With over $700 million in renewable energy deals and a new $200 million investment fund, the UAE is fast becoming a driving force behind Uzbekistan’s green and economic transformation
Author Archives: Tala Michel Issa
Tala Michel Issa is the Chief Reporter at Arabian Business and Producer/Presenter of the AB Majlis podcast. Her interviews feature global figures including former Nissan Chairman Carlos Ghosn, Mindvalley's Vishen Lakhiani, former US government advisors, and the UAE's most prominent business personalities.
With a focus on business and geopolitics, she tracks how regional developments shape global markets, with particular expertise in wealth migration trends, trade, and economics. Before joining Arabian Business, she worked for Al Arabiya English in Dubai where she delivered authoritative coverage across political affairs, public health challenges, business developments, and breaking news. Her work spans multiple publications, where she has written extensively on topics from British politics to the evolving technology and energy sectors.
Tala holds Master's and Bachelor's degrees in media and journalism from Newcastle University, UK.
For story tips, media inquiries, or more information on the AB Majlis podcast, you can reach out to her on:
Twitter: @talamichelissa
Instagram: @talamichelissa
LinkedIn: Tala Michel Issa
All Articles
Bilateral trade
Trump’s Gulf visit looms over new EU-UAE trade talks as president teases ‘very big’ announcement
The timing of Trump’s announcement creates additional complexity for EU-UAE free trade negotiations
Bilateral trade
Analysis: EU-UAE trade talks signal strategic shift amid global economic pressures
In a major departure from the long-stalled EU-GCC framework, the UAE is pursuing a solo trade pact with the European Union — its first direct effort since bloc-wide talks began in the late 1980s
Bunker
Doomsday prepping makes economic sense
Our cities run on invisible threads — power, water, data — and it takes just one break to send the whole system crashing down. Europe sees it. Do we?
Dubai property brokers
Million dollar broker: How reality TV star Ben Bandari built his AED22bn Dubai real estate portfolio
Million Dollar Listing UAE star Ben Bandari talks making it in Dubai, the cutthroat real estate industry, and navigating boom-and-bust through pure hustle
Air travellers
Dubai leads Middle East private jet demand, says X-1 Jets CEO
Gulf travelers can fly private between Mykonos and Ibiza this summer for just over AED20,000 an hour, X-1 Jets CEO says as demand from Dubai leads regional growth
RAK Properties
RAK Properties in ‘advanced discussions’ with ultra-luxury brands for new eco-resort partnerships, CEO says
Developer set to launch 12 new residential projects and deliver a record 800+ units in Ras Al Khaimah this year as part of its ambitious AED5 billion Mina masterplan
Building materials
Dubai developers capitalise on local supply chains as Trump tariffs drive up construction costs
Price increases are directly impacting project plans, with many developers making significant adjustments to maintain viability
Arabian Travel Market
EXCLUSIVE: Cruise Saudi reveals plans for second Red Sea private island by 2027
New island will feature direct ship docking capabilities, “more permanent facilities” and comprehensive development to enhance cruise options for northern Red Sea routes by 2027
Arabian Travel Market
EXCLUSIVE: AROYA Cruises hosts over 92,000 passengers in first 4 months of operations
The cruise line has attracted a diverse passenger mix, with significant numbers from GCC countries as well as unexpected interest from Russian and Uzbekistani tourists
Arabian Travel Market
EXCLUSIVE: Blacklane to launch on-demand service in Saudi next month
The premium chauffeur service will also double the size of its fleet in the kingdom, with plans to add EVs into the mix, says Blacklane’s Saudi GM on the sidelines of ATM 2025 in Dubai
Chocolate
EXCLUSIVE: Creator of viral ‘Dubai Chocolate’ recipe says he was written out of global success story
Filipino chef Nouel Catis who invented Dubai’s viral chocolate warns culinary entrepreneurs: “Do the legality from the start” after being sidelined from global success
Donald Trump
Dubai free zones to gain from Trump tariff policies as businesses eye neutral UAE
The UAE’s position as a global trade hub with its business-friendly environment could attract more manufacturers and logistics firms looking to mitigate exposure to U.S. tariffs
Amazon.ae
Pistachio spread sales spike across UAE amid sustained ‘Dubai Chocolate’ craze
UAE retailers noon Minutes and Amazon.ae report spikes in demand for pistachio products, with limited-edition launches repeatedly selling out within hours as the “Dubai Chocolate” trend maintains momentum
aquaculture
Dubai fine dining boom drives record demand for local UAE oyster producer Dibba Bay
Meet the Fujairah-based oyster farm feeding Dubai’s insatiable appetite for premium seafood amid the UAE’s wealth-fuelled fine dining boom
Donald Trump
Analysis: Will Gulf economies feel the heat from Trump’s tariffs?
