The Middle East

A raft of additional retail supply being brought to the islands and suburbs of Abu Dhabi City over the coming year is expected to shake up the sector on many fronts from brand penetration to rental dynamics. Mall operators and retailers recognise that this may cause some short-term turbulence, but that the sector’s longer-term prospects are more...

In a bid to develop a sustainable and diversified economy, non-hydrocarbons industry is becoming increasingly important, and the government of Abu Dhabi has set ambitious growth targets for the industrial sector over the coming two decades. The emirate is developing the infrastructure to achieve these aims, with the objective of creating an...

As steel consumption continues to grow in line with heightened demand in the region, the UAE is well positioned to meet rising production capacity requirements. After witnessing steady growth for the better part of the last decade, the global steel industry suffered a setback due to the global financial crisis in 2008, as consumers utilised existing inventories rather...

Developments in Abu Dhabi’s waters illustrate the extent of innovation in the emirate’s oil and gas sector. The two main offshore operators, the Abu Dhabi Marine Operating Company (ADMA-OPCO) and the Zakum Development Company (ZADCO), are constructing artificial islands on an unprecedented scale for future drilling programmes. Utilising islands...

In line with Abu Dhabi’s plans to increase the quality and value of the manufacturing sector in the emirate, the government has been putting in place a new quality and conformity regime. The drive to improve standards in the sector should create new opportunities for local producers to increase their international competitiveness, enabling them...