Global Pulse

分类： business

  • UAE industrial exports reach Dh262 billion in 2025

    UAE industrial exports reach Dh262 billion in 2025

    The United Arab Emirates has achieved a landmark accomplishment in industrial exports, reaching an unprecedented Dh262 billion in 2025. This represents a remarkable 25 percent year-on-year growth and demonstrates a doubling of export value since the establishment of the Ministry of Industry and Advanced Technology in 2020.

    A particularly significant aspect of this achievement is the performance of medium- and high-technology industries, which generated Dh92 billion in exports. This figure not only represents a substantial 42 percent annual growth but has already surpassed the Dh90 billion target originally set for 2031—six years ahead of schedule. This accelerated performance underscores the nation’s rapid transition toward advanced manufacturing technologies and increased value addition within national industries.

    Under the guidance of the Ministry of Industry and Advanced Technology, the UAE has systematically developed progressive industrial policies and modernized regulatory frameworks. These strategic initiatives have strengthened international partner confidence while reinforcing the country’s position as both a regional and global hub for advanced industries. The comprehensive approach has enhanced local production capabilities, supported resilient supply chains, and boosted the international competitiveness of Emirati products.

    Dr. Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber, Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology, emphasized that this progress reflects the Ministry’s dedicated implementation of leadership directives focused on supporting industrial sector growth and competitiveness. “Since our establishment in 2020, we have achieved 100 percent growth in industrial exports,” Al Jaber stated. “Through the National Strategy for Industry and Advanced Technology and the ‘Make it in the Emirates’ initiative, we are transforming industrial trade growth into sustainable value for the national economy.”

    The Ministry’s integrated initiatives, particularly the ‘Make it in the Emirates’ program, have driven the localization of strategic and vital industries in alignment with national priorities. This approach has stimulated high-quality industrial investment while enhancing national manufacturing capabilities and supporting economic security objectives.

    Complementing these efforts, the National In-Country Value (ICV) Programme has successfully redirected spending toward the local economy, strengthened national content in supply chains, and empowered industrial and service companies across the UAE. These coordinated strategies have significantly increased the industrial sector’s contribution to GDP while reinforcing the competitive standing of the national economy on the global stage.

  • UAE’s “Year of the Family”: Mapping legacy through control, clarity, continuity and tax optimisation

    UAE’s “Year of the Family”: Mapping legacy through control, clarity, continuity and tax optimisation

    The United Arab Emirates’ designation of 2026 as the ‘Year of the Family’ represents far more than symbolic recognition—it marks a critical inflection point for affluent families navigating an increasingly complex global regulatory landscape. As transnational families with substantial assets confront mounting challenges including global tax coordination, cross-border regulatory scrutiny, and succession risks, the Emirates emerges as a jurisdiction offering not just tax efficiency but regulatory predictability and structural coherence.

    The paradigm has fundamentally shifted from purely tax-driven planning to comprehensive governance optimization. Globally mobile families now prioritize regulatory stability, jurisdictional alignment, and defensible structures over mere tax rate arbitrage. The central concerns have evolved to encompass control preservation, decision-making clarity, and structural resilience across generations and jurisdictions.

    Progressive families are implementing three transformative approaches: First, they’re restructuring ownership around documented control mechanisms rather than convenience, establishing clear frameworks through foundations, holding companies, and family charters. Second, tax strategy has transitioned from isolated compliance to integrated governance, with family councils systematically addressing taxing rights, substance requirements, and global minimum tax implications. Third, families now actively stress-test structures against life contingencies—incapacity, relocation, divorce, and multi-jurisdictional death—treating them as governance necessities rather than cultural taboos.

    The UAE’s value proposition for 2026 lies in its capacity to facilitate this evolution from fragmented asset holding to institutional family governance. In an era of automatic information exchange and intergovernmental cooperation, the premium has shifted from clever structuring to defensible alignment between legal frameworks, family reality, and regulatory expectations across all relevant jurisdictions.

