19 Apr 2024. We have a special edition of the Bitesize podcast today as we hear from a variety of businesses to find out how they're faring in the aftermath of the floods. First, we hear from Dubai airports CEO, Paul Griffiths, who gives us the latest updates for DXB passengers and when we can expect operations to resume as normal. We also find out…

18 Apr 2024. We've got the latest on the aftermath of the recent floods as we speak to Cafu COO Ryan Rogers. We also speak to one repair garage who've been inundated with water-damaged cars after the recent storms. Plus, we'll hear from an insurance lawyer about potential payouts for this week's storms. And we speak to Laurence Kemball-Cook, CEO an…

17 Apr 2024. We look at the impact of wild weather and what could it mean for the insurance industry with various experts: AFIA Insurance Brokerage Services LLC, octopus & GIG Gulf. Plus, we speak to the CEO of Spinneys, Sunil Kumar, about the company's growth plans on the back of its IPO announcement. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy inform…

16 Apr 2024. We have the latest on the news that Spinneys is to go public, selling 25% of its shares before listing on the DFM. Plus, as the IMF spring meetings kick off in Washington, we speak to one economist in the thick of the action: IMF veteran Masood Ahmed. And, after Eid Al Fitr saw flight price spikes - are we all booking early for Eid Al …

15 Apr 2024. We find out what's moving the markets this week amidst increased regional tension with Ed Bell, Senior Director of Emirates NBD. As Abu Dhabi considers a takeover bid for BP, we speak to energy expert Christoph Ruhl of Columbia University. We also speak to the new real estate company giving cash back for school fees to families and fin…

05 Apr 2024. The value of bank transfers in the UAE reached Dhs1.5 trillion in January, according to Central Bank data. That’s up 24% from a year earlier.” So, what does this tell us about the health of the banking sector and the wider economy? Emirates Development Bank has hit a major milestone in its mandate to provide 30 billion dirhams in finan…

04 Apr 2024. The OPEC+ monitoring committee has recommended the group stick with its current supply cuts for the first half of the year. But how well are their cuts working and what does it all mean for UAE and Saudi finances? Plus, on the back of the KHDA's decision to allow school fee increases - we ask recruitment expert - Conor McHugh, Founder,…

03 Apr 2024. We get reaction from Dan Richards, Senior Economist, Emirates NBD on private schools in Dubai being able to raise fees by 5.2% next year - what impact might this have on inflation? Dan also gives us instant reaction to the new PMI data for the UAE out this morning. Plus, we speak to DHL about the UAE moving up the ranks of connected co…

02 Apr 2024. Abu Dhabi economy grew just over 3 per cent last year...while the UAE central bank is predicting just over 4% growth for the country in 2024. We get reaction to that flurry of UAE economic data, from Dan Richards of Emirates NBD and Stephen Anderson of PwC. We also speak to Cafu about whether they see a spike in people filling up ahead…

01 Apr 2024. We get reaction to those rising petrol prices – and some clues on where they’re heading – with economist Dan Richards of Emirates NBD. And, DLD is set to boost Emirati real estate brokers but how will more Emirati brokers impact Dubai real estate? Zhann Johincke of Cavendish Maxwell joins us live to tell us more. We also look at what a…

29 Mar 2024. Education provider Taleem has reported record profits for the first half of the year, up 53 per cent - and a new high when it comes to student enrollment, up 32 per cent. Taaleem boss Alan Williamson tells us about what's behind those record numbers. We also get reaction to Sam Bankman-Fried’s 25-year jail term from lawyer Shahram Safa…

28 Mar 2024. We have the latest on the new ADNOC oil field which has started production at the offshore Belbazem oil field, which will pump up to 45,000 barrels per day. We also speak to Capt. Zarir S. Irani, Managing Director, Constellation Marine Services about the fears that have been raised around potential disruption to global supply chains fo…

27 Mar 2024. We have the latest on the closure of Baltimore Port after a bridge collapse poses the latest challenge to global shipping and logistics. We also look at Mercer's outlook for wages with their regional careers principal Vlad Vrzhovski as they say UAE salaries should rise 4 per cent this year on average, outpacing inflation. Plus, we spea…

