分类： business

DUBAI – At the World Government Summit, a distinguished panel of global experts delivered a transformative vision for the future of work, emphasizing that artificial intelligence, economic volatility, and demographic shifts are permanently dismantling traditional career structures. The session, moderated by Ted Kemp of Khaleej Times, featured Gilbert Houngbo (International Labour Organization), Robyn Scott (Apolitical), and David Bach (IMD Business School), who collectively argued that adaptation must become humanity’s core competency.

In a significant departure from conventional workforce planning, Gilbert Houngbo asserted that governments must embrace uncertainty as the new constant. ‘Predicting the labor market’s landscape in five, ten, or twenty years is increasingly challenging,’ he stated, advocating for resilient, flexible institutions instead of rigid long-term plans. He issued a critical warning regarding AI’s productivity paradox: while automation delivers efficiency gains, these benefits are not automatically translating into improved wages or job security. ‘The widening gap between productivity and compensation demands proactive policy intervention to prevent deepening inequalities,’ Houngbo emphasized, noting that continuous skill investment has transitioned from optional to fundamental.

Robyn Scott presented a compelling case for governmental AI adoption, identifying a staggering $1.75 trillion productivity opportunity within bureaucratic systems. She championed human-AI collaboration where algorithms handle repetitive tasks while humans focus on complex judgment-driven work. ‘The crucial distinction lies in whether humans operate above or below the algorithm,’ Scott cautioned. ‘Surrendering全部 human agency to automated systems creates a zero-sum dynamic that poses profound societal dangers.’ She reframed retraining as an ongoing ‘change management muscle’ rather than a one-time initiative.

David Bach addressed the psychological dimension of workplace evolution, identifying fear—not technology—as the primary obstacle. Contrasting global optimism levels, he noted significantly higher confidence in the UAE compared to Western nations. ‘Pessimism paralyzes skill investment and stifles experimentation,’ Bach observed. ‘True leadership involves articating optimistic visions that acknowledge risks while mobilizing collective action.’

All experts concurred that ‘good work’ must be redefined beyond job titles in an era of non-linear careers. Houngbo emphasized AI’s role in reducing hardship while ensuring decent wages and social protections, particularly for women in automation-vulnerable roles. Scott noted the shrinking ‘half-life’ of professions, urging a shift from external job identity to internal meaning. Bach illustrated this with the example of a hospital cleaner deriving profound purpose from supporting cancer patients, demonstrating that meaningful work transcends technological prestige.

The panel anticipated fundamental organizational redesign, with AI enabling individual contributors to achieve massive impact without becoming managers. Scott advocated replacing role-based thinking with task-oriented workflows, while Bach emphasized creating environments where experimentation and safe failure become institutional norms. As the experts concluded, the future belongs to those who can navigate perpetual transformation with purpose and adaptability.

SEOUL – The humble gim, a crispy dried seaweed staple of Korean cuisine, has transformed into a billion-dollar global commodity, creating both economic opportunity and domestic consumer anxiety as prices reach unprecedented levels.

For 47 years, vendor Lee Hyang-ran has witnessed the evolution of gim from a local dietary essential to an international sensation. ‘Western visitors once considered this black, paper-like snack peculiar,’ the veteran merchant remarked from her Seoul market stall. ‘Now they seek it out specifically.’

South Korea dominates the global gim market, exporting $1.13 billion worth of dried seaweed in 2025 according to the Korea Maritime Institute. This remarkable figure represents a steady upward trajectory fueled by the worldwide Korean cultural wave. The product has earned the nickname ‘black semiconductor’ in reference to Korea’s technological dominance, highlighting its economic significance.

This international appetite comes with domestic consequences. Gim prices have surged approximately 50% within a year, breaking historical records. The standard sheet that cost 100 won ($0.06) in 2024 now exceeds 150 won, with premium products reaching 350 won per sheet.

Consumers like Kim Jaela, who traditionally purchased in bulk, are reconsidering their buying habits. ‘I noticed the price increase immediately when shopping online,’ she explained. ‘If prices remain elevated, I’ll need to adjust my purchasing patterns significantly.’

The global fascination stems from cultural phenomena including K-pop and television dramas that showcase Korean cuisine. American supermarket chain Trader Joe’s experienced a viral sensation with their gimbap (seaweed-wrapped rice rolls) in 2023, with products disappearing from shelves nationwide shortly after launch.

International visitors recognize both the similarities and distinctions between gim and Japanese nori. ‘Gim is lighter, crispier, and typically grilled with sesame oil and salt,’ noted Miki, a Japanese tourist. ‘The flavor profile is distinctly different.’

Professor Lee Eunhee of Inha University’s consumer studies department observes: ‘Growing global familiarity with gim from Asian to Western markets has increased international demand, which consequently drives up domestic prices.’

The production side faces its own challenges. Kim Namin, who operates a family-owned processing factory in Wando, acknowledges the supply-demand imbalance. ‘There aren’t enough gim factories to meet rising demand,’ he stated, noting his family’s consideration of operational expansion. He emphasized gim’s price sensitivity in the domestic market, where even minor increases generate consumer resistance.