    For families considering consolidation in the Emirates, the ultimate test becomes whether current arrangements will withstand regulatory scrutiny, generational transition, and geographic dispersion when grandchildren eventually inherit stewardship responsibilities. The Year of the Family thus serves as a catalyst for transforming loose collections of entities and assumptions into coherent, future-proofed family institutions capable of enduring both internal dynamics and external examination.

  • Adnoc Gas posts record $5.2 billion net income in 2025

    Adnoc Gas posts record $5.2 billion net income in 2025

    Adnoc Gas has announced unprecedented financial results for fiscal year 2025, achieving a record-breaking net income of $5.2 billion despite significant challenges in global energy markets. This performance represents a 3% year-over-year increase, demonstrating remarkable resilience amid declining Brent crude prices that fell 14% to average $69 per barrel throughout the year.

    The company’s exceptional results were primarily driven by its robust domestic gas operations, where EBITDA surged by 10% annually. This growth was supported by a 4% increase in domestic gas sales volumes and enhanced commercial terms. CEO Fatema Al Nuaimi characterized 2025 as “a defining year” for the organization, highlighting both financial achievements and strategic progress.

    Strategic expansion initiatives are underway to address growing domestic demand beyond 2026. The Adnoc Estidama gas pipeline project will significantly enhance supply capabilities to the Northern Emirates. Additionally, the company plans to make final investment decisions in Q1 2026 for phases two and three of its Rich Gas Development project, aiming to boost overall processing capacity by 30% by 2029.

    The fourth quarter of 2025 yielded a substantial $1.2 billion net income, with domestic gas sales volumes growing 5% year-over-year. This growth aligns with the UAE’s strong economic performance, including a 4.8% GDP expansion driven largely by industrial sector development.

    Capital expenditures nearly doubled to $3.6 billion in 2025, reflecting substantial progress on multi-year expansion projects. The commissioning of Phase one of the RGD project and the IGD-E2 unit have already enhanced processing capabilities and export-grade liquids production.

    Adnoc Gas’s Board has endorsed a $3.584 billion dividend for 2025, maintaining the company’s policy of increasing annual dividends by 5%. The company generated free cash flow exceeding dividend commitments by over $500 million, demonstrating strong financial health.

    Positioned as a growing global gas-processing leader, Adnoc Gas continues to serve as a cornerstone of the UAE’s long-term energy strategy, balancing domestic needs with international market opportunities through expanded infrastructure and strategic investments.

  • UAE flights: India–UAE air corridor may leave 27% of passengers unserved by 2035, study warns

    UAE flights: India–UAE air corridor may leave 27% of passengers unserved by 2035, study warns

    A groundbreaking study reveals an impending aviation capacity crisis between India and the United Arab Emirates, with nearly 27% of projected passenger demand potentially going unserved by 2035 if current air-service limitations remain unchanged. Commissioned by Etihad Airways and conducted by Tourism Economics, the research indicates that one of India’s most critical international air corridors is heading toward severe supply constraints despite booming demand.

    The analysis projects annual passenger volumes along the UAE-India corridor could reach approximately 25 million by 2035. However, under existing capacity restrictions, 10.8 million passengers annually would be unable to secure seats. The cumulative unmet demand between 2026 and 2035 could reach 54.5 million passengers—equivalent to more than a quarter of total projected demand in an unconstrained scenario.

    The Abu Dhabi-India segment faces particularly acute pressure. Current Air Services Agreement (ASA) provisions cap Abu Dhabi-based carriers at 50,000 weekly seats across 11 designated Indian cities, a limit already fully utilized with load factors consistently exceeding 85% on major routes throughout the year. Without revision, this corridor alone could experience a 13.2-million-passenger shortfall over the coming decade.

    This supply-demand mismatch stems from artificial constraints rather than weak fundamentals. India’s sustained economic growth—averaging 7.3% between 2010 and 2024—has dramatically expanded the country’s traveling class, with households possessing means to fly increasing from 24% to 40% during this period. Unconstrained air travel demand to, from, and within India is projected to grow by 7.2% annually over the next decade.

    The economic implications are substantial. In 2025 alone, the UAE-India air corridor is expected to support 4 million inbound travelers, contribute $7.7 billion to GDP, sustain approximately one million jobs, and generate $1.2 billion in tax revenues. Under current limits, however, this economic footprint would grow at a modest 3% annually until 2030.