26 Mar 2024. We discuss the latest on Boeing CEO Dave Calhoun stepping down by the end of this year in a management shake-up, after concerns about safety issues at the plane maker as well as reaction to Trump’s civil fraud case being reduced to $175 Million. We talk nuclear energy, as the UAE turns on its fourth and final reactor with nuclear safet…

25 Mar 2024. The week ahead looks like the calm after the storm following last week’s tempest of central bank decisions, but what will investors be looking at this week? We get the latest from Jeanne Walters of Emirates NBD. We also look at the trade implications of the big Presidential meeting between the UAE and Egypt with Standard Chartered's ME…

We speak to markets lawyer Andrew Tarbuck of Al Tamimi & Co about Parkin's first day as a listed company and asked who might be next in the IPO pipeline. Plus, we get reaction on two big tech stories: the US suing Apple for being a “monopoly”, while Redditt jumps 50% on debut with tech journalist, Kevin Sebastian. See omnystudio.com/listener for pr…

We speak to Emirates NBD chief economist Khatija Haque about what the Fed might do next. Plus, what that decision to keep rates high could mean for the UAE mortgage market with Espace Real Estate boss John Lyons. And, how to protect your crypto wallet from hackers? We speak to one UAE security firm that’s just got a license in Abu Dhabi. See omnyst…

We look at how Eid travel bookings are going with Mamoun Hmedan, Chief Business Officer of Wego. Plus, the giant CERAWeek energy gathering in Texas – we get the inside story from veteran Middle East oil expert Andy Critchlow, of S&P Global Platts. And, S&P warning for the likes of Etisalat are facing market saturation, we speak to S&P technology an…

Japan has raised interest rates for the first time in 17 years - but only to 0.1%, while Australia kept rates on hold at 4.35%. We get reactions to breaking interest rate stories with Josh Gilbert, Market Analyst, eToro. Plus, is UAE property companies looking to develop outside the country in places like Europe and the USA? We asked Taimur Khan, H…

We get the details on that booming trade between the UAE and America, with the ex-head of the US economics team at the embassy in Dubai. Plus, it's super central bank week! Emirates NBD economist Khatija Haque joins us live. And plenty of woes for Boeing: is the plane maker to big to fail? We asked Keith Tonkin, Managing Director, Aviation Projects…

15 Mar 2024. We’ve had earnings from two Dubai private companies – DP World and Majid Al Futtaim. Dan Richards, senior economist, Emirates NBD gives us analysis from a macro perspective and he gives us his key takeaways from the IEA oil demand/supply report. Plus, we cross live to Texas talking all things America – from TikTok and Trump to oil and …

14 Mar 2024. We get reaction from Dan Richards, senior economist at Emirates NBD, on DIFC's new law covering digital assets and reaction to ratings agency Moody’s raising its outlook on UAE banks to ‘positive’. Plus, what does Ramadan mean for food delivery? We speak to Careem's vice president of food who explains that demand peaks in the final wee…

13 Mar 2024. Emirates NBD give us the latest on what US inflation means for next week's Fed decision. Plus, as global olive oil prices rise, we speak to Spinney's general manager, Tom Harvey to find out if customers will feel the impact. The boss of StarzPlay, Maaz Sheikh, joins us live in studio: can Ramadan TV-watching fight off social media and …

12 Mar 2024. Abu Dhabi has signed off on 66 billion dirhams worth of infrastructure projects, including parks, cycle tracks and housing developments - but is this a significant new investment and how does it fit with Abu Dhabi’s Vision 2030 economic strategy? We also look at increasing volumes and prices in the Dubai property market with Property M…

11 Mar 2024. We get reaction to the Saudi economy shrinking by just under 1 per cent as well as Saudi Aramco posting lower profit but upping dividend. We look at what the UAE's first banking ombudsman means for customers with lawyer Alfred Thornton of Clyde and Co and what the UAE's first banking ombudsman means for the financial sector with the di…

