Business

Biggest quarterly gain in GCC markets since global financial crisis

Published

4 years ago

April 4, 2022

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The MSCI GCC aggregate index saw a rise of about 18 per cent in the first three months of 2022, thanks to a broad rally across regional GCC markets and higher oil prices. This is the biggest quarterly gain recorded by GCC markets since the second quarter of 2009 during the global financial crisis.

The surge was backed by four consecutive months of gains in the index, Kamco Invest said in a report.

During the quarter, all the regional markets were in the green. Abu Dhabi reported the biggest gain of about 17 per cent. It was followed by Qatar and Saudi Arabia, with gains of around 16 per cent each, the report added.

The biggest gains were recorded by capital goods, materials and banking sectors — at close to 20 per cent. Energy and health care expanded 18 per cent and 15 per cent, respectively.

The only sectors that declined in the first quarter were consumer durables and apparels, and pharma, the report revealed.

In March, the Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange (ADX) was the best-performing market in the GCC, with the exchange’s market capitalisation increasing 4.7 per cent to reach Dh1.81 trillion ($492 billion).

Total volume of shares traded grew 39 per cent to 6.2 billion in March from 4.4 billion in February. Monthly value traded also rose 44 per cent to Dh40.2b last month, the report added.

ADX, the Arab world’s second-largest stock market by market value, also led the GCC in terms of year-to-date gains that reached 17.2 per cent at the end of March after registering record growth during 2021, the report said.

The Dubai Financial Market also gained 5 per cent in March, closing at 3,526.6 points, supported by gains in six out of nine sectoral indices including large-cap sectors such as banks, property and insurance, the report said.

Staff Reporter

Announcements

Small businesses in the UAE now have tax relief until 2029

Published

11 hours ago

August 7, 2026

Michael Gomes

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Small businesses in the UAE with annual revenues of up to Dh3 million will continue to be eligible for Small Business Relief under the corporate tax regime until the end of 2029.

The Ministry of Finance said on Friday that Ministerial Decision No. 131 extends the period during which eligible businesses can benefit from Small Business Relief to cover tax periods ending on or before December 31, 2029.

The relief was introduced to help reduce the corporate tax compliance burden for smaller businesses and start-ups that meet the eligibility requirements.

Dh3 million threshold remains unchanged

The existing annual revenue threshold of Dh3 million, set under Ministerial Decision No. 73 of 2023, will continue to apply.

The relief applies to tax periods beginning on or after June 1, 2023 and, following the latest amendment, will remain available for subsequent tax periods ending on or before December 31, 2029.

Eligible taxable persons with annual revenue of up to Dh3 million can claim Small Business Relief, subject to meeting the conditions and requirements outlined in the corporate tax legislation.

The relief enables qualifying businesses to benefit from simplified corporate tax compliance requirements.

More time for small businesses

The extension provides eligible small businesses and start-ups with additional tax periods to benefit from the relief while continuing to meet the Dh3 million revenue threshold.

The Ministry said the decision is part of its efforts to support smaller companies and entrepreneurs, strengthen the business environment, and encourage sustainable growth and expansion.

Business

No cash? No card? No problem: Now shop at Dubai Duty Free with crypto

Published

3 days ago

August 5, 2026

Michael Gomes

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Dubai Duty Free has become the first airport retailer in the Middle East to introduce Crypto.com Pay, allowing eligible UAE residents to pay for purchases using their Crypto.com accounts.

The new payment option is now available at Dubai International Airport (DXB), Al Maktoum International Airport (DWC/AMIA) and online at Dubai Duty Free’s website.

The rollout follows a strategic partnership signed between Dubai Duty Free and Crypto.com in July 2025 and supports Dubai’s wider push towards a cashless economy under the D33 Economic Agenda.

How it works

For in-store purchases, shoppers simply select Crypto.com Pay at checkout, scan the QR code displayed at the counter using the Crypto.com app and approve the payment. The transaction is processed instantly, with Dubai Duty Free receiving settlement in UAE dirhams.

Online shoppers can also choose Crypto.com Pay during checkout, scan the QR code generated on the payment page and confirm the transaction through the Crypto.com app. Mobile users are redirected directly to the app before returning to complete their purchase.

Available for eligible UAE residents

The service is currently available to eligible UAE residents with a Crypto.com account. Payments are processed through Crypto.com’s regulated payment platform, with transactions settled in dirhams.

Dubai Duty Free said the launch expands its range of digital payment options, which already includes Apple Pay, Alipay and TerraPay, while offering customers another convenient way to pay.

The move also strengthens Dubai’s ambition to become a global leader in digital commerce, with the emirate targeting 90 per cent of financial transactions to be cashless by the end of 2026.

Announcements

August fuel rates announced: UAE petrol prices go up

Published

1 week ago

July 31, 2026

Michael Gomes

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UAE motorists will pay more at the pump from Saturday after the UAE Fuel Price Committee announced higher petrol and diesel prices for August 2026.

The revised rates, which take effect from August 1, are:

Super 98: Dh3.60 per litre (up from Dh3.40)
Special 95: Dh3.49 per litre (up from Dh3.29)
E-Plus 91: Dh3.41 per litre (up from Dh3.21)
Diesel: Dh3.80 per litre (up from Dh3.60)

The increase reverses July’s price reduction and comes after volatility in global oil markets during the past month.

The UAE Fuel Price Committee reviews retail fuel prices at the end of each month, with rates determined in line with movements in international oil markets.

The new prices will remain in effect throughout August 2026.