Author: Dr Issac PJ

Global oil markets are preparing for a prolonged period of elevated prices and volatility as fears of sustained supply disruptions in the Middle East continue to overshadow hopes of a diplomatic breakthrough between the United States and Iran. A new Bloomberg Intelligence survey of 126 asset managers and energy strategists showed that traders increasingly expect crude prices to remain structurally high over the next 12 months, with Brent crude projected to average between $81 and $100 a barrel as war-related risks become embedded into long-term market expectations. The findings underscore mounting concerns that the closure and disruption around the Strait…

The GCC insurance industry is expected to maintain strong growth momentum over the next five years despite mounting geopolitical tensions, volatile oil prices and rising claims costs, with the UAE emerging as one of the region’s key growth engines driven by population expansion, digital transformation and surging demand for health, cyber and specialty insurance products.A new report released by Dubai-based investment banking advisory firm Alpen Capital forecasts GCC gross written premiums (GWP) to grow at a compound annual growth rate of 4.9 per cent between 2025 and 2030, reaching $61.8 billion.The non-life segment is projected to remain the dominant driver…

Abu Dhabi’s property market is emerging as one of the UAE’s strongest real estate growth stories, with soaring transaction volumes, double-digit rental gains and surging demand for premium office space reinforcing the capital’s rise as a preferred destination for investors, multinational companies and high-net-worth residents. The strong momentum in the capital comes as the broader UAE property market begins transitioning from the explosive post-pandemic boom of 2025 into a more balanced and mature growth cycle, supported by infrastructure spending, economic diversification and sustained population growth despite mounting regional geopolitical tensions.According to the latest Q1 2026 market assessment released by Colliers, Abu…

Dubai’s property market is showing signs of transitioning from a rapid-growth cycle into a more mature and stabilised phase, supported by strong economic fundamentals, infrastructure investment and sustained buyer confidence, even as more investors expect prices to soften in the coming months.Fresh market data released by leading property consultancies and property portal propertyfinder.ae indicates that while residential sales and rental growth remain positive, the pace of expansion is moderating across several segments as supply rises sharply and buyers become increasingly selective.The latest quarterly market assessments show Dubai crossed another key supply milestone during the first quarter of 2026, with apartment…

The UAE has further strengthened its reputation as one of the world’s most agile and future-ready governments after securing a place among the world’s top 10 most effective administrations in the 2026 Chandler Good Government Index (CGGI), reinforcing the country’s emergence as a global benchmark for governance, innovation, and institutional efficiency.The latest ranking reflects the UAE’s sustained push to build a government model centred on speed, adaptability, digital transformation, and long-term strategic planning as the country accelerates efforts to achieve the ambitions of the “We the UAE 2031” vision.Published annually by the Chandler Institute of Governance, the index evaluates 133…

As the UAE and India race toward a $100 billion-plus non-oil trade partnership, a powerful new consumer and retail corridor is emerging between the two economies, reshaping trade flows, supply chains, digital commerce, and cross-border investments across one of the world’s fastest-growing consumption markets. Driven by the UAE’s position as a global retail and logistics hub and India’s massive consumer base and digital economy boom, businesses are increasingly moving beyond traditional exports to build integrated retail ecosystems spanning the Gulf and South Asia. A new strategic report released by the UAE India Business Council – UAE Chapter and Arthur D.…

Dubai’s real estate market extended its strong growth trajectory in 2025, with villas, office spaces and retail properties leading price gains amid rising investor confidence, sustained population growth and continued economic expansion.New data released by Dubai Data and Statistics Establishment, part of Digital Dubai, showed the emirate’s Residential and Commercial Real Estate Price Index recorded broad-based growth across most property segments during 2025.The data underlined the increasingly important role of digital intelligence and market analytics in shaping investment decisions and improving transparency across Dubai’s rapidly evolving property sector.According to the index, Dubai’s overall residential real estate market recorded annual growth…

Oil prices retreated in early Asian trading on Tuesday after US President Donald Trump said he had paused a planned military strike on Iran to allow negotiations to continue, offering temporary relief to markets rattled by fears of a prolonged energy supply crisis.Brent futures for July were down $1.27, or 1.13 per cent, at $110.83 a barrel by 1319 GMT, Reuters reported. The US West Texas Intermediate crude contract for June delivery, which expires on Tuesday, slipped 45 cents, or 0.41 per cent, to $108.21. The more active July contract fell 38 cents, or 0.36 per cent, to $104.Both benchmarks…

The Indian rupee came under renewed pressure on Tuesday, falling to another record low as rising oil prices, a strong US dollar, and escalating tensions around the Strait of Hormuz intensified fears of a prolonged external-sector shock for India and millions of non-resident Indians (NRIs) in the Gulf.The rupee opened 18 paise weaker at 96.38 against the US dollar in interbank trading after closing at an all-time low of 96.20 on Monday. The sharp depreciation pushed the Indian currency close to the 26-rupee mark against the UAE dirham, significantly boosting the value of remittances for Gulf-based NRIs sending money home.…

UAE companies are accelerating efforts to comply with the country’s sweeping new climate disclosure regime before the Federal Climate Law comes fully into force on May 30, 2026, with many businesses increasingly turning to artificial intelligence to manage the growing complexity of emissions reporting and sustainability compliance.The implementation of Federal Decree-Law No. 11 of 2024 on the Reduction of Climate Change Effects marks one of the most significant regulatory shifts for UAE businesses in recent years, moving sustainability reporting from a largely voluntary exercise into a mandatory compliance framework with financial and operational consequences.Under the law, companies that fail to…