The rising trend of “frolleague” will also add to the demand spike for business travel to the region this year
Author Archives: James Mathew
James Mathew, preferred to be addressed as James, assumes the role of India Correspondent at Arabian Business from New Delhi, bringing to the table a wealth of knowledge and expertise in economic, financial, and corporate sectors. With a career spanning renowned financial dailies like The Economic Times, Business Standard, and The Observer of Business & Politics in India, James transitioned to the international media scene in 2018.
At Arabian Business, his reporting covers a wide spectrum of sectors, developments, and issues spanning India, the Middle East, Africa, and, at times, the global arena. Known for his passionate reporting, James keeps a vigilant eye on significant economic and business sectors, aiming to be the first to inform Arabian Business readers. He boasts an impressive track record of breaking stories, particularly in the domains of major corporate developments and cutting-edge tech sectors, including the metaverse and cryptocurrency. Amidst his journalistic endeavors, James considers his series of emotionally resonant stories on the challenges faced by expat returnees from the Gulf during the Covid-19 pandemic, published in Arabian Business, as his proudest moments, surpassing even his numerous globally impactful breaking stories. His educational background includes a Master's degree in English Literature and Language, complemented by a Postgraduate Diploma in Journalism.
UAE real estate: Abu Dhabi, RAK poised to be flag bearers for market boom in 2025
Dubai, however, will continue to remain an incredibly attractive destination for global investors and families alike
Dubai real estate: Secondary housing market set for a strong 2025 come back, driven by family relocations
The spike in demand, however, is not expected to lead to any significant hike in property prices as a wave of handovers are expected soon in key master communities
International travel demand to Saudi Arabia skyrockets as flight bookings surge 15% amid tourism boom
The surge is part of a broader trend across the GCC, where the travel and hospitality sectors are witnessing robust growth, experts say
EU legislation fallout fuels demand for crypto business expansions to UAE, advisory firms reveal
Digital asset exchanges, NFT marketplaces, utility token issuers, tokenised funds, and payments companies are among the ventures seeking to relocate or expand their operations to the UAE
Dubai real estate: Expat demand for hotel, serviced apartments skyrockets amid soaring rent prices
The segment is witnessing the entry of more global and regional players, as developers and hospitality brands perceive a booming business opportunity to cash in on
Revealed: 2025 predicted to be a break-out year for startup funding in UAE
Rising investor confidence, market stability and growth prospects are to act as major drivers for investments
GCC quick retail market to see $15bn rise as Noon, Careem, Talabat and Super Apps change tack to gain consumer wallet shares
The sector is expected to see players increasingly shifting their business models to embrace multi-verticality
Saudi Arabia’s Jeddah Tower to serve as magnet for surge in global investment in the Kingdom, say experts
The ambitious project, projected to be 180 meters taller than the reigning title holder for the world’s tallest building, Burj Khalifa, when completed
Coldplay in Abu Dhabi: Hotel room rates soar 300% as international fans rush to UAE, industry experts say
A lineup of additional concerts is further attracting fans and tourists from the region and neighbouring countries, further boosting the travel and hospitality demand both in Abu Dhabi and Dubai
New EU law to trigger exodus of crypto ventures flocking to UAE
The EU’s loss could be the UAE’s gain as new crypto regulations are expected to trigger an exodus of virtual asset firms flocking to Dubai and Abu Dhabi
Dubai’s real estate market to flourish in 2025 with infrastructure-led growth and emerging neighbourhoods
Massive investments earmarked for infrastructure development is a reflection that Dubai’s leadership recognises long-term success requires inclusivity, experts said
Air France-KLM to launch new flights from Middle East, India in aggressive expansion bid
The India and Middle East region is of strategic importance to the Air France-KLM Group, Gumuseli said
Dubai real estate set for strategic growth through 2025, say experts
Dubai’s real estate sector growth next year will be driven by strategic government reforms, robust foreign investment, and a diversified economic landscape extending beyond oil, experts said
ShopDoc plans $50mn Dubai-Kerala healthcare corridor to tap medical tourism
Dubai-based digital healthcare firm Shopdoc reveals plans to invest $50 million to merge Kerala’s ancient healing traditions with the UAE’s cutting-edge healthcare facilities
UAE corporate tax hike to fuel influx of multinational companies flocking to freezones
A Domestic Minimum Top-up Tax (DMTT) will take effect in the UAE for financial years beginning on or after 1 January 2025
Dubai’s surging real estate prices hit F&B market, entry, expansion strategies set to shift in response
Walkable zones and dedicated dining corners are set to emerge as new hotspots for F&B players in Dubai
‘Rent Now, Pay Later’ trend shifts Dubai rental market, changing tenant-landlord relations
‘Rent Now, Pay Later’ (RNPL) has enhanced market transparency and fairness, while aligning Dubai’s rental practices with international standards.
