Morning Drive

Months after geopolitical tensions began affecting the region, how has the UAE job market changed? Hiring trends vary across sectors, with some businesses continuing to recruit while others reassess their workforce needs amid ongoing regional uncertainty. So, is it getting harder to land a job, what is happening to salaries, and how are employers approaching recruitment? We discuss the changing employment landscape with Nathan Kearney, Managing Director of Executive Search.

Did you buy Dubai property at the market peak? Luxe Vista Properties CEO Ajay Menon joins presenter Tim Elliott to dissect buyer's remorse, shifting property cycles, and strategic adaptation. They discuss why current market stabilization offers a fresh, resilient playbook for savvy investors navigating tomorrow's real estate landscape.

The UAE rental market is embracing digital payments, giving tenants more flexibility and landlords greater control over their properties. Keyper recently raised $11 million in Series A funding and surpassed AED 100 million in active annual rents paid monthly. We speak to Walid Shihabi, Co-Founder and Chief Strategy Officer of Keyper, about the future of rent payments and the UAE property market.

What do businesses need to prepare, and could their existing accounting systems be ready? We discuss the new requirements and compliance steps with Sameer Ansari, Senior Client Accountant at Sovereign PPG.Choose E-Invoicing Provider By October

Tim Elliott sits down with Mackenzie Jones Middle East Managing Director David Mackenzie to unpack the delicate art of salary negotiations. They explore whether job candidates in the UAE should disclose current compensation packages or push back against employers.

The UAE’s F&B scene is entering another busy period. Global Food Week has just wrapped in Abu Dhabi, and the MICHELIN Guide has just unveiled its latest Dubai selection, with 122 restaurants now featured. We’re looking at what’s happening beyond the awards and big openings, from someone who sees restaurants and food businesses on the ground. Ahmad Ali is the founder of Emirati Food Geeks, a platform helping restaurants get discovered and build visibility.

Tim Elliott speaks with Monetary Metals Managing Director Jeff Rhodes as gold resiliently defends key support. Despite 10-year US Treasury yields reaching multi-decade highs, heavy ETF inflows and central bank purchasing underpin bullion. Plus, a look at ICE launching precious metals futures contracts in London.

Financial stress isn’t solely tied to earnings. Even high-income professionals across the UAE face persistent background money anxiety due to a lack of financial education and structured planning. Tim Elliott speaks with UAE-licensed Independent Financial Consultant James Thomas to unpack why personal finance remains taboo and how basic management mitigates unnecessary worry.

Dubai’s residential market recorded AED72.6 billion in sales in Q3, across around 34,000 transactions. But sales values were down 47% and transaction volumes fell 38% year on year. Off-plan properties still dominated, accounting for 72% of purchases. We’re joined by Zacky Sajjad, Director of Business Development and Client Relations at Cavendish Maxwell, to look at what the latest numbers tell us about Dubai’s property market.

With UAE petrol prices increasing, transport and delivery costs are another factor businesses have to account for. For online grocery platforms, that raises a practical question: how do you manage sourcing, logistics and operations while keeping prices competitive for customers? We’re joined by Pravin Rai, CEO of Quickart, to look at how the online grocery business manages these costs.