The Middle East

With real estate a key source of foreign investment, Abu Dhabi’s government has been gradually easing restrictions on foreign ownership to sustain market growth. This imperative has taken on added importance since the drop in global oil prices beginning in late 2014, leading to new public and private initiatives to draw in further overseas...

Activity in Abu Dhabi’s construction sector contracted for the second year in a row in 2017 as the effects of the oil price drop beginning in 2014 were reflected in a narrower project pipeline. With major transport and energy projects approaching completion, the period of reduced investment across the wider UAE could continue to present...

Against a backdrop of increasingly severe and financially straining climate events and natural disasters, technology is poised to play an important role in maintaining and improving global agricultural output. The adoption of digital and precision farming practices has been shown to improve crop resiliency, and boost productivity and incomes,...

With the UAE relying on imports for 90% of its food, emirates like Abu Dhabi are exposed to volatility in international food markets, currency fluctuations and regional tension. While greater agricultural self-sufficiency through advances in technology is a longer-term mission, the authorities at the national and emirate level are pursuing...

The local authorities are continually looking at ways to improve domestic food production, efforts which can in turn support and work alongside the various strategies in place to ensure Abu Dhabi’s food security as well as that of the wider UAE. Despite a desert climate and significant barriers to largescale agricultural production, a strong...