Dubai, Abu Dhabi top destinations for Indian weddings amid UAE tourism boom
Indian couples opting for budget-friendly celebrations are also flocking to Ras Al Khaimah
Trump-fueled bitcoin rally sparks dual threat: Cyber extortion, LLM attacks loom, experts say
Another trend industry experts and insiders are anticipating in 2025 is the spread of the generative AI-based ‘deepfakes’ into the business sector in a big way
Kerala to see massive investments in IT, tech parks by Gulf-based business groups, says minister
The southern Indian state of Kerala is gearing up to develop several dedicated infrastructure facilities, including the opening of a business jet terminal at Kochi Airport, to significantly promote medical and MICE tourism from the Gulf region
Revealed: Demand for industrial real estate hitting sky high in Dubai amidst influx of companies seeking entry, expansion
The demand surge is driving up real estate prices and commercial rents, threatening to push up capital and operational costs for setting up industries and operating manufacturing facilities in the emirate
US dollar could face threat to global supremacy as digital currencies, stablecoins soar in popularity: Experts
Moves are, however, afoot in the US, with a bipartisan bill in the US Senate aiming to launch a regulatory initiative to counter non-dollar linked stablecoin issues and checkmate the threat to the greenback
UAE SME sector set for major boost as no-code platforms drive innovation
Early adopters of AI tech in the UAE are reaping the benefits with faster product launches, leaner operations, and more competitive pricing
Branded residence demand in Dubai could see 20% price surge as international investors eye lifestyle upgrade
The surge in demand for branded residences in Dubai is also projected to push up their pieces by 10-20% from the estimated current average price of about $1,769 per square foot
Revealed: UK non-dom tax changes trigger large-scale property sales by long-term GCC investors, experts say
London’s loss, however, is turning out to be a boon for Dubai as the property sales-spree by GCC investors is leading to an influx of capital returning to the emirate and the wider region
Outbound travel bookings see massive surge as UAE travellers’ winter and National Day vacation demand sees major boost
Short trips seem to be in vogue this year for UAE travellers, with nearby tourist destinations such as Istanbul, Tbilisi, Baku and Amman seeing maximum bookings
India’s Kerala reveals plans for tax cuts, incentives in hunt for $10bn in Gulf investments, minister says
The state government will hold an investors meet in Dubai on January 13-14 to hard sell its investment initiatives to regional and global companies and investors from the region
Dubai real estate: Developers prioritise affordable projects to meet rising mid-income demand
To meet the growing demand, leading developers are currently prioritising launching strategic off-plan projects that promise quality and accessibility
Black Friday: Sales in UAE predicted to see major spike this season as retail majors offer up to 80% discount
Digital media channels are preparing for a major promotional blitz to elevate this year’s Black Friday sales to an entirely new level
UAE startup funding to triple to $2bn by end of 2024 as region sees entrepreneur boom
Venture capital (VC) and private equity (PE) funding in the UAE are expected to surpass $2 billion by the end of 2024, marking a more than threefold increase
UAE real estate: New property tech firms turn to data as market booms
The entry of the new breed of tech players comes at a time when data security is emerging as a major challenge for the traditionally operating real estate industry
India-UAE air travel sees massive 75% festive season surge as travellers seek budget-friendly GCC spots
The spike in festive season travel demand is leading to ticket prices to the UAE climbing by 30–50% already, and are expected to see more highs for year-end travel
Revealed: Abu Dhabi tipped to be the new epicentre for real estate investments
The surge in developer entries is already driving up Abu Dhabi’s construction sector, which expanded by 7.6% in 2022 and currently contributes 7.8% to its GDP
Bitcoin price hits all-time high as cryptocurrency market rides on Trump victory wave
With institutional investors said to be positioning for further upside, the flagship digital asset is projected to reach an all-time high of $85,000 in the short-term, market experts said
US election: Middle East investors shift to bonds with a focus on Trump trades amidst US-China tech tensions
Regional asset managers and investors are cherry-picking shares of select energy and technology sector companies
Dubai real estate: Property rentals set to surge 18% in 2025, driven by investor demand
Continuous surge in the number of professionals from around the world moving to Dubai for work and lifestyle, coupled with the rising property prices in the emirate are cited as reasons for the expected spike in rentals next year
US election: UAE, Middle East investors turn to gold, equities as election remains impossible to call
Cryptocurrencies are gaining traction as a diversification tool, especially among younger investor demographics who are keen on digital assets
Revealed: UAE emerging as hotbed for global hedge funds as funds embrace digital assets in a big way
Most hedge funds are also participating in funding rounds involving promising firms coming up in the sector in the UAE and the region
LuLu IPO: More retailers across MENA now eye IPO, up to $100bn in market cap on the way
Strong fundamentals such as stability, sustainability and scalability to drive the IPO surge among the region’s retail and grocery market players
London’s loss is Dubai’s gain: Fears of UK non-dom tax law change triggers influx of real estate buyers
The change in the UK law will keep demand for prime and super-prime luxury properties in Dubai strong through the last quarter of this year and into 2025, an expert believes
US elections 2024: Gold rallies, crypto dips as markets price in Trump victory before rate cuts
Gold ETFs post strong rally, marking the longest winning streak since July, and adding an estimated whopping 157,117 troy ounces of gold in the last trading session alone
Thaw in ‘funding winter’ in UAE as market sees slew of multi-million, double digit investment deals
The trend is expected to continue as regional economies rebound and investors look for opportunities in emerging markets
Gold prices surge to all-time high on Friday as rate cut, US election uncertainties drive investors to the safe haven asset
The current rally in gold prices comes close on the heels of gold emerging as the standout asset in Q3, 2024, appreciating by a whopping 13.8%
Dubai real estate with high ‘value-for-money’ appeal sees buyer demand spike
This, along with the growing preferences for community-focused developments leading to an increase in demand for mid-to-high tier properties in well-developed communities
Revealed: UAE’s tourism sector predicted to see a massive surge; to drive $100bn contribution to economy
UAE’s visa reforms and relaxed entry requirements make it easier for tourists from various countries to visit, encouraging more spontaneous travel and tourism
Dubai real estate demand expected to spike as renters look to buy: Report
The study revealed that the anticipation of further firming of property prices in Dubai is a major reason for tenants to buy houses as early as possible
Dubai real estate shifts to mixed-use developments with ‘holistic living experience’: Experts
Dubai property developers target young professionals and the rapidly growing middle class with affordable housing amid rising rents
Surge in ‘workation’ in GCC as CEOs, business owners and top-paid expats take overseas family outings at whims
Seeking finest experiences such as sessions with top hairdressers, getting luxurious facials and shopping at top-end designer places are among the ‘to do’ items for their family members, while CEOs continue with company work on the go
Revealed: Global rich ditch volatile stock market for Dubai’s luxury real estate market
Dubai’s property market hit a 10-year high in recent months, attracting an influx of HNWIs from India, Russia, the UK and more to the UAE
UAE resilience, innovation to drive long-term investor support despite regional headwinds: Experts
Global VC and fintech players are taking a long-term, strategic view on investments in the UAE and the region
Dubai real estate: Influx of European job seekers spurs demand for mid-market housing
New expats seek unique and memorable in the design and furnishings of the apartment in Dubai
Middle East conflict triggers 12% plunge in global cryptocurrency market, Bitcoin falls to $60,750: Experts
The cryptocurrency market has seen a very intense liquidation over the last few days following the sudden escalation of the regional conflict in the Middle East
Travel trends: UAE, Saudi travellers embrace ‘Slow’, ‘Solo’ holidays amidst shift towards longer stays
According to a survey, a significant number of travellers from the UAE and Saudi Arabia have already embarked on slow holidays