22nd April 2025 - 28th April 2025 | WEEKLY BUSINESS ROUNDUP

Dubai’s Arabian Travel Market (ATM) set to break record in terms of attendance and exhibitor participation

The 32nd edition of Arabian Travel Market 2025 to be hosted in Dubai is likely to bring together over 2,800 exhibitors and over 55,000 travel professionals from 166 countries. Focused on the theme Global Travel: Developing Tomorrow’s Tourism Through Enhanced Connectivity, the event is reported to have international exhibitors constituting 67% companies at the event, while Middle Eastern exhibitors comprise 33%.

 

GCC real estate hits USD 78.2bn in Q1 2025

As per industry estimates GCC real estate transactions hit USD 78.2bn in Q1 2025 – marking rise between 20.5% and 22.3%. Within GCC, Dubai emerged as the leading market recording USD 38.7bn in sales and constituting nearly half of the region’s total transaction value.

 

GCC family office rising into prominence as new venture capital powerhouses

GCC family offices are steadily embracing high-growth strategies mirroring the patterns of venture capital firms. Increasing digital fluency and higher risk tolerance are key drivers contributing to family offices backing early-stage tech startups, AI ventures, sustainable technologies, and fintech disruptors. GCC based family offices showcase a clear shift towards tech focused investment models.  

 

UAE's foreign trade surges 49% to USD1.4 trillion in 2024

As per WTO’s “World Trade Outlook and Statistics” report UAE recorded total foreign trade of AED5.23 trillion (USD 1.424 trillion) in 2024 - marking 49% increase from AED3.5 trillion (USD 949 billion) in 2021. UAE’s trade performance reinforces its resilience and strategic vision.

 

Oman-UAE non-oil trade jumps 9.8% to USD15.3bln in 2024

Oman sustains its position as the UAE's second largest trading partner in the GCC, and non-oil trade between the two countries surged in 2024 to AED 56.2 billion (USD15.3 billion), marking 9.8% increase compared to 2023. 

 

Dubai World Trade Centre creates USD3.5bn economic output in 2024

Reported to host 100 large-scale exhibitions, international association conventions, and industry conferences, Dubai World Trade Center reinforced its position as a key economic contributor adding AED13.04 billion in Gross Value Added (GVA) to the emirate’s GDP through its business events in 2024. DWTC reported 32% increase year-on-year with events attracting more than 2 million attendees.

 

DMCC announces 7% growth in Indian companies

It is reported over 260 Indian companies joined Dubai Multi Commodities Centre (DMCC) over the past 12 months – totalling to almost 4000 Indian companies based out of DMCC. Increasing by 7% year-on-year, Indian businesses account for 16% of DMCC’s total member base. 

 

Q1 2025, Abu Dhabi reports over 1.4 million overnight guests

Abu Dhabi hotels generated AED2.3 billion (USD 630 million) in revenue, marking 18% increase compared to Q1 2024. It is reported 1.4 million overnight guests visited Abu Dhabi during the first quarter of 2025. The emirate’s tourism sector set a target of contributing AED62 billion (US$16.9 billion) to the economy in 2025, an increase of 13% from 2024.  

 

RAKEZ welcomes 3,676 new companies in Q1 2025, reports 23% year-on-year growth

Ras Al Khaimah Economic Zone (RAKEZ) reported 23% increase in new business registrations during Q1 2025, compared to the same period in 2024, with 3,676 new companies joining the emirate’s thriving business community.