Layla Hassan

53 POSTS
Senior Correspondent, Gulf & GCC Affairs

Exclusive articles:

How to Hire Employees in the UAE in 2026: Labour Law, Visas and Compliance

Guides Layla Hassan Layla Hassan -
Hiring employees in the UAE involves navigating a specific regulatory framework that governs employment contracts, visa sponsorship, end-of-service benefits, and the increasingly important Emiratisation...

How to Register for VAT in the UAE in 2026: Complete FTA Registration Guide

Guides Layla Hassan Layla Hassan -
Value Added Tax (VAT) was introduced in the UAE on 1 January 2018 at a standard rate of 5% — one of the lowest...

GCC Free Trade Agreements 2026: UAE CEPAs, GCC-UK and India Trade Deals

Gulf Layla Hassan Layla Hassan -
The Gulf Cooperation Council's trade relationships are being reshaped by a wave of free trade agreement (FTA) negotiations and signings that represent a fundamental...

How to Open a Business Bank Account in the UAE in 2026: Complete Step-by-Step Guide

Guides Layla Hassan Layla Hassan -
Opening a business bank account in the UAE is one of the most important — and sometimes frustrating — steps when setting up a...

GCC Financial Markets Overview 2026: Regional Exchanges, MSCI Inclusion and Investment Guide

Gulf Layla Hassan Layla Hassan -
The GCC's financial markets have undergone a fundamental transformation over the past decade — growing from relatively small, domestic-focused exchanges into emerging market indices...
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Breaking

UAE Central Bank: Economy Set for 5.6% Growth in 2026 as Banking Assets Surpass AED 5.47 Trillion

UAE 0
The UAE Central Bank projects 5.6% GDP growth for 2026, with banking sector assets exceeding AED 5.472 trillion, credit rising to AED 2.63 trillion, and non-oil foreign trade hitting AED 2,530 billion in the first nine months of 2025 — while Moody's and S&P maintain top-tier credit ratings.

Doha Named GCC Tourism Capital 2026: Qatar Records 1.13 Million Visitors in Q1 as Hospitality Sector Booms

Qatar 0
Doha has been named the GCC Tourism Capital for 2026, with Qatar recording 1.13 million international visitors in Q1 2026 and 5.1 million in 2025, as the city leverages Art Basel, the World Cup and a diversified events calendar to drive economic growth beyond oil.

UK-GCC Free Trade Agreement Signed: First G7 Nation Seals Gulf Deal Worth £3.7 Billion a Year

Economy 0
The UK and GCC signed a landmark Free Trade Agreement on June 8, 2026 — the first trade deal between the Gulf bloc and any G7 nation — eliminating 93% of GCC tariffs on British goods and unlocking £3.7 billion in annual trade gains, with total bilateral trade of £53 billion set to grow 20%.

Doha vs Dubai 2026: Which Gulf City Is Better for Business, Living and Investment?

Business 0
Two cities. Two visions. Two Gulf states reshaping global...
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