Economy
UAE PMI 52.6 in May 2026: Business Expansion Continues Despite Hormuz Delivery Delays at Worst Since April 2020
The UAE's non-oil PMI reached 52.6 in May 2026, maintaining expansion, but supplier delivery times deteriorated to the worst level since April 2020 as Hormuz shipping disruptions extend import lead times across the economy — forcing businesses to rethink inventory and supply chain strategies.
Saudi Arabia Scales Back 81 Red Sea Resorts and Recalibrates Giga-Projects Toward Realistic Delivery
Saudi Arabia is scaling back plans to build 81 luxury Red Sea resorts by 2030 as the Kingdom reassesses pace and scope across giga-projects — a pragmatic recalibration that preserves Vision 2030's economic logic while aligning timelines to execution reality, with 85% of targets still on track.
Kuwait’s South Saad Al-Abdullah New City: $863 Million Infrastructure Push for 400,000-Resident Development
Kuwait's South Saad Al-Abdullah New City — a 64 square kilometre development for up to 400,000 residents across 23,551 plots — has $863 million in contracts underway, with main roads at 55.6 per cent complete as Kuwait's largest housing programme accelerates under Vision 2035.
Bahrain Non-Oil Economy at 85% of GDP: How the Kingdom Became the GCC’s Most Diversified Economy
Bahrain's non-oil sectors now represent approximately 85 per cent of GDP — with financial services alone at 17 per cent — making the Kingdom the GCC's most structurally diversified economy by this measure, built on the foundations of Vision 2030, a unified financial regulator, and early-mover regulatory innovation.
UAE-India CEPA Hits $101 Billion Trade for Second Year, Sets $200 Billion Target After Modi’s Abu Dhabi Visit
UAE-India bilateral trade crossed $101.25 billion in FY 2025-26 under CEPA for the second consecutive year, with Indian PM Modi's Abu Dhabi visit unlocking $5 billion in UAE investment commitments, a 10-year ADNOC LNG supply deal, and a $200 billion joint trade target for 2032.



