Economic Updates: UAE Dubai

Dubai: Aviation gaining altitude

The Middle East | 23 May 2013

The emirate’s aviation authorities have floated a proposal to expand what is already one of the busiest airports in the world, looking to double the planned capacity of Dubai International Airport (DXB) as part of what could be a major shift in government policy.

Dubai: Growth in regional trade

The Middle East | 8 May 2013

The emirate’s external trade figures hit record levels in 2012, assisted by its strong transport and logistics infrastructure and underpinned by areas of the economy that remain in recovery mode. Attention is now turning to widening the scope of trading partners to further strengthen this important sector.

Dubai: Tapping into telecoms demand

The Middle East | 29 Apr 2013

Despite achieving record growth in 2012, telecoms operators in the UAE have seen their profit margins affected by a new royalties programme introduced by the federal government. However, surging demand in Dubai for the latest mobile devices, particularly smartphones and tablets, as well as a more diversified range of value-added services, should result in in even greater growth and profitability in the coming years.

Dubai: Real estate reality check

The Middle East | 3 Apr 2013

A surge of interest in new property developments in Dubai has almost inevitably prompted concerns with respect to the sustainability of the sector’s recovery, recalling the bubble in 2008. However, most old hands in the industry believe investors, regulators and developers have all learned some important lessons from the crash in the sector five years ago, and that the heightened activity signals a the continuance of a rebound that began around a year ago.

Dubai: Negotiating mortgage lending

The Middle East | 19 Feb 2013

The UAE’s central bank has postponed plans to implement a cap on mortgage lending, a move welcomed by Dubai bankers who had been concerned the tight restrictions originally proposed could limit lending growth just as the real estate sector is showing signs of recovery in certain sub-sectors.

Dubai: Health insurance makeover

The Middle East | 8 Feb 2013

Plans by the emirate’s authorities to tighten regulatory oversight for health insurance and put in place a long delayed scheme for mandatory coverage will likely result in major changes to the sector.

Dubai: Year in Review 2012

The Middle East | 9 Jan 2013

The emirate’s economy continued its recovery in 2012, with a number of key sectors posting high growth over the past 12 months. However, there are some concerns that the rebound could happen too quickly, resulting in further difficulties in the future.