Multiple factors contribute to the price surge, including overall inflation, rising labor costs, reduced overseas production, and fundamentally, unprecedented global demand. In response, government agencies and corporations are implementing countermeasures. The Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries is monitoring the situation closely, while companies like Pulmone plan to establish land-based seaweed research centers enabling year-round production.

Despite domestic concerns, the international market continues to thrive. Lee Hyang-ran reports unprecedented sales: ‘Gim sells like hotcakes, especially varieties for making gimbap. I’m delighted that Korean gim has gained such popularity.’

In a significant policy shift aimed at modernizing its customs framework, the Indian government has implemented sweeping revisions to its baggage rules, substantially increasing duty-free allowances for international passengers. Effective February 2, 2026, the new regulations raise the customs duty exemption threshold from ₹50,000 to ₹75,000 for the majority of air and sea passengers arriving in India.

The comprehensive overhaul, developed after extensive consultations with ministry officials, airport operators, and passenger feedback, aligns with contemporary economic conditions and the exponential growth in international travel. Under the revised structure, any amount exceeding the ₹75,000 allowance will be subject to a reduced customs duty rate of 10%, plus a 10% surcharge, a substantial reduction from the previous 20% levy.

A notable amendment permits passengers to import one laptop or notebook computer completely duty-free, separate from the main allowance—a provision expected to benefit travelers acquiring electronics abroad, particularly from markets like the United States where devices such as iPhones are often priced lower than in India.

The reforms introduce a streamlined, weight-based system for jewelry concessions, eliminating previous value caps. Female passengers may now carry up to 40 grams of duty-free jewelry, while other eligible travelers are permitted 20 grams, applicable to Indian residents and origin tourists who have resided overseas for over one year.

For individuals permanently relocating to India, the Transfer of Residence (TR) scheme has been enhanced with simplified, tiered entitlements based on duration abroad: ₹150,000 for stays up to one year, ₹300,000 for 1-2 years, and ₹750,000 for periods exceeding two years.

Foreign tourists retain a ₹25,000 allowance, while airline crew members have a ₹2,500 exemption. These calibrated measures reflect India’s adaptive approach to balancing revenue considerations with passenger convenience in an increasingly globalized travel landscape.

The United Arab Emirates is experiencing a fundamental transformation in its residential property landscape as growing numbers of renters transition to homeowners, marking a significant shift in housing preferences. According to comprehensive data from Property Finder, the market is witnessing sustained buyer momentum across both Abu Dhabi and Dubai, with platform activity throughout 2025 indicating a decisive move toward property ownership over traditional leasing arrangements.

The digital real estate portal’s bi-monthly consumer sentiment survey reveals that approximately 70% of Dubai respondents intend to purchase property within the next six months. This substantial buyer interest continues to outpace rental demand, with sales listing impressions accounting for 49% of all platform activity. Abu Dhabi has similarly demonstrated a pronounced year-on-year increase in sales-focused searches, indicating parallel trends in the capital emirate.

Multiple factors are driving this paradigm shift. Long-term residency policies, ownership-linked visa programs, and targeted initiatives such as the First-Time Home Buyer Programme have collectively enabled thousands of residents to enter the property market within the past year. First-time purchasers have emerged as crucial demand drivers, while existing homeowners are increasingly upgrading to larger, higher-quality properties as confidence in permanent settlement strengthens.

This growing confidence is quantitatively reflected in buyer financial behavior. Home-seekers are now allocating 31% of their income toward mortgage payments in 2025, a significant increase from 23% recorded in 2024. Market preferences show a clear inclination toward premium, spacious residences despite higher financial commitments.

While apartments continue to dominate transaction volumes due to broader availability and affordability considerations, villas—constrained by limited inventory—have demonstrated stronger price appreciation. In Abu Dhabi, apartments remain the most sought-after residential format, accounting for most transactions amid healthy supply across various locations and price segments. However, the villa market shows distinct upscaling trends, with larger family homes representing a growing transaction share.

Established communities including Downtown Dubai, Dubai Marina, Palm Jumeirah, Business Bay, JVC, JBR, and Dubai Hills Estate maintained popularity throughout 2025. Off-plan developments such as Dubai Islands and Maritime City attracted substantial interest, particularly for luxury and waterfront properties.

Industry experts identify the 25-35 age demographic as the next growth engine for the market. Yogesh Bulchandani, CEO & Founder of Sunrise Capital, noted: “We are witnessing a significant influx of young buyers. Dubai’s upcoming phase of real estate growth will hinge on affordability and accessibility.” Ismail Al Hammadi, Founder & CEO of IAH Group, added that property ownership has become integrated into younger generations’ long-term financial planning strategies.

This collective data indicates the maturation of the UAE’s residential market, where property ownership is increasingly perceived as a comprehensive lifestyle decision rather than purely financial investment.