Author: Dr Issac PJ
The UAE is rapidly emerging as one of the world’s fastest-growing hubs for next-generation investors, as Gen Z and young millennials increasingly reshape global financial markets through early investing, digital-first behaviour and growing appetite for international assets.Industry executives and market analysts say the shift is transforming the region’s wealth landscape, with younger investors in the UAE entering financial markets earlier than previous generations and embracing long-term investing strategies supported by technology, financial literacy and easy access to digital platforms.According to new data released by Dealing, around 30 per cent of Gen Z investors globally begin investing before the age of…
The UAE has emerged as the world’s leading adopter of artificial intelligence technologies, becoming the first country globally where more than 70 per cent of the working-age population actively uses AI, underlining the nation’s rapid transformation into a global digital and innovation powerhouse.According to the latest Microsoft AI Diffusion Report for the first quarter of 2026, published by the Microsoft AI Economy Institute, AI adoption in the UAE climbed to 70.1 per cent, sharply above the global average of 17.8 per cent.The UAE’s adoption rate has accelerated steadily over the past year, rising from 59.4 per cent to 64 per…
Aramex reported resilient first-quarter growth for 2026, supported by strong demand for domestic delivery, freight forwarding and logistics services, even as regional geopolitical tensions disrupted trade flows and business confidence across the Gulf in March.The Dubai-listed logistics and transportation company said Q1 revenues rose 2 per cent year-on-year to Dh1.6 billion, reflecting sustained momentum in key business segments and the company’s ability to maintain operational continuity during a challenging quarter.The performance came against the backdrop of heightened regional instability that affected parts of the Middle East logistics network, forcing companies to reroute shipments and adapt supply chains amid disruptions to…
[Editor’s Note: Follow the media live blog for the latest regional developments with the US-Israel-Iran ceasefire now in effect.]Oil prices surged sharply on renewed fears of prolonged supply disruption after US President Donald Trump described Iran’s response to American proposals aimed at ending the conflict as “totally unacceptable,” raising concerns that tensions around the Strait of Hormuz could intensify further.Brent crude, the benchmark for two-thirds of the world’s oil, climbed 4.1 per cent to $105.50 a barrel in Asian trading, while US West Texas Intermediate crude rose 4.4 per cent to $99.80 a barrel as investors rushed back into energy markets amid…
Dubai’s residential property market is undergoing a profound structural shift, with homeowners now holding properties for as long as buyers in mature global markets such as London and New York — a trend analysts say reflects the emirate’s transformation from a speculative investment hub into a long-term wealth and residency destination.A new study analysing more than 1.1 million property transactions over the past 16 years found that a growing majority of buyers are retaining homes for longer periods instead of rapidly reselling for short-term gains.The research, conducted by fäm Properties using data from the Dubai Land Department, examined 687,406 primary market transactions between…
Dubai’s property market is showing early signs of stabilisation despite ongoing regional tensions. Fresh government policies, resilient investor appetite, and strong off-plan demand are helping the sector weather geopolitical uncertainty, according to industry experts and new market data.A market analysis presented during a recent Betterhomes webinar indicated that the emirate’s real estate sector remains fundamentally strong, nearly 10 weeks into the regional conflict. However, rental corrections and softer secondary market activity suggest the market is entering a more balanced phase after years of rapid growth.Data discussed during the webinar showed total property transactions in April edged up nearly 2 per…
The Gulf job market is showing signs of recovery after suffering a sharp slowdown triggered by the regional conflict earlier this year, with fresh data indicating that both employers and jobseekers are gradually returning to the market as business confidence stabilises following the ceasefire.According to data released by GulfTalent, daily registrations by professionals seeking jobs in the Gulf fell 35 per cent in March compared with February, while the number of companies actively posting vacancies declined 24 per cent over the same period.The slowdown followed the outbreak of hostilities on February 28, which disrupted regional trade routes, weakened business sentiment…
The UAE’s Capital Market Authority (CMA) has facilitated a Dh1.2 billion financial settlement between an investor and a licensed brokerage firm, underscoring the regulator’s growing focus on investor protection, market transparency and regulatory oversight amid rapid expansion in the country’s capital markets.The authority said the settlement followed extensive legal and regulatory review and reflected its commitment to safeguarding stakeholder rights in line with the UAE’s supervisory and legal frameworks.The announcement comes as the UAE’s financial markets continue to witness strong growth in trading activity, foreign investment inflows and listings, reinforcing the country’s emergence as one of the region’s leading capital…
The UAE has taken a decisive step towards building a sovereign defence and advanced technology ecosystem after Lockheed Martin, the world’s largest defence contractor, signed a landmark agreement with the Tawazun Council to establish an advanced microelectronics design and assembly facility in the country.The agreement, announced on the sidelines of “Make it in the Emirates 2926,” UAE’s flagship industrial platform, marks a significant milestone in Abu Dhabi’s strategy to localise critical defence technologies, deepen semiconductor capabilities and position the country as a regional hub for next-generation manufacturing.The project will be developed in partnership with Edge Group and Khalifa University and…
[Editor’s Note: Follow the media live blog for the latest regional developments with the US-Israel-Iran ceasefire now in effect.]DP World has launched a first-of-its-kind cargo war-risk insurance solution aimed at protecting businesses from mounting disruption across Middle East trade routes, as geopolitical tensions, shipping instability and soaring insurance costs continue to pressure global supply chains.The move comes amid prolonged uncertainty around the Strait of Hormuz and Red Sea shipping corridors, where conflict-related risks have sharply increased freight rates, insurance premiums and operational disruptions for companies dependent on Gulf trade routes.Industry analysts say the initiative could provide significant relief to importers, exporters and…