    The study identifies significant missed opportunities in India’s tier-2 cities—including Pune, Lucknow, Goa, Mangalore, and Vadodara—which remain excluded from direct Abu Dhabi connectivity due to the ASA’s narrow airport list. This forces passengers through major hubs, increasing travel time and suppressing regional tourism and business potential.

    Expanding capacity would yield substantial benefits. A 50% increase in allowed seats would boost GDP contributions at a 5.5% compound annual rate, while doubling capacity could deliver $7.2 billion in additional GDP, support 170,000 extra jobs annually, and generate nearly $1.2 billion in additional tax revenues between 2026 and 2030.

    By 2035, improved connectivity could boost India’s GDP by $9 billion, support $550 million in annual foreign-direct investment inflows, and enable $75 million in additional exports. Consumers would benefit from approximately 3% lower long-haul fares and a $91-million increase in consumer surplus for over seven million travelers.

    The report concludes with an urgent call for policy action, warning that without immediate renegotiation of the bilateral agreement, air travel between India and the UAE risks becoming increasingly constrained, leaving billions in economic potential unrealized.

  • UAE leads region in industrial exports in 2025, says Sheikh Mohammed

    UAE leads region in industrial exports in 2025, says Sheikh Mohammed

    The United Arab Emirates has achieved a landmark position as the Middle East’s foremost industrial exporter, according to official 2025 data announced by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai. The nation’s industrial sector demonstrated remarkable growth with a 25% annual increase, culminating in total exports valued at Dh262 billion.

    The export portfolio showcased significant technological advancement, with technology products constituting Dh90 billion of the total exports. Sheikh Mohammed attributed this economic milestone to the strategic alignment between government policies and private sector initiatives, emphasizing the critical role of legislative support for industrial enterprises.

    Key infrastructure developments were highlighted as fundamental to this success, particularly the nation’s exceptional digital infrastructure and robust financial ecosystem. The integrated approach has created an environment conducive to industrial expansion and international market competitiveness.

    The achievement positions the UAE prominently within global economic landscapes, demonstrating successful economic diversification beyond hydrocarbon dependencies. This export performance represents a significant step in the nation’s strategic vision for sustainable economic development and technological leadership in the region.

  • Dubai announces phase 2 of property tokenisation project for secondary market resale

    Dubai announces phase 2 of property tokenisation project for secondary market resale

    Dubai has officially entered the next stage of its pioneering real estate tokenization initiative. The Dubai Land Department (DLD) confirmed the commencement of Phase Two, set to activate on February 20, 2026. This pivotal phase is designed to unlock the secondary market, facilitating the resale of an estimated 7.8 million digitized real estate tokens.

    The project, initially launched as a pilot program in collaboration with the Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority (VARA) and technical partners, has now matured beyond its testing grounds. The inaugural phase successfully validated the regulatory, legislative, and technical frameworks required for converting physical property title deeds into secure digital tokens.

    Phase Two will operate within a controlled pilot environment with strategic objectives: evaluating market efficiency, testing operational capabilities, enhancing transparency and governance protocols, and rigorously safeguarding investor rights to ensure absolute transaction integrity. This measured approach underscores Dubai’s commitment to de-risking technological adoption in its vital property sector.

    Early indicators from the pilot have been promising. As previously reported, investments were accessible to UAE residents starting from just AED 2,000. This low barrier to entry fueled significant initial traction, with one platform, Prypco Mint, processing deals exceeding AED 9 million within the first month alone.

    This tokenization effort is part of a broader suite of initiatives by Dubai to stimulate and democratize property ownership. It complements programs like the First-Time Home Buyer (FTHB) Programme—a multi-stakeholder collaboration between DLD, the Dubai Economic Development Corporation (DEDC), banks, and developers—which has already enabled over 2,000 residents to purchase their first homes.

    The DLD emphasized that its phased rollout strategy allows for careful assessment of practical outcomes and fosters close cooperation with other regulatory bodies. Ongoing work with VARA and technical partners continues to focus on developing robust standards for the project’s future expansion, cementing Dubai’s position as a global leader in tokenized real-world asset investment.