Regional analysts predict limited direct effects but warn of broader economic fallout if global slowdown hits oil demand
global economy
Global trade to shrink by 0.2% as Trump tariffs trigger ‘dampening effect,’ WTO warns
Despite world economic growth forecast being slashed to 2.2%, WTO expects least-developed countries to potentially benefit from trade disruption
Bilateral trade
Analysis: UAE trade model offers lessons as Trump tariffs disrupt global commerce
Middle East’s exemption from Trump tariffs demonstrates how strategic economic relationships create diplomatic leverage as global trade faces disruption
Donald Trump
UAE exchanges, fintechs brace for Trump tariffs impact on remittances as global trade tensions mount
Money transfer firms in Dubai are bracing for currency swings as Trump’s tariffs shake global trade, impacting remittances to India, Pakistan, and the Philippines
foreign ownership
Saudi property market booms with $29bn transactions as premium visas drive record foreign investment
Saudi Arabia recorded 93,000 real estate transactions in Q1 2025
Abu Dhabi
EXCLUSIVE: First flying cars to hit UAE skies in 2027 at $799,000 per vehicle
For residents of Dubai, the flying car could dramatically reduce travel times during peak hours
automotive industry
NIO MENA CEO eyes battery swaps to win over Gulf’s luxury EV market
How Mohammed Maktari is rewiring the Middle East’s EV future
Donald Trump
Gulf nations largely sheltered from Trump’s tariff storm, experts say
This favourable trade balance for the US means Gulf nations avoided being classified among what the White House described as the “worst offenders” that received higher reciprocal tariffs
Donald Trump
WTO, IMF warn of global economic damage from Trump’s tariffs
The IMF plans to share a detailed assessment of the tariffs’ impact later this month
Donald Trump
World leaders condemn Trump’s ‘Liberation Day’ tariffs as diplomatic row deepens
Governments worldwide pledged retaliatory measures against President Trump’s new tariffs, setting the stage for what could become the largest global trade conflict since the aftermath of WWII
Donald Trump
EXPLAINER: How Trump’s ‘reciprocal’ tariffs work and what they mean for global trade
Trump argues that decades of “unfair” trade practices have hollowed out American manufacturing, undermined critical supply chains, and rendered U.S. defence industries dependent on foreign adversaries
Donald Trump
Trump imposes sweeping tariffs in major escalation of global trade war
‘It’s our declaration of economic independence,’ says Trump
Artificial intelligence
‘We welcome competition’: Yango eyes Middle East expansion with super-app strategy to challenge Uber, Careem
The company’s expansion comes amid intensifying competition in the region’s ride-hailing sector
Auction
Dubai expats turn to car auctions for second income with substantial returns up to 50% as UAE market booms
Expats turn side hustles into serious money as daily car auctions boom across the UAE
Automobili Lamborghini
EXCLUSIVE: Lamborghini sees Middle East growth moderate to 1% amid luxury market ‘normalisation’
Lamborghini’s CEO disclosed that 2024 witnessed the first decline in the global high-end luxury market in years, with an estimated 8% slowdown
ceasefire
Explainer: What Putin and Trump agreed on Ukraine’s partial ceasefire – All you need to know
Energy infrastructure protected while fighting continues; Putin demands end to Western aid as Zelenskyy seeks seat at negotiating table
bilateral cooperation
Inside the $1 trillion UAE-US economic relationship
Investments in AI, energy infrastructure and data centres reshape bilateral ties as Sheikh Tahnoun meets Trump during high-level Washington visit
bilateral cooperation
Trump, Sheikh Tahnoon advance UAE-US $1 trillion economic ties in talks on AI, energy investments
US President and UAE National Security Adviser discuss strengthening bilateral ties with focus on technological advancement and economic cooperation
ceasefire
Russia-Ukraine war: Putin agrees to energy infrastructure ceasefire after Trump call
Russian President accepts partial truce halting attacks on energy facilities for 30 days, but refuses to back wider ceasefire proposal
BYD
Elon Musk’s political antics are pushing the Gulf’s EV boom into China’s hands
Trump’s White House photo-op hands final advantage to Chinese brands already dominating the UAE market
Dubai
EXCLUSIVE: Dubai-based Yango Group launches $20mn fund to back regional tech startups
Tech firm targets 20x returns on early-stage investments in region’s fintech and SaaS startups
