The talent influx peaked in September 2023, with recruitment firms reporting a “windfall of applications” from international candidates
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
inflation
US Federal Reserve cuts interest rates for third time, dials back 2025 outlook
Incoming president Trump’s policy agenda on tariffs and taxes looms over the Fed’s outlook, though Fed chair Powell called it “premature” to assess any impacts
Abu Dhabi
France, Italy top visa destinations for UAE residents, data shows
New data shows France and Italy top UAE visa applications, but a surprising regional powerhouse came in third
economic outlook
UAE economy set for 4.1% growth in 2025, wider GCC shows mixed outlook
Inflation in the Emirates has shown a downward trend, reaching 2.4 percent year-on-year in October, its lowest level since August 2023
Artificial intelligence
Global CEOs see economic boom in 2025, China push as Trump retakes presidency: Report
The optimistic outlook persists despite geopolitical challenges, with over 75% of CEOs and 83% of investors expecting recent global elections to improve economic conditions and stability
Europe
Analysis: Europe’s right-wing shift unlikely to disrupt Gulf trade ties – experts
Europe’s rightward political shift, driven by self-interest, is unlikely to disrupt trade with the Gulf region amid rising nationalism and anti-EU sentiment, experts say
Canada
America First 2.0: Trump’s new trade doctrine could target allies first, experts say
Experts say viewing Trump solely as anti-China misses the broader global trade transformation underway
Abu Dhabi
Aldar’s Mandarin Oriental Residences over 50% reserved as global buyers eye Abu Dhabi property market
The Mandarin Oriental Residences is scheduled for completion in 2028, says Aldar Development CEO
China
Analysis: Gulf nations poised as ‘safe zones’ amid Trump 2.0 trade reset, but gains may be limited – experts
Gulf nations’ strategic importance is likely to grow as global trade patterns shift, experts say
China
If Mexico won’t fix cartels, ‘Trump will’: Former trade advisor Bennett signals US intervention on fentanyl crisis
“Mexico has a problem in that a large portion of the country remains lawless, controlled by the cartels, and that’s got to be fixed,” Bennett says
China
China ‘miscalculated’ by becoming US trade competitor, says ex-Trump advisor
Barry Bennett’s comments come a week after Trump announced plans to impose a 10% tariff on Chinese imports upon taking office on Jan. 20
Almoosa Health
Saudi’s Almoosa Health sets IPO price range, eyes $1.5bn valuation in healthcare listing boom
The hospital operator aims to raise up to $450 million by selling 13.29 million shares, representing 30% of its issued share capital
Internet
US grants licence for telecom infrastructure project in sanctioned Syria despite ongoing conflict
The approval comes as Syria faces renewed violence, with rebel groups recently capturing Aleppo from government forces in a major escalation of the country’s protracted civil war
Egypt
‘Real estate is the mother of everything’: Inside an Egyptian billionaire’s vision to solve Riyadh’s growing pains
Palm Hills Chairman Yasseen Mansour plans to tackle Riyadh’s real estate crunch by building premium satellite cities anchored by international schools in a $300mn investment push
Hezbollah
Lebanon faces $25bn reconstruction bill as Israel-Hezbollah ceasefire opens window for economic recovery
War-torn Lebanon eyes economic rebound but reconstruction costs loom large and recovery hinges on reforms and presidential deadlock
Lebanon
Lebanon eyes Christmas tourism boost as ceasefire brings respite to millions of expats
The Christmas tourism boost, if sustained, could provide much-needed foreign currency inflows for a country whose currency has lost more than 90% of its value against the US dollar on the black market
Almoosa Health
Saudi healthcare provider Almoosa announces plans to float 30% on Tadawul
This follows September’s regulatory approval from the Capital Market Authority and comes amid a busy year for Saudi healthcare IPOs
China
Trump threatens China, Mexico tariffs in global trade shake-up
The president-elect’s proposed tarrifs on the U.S.’s largest trading partners could push its import duties to 1930s levels, triggering inflation and forcing a major reorganisation of global supply chains
EXCLUSIVE: Influencer app The Secret Society launches in Saudi Arabia, eyes US expansion in 2025
The expansion into Saudi Arabia comes as the platform targets new growth markets ahead of its planned US debut in 2025
