The Middle East

The power and water sector in Abu Dhabi has changed dramatically in the past 15 years. With partial privatisation at the end of the last century, the provision of utilities in the emirate has improved significantly, while disruptions and inefficiencies in both networks have also been greatly reduced under the new model. However, with the growth...

As of mid-2013 the city of Al Ain, Abu Dhabi’s second-largest urban area, was in the early stages of an industrialisation drive that could completely transform the local economy. Under Plan Al Ain 2030 and the government’s long-term development strategy, the Abu Dhabi Economic Vision 2030, the city is slated to become a regional centre for...

Home to some of the UAE’s most prominent Islamic banks and takaful (sharia-compliant insurance) operators, Abu Dhabi has long been a regional centre for Islamic financial services. Strong capital bases have raised the possibility of international expansion in recent years,...

Thanks to a competitive domestic banking market, the UAE’s relatively small population of around 9.2m and plentiful capital reserves, Abu Dhabi’s Islamic lenders are well positioned for international expansion. And in this regard, the two Abu Dhabi-based Islamic banks have already established a track record of success.

In 2012 Abu Dhabi’s insurance sector posted continued growth on the back of increased spending from consumers, corporations and the government. Across the UAE, gross written premiums (GWPs) reached Dh26.3bn ($7.16bn) in 2012, up 9.5% from 2011, according to the 2012 report from the UAE’s Insurance Authority (IA). The federation retained its...

As a close-out agreement was signed for long-held concessions in early 2014 and the government is looking for potential new partners for the development of its oil and gas fields, 2014 may see a shake-up of Abu Dhabi’s hydrocarbons industry. At the same time, the emirate has ambitious targets for increasing oil production, an aim that will...