Desert Rock
Inside the ‘camouflaged’ Desert Rock Resort: Saudi Red Sea destination draws global tourists at $3,200 per night
Saudi Arabia’s newest ultra-luxury mountain hideaway attracts international visitors off the beaten path with premium rates and invisible architecture
Capital Markets
‘Golden era’ for GCC capital markets as global investors cash in on $2.3 trillion powerhouse
HSBC C-suite and regional exchange leaders reveal market transformation strategy in exclusive Arabian Business interviews
High Net Worth Individuals
Paradise for sale? How to buy a private island in the Maldives for $5 million
Maldives leasehold market attracts Gulf investors in record numbers despite hefty development costs
Donald Trump
Analysis: Trump’s Saudi-brokered Russia-Ukraine ceasefire could leave Zelenskyy with no good options
The Saudi-brokered talks have produced a ceasefire agreement, but analysts warn this reflects Ukraine’s diminishing battlefield leverage rather than progress toward lasting peace
climate change
IMF approves $2.5bn in funding for Egypt, backs climate finance initiative
Fund cites “mixed progress” on reforms as Egypt faces Red Sea disruptions costing $6bn in Suez Canal revenue while struggling with high debt and fiscal challenges
automotive brands
Nissan names Ivan Espinosa as new CEO after failed Honda merger talks
This comes months after Carlos Ghosn told Arabian Business that Japanese executives prefer “weaker companies under their control” – a view seemingly validated by the Honda-Nissan merger collapse
ceasefire
Russia-Ukraine ceasefire: Zelenskyy agrees to halt fighting for 30 days in US-brokered deal
Russia-Ukraine ceasefire proposal emerges from Saudi talks as Zelenskyy accepts Trump plan and awaits Putin decision
Abu Dhabi Investment Group
‘Europe no longer attractive for investment,’ says ADIG CEO as capital flows to UAE
‘Europe has become a less attractive destination for investment,’ says the ADIG chief amid capital flight and geopolitical shifts
Donald Trump
US stocks plunge as Trump’s tariff policies stoke recession fears
Investors are now focused on Wednesday’s inflation report for further clues about the health of the economy
High Net Worth Individuals
EXCLUSIVE: UAE developers pour billions into Maldives as luxury island market heats up
Honeymooners may soon find the Maldives transformed into a lucrative second-home market, thanks to over $3 billion in UAE investments by 2030
economic opportunities
Gulf-Asia corridor: The $578bn economic powerhouse reshaping global investment flows
HSBC top brass and regional leaders share exclusive insights with Arabian Business on the sidelines of the HSBC MENAT Future Forum
Arton Capital
German millionaires flock to UAE as Europe’s political chaos, economic woes bite
Political polarisation in Europe is driving an exodus of German, British and French millionaires to the UAE, says Arton Capital chief
antibiotic medicine
EXCLUSIVE: Pfizer recalls bacteria-fighting antibiotic Zithromax from UAE market
Popular antibiotic that is used to fight STIs, skin and respiratory infections vanishes from pharmacy shelves as Pfizer works to resolve ‘manufacturing’ issue
beauty and skincare
REVIEW: Red light therapy succeeded where 15 years of acne treatments failed
After a 15-year battle with persistent acne, countless medications, and expensive procedures, I’ve finally discovered a solution that has dramatically transformed my skin – the Bon Charge Red Light Therapy Mask
Donald Trump
Internet erupts over Trump-Zelenskyy White House meeting breakdown
When Zelenskyy asked JD Vance if he had ever visited Ukraine, the US VP responded that he had seen videos and accused the Ukrainian president of taking visitors on “propaganda tours”
Blockchain
Analysis: Inside the $1.5bn Bybit hack – ‘The largest digital heist in crypto history’
Data shows that North Korean hackers stole $1.34 billion across 47 incidents last year – a figure now eclipsed by this one breach
Ras Al Khaimah’s casino island could yield property investment returns over 100%, brokers claim
Industry insiders reveal how early investors could double their money at Wynn Al Marjan Island, while analysts assess whether the Middle East’s first casino resort truly offers a ‘once-in-a-lifetime’ opportunity
Citizenship by Investment
US citizens lead global rush for second passports as Malta tops citizenship rankings
Monaco and the UAE achieved perfect scores for tax benefits in the residence program rankings, while EU member states dominated in visa-free travel access