Bitesize Business Breakfast Podcast

08 Mar 2024. Dubai has updated the law when it comes to the 20% tax on foreign banks operating in the emirate outside the DIFC. However, tax accountant Thomas Vanhee explains banks will NOT end up paying more tax, as federal bank tax will be deducted from it. We also speak to Agthia CEO Alan Smith about why they're seeing a 12% growth in revenue. Plus, we get reaction to the ECB's decision to keep rates at record highs with economist Dr Stefan Gerlach. And, on International Women’s Day, fund manager Heather Henyon tells us why all-female start-ups receive just 0.5% of regional Venture-Capital. 

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07 Mar 2024. As the UAE sees a big jump in wealth managers we speak to Insight Discovery boss Nigel Silitoe about that growth in wealth management firms. Plus, our interview with Etihad Airways, CEO Antonoaldo Neves, on profit and a possible IPO. We'll also speak to Dubai Future District Fund CEO, Sherif El Badawi, about the fund's 2024 priorities. And we hear from Espace Real Estate as new rules say real estate brokers must update listings within 3 days. 

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06 Mar 2024. We get reaction to the boom in gold and Bitcoin with Vijay Valecha, Chief Investment Officer at Century Financial: is it the beginning of a bull run, or is the bubble about to burst? BetterHomes CEO, Richard Waind, explains how residential rents in Dubai could be set to rise, following changes to the RERA rental index - but what could this mean for you? Plus, Aviation analyst Vinamra Longani joins us live in the studio to discuss the latest aviation stories including speculation about an Etihad IPO and the rebirth of Air India. And as China sets an 'ambitious' 5% growth target we speak to Tianchen Xu, Senior Economist at The Economist Intelligence Unit in China to get his take on China's vision to double its economy in the next 15 years.

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05 Mar 2024. As China’s National People's Congress in Beijing gets underway, we get analysis from Ed Bell, Senior Director, Market Economics, Emirates NBD
on their 5% growth target and how that will impact the UAE. We'll also look at the Parkin shares which go on sale today. Plus, it's PMI day today - the latest PMI data for the UAE is out: the economist who wrote the report, Ralf Wiegert, gives us his analysis. And, we'll be going through Saudi's latest PMI data with economist Dr Christopher Payne - and looking at how the private sector in the Kingdom is faring. Finally, the CEO of Salik has said they aim to “expand our footprint” and “widen revenue generating opportunities” - we'll go through the Salik numbers with market watcher Sameer Lakhani.

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04 Mar 2024. We speak to OPEC watcher Amena Bakr about OPEC reportedly extending oil cuts into the second half of the year. Emarat is to sell naming rights to 31 of its service stations in Dubai and the Northern Emirates-  Ali Al Falasi of Emarat explains how much naming rights will cost and who will be taking the first station. We also speak to the CEO of Dubai Taxi Company about their 50-plus per cent rise in net profit. And, we have an extensive interview with Tarek El Sakka, the CEO of Dubai Refreshment, the company that bottles Pepsi here.

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01 Mar 2024. We get the thoughts of energy expert Matt Stanley on why petrol prices have risen as well as what could it mean for UAE inflation with economist Khatija Haque. Plus, we unpick the economics of Indian weddings – as the billionaire Ambani family prepare for this weekend’s $100 million nuptials. And, we'll find out how rising cocoa prices are affecting the company behind Ferrero Roche.

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29 Feb 2024. We look at those UAE GDP projections with Emirates NBD economist Khatija Haque. Plus, with just weeks until the Indian election, HSBC’s chief economist for India, Pranjul Bhandari joins us live. And, we find out how Expo City Dubai's infrastructure a perfect place for mega events and festivals with Anna Abulhoul, Executive Creative Director - Entertainment & Experiences, Expo City Dubai.

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28 Feb 2024. We find out about the UAE's new corporate tax fines and deadlines with taxation expert Thomas Vanhee, Founding Partner, Aurifer. Plus, our exclusive interview with CEO of Dubai’s latest hot IPO stock: Mohamed Al Ali. And, were joined in our Al Wasl Dome studio by the man who helped build it, Ahmed Al Khatib, Chief Development and Delivery Officer at Expo City Dubai.

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27 Feb 2024. We get the reaction of Sameer Lakhani, Managing Director at Global Capital Partners. Plus, we get the story behind the successfully sold over AED500 million ($136.15 million) worth of land with CEO of Union Properties Amer Khansaheb. And, more of learning about 'Live, Work and Play' - the three pillars that make Expo City Dubai the Human-Centric City of the Future with Manal AlBayat, Chief Engagement and Commercial Officer, Expo City Dubai.

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26 Feb 2024. The culture that is being created, both in terms of work and play with Expo City Dubai's chief education, culture and human resources officer Marjan Faradooni. Plus,  we look at why price growth is slowing in the Dubai property market with Zhann Johincke. And we get reactions to the UAE “grey list” removal from lawyer Kamal Jabbar, and economist Khatija Haque.

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23 Feb 2024. We'll hear from Jeanne Walters, senior economist, Emirates NBD about Dubai's current boom – what does the data tell us about the Dubai economy today, and the future? As flyDubai reports record profit with passengers jumping 31% - we'll speak to their CEO, Ghaith Al Ghaith, who joins us live to crunch their record numbers. Plus, we'll speak to FedEx's MEISA president about their new AED1.3 billion regional hub at the Dubai World Central Airport. And, as the Japan stock market finally scales the peaks since the 1980s, we speak to a Tokyo stockbroker who lived through it: Professor Dame Heather Mcgregor of Herriot-Watt University in Dubai.

