Author: Dr Issac PJ
Public confidence in the UAE economy and the country’s long-term outlook remains remarkably strong despite heightened regional tensions and geopolitical uncertainty, according to a major new GCC-wide survey that underscores the Emirates’ reputation as a regional safe haven for business, investment and expatriate living.The survey, conducted by Consulum in partnership with HarrisX, found that 92 per cent of respondents in the UAE remain confident in the economy, while 91 per cent believe the country is “on the right track” even as conflict-related risks continue to weigh on regional trade, energy and financial markets.The findings come at a time when Gulf…
The global Islamic finance industry is expected to lose momentum in 2026 as geopolitical tensions, oil market disruption and slower economic activity across the Gulf weigh on banking growth and sukuk issuance, according to a new report by S&P Global Ratings.The ratings agency said the industry’s growth is projected to slow to between 5 per cent and 10 per cent this year, compared with 10.2 per cent growth in 2025, as the prolonged Middle East conflict and instability around the Strait of Hormuz continue to disrupt trade, transportation and investor sentiment.In its report, Islamic Finance 2026-2027: Navigating Rough Waters, S&P…
India’s jewellery industry has urged the government to focus on mobilising the country’s vast idle household gold reserves rather than discouraging consumer purchases, warning that a sharp demand slowdown could threaten the livelihoods of millions dependent on the sector.The appeal by the All India Jewellers and Goldsmith Federation came a day after Prime Minister Narendra Modi called on citizens to defer gold purchases for one year to help conserve foreign exchange reserves amid soaring oil prices and supply disruptions linked to the Middle East conflict.In a letter to Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal, AIJGF national president Pankaj Arora said the objective…
India’s gold jewellery industry is facing one of its sharpest demand shocks in recent years as record-high bullion prices collide with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s appeal for citizens to defer gold purchases for a year to conserve foreign exchange reserves amid mounting geopolitical and oil market pressures.Demand shockThe twin developments have triggered panic selling in jewellery stocks, dampened consumer sentiment ahead of the wedding season, and raised concerns about spillover effects across Gulf markets, especially in the UAE, a major trading and retail hub for Indian gold buyers.Patriotic appealThe pressure on the sector intensified after Modi urged Indians to avoid…
The Dubai Financial Services Authority banned and fined a reinsurance executive for misleading and deceptive conduct in the latest enforcement action targeting misconduct in the Dubai International Financial Centre’s insurance sector.The regulator imposed a fine of $139,722 (Dh513,129) on Wael Abdelmohsen Abdellatif Mohamed Emara, also known as Mohsen, and prohibited him from working in financial services in the DIFC. The DFSA said the penalty was reduced from $285,149 after Mohsen settled with the regulator and requested leniency due to financial hardship.The latest enforcement action comes months after the DFSA fined Ed Broking (Mena) Limited $455,176 (Dh1.67 million) in February 2026…
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…