  • Sai Syam Ramachandran honoured with ‘Visionary Leader’ award by Sheikh Saqer Ali Binsaeed Al Nuaimi

    Sai Syam Ramachandran honoured with ‘Visionary Leader’ award by Sheikh Saqer Ali Binsaeed Al Nuaimi

    In a prestigious ceremony recognizing business excellence, Sai Syam Ramachandran, Founder and CEO of ELL Properties, was bestowed with the ‘Visionary Leader in Real Estate Advisory & Digital Influence’ award by Sheikh Saqer Ali Binsaeed Al Nuaimi, a distinguished member of Ajman’s Ruling Family. The honor was presented during the One UAE International Business Awards on February 9, 2026, highlighting Ramachandran’s transformative impact on the Emirates’ property sector.

    The accolade celebrates Ramachandran’s decade-long leadership in the regional real estate market, during which he has expertly managed a property portfolio exceeding Dh500 million in value. Under his guidance, ELL Properties has ascended to become a premier advisory firm, recently achieving the top consultant ranking for semi-government developer Deyaar Properties.

    Beyond traditional real estate accomplishments, the award specifically acknowledges Ramachandran’s innovative digital outreach. His influential ‘Explore Dubai with Sai’ content series has amassed over 600,000 followers across platforms, earning him YouTube’s Silver Play Button for making complex property insights accessible to international audiences.

    ‘This recognition from Sheikh Saqer Ali Binsaeed Al Nuaimi represents a milestone for our entire organization,’ Ramachandran stated. ‘We have consistently pursued the integration of traditional real estate expertise with digital transparency, aligning with the UAE’s broader vision of innovation and economic development.’

    As a respected industry commentator featured in prominent business publications, Ramachandran leads a team of 100+ consultants at ELL Properties, continuously establishing new benchmarks in luxury and investment property segments across the region.

  • Dubai gold prices rise above Dh600 per gram again as dollar weakens

    Dubai gold prices rise above Dh600 per gram again as dollar weakens

    Dubai’s gold market witnessed a significant surge at the week’s opening, with 24K gold climbing to Dh603.75 per gram as the US dollar exhibited weakness. This resurgence marks another breach of the psychologically important Dh600 threshold, a level that has been tested multiple times in recent months before profit-taking activities drove prices downward.

    The broader spectrum of gold varieties experienced corresponding gains, with 22K, 21K, 18K, and 14K gold reaching Dh559.25, Dh536.25, Dh459.5, and Dh358.5 per gram respectively. This upward movement mirrored global trends where spot gold exceeded $5,000 per ounce, registering a 1.25 percent increase at Monday’s market opening.

    Market analysts point to sustained volatility in gold trading, with prices maintaining proximity to levels observed in recent sessions. Joseph Dahrieh, Managing Director at Tickmill, noted that while markets might gradually stabilize following previous sell-offs, they remain highly responsive to new economic data and geopolitical developments. “The latter could fuel demand for safe-haven assets,” Dahrieh emphasized.

    Geopolitical tensions continue to play a crucial role in gold’s performance. Ongoing US-Iran negotiations in the Middle East present both diplomatic opportunities and risks, with tense rhetoric and military incidents maintaining market caution. Simultaneously, continued hostilities in Eastern Europe despite peace talks contribute to a persistent geopolitical risk premium that supports gold prices.

    Institutional investment flows have emerged as another critical support pillar. Gold-backed ETFs recorded substantial inflows of 44.8 tonnes in the week ending January 30, representing the strongest weekly influx since mid-October. Asian markets led this demand, effectively counterbalancing modest European outflows and reinforcing the metal’s broader bullish structure.

    The current price environment has already impacted consumer behavior, with UAE gold jewellery demand declining approximately 15% in 2025 as buyers increasingly turn to diamond alternatives amid record-high gold prices.

  • UAE: Why NRIs are increasingly choosing insurance policies in India

    UAE: Why NRIs are increasingly choosing insurance policies in India

    A significant financial shift is underway as Non-Resident Indians (NRIs), particularly in the UAE, are increasingly opting to purchase life insurance policies from their home country. This trend is propelled by a confluence of economic factors and regulatory innovations that make Indian insurance products exceptionally attractive to the diaspora.