Benjamin Netanyahu
US-brokered Israel-Hezbollah ceasefire takes effect as displaced Lebanese begin return
The agreement was approved by Israel’s war cabinet on Tuesday by a vote of 10 to 1, marking a potential end to the violence that erupted in late September
Canada
G7 in Italy: Ministers back Middle East ceasefire plan, pledge $50bn for Ukraine – All you need to know
The meeting brought together foreign ministers from Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the UK, the U.S. and the High Representative of the EU
Space Exploration
Space tourism’s middle market moment? The $125,000 ticket making balloon flights more accessible than Everest, Titanic expeditions
The real breakthrough in space tourism accessibility is coming within the next 12-18 months, SpaceVIP CEO Roman Chiporukha reveals
Benjamin Netanyahu
International Criminal Court issues arrest warrant for Israeli PM Netanyahu
The charges include the war crime of using starvation as a method of warfare and crimes against humanity including murder, persecution, and other inhumane acts
Sarwa
No safety net? UAE expats turn to investment apps as local platform boom fills pension void for thousands
The shift reflects mounting awareness among the UAE’s expatriate majority about the need to secure their financial futures without state pensions
Cryptocurrency
Markets turn ‘wildly bullish’ as Trump election victory sparks rush to risk assets
Treasuries slump threatens market rally as banks, small-caps surge on tax cut hopes, while dollar strength hits emerging markets
climate crisis
Climate crisis to cost ‘impossible’ $1 trillion for world’s poorest as divisions deepen at COP29
“The signs are that it will be hard to reach an agreement in Baku,” expert says as COP29 marked by more division than unity
azerbaijan
COP29 key moments: Azerbaijan president says fossil fuels are ‘gift from God’, negotiators eye $1.3tn climate finance deal
Negotiators seek a $1.3 trillion climate finance framework, Azerbaijan’s President Aliyev defends fossil fuels as a “gift from God,” and more key moments from COP29 in Baku
azerbaijan
UN chief slams ‘inadequate’ climate loss and damage funding at COP29 in Baku
The fund’s current size fails to match the scale of climate-induced destruction faced by developing nations, says UN chief Gueterres
Bilateral trade
Italian exports to UAE set for ‘record year’ in 2024 as bilateral trade surges
Italian exports to the UAE soared 22% in the first 7 months of 2024, setting a blistering pace for record trade, says ITA Director Valerio Soldani
Dubai
Italian jewellers cash in on Dubai’s wedding tourism boom, says trade agency boss
Dubai’s 2023 marriage law reforms have unleashed a surge in destination weddings across the emirate, with Italian luxury jewelers strategically positioning to capture the growing market
Gaza
Saudi Crown Prince labels Israel’s actions in Gaza as ‘genocide’
Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman also spoke out against Israeli attacks on Lebanon and Iran
Abu Dhabi
Dubai’s A1 car number plate most searched in world’s first digital valuation tool
Dubai license plates dominate the UAE’s first digital valuation tool with 67% of all queries, with the emirate’s A1 plate emerging as the most searched combination across the platform
Abu Dhabi
‘Sitting on a goldmine’? World’s first number plate valuation tool launches in Dubai, trading platform to follow
“Some people have valuable number plates and they don’t even know… they could be sitting on a goldmine,” SellAnyCar’s Saygin Yalcin says
acquisition
EXCLUSIVE: Japan’s giftee acquires 91% stake in Dubai’s YOUGotaGift
The deal is expected to close by the end of November, subject to regulatory approvals, with the existing management team remaining in place as a condition of the transaction
Public Investment Fund
ANALYSIS: Inside Saudi Arabia’s sprint to hit SAR1.2tn non-oil GDP by 2025
Saudi Arabia’s ambitious target of SAR1.2tn in non-oil GDP by next year is testing both its resolve and resources
China
ANALYSIS: Trump’s return could signal new path for Israel, Gaza, Lebanon crisis
Trump victory could mean less proxy wars, business-first diplomacy, and a deal with Putin to rein in Iran – marking a dramatic shift in how the US handles Israel’s conflicts with Gaza and Lebanon, experts say
US Election 2024
Stocks, bonds, crypto: What a Trump or Harris win will mean for investors
As polls close, investors are braced for dramatic changes depending on the election outcome
AB Majlis