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22 Feb 2024. We get reaction from Jeanne Walters of Emirates NBD about the economic significance of the massive solar investment going into the UAE economy. We'll also find out how Emirates Airlines are able to serve 149 meals every minute with Gustaf Oholm, SVP of Catering and Cabin Services, Emirates Airlines. Plus, Vladimir Dashkeev, Assistant Professor, Department of Economics, Seattle University talks us through the Fed meeting minutes that have been released to the public - the minutes could provide insight into the on going debates around internet rates this year. And, as the historic Pepsi factory in Al Quoz is sold for nearly quarter of a billion dirhams, we ask Andrew Love of Knight Frank: what does "Industrial Estate 2.0" look like in Dubai? Finally, we'll ask John Lyons of Espace Real Estate how the property market is shaping up so far this year, compared to last year's very active start. 

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21 Feb 2024. The Bank of England says it’s too early to cut rates – despite a UK recession and a grilling from politicians, calling for aggressive rate CUTS to fight the UK recession. Jeanne Walters, senior economist, Emirates NBD tells us about the outlook for UK rates – and the pound. We also speak to  the billionaire family behind the Ineos chemical empire and Manchester United – that now wants to sell you an SUV. George Ratcliffe, Commercial Director, INEOS Automotive – son of founder, Sir Jim – tells us more. Plus, we hear from aviation expert Geoff Thomas live from Singapore, on that surprising ‘no planes’ decision by Boeing. And, we talk the finance of food with Dubai's potato chip king - Ananya Narayan, CEO of Hunter Foods.

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20 Feb 2024. Jeanne Walters of Emirates NBD gives us the latest on Germany’s central bank warning that the economy will shrink this quarter - sending Europe's top economy into recession. The number of passengers on public transport in Dubai hit 702 million riders in 2023, that's a 13 per cent increase when compared to the ridership numbers in 2022, which was 621.4 million. Roger Cruickshank, Senior Director, Transport – MEA, AtkinsRéalis joins us to explain their ideas for building a “20 minute city”. Plus, as OpenAI’s new text-to-video tool, Sora, sets the internet alight - we find why with Radio Free Mobile CEO, Richard Windsor. And finally, as Gulfood continues to bring in the crowds, we'll find out about the future of the food industry - with the newly appointed Director of the Italian Trade Agency. 

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19 Feb 2024. UAE non-oil trade set a new record last year, at almost $1 trillion- Senior Economist, Emirates NBD, Jeanne Walters has the latest on that. We'll also hear from Dubai airports CEO Paul Griffiths - basking in the glory of last year's record high, and making bold predictions for this year as they've seen passenger traffic jump by a third since last year, to a record 87 million. That's 1% above pre-pandemic levels. Plus, we'll hear from Rob Anasari, Head of Investments and Retirement, IMEA, Mercer speaking to consulting firm Mercer, about how retaining expats into retirement could be a major opportunity for the UAEs long term growth. And, finally we'll speak to Legal Consultants Afridi & Angell about why Real estate agents in Dubai could be facing fines for fake property listings.

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16 Feb 2024. As Dubai hosts its biggest ever music festival with performances from the likes of Ellie Goulding and Tiesto, we speak to the organiser about the economics and logistics of 'Untold'. We also look back on a week of big names and even bigger claims about AI at this week’s World Government Summit, with Professor Nancy Gleeson of NYU Abu Dhabi. And, as the UK joins Japan as the second big economy this week to enter a recession, we'll find out what a shrinking economy could mean for you, with Dan Richards, Emirates NBD. Plus, property buyers in Dubai could expect a relief from record prices this year, with market values in the luxury segment forecast to ease. We'll have the latest on that with Andrew Cummings, Head of Residential Agency, Savills Middle East.

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15 Feb 2024. We've got the latest from Narendra Modi and Shah Rukh Khan, who've been speaking at the World Government Summit this week, as well as reaction from Dan Richards, senior economist at Emirates NBD, on what we can draw from corporate reports about the macro economy as earnings season comes to a close. Eight out of 10 of employers in the UAE plan to give pay rises this year, according to recruitment firm Hays. Oliver Kowalski of Hays explains where the "sweet spots" are, with rises of up to 30%. Plus, the CEO of Al Ansari Exchange tells us why remittances are falling, despite a growing expat population. And, we'll hear from Sean Evers, Founder & Managing Partner, Gulf Intelligence about Adnoc and BP's latest joint venture in Egypt that will focus on the development of gas assets.

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14 Feb 2024. We've got the latest on the Etisalat earnings - net profit seeing little change for the year at Dhs 10 billion. Dubai health insurance transactions reached $5.9bn last year as the value and volume of the sector continues to grow, but are your health insurance premiums going through the roof? Broker Stephen MacLaren crunches the latest numbers and explains what it means for expats wanting to retire here in the UAE. Plus, Bitcoin crossed 50 thousand dollars this week, for the first time in two years - we speak to digital assets advisor Toby Young. And, as earnings season continues - we hear from Hazem Ben-Gacem, Vice Chairman of Investcorp Capital and Co-CEO, Investcorp Holdings on their latest numbers. 

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13 Feb 2024. We’ve got all the insights from the World Governments Summit as Richard headed down there to find out the latest. UAE-based Gargash Group has announced the opening of the Mercedes-Benz Brand Centre, a first of its kind facility in the region. As part of World Radio Day, we broadcast live from the centre at the Dubai Design District and speak to Thomas Schulz, General Manager, Mercedes-Benz (Dubai) about the radical disruption of the auto industry. Plus, as earnings season continues, we hear from not one, but two CFO’s about their latest earnings - first Adnoc Gas CFO Peter Van Driel and then Adnoc Drilling CFO, Youssef Salem.

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12 Feb 2024. We have the latest on how Dubai's heavy rain is