    The Indian rupee’s depreciation against major currencies like the US dollar and UAE dirham has substantially increased the affordability of Indian insurance for NRIs earning in foreign currencies. This currency advantage, coupled with intense competition in India’s insurance sector, has created a buyer’s market rich with diverse and competitive product offerings.

    A pivotal development accelerating this trend is the establishment of the Gujarat International Finance Tec-City (Gift City), India’s first operational smart city and international financial services center. This tax-neutral zone has implemented a foreign currency settlement system that significantly expedites cross-border financial transactions, removing previous bureaucratic hurdles for NRIs seeking Indian financial products.

    Jude Gomes, Managing Director and CEO of Ageas Federal Life Insurance, emphasizes that the perception of life insurance among NRIs has evolved dramatically. “Earlier, life insurance was treated just as a tax tool in India due to mandatory taxation,” Gomes noted. “Today, people living outside India recognize they need protection for themselves and their families, leading to need-based purchases.”

    The regulatory environment in India has undergone substantial improvements, with customer-friendly interventions strengthening servicing and claim payment capabilities over the past five to six years. This enhanced regulatory framework provides NRIs with greater confidence in transacting with Indian insurance providers.

    Gomes further highlighted that Indian insurance products are generally more cost-effective compared to similar offerings in foreign markets. For the many NRIs considering eventual return to India, purchasing policies from Indian companies offers additional financial sense as they will receive proceeds and tax benefits in their home currency.

    With Dubai’s status as a global financial hub featuring strong regulatory frameworks and a mature expatriate population with high financial awareness, the combination of Gift City offerings and competitive pricing positions Indian insurers advantageously to serve the substantial NRI community in the UAE and beyond.

  • South Africa, Kenya advance trade links with Beijing

    South Africa, Kenya advance trade links with Beijing

    China has significantly advanced its economic partnerships with two of Africa’s leading economies, securing framework agreements that promise to reshape trade dynamics across the continent. South Africa and Kenya have both made substantial progress in negotiations with Beijing that will grant their exports unprecedented access to Chinese markets under preferential tariff conditions.

    The breakthrough came as China’s Commerce Minister Wang Wentao and South African Trade Minister Parks Tau formalized a comprehensive economic partnership agreement on February 9th. This landmark arrangement guarantees South Africa zero-tariff treatment for 100% of its exports to China, structured in full compliance with World Trade Organization regulations. Minister Wang emphasized that this agreement establishes “a long-term, stable, and predictable institutional guarantee” for elevating bilateral economic cooperation to new heights.

    South African officials identified multiple sectors positioned to benefit from the enhanced trade terms, including mining operations, agricultural production, renewable energy infrastructure, and technology transfer initiatives. The agreement is projected to stimulate increased Chinese investment in South Africa’s manufacturing capabilities while generating substantial employment opportunities. Minister Tau specifically highlighted growing Chinese automotive investments in South Africa as exemplary models of job-creating partnerships.

    Simultaneously, Kenya has negotiated preliminary terms that would provide duty-free access for 98% of its exports to Chinese markets. According to Investment, Trade and Industry Cabinet Secretary Lee Kinyanjui, the pending agreement would eliminate both tariff barriers and volume restrictions for Kenyan goods entering China’s consumer market of over 1.4 billion people.

    Kenyan agricultural producers stand to benefit disproportionately from the arrangement, particularly growers of avocados, tea, coffee, and cut flowers—commodities experiencing surging demand across Asian markets. Secretary Kinyanjui outlined plans to deploy technical officers nationwide to assist farmers in meeting Chinese quality standards, noting that even capturing 1% of China’s avocado or pork market could transform Kenya’s employment landscape.

    The bilateral advancements represent concrete implementation of China’s 2025 commitment to extend zero-tariff treatment to all 53 African nations maintaining diplomatic relations with Beijing. These developments signal China’s strategic prioritization of African partnerships while offering African exporters competitive advantages in the world’s second-largest economy.