AB Majlis podcast: Are you delusional enough? Mindvalley’s Vishen Lakhiani on why being unrealistic can change the world
“The greatest achievers in the world have no respect for the words ‘be realistic’,” Lakhiani says
Dubai real estate market
Dubai startup debuts walk-through blueprint tech for real estate, eyes NEOM, Red Sea megaprojects in Saudi push
The company’s strategic entry into the Middle East comes through a partnership between Calas and two prominent regional investors from the UAE and Saudi Arabia
Entrepreneurs
Gulf region poised to rival Silicon Valley as next global tech hub, ‘unicorn factory’, tech investor says
Unicorn Hunters co-founder Silvina Moschini, speaking at FII in Riyadh, outlined plans for the Gulf to become a ‘unicorn factory’ through Latin American partnerships
Aviation
EXCLUSIVE: Riyadh Air secures order of 60 Airbus A321s in $15bn fleet expansion
Riyadh Air secures 60 Airbus A321 aircraft ahead of its 2025 commercial launch, CFO confirms at FII
automotive industry
Self-driving taxis to hit Riyadh streets by 2027, says CEO of PIF-backed TASARU
The PIF-backed investment vehicle is also eyeing significant investments in the logistics sector by year-end
clean energy
Middle East needs stronger policies to tap into $900bn green FDI flows, energy expert says
The region has seen limited green investment flows compared to Europe and the US despite offering the world’s lowest renewable energy production costs, Strategy& expert reveals
digital transformation
EXCLUSIVE: Globant inks major deal with Saudi’s Qiddiya mega-project, confirms new Riyadh office in Q1
The partnership marks a significant milestone for both entities as Qiddiya, one of Saudi Arabia’s ambitious giga-projects, continues its transformation from desert terrain into an entertainment destination and residential hub near Riyadh
FII
Gulf region is world’s ‘most ambitious economic reform story,’ says Templeton executive at FII 2024
Despite regional geopolitical tensions, investment risks in Gulf markets remain well-contained, with key markets maintaining stability, says Bassel Khatoun
FII
FII 2024 day 1: $300mn tech fund launch, AI initiative, global leaders shape investment future in Riyadh
The conference will continue through the week, with upcoming sessions focused on deepening partnerships and exploring innovative solutions to global challenges
cruise saudi
Cruise Saudi to launch first Arabian-focused luxury ship AROYA on Dec. 16, CEO reveals
The vessel, which is only five years old, was originally built for the Chinese market but has undergone a comprehensive refurbishment under Cruise Saudi’s direction, CEO Lars Clasen said
cruise saudi
Ultra-luxury AMAN cruise ship on track for Red Sea launch in Q2 2027
The 100-guest cruise ship will complement other luxury developments in the kingdom, including the recently launched Sindalah Island, says Cruise Saudi CEO Lars Clasen
cruise saudi
EXCLUSIVE: Cruise Saudi expanding to 10 destinations along Red Sea coast, 3 new ports underway
Operational ports like Jeddah, Yanbu, and Dammam are complemented by new developments, including AlWajh as a gateway to AlUla and private islands for cruise passengers
Future Investment Initiative
Saudi Arabia’s PIF pivots to domestic focus, eyes AI revolution, says Al-Rumayyan
The fund is reportedly in early discussions about a potential AI partnership worth up to $40 billion with venture capital giant Andreessen Horowitz
RAK hospitality
RAK debuts Seven Wonders platform with Armin van Buuren show, plans 7-week festival in late 2025
The inaugural show at Ritz-Carlton Al Wadi Desert served as a proof of concept for potential sponsors and partners, according to RAK Hospitality COO Donald Bremner
Gaming resort
Ras Al Khaimah: Wynn Resort ‘perfectly on track’ for Q1 2027 opening, says RAK Hospitality COO
In an interview on the sidelines of the inaugural Seven Wonders event in Ras Al Khaimah, Bremner confirmed there have been “no suggestions of any delays” to the landmark project
Jebel Jais
RAK Hospitality doubles down on tourism push with fifth hotel acquisition, eyes 3.5mn visitors by 2030
UAE’s first casino resort developer reveals multi-hotel pipeline in Ras Al Khaimah on sidelines of the inaugural Seven Wonders event
BRICS
BRICS in Russia: New world order shows the West on the backfoot
As over 30 heads of state gather for the BRICS summit in Russia, we’re witnessing not the isolation of a pariah state, but the emergence of a new global coalition that challenges the very foundation of Western diplomatic power