08 Mar 2024. Dubai has updated the law when it comes to the 20% tax on foreign banks operating in the emirate outside the DIFC. However, tax accountant Thomas Vanhee explains banks will NOT end up paying more tax, as federal bank tax will be deducted from it. We also speak to Agthia CEO Alan Smith about why they're seeing a 12% growth in revenue. P…

07 Mar 2024. As the UAE sees a big jump in wealth managers we speak to Insight Discovery boss Nigel Silitoe about that growth in wealth management firms. Plus, our interview with Etihad Airways, CEO Antonoaldo Neves, on profit and a possible IPO. We'll also speak to Dubai Future District Fund CEO, Sherif El Badawi, about the fund's 2024 priorities.…

06 Mar 2024. We get reaction to the boom in gold and Bitcoin with Vijay Valecha, Chief Investment Officer at Century Financial: is it the beginning of a bull run, or is the bubble about to burst? BetterHomes CEO, Richard Waind, explains how residential rents in Dubai could be set to rise, following changes to the RERA rental index - but what could …

05 Mar 2024. As China’s National People's Congress in Beijing gets underway, we get analysis from Ed Bell, Senior Director, Market Economics, Emirates NBD on their 5% growth target and how that will impact the UAE. We'll also look at the Parkin shares which go on sale today. Plus, it's PMI day today - the latest PMI data for the UAE is out: the eco…

04 Mar 2024. We speak to OPEC watcher Amena Bakr about OPEC reportedly extending oil cuts into the second half of the year. Emarat is to sell naming rights to 31 of its service stations in Dubai and the Northern Emirates- Ali Al Falasi of Emarat explains how much naming rights will cost and who will be taking the first station. We also speak to the…

01 Mar 2024. We get the thoughts of energy expert Matt Stanley on why petrol prices have risen as well as what could it mean for UAE inflation with economist Khatija Haque. Plus, we unpick the economics of Indian weddings – as the billionaire Ambani family prepare for this weekend’s $100 million nuptials. And, we'll find out how rising cocoa prices…

29 Feb 2024. We look at those UAE GDP projections with Emirates NBD economist Khatija Haque. Plus, with just weeks until the Indian election, HSBC’s chief economist for India, Pranjul Bhandari joins us live. And, we find out how Expo City Dubai's infrastructure a perfect place for mega events and festivals with Anna Abulhoul, Executive Creative Dir…

28 Feb 2024. We find out about the UAE's new corporate tax fines and deadlines with taxation expert Thomas Vanhee, Founding Partner, Aurifer. Plus, our exclusive interview with CEO of Dubai’s latest hot IPO stock: Mohamed Al Ali. And, were joined in our Al Wasl Dome studio by the man who helped build it, Ahmed Al Khatib, Chief Development and Deliv…

27 Feb 2024. We get the reaction of Sameer Lakhani, Managing Director at Global Capital Partners. Plus, we get the story behind the successfully sold over AED500 million ($136.15 million) worth of land with CEO of Union Properties Amer Khansaheb. And, more of learning about 'Live, Work and Play' - the three pillars that make Expo City Dubai the Hum…

26 Feb 2024. The culture that is being created, both in terms of work and play with Expo City Dubai's chief education, culture and human resources officer Marjan Faradooni. Plus, we look at why price growth is slowing in the Dubai property market with Zhann Johincke. And we get reactions to the UAE “grey list” removal from lawyer Kamal Jabbar, and …

23 Feb 2024. We'll hear from Jeanne Walters, senior economist, Emirates NBD about Dubai's current boom – what does the data tell us about the Dubai economy today, and the future? As flyDubai reports record profit with passengers jumping 31% - we'll speak to their CEO, Ghaith Al Ghaith, who joins us live to crunch their record numbers. Plus, we'll s…

22 Feb 2024. We get reaction from Jeanne Walters of Emirates NBD about the economic significance of the massive solar investment going into the UAE economy. We'll also find out how Emirates Airlines are able to serve 149 meals every minute with Gustaf Oholm, SVP of Catering and Cabin Services, Emirates Airlines. Plus, Vladimir Dashkeev, Assistant P…

21 Feb 2024. The Bank of England says it’s too early to cut rates – despite a UK recession and a grilling from politicians, calling for aggressive rate CUTS to fight the UK recession. Jeanne Walters, senior economist, Emirates NBD tells us about the outlook for UK rates – and the pound. We also speak to the billionaire family behind the Ineos chemi…

20 Feb 2024. Jeanne Walters of Emirates NBD gives us the latest on Germany’s central bank warning that the economy will shrink this quarter - sending Europe's top economy into recession. The number of passengers on public transport in Dubai hit 702 million riders in 2023, that's a 13 per cent increase when compared to the ridership numbers in 2022,…

19 Feb 2024. UAE non-oil trade set a new record last year, at almost $1 trillion- Senior Economist, Emirates NBD, Jeanne Walters has the latest on that. We'll also hear from Dubai airports CEO Paul Griffiths - basking in the glory of last year's record high, and making bold predictions for this year as they've seen passenger traffic jump by a third…

16 Feb 2024. As Dubai hosts its biggest ever music festival with performances from the likes of Ellie Goulding and Tiesto, we speak to the organiser about the economics and logistics of 'Untold'. We also look back on a week of big names and even bigger claims about AI at this week’s World Government Summit, with Professor Nancy Gleeson of NYU Abu D…

15 Feb 2024. We've got the latest from Narendra Modi and Shah Rukh Khan, who've been speaking at the World Government Summit this week, as well as reaction from Dan Richards, senior economist at Emirates NBD, on what we can draw from corporate reports about the macro economy as earnings season comes to a close. Eight out of 10 of employers in the U…

14 Feb 2024. We've got the latest on the Etisalat earnings - net profit seeing little change for the year at Dhs 10 billion. Dubai health insurance transactions reached $5.9bn last year as the value and volume of the sector continues to grow, but are your health insurance premiums going through the roof? Broker Stephen MacLaren crunches the latest …

13 Feb 2024. We’ve got all the insights from the World Governments Summit as Richard headed down there to find out the latest. UAE-based Gargash Group has announced the opening of the Mercedes-Benz Brand Centre, a first of its kind facility in the region. As part of World Radio Day, we broadcast live from the centre at the Dubai Design District and…

12 Feb 2024. We have the latest on how Dubai's heavy rain is effecting flights with Dubai Aiports CEO, Paul Griffiths and we'll hear whats been happening at the World Government Summit as Rich headed down yesterday to bring us the latest. Dubai's RTA has approved the final design for flying taxis and vertiports (vertical airports) and they will be …

09 Feb 2024. We've got the latest on earnings from three big-name companies - Salik, Dewa and Emaar with Sameer Lakhani, Managing Director, Global Capital Partners. Plus, as Dubai records its best-ever annual tourism performance in 2023, with international tourist arrivals increasing by 19.4 per cent annually to 17.15 million, we'll hear from the D…

08 Feb 2024. We've got the latest on Adnoc Distribution which saw net profit dip slightly by around 4 per cent last year - we'll find out why with CEO Bader Al Lamki. Plus, Josh Gilbert, Market Analyst, eToro gives us reaction to some big earnings from Wednesday night, including Disney and Uber. He'll also give us the latest on earnings for weightl…

07 Feb 2024. We've got the latest on Dubai Taxi's preliminary results - they've seen a 54% increase in net profit year on year. Plus, retail Group LuLu is said to be picking support for an IPO - we look at the appetite for family company offerings with veteran market man Mohammed Yasin. Business Expansion Activity Across Saudi Arabia Sees 4X Increa…

06 Feb 2024. That's according to new official statistics - driven by a drop of more than 9 per cent in oil activities. However, the non-oil economy grew by more than 4 and a half per cent. We'll have the latest on that live from Saudi. We're also joined by economist Dr Christopher Payne, Chief Research Officer, Coldwell Banker Saudi Arabia, who tal…

05 Feb 2024. We speak to aviation expert Nick Humphrey as he gives us his reaction to Emirates boss Sir Tim Clarke warning Boeing it's in the "last chance saloon" when it comes to fixing technical problems. Maurice Gravier, Group Chief Investment Officer, Emirates NBD joins us with a sobering message for investors: “expect modest returns, with high…