Dubai is the ninth worst real estate market in the world, according to a survey of 50 cities. But that is an improvement. READ MORE HERE

Dubai’s bold bid to host the 2024 Olympics is just the tonic for the emirate to regain its mojo, although the emirate’s huge debt pile could come in the way of its investment plans to prepare for the Games. READ MORE HERE

HSBC’s forecast for the region’s three largest economies reveals its continued concerns for Saudi Arabia and Egypt, while it believes UAE’s status as a safe haven is revived.

HSBC expects Egypt’s GDP to rise a mere 0.2% in 2011, a far cry from the robust 5.1% growth in 2010. To be fair, a lot has changed in the country since the end of 2010. READ MORE HERE

MSCI has kept the door ajar for both Qatar and the UAE, but EFG-Hermes and Citibank analysts disagree whether either market will be elevated come December. Meanwhile, emerging market funds are already swirling around.

The MSCI left the door open for UAE and Qatar to allow them entry into the exclusive emerging markets club. The influential index provider that is used by many funds and investors as a benchmark, said that while both countries did not make the cut this time, they will extend their review till December. READ MORE HERE

The Dubai bond prospectus has revealed some new information about the emirate’s economy and confirmed others. Here is a look at some of the most interesting aspects of Dubai’s economy.

For all those who didn’t read the 123-page Dubai bond prospectus, we have digested the fact-filled proposal to reveal some of the most interesting aspects of the emirate’s economy. Some of it may come as a surprise, while other pieces of information confirm that we already know. In any case, it has led to more transparency about the emirate’s economy.

Here is the most interesting points - digested: Read More Here

Next year will be a crucial one for Dubai Inc. as a significant amount of debt matures in the year. Analysts expect the emirate to service these maturities, but they expect external support. Here’s a look at Dubai’s options.Next year will be a crucial one for Dubai Inc. as a significant amount of debt
matures in the year. Analysts expect the emirate to service these maturities,
but they expect external support. Here’s a look at Dubai’s options. READ MORE HERE

The UAE economy started to recover in 2010, though more modestly than in neighboring GCC countries. Benefiting from higher oil prices and strong demand from traditional trading partners in Asia, real GDP grew by an estimated 3.2 percent in 2010.

Nevertheless, because of the real estate overhang and continued uncertainties about the solvency of GREs, growth remained below the regional average of 5 percent. The 12-month consumer price (CPI) inflation rate was subdued at 1.7 percent in December 2010, up from -0.3 percent at end-2009.
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Dubai’s economy seems to be gaining momentum once again. But is it a temporary bump due to unrest in other parts of the Middle East or is the recovery on sounder footing? And, can Dubai be great again?

Dubai’s economy, which was once the envy of its regional rivals, has struggled since the global financial crisis. But there are many indicators that suggest the emirate’s economy has turned a corner.
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Saudi Arabia is no longer in the list of the ten safest sovereign debtors in the world, meanwhile Lebanon, Iraq, Dubai and Egypt all find themselves in the list of ten riskiest sovereign debtors, according to new data. Read More