Global market intelligence firm Grand View Research (GVR) is ramping up its presence across the Middle East, signalling how Gulf economies are increasingly relying on data-driven foresight to shape diversification strategies, policy design, and investment decisions.

The California-based firm, which has published nearly 20,000 market intelligence studies worldwide, confirmed a significant surge in regional demand this year. According to company data, more than 300 reports now focus on GCC markets, spanning sectors such as energy, healthcare IT, advanced manufacturing, and financial services. The number of GVR’s Middle East client engagements has climbed to over 100 in 2025, supported by a team of 450 analysts and consultants worldwide.

“The scale of decision-making in this region has changed,” said Swayam Dash, Managing Director at Grand View Research. “Businesses are no longer satisfied with descriptive reports. They want predictive models that can guide capital allocation, diversification, and future readiness. The Middle East is operating at global speed now.”

GVR’s recent projects in the region have included renewable energy market sizing, pharmaceutical pipeline mapping, and sustainability benchmarking through its proprietary Astra ESG platform, developed to align with regulatory disclosure frameworks introduced by UAE and Saudi authorities.

The expansion coincides with a period of sustained non-oil growth across the Gulf. According to the UAE Central Bank’s March 2025 review, the country’s non-oil trade surpassed Dh2 trillion in the first nine months of 2024, equivalent to 135 per cent of GDP. The GCC’s economic growth is projected to accelerate to 3.2 per cent in 2025 and 4.5 per cent in 2026, driven largely by technology, logistics, and sustainable infrastructure, sectors where data analytics and market intelligence play a critical role.

“In markets like Dubai and Riyadh, business decisions are increasingly evidence-based,” Dash said. “Data is now a strategic asset, and those who use it effectively will set the pace for the next phase of Gulf growth.”

The company’s newly announced Dubai office marks a deeper commitment to serving regional clients, helping them identify cross-border opportunities in Asia and Europe. Dash described the Middle East as “one of the fastest-maturing intelligence markets globally, a place where ambition, speed, and data finally meet.”

Analysts say GVR’s regional push mirrors a broader shift among consulting and research firms to localise expertise and deliver sharper, faster insights for Gulf clients. “The next competitive advantage in the region,” Dash noted, “won’t be capital or infrastructure, it will be clarity.”

President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan and His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, have extended warm Diwali greetings to the UAE’s Indian community and all those celebrating the Festival of Lights worldwide.

The messages underscore the UAE leadership’s recognition of the country’s diverse multicultural fabric and the significant contributions of the Indian diaspora.

Presidential greetings

In a message posted on his X account, Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed said: “Best wishes to all those celebrating Diwali in the UAE and around the world. May the coming year bring peace, health, and prosperity to you and your loved ones.”

The President’s greetings acknowledge both the local Indian community and global celebrations of the festival, which marks the victory of light over darkness and good over evil.

Dubai Ruler’s wishes

Sheikh Mohammed also extended his wishes through social media.

“Warmest wishes and greetings to those celebrating Diwali in the UAE and around the world. May this festival of lights bring peace, safety, and prosperity to you and your loved ones. Happy Diwali!” the Dubai Ruler wrote.

Significance for UAE’s Indian community

The Diwali greetings from the UAE’s top leadership hold special significance for the country’s substantial Indian expatriate population. The public acknowledgment of the festival by UAE leaders reflects the country’s policy of religious tolerance and cultural inclusivity.

The greetings also carry diplomatic weight, reflecting the strong bilateral relationship between the UAE and India, which encompasses trade, investment, energy cooperation, and people-to-people connections.

Festival celebrations across UAE

Diwali is widely celebrated across the UAE, with Indian communities organising cultural events, traditional rituals, and family gatherings. Major shopping centres and public spaces often feature Diwali-themed decorations and special promotions during the festival period.

The festival typically sees increased economic activity in sectors such as gold jewellery, traditional clothing, sweets, food and festive decorations, with retailers across the UAE catering to the celebratory shopping traditions associated with Diwali.

Employers in the UAE can now handle all domestic worker visa services through a single unified digital platform, eliminating the need to navigate multiple government agencies for routine procedures.

The Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MoHRE) has centralised visa applications, renewals, cancellations, and mandatory medical tests on the Work in UAE portal (workinuae.ae), representing a major simplification of domestic worker regulations.

What the platform offers

The digital portal consolidates services previously scattered across different government entities, allowing employers to manage the complete visa lifecycle from one location:

Visa services:

• New visa applications for domestic workers
• Visa renewals and extensions
• Visa cancellations and transfers
• Status tracking and updates

Medical requirements:

• Required medical test bookings
• Health screening coordination
• Medical certificate processing
• Test result retrieval

Administrative functions:

• Document submission and verification
• Fee payments
• Application status monitoring
• Digital record management

The multi-agency challenge solved

Previously, employers navigated a complex system requiring interactions with the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation, Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security (ICP), Emirates Health Services, Abu Dhabi Department of Health and various typing centres and service providers

Each agency maintained separate systems, requiring multiple visits, redundant documentation, and lengthy processing times.

The new platform integrates these services through backend collaboration among all participating entities, presenting employers with a single interface.

The domestic worker visa platform is part of MoHRE’s Work Bundle initiative, which aims to streamline labour services across the UAE’s employment ecosystem.

Why domestic worker regulations matter

Domestic workers represent a significant segment of the UAE’s labour market, with hundreds of thousands employed across the country in roles including housekeepers, nannies, cooks, drivers, and caregivers.

Simplifying the administrative framework for this sector serves multiple objectives:

For employers: Reduced time spent on bureaucratic processes, clearer procedures, lower administrative costs, and faster processing times.

For workers: Greater transparency in employment status, improved documentation of legal rights, clearer pathways for status changes, and reduced dependency on intermediaries.

For the system: Better compliance tracking, reduced fraud opportunities, improved data collection, and more efficient resource allocation.

How employers benefit

The centralised platform eliminates common pain points in domestic worker visa management:

Time savings: No need to visit multiple agencies or government offices for different steps in the visa process.

Simplified procedures: Single login provides access to all required services rather than maintaining accounts across multiple platforms.

Reduced costs: Elimination of typing centre fees and reduced transportation costs from multiple agency visits.

Faster processing: Backend integration among agencies speeds approval workflows and reduces waiting periods.

24/7 access: Digital platform allows employers to initiate and track processes at any time rather than being constrained by office hours.

Document storage: Digital records eliminate paper documentation and provide easy retrieval of historical information.

Implementation and access

Employers can access the platform immediately through workinuae.ae using their existing UAE Pass credentials or by creating new accounts.

The platform provides step-by-step guidance for each process, with support available through MoHRE’s customer service channels for employers requiring assistance.

All new visa applications, renewals, and cancellations for domestic workers should now be processed through the unified platform rather than through legacy channels.

What hasn’t changed

While the platform simplifies administration, core requirements for domestic worker employment remain in effect:

• Employer eligibility criteria
• Worker qualification standards
• Mandatory medical examinations
• Contract registration requirements
• Minimum wage and benefit obligations
• Insurance requirements

The platform streamlines how these requirements are met but doesn’t alter the fundamental regulatory framework.

Looking ahead

The successful consolidation of domestic worker visa services may serve as a model for further service integration across other employment categories and government functions.

MoHRE’s Work Bundle initiative is expected to expand with additional features and service categories as the digital infrastructure matures and user feedback is incorporated.

Platform Details:

Website: workinuae.ae
Access: UAE Pass or platform registration
Services: Visa applications, renewals, cancellations, and medical tests
Availability: 24/7 online access