 2031, they argue. The scale of ambition is matched by the scale of investment. From a market valued at roughly Dh12.74 billion…

The luxury retail landscape in the Middle East is undergoing a dramatic transformation, led by the UAE and Saudi Arabia, which have emerged as the region’s most dynamic and lucrative markets for global luxury brands. A potent mix of surging consumer demand, growing wealth inflows, and visionary urban development is creating fertile ground for the sector’s robust expansion, making the region a new strategic frontier for high-end retail, luxury market experts said. As global brands strengthen their presence and regional players scale up, the Middle East is poised to take on a more strategic role in luxury portfolios worldwide. From…