AME Info | UAE News

GCC business outlook: United Arab Emirates

Thu, 28 May 2009 08:37:38 GMT

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) remains the driving force behind economic changes and the transformation of the GCC into a global hub between East Asia and Europe, despite the severe impact from the financial crisis. The government and the UAE Central Bank have already taken adequate measures to counter the recessionary impact and new initiatives to ease business measures for foreign companies are also underway.

Will international media criticism hurt Dubai businesses?

Mon, 27 Apr 2009 11:58:23 GMT

The spate of recent negative articles in the international press concerning Dubais reaction to the economic downturn has resulted in a swathe of criticism from regional media, leading even the British government to distance itself from the reports. But how has it affected those looking to visit, or do business in, the emirate?

Dubai responds to media criticism

Mon, 27 Apr 2009 11:48:02 GMT

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the ruler of Dubai, used his recent media e-session to address his concerns about the media bombardment that Dubai has received from Western media particularly the UK press.

Sheikh Mohammed: The worst of the crisis is over

Sun, 19 Apr 2009 13:27:00 GMT

UAE Vice President and Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, believes the worst of the financial crisis is now over, following its significant impact on the economy during the final quarter of 2008. Taking part in an electronic question and answer session with the press, he said the UAE economy is expected to grow this year, albeit only slightly.

How to minimize the impact of downsizing

Tue, 14 Apr 2009 06:58:11 GMT

Many companies have opted to reduce their workforce as a way to cope with the financial crisis, but experts warn that the hidden costs of downsizing can outweigh the benefits unless the layoffs are managed effectively.

Emirates cuts back on A380 service

Tue, 31 Mar 2009 11:03:42 GMT

Emirates Airlines received its first A380 amid much fanfare in July 2008, but the roll out of the aircraft into the Dubai-based carriers fleet has not been without turbulence due to falling passenger demand and complaints about the double-deckers performance.

Media reports of Dubais demise speak too soon

Tue, 31 Mar 2009 06:25:56 GMT

Contrary to many reports in the international media, Dubai is not facing the calamity that columnists would like to predict. Although the delay in the downturns that were being witnessed in other cities globally left many hoping that the financial crisis had bypassed Dubai, and therefore the effects, when they hit, were made to appear so much worse, the process of limiting the damage and managing the recovery is underway. While analysts agree that 2009 is expected to prove difficult for the emirate, as for most other major cities globally, 2010 is likely to see a turnaround.

UAE job seekers focus on recession proof sectors

Mon, 23 Mar 2009 12:44:52 GMT

Although the economic downturn has severely trimmed the number of available jobs in the UAE, there are still a few sectors where jobs are relatively plentiful. However, employers are clearly in a better bargaining position as demand for jobs intensifies.

UAE car dealers face challenging times

Sun, 22 Mar 2009 05:23:39 GMT

After years of double digit growth, auto dealers in the UAE are facing a sharp slowdown in demand but they remain confident that the market will post a strong recovery.

UAE tourism must battle perfect storm

Wed, 18 Mar 2009 07:45:39 GMT

Tourism in the UAE faces a number of challenges due to a perfect storm of harmful factors that are wreaking havoc on the world economy.

Ottoman Palace to bring Turkish flavour to Dubai

Tue, 24 Feb 2009 11:19:22 GMT

Rixos Hotels aims to bring the spirit of traditional Turkish hospitality to the Middle East with the launch of its first hotel in the region The Ottoman Palace to be located on the Palm Jumeirah in Dubai.

Budget hotels see opportunity in Dubai market

Thu, 05 Feb 2009 12:17:21 GMT

After earning a reputation as a luxury only destination for the rich, Dubais hotel industry is increasingly offering more lower-cost offerings in the wake of the economic crisis.

Dubai employers make cuts as downturn deepens

Tue, 27 Jan 2009 07:41:21 GMT

An increasing number of companies in Dubai are announcing layoffs and adjusting their hiring and pay practices as the impact of financial crisis grows in the emirate.

Dubai malls' rental rates face 40% correction

Wed, 21 Jan 2009 10:08:52 GMT

Dubai has one of the largest collections of malls per capita in the world, but concerns about oversupply in the emirates retail sector are beginning to grow amid the global financial crisis.

Dubai hotels seek to lure guests with discounts

Mon, 19 Jan 2009 11:52:44 GMT

Hotels in Dubai are beginning to feel the pinch of the global economic crisis, with some offering big discounts to combat a decline in occupancy.

Dubai's banks may eventually seek consolidation

Wed, 07 Jan 2009 07:48:46 GMT

Expansion, specialisation and internationalisation have been big on Dubais banking agenda in recent years. The next wave might be right around the corner: Consolidation.

Rising education fees scare off prospective students

Tue, 06 Jan 2009 06:56:36 GMT

The education sector is one of the best markers of inflation for the Gulf. If the region's schools are full and prosperous, then it shows that the expats that cities like Dubai rely on have started to settle. Which is why the latest report from the Dubai Chamber of Commerce and Industry (DCCI) will have made uncomfortable reading for the education sector - and for Dubai as a whole.

Dubai tourism faces challenges in 2009

Mon, 05 Jan 2009 12:45:38 GMT

The financial crisis is beginning to curb Dubai's hotel industry but an even greater downturn in the sector is expected in 2009 as both corporate and leisure travellers further tighten their belts.

Hotels in Dubai expect corporate travel to slow

Mon, 15 Dec 2008 10:39:13 GMT

Hotels in Dubai are likely to see a slowdown in corporate travel in the first quarter of 2009 as the financial crisis forces companies to cut back on expenses.

Dubai hotels face hit as European travellers cut back

Sun, 30 Nov 2008 11:05:17 GMT

Dubai relies heavily on visitors from Europe, especially the UK, to boost its tourism industry, but the emirate is likely to begin seeing a decline in visitors from the continent as the global financial crisis deepens.

Dubailand struggles with ambitious targets

Tue, 18 Nov 2008 06:41:41 GMT

Dubailand is expected to play a key role in helping Dubai achieve its goal of attracting 15 million tourists a year by 2015, but the development is facing a number of challenges that are impacting the scope and delivery of the project.

UAE sets sights on medical tourism industry

Sun, 31 Aug 2008 08:00:22 GMT

The UAE is rapidly expanding its infrastructure in a bid to grab a bigger slice of the thriving health tourism market, but it faces hurdles in its quest to become a hub for medical travel.

Emirates A380 in pictures

Wed, 30 Jul 2008 10:17:36 GMT

Emirates Airlines has taken possession of the group's very first Airbus A380. The superjumbo flew out from the factory in Hamburg, Germany and touched down in its new hub, Dubai, last night. AME Info's Phil Blizzard was aboard the delivery flight, interviewing Airbus and Emirates executives and sampling the products on offer.

Dubai hotels face challenges as summer heats up

Tue, 29 Jul 2008 10:27:45 GMT

While occupancy numbers for Dubai hotels this summer appear to remain strong, there are indications that this season will be more challenging than in previous years.

Cost of living report - Accommodation

Mon, 14 Jul 2008 09:59:13 GMT

Dubai-based international recruitment and HR consultancy Kershaw Leonard, in conjunction with Mastermind Business Consultancy, have released the latest incarnation of their annual Cost of Living Report. In the first of a series of synopses AME Info looks at how the report views the real estate and accommodation sector.