IMF latest annual assessment of UAE economy

Non-oil recovery strengthens, despite weak construction and real estate sectors

Government-related entities still pose risks

Fiscal consolidation should increase government’s room for maneuver

Growth in the United Arab Emirates is expected to moderate to 2.3 percent in 2012 as oil production levels peak, the IMF says in its latest annual assessment of the economy. However, nonhydrocarbon growth is strengthening as the country’s dependency on oil declines. Read more

Rising investor demand for growth stimulus

Fund Manager Survey Finds Rising Investor Demand for Growth Stimulus

Expectations Grow of Further ECB Easing by Year-end

A growing majority of global investors would like to see more stimulative fiscal policies from governments around the world, amid resurgent fears about the Greek economy, according to the BofA Merrill Lynch Survey of Fund Managers for May. Read more

Social Media as a Portfolio Tool

For entrepreneurs and small businesses, social media is an equalizer

Without a doubt, social media is nowadays becoming a portfolio tool for businesses and individuals in Dubai and the rest of the world. Read more

Forex Market and The World Economy

Forex is a dealing system also noted as FX or and foreign market exchange. Those participating in the foreign exchange businesses are some of the biggest corporations and financial institutions from around the globe. They deal in currencies from different nations to produce a balance. Some are going to gain capital and others are going to lose funds. Read more

More spending as global consumer confidence increases

UAE’ consumer confidence index remained unchanged at 105, above the average

Households around the globe experienced a brighter personal situation in terms of jobs and personal finances

Global consumer confidence increased five index points to 94 in Q1 2012, according to the latest online survey findings from Nielsen. Overall confidence rose in 68 percent of global markets measured, compared to Q4 2011 where confidence increased in 21 percent of global markets. Confidence in Q1 2012 increased in 38 out of 56 markets, fell in 16 markets and remained flat in two. Read more

What concerns Arab Youth?

Fair pay and home ownership displace democracy as top priorities of Arab Youth

• Rising cost of living is greatest concern for young people in Middle East, according to annual poll of 2,500 young Arabs in 12 countries
• Read more

MENA Pay TV providers offer 143 channels

Arab World remains tuned to free-to-air satellite TV channels

OSN has the highest number with 100 Pay TV channels

The four satellite TV platforms providing subscription-based services to the Arab world together host 143 Pay TV channels across various genres, reports Jordan-based consultancy Arab Advisors Group. Read more

19th edition of Arabian Travel Market features a record 183 companies

204 Media and Tour Operators invited from 19 countries

Winners of Dubai Green Tourism Award to be announced

New Hotel Classification Checklists to be launched

Read more

Branding can be a key differentiator for SME’s

A two-day branding workshop was hosted by The Brand Union at the recent MENA Businesswomen’s Network (BWN) inaugural forum, aimed at emphasising the importance of the brand to every business, particularly small and medium size enterprises.

Held at the Park Hyatt in Dubai, the forum brought together over 350 women from all types of public and private sector businesses, with delegates from all 10 BWN member organisations in the Gulf, the Levant and North Africa as well as from the US, Europe and other parts of the MENA region. Read more

Brands need to be meaningfully different and relevant

Contrasting consumer expectations and needs – especially within different cultural contexts – means all brand communication strategies must and will vary according to the audience but one thing is for certain, brands need communication with their consumers, and in many cases, actually participation in the intellectual and social development of the brand, if they want to offer a meaningful different brand experience. Read more

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