Morning Drive

Abu Dhabi’s property market is getting a new financing option for off-plan buyers, with a first-of-its-kind mortgage framework allowing buyers to secure financing earlier in the property journey. But is it really a game changer? The Central Bank has long allowed financing of up to 50 percent for off-plan properties, while Abu Dhabi developers traditionally offered payment plans below that threshold. So what actually changes for buyers and the wider market? Joining us is Ben Crompton, Managing Partner at Crompton Partners Estate Agents.What exactly is new about Abu Dhabi’s off-plan mortgage framework, and why is it highlighted now?

Tim Elliott sits down with David Mackenzie, Managing Director of Mackenzie Jones Middle East, to explore how artificial intelligence is transforming talent acquisition. From automated screening and AI-driven workflows to fake candidates and 'resume hacking', they unpack whether technology will replace human judgment or elevate recruitment into a bespoke concierge service.

Tim Elliott speaks with Monetary Metals Managing Director Jeff Rhodes as oil prices cross $100 amidst US-Iran friction. With crucial CPI data arriving, they discuss whether rising energy costs will force a Federal Reserve rate hike before the US midterms and reflect on 9/11’s financial legacy.

UAE-licensed independent financial consultant James Thomas joins Tim Elliott to explore why liability insurance is no longer just a corporate compliance requirement—it is a vital financial safeguard for businesses of all sizes. The conversation delves into why protecting your enterprise from third-party claims, product issues, and operational risks is essential, especially for small businesses, SMEs, and side hustles navigating the UAE market. 

As summer winds down, are businesses in Dubai finally seeing brighter days ahead? The US-Iran conflict continues to create uncertainty across the region, but founders are already looking toward the busier months ahead.  Tim Elliott is joined by Carmen Taubman, founder of Crew Club, to find out what she is seeing on the ground among startups and SMEs.

Rising population growth, rapid urbanisation, and depleting natural aquifers pose severe challenges to the UAE's water supply. Tim Elliott speaks with Dr Abir Hamze, Assistant Professor from Canadian University Dubai, about non-conventional solutions, wastewater recycling, and how individual action must align with the UAE Water Security Strategy 2036.

The Gulf is investing heavily in the infrastructure needed to power the next wave of AI, with more than 170 active and planned data centres across the region. But as investment grows, so do questions around energy, talent and whether the region can turn its AI ambitions into lasting economic growth. CNN Correspondent and Anchor of Connecting Africa and Marketplace Middle East, Eleni Giokos, joins Tim Elliott to explain what’s driving this surge in investment and what she found in her reporting.

Dubai home prices have registered a 1.7% monthly dip—the first price decline since February 2021. Tim Elliott speaks with Mario Volpi, Senior Manager at EVA Real Estate, to break down shifting market dynamics, off-plan payment plans, regional market resilience, and emerging mortgage trends across the Emirates.

The GCC economy is facing a sharp downturn in 2026, but Oxford Economics is forecasting a major rebound next year. Its latest research projects 6.8% GCC growth in 2027, with the UAE expected to grow 6.6%, as energy exports recover and non-oil activity gains momentum. But with geopolitical risks still disrupting trade and tourism, the recovery could also become a turning point for economic diversification. Joining Tim Elliott is Azad Zangana, Head of GCC Macroeconomic Analysis at Oxford Economics, to explain what is driving the 2027 outlook and what the region needs to do to turn the recovery into longer-term growth.

The UAE is tightening the rules around building safety and long-term compliance under Law No. (3) of 2026. But what do the new requirements actually mean for developers, consultants and building owners, and could ignoring smaller fire safety issues today lead to major costs tomorrow? Tim Elliott speaks to Elliott Brown, Founder and Managing Director of The FDI Group.