Morning Drive

Dubai’s property sector is increasingly turning to AI, automation and connected platforms to improve how buildings are managed and how real estate value is created. As PropTech adoption accelerates across the GCC, we look at what is changing on the ground and where technology is actually delivering results. Joining us is Fadi Nwilati, CEO of KAIZEN Asset Management Services and Chairman of the Dubai PropTech Business Council.

As the UAE moves rapidly toward digital payments, lower-income workers are changing how they receive, spend and send their salaries. Edenred UAE data shows ATM withdrawals from C3Pay salary balances have fallen from 96% in 2019 to around 69% today, as cards, digital payments and online remittances become more common.But does going digital actually mean greater financial empowerment? With around 77% of Edenred’s cardholders earning below AED 2,500 a month, we ask what financial inclusion really looks like for lower-income workers. Joining Tim Elliott is Claudio Di Zanni, Managing Director of Edenred Middle East.

Oman’s hospitality sector is adding 700 hotel rooms by the end of the year, even as tourism activity softened in the first half. Hotel guests were down 13%, and occupancy averaged 46.3%, with the Khareef and winter seasons expected to play a key role in H2. Joining Tim Elliott is Khalil Al Zadjali, Head of Oman at Cavendish Maxwell, to break down the latest numbers and what’s driving demand.

Forex Expo Dubai has wrapped up, bringing together global traders, brokers, and fintech innovators to unpack the future of trading and financial technology. In this interview, Finance Educator and Entrepreneur Raja Zahoor (Dominion Markets) breaks down the biggest takeaways from the expo, how macro trends and geopolitical shifts are driving regional sentiment, and what investors should watch closely as we move into the final months of the year. He also shares key insights on the rise of Gen Z investors, navigating social media financial advice, and the critical role of risk management during periods of high volatility.

GCC banks are investing heavily in artificial intelligence, but can their existing technology infrastructure keep up? Today, we look at what banks need to modernize as AI becomes increasingly central to financial services.Joining us from Seamless Middle East 2026 is Mücahit Gündebahar, Co-founder and CEO of Fimple , who has more than 25 years of experience across banking technology and fintech.

In this segment of The Morning Drive on Mira Business FM, James Thomas breaks down the recent interest rate rise and its direct financial impact on UAE residents. Following the US Federal Reserve’s 25-basis-point increase, the Central Bank of the UAE raised its base rate from 3.65% to 3.90%.

In this episode, David Mackenzie and Tim Elliott take a deep dive into the current state of hiring. From the rise of AI-driven resume screening and ghosting to the shifting power dynamics between employers and job seekers, they explore why the recruitment process feels more fragmented than ever — and what both companies and candidates can do to navigate it.

A new Fortis survey of more than 130 UAE merchants reveals a surprising digital gap: 64% of SMEs still run core operations on Excel, even as businesses invest heavily in digital transformation. Many already have a powerful tool sitting at the checkout: their POS system. But are they actually using it to run the business? Joining us is Ahmed Sameh, CMO at Fortis, to look at why UAE SMEs may be leaving valuable business intelligence untapped.

Tim Elliott speaks with EVA Real Estate Senior Manager Mario Volpi to discuss a major friction point for Dubai tenants: unexpected lease renewal charges. Volpi clarifies Land Department guidelines regarding administrative fees and assesses whether real estate agents deserve compensation when managing commercial transactions, tenancy agreements, or Ejari contracts.

Billions of dollars are being committed to Gulf energy projects, but renewed US-Iran tensions are raising fresh questions about the region’s investment outlook. With oil prices above $100 and continued risks around regional energy infrastructure, how could the latest escalation affect the Gulf’s major investment plans?Frank Kane, Editor-at-large at Arabian Gulf Business Insight, joins us to look at the outlook for Gulf energy investment and what businesses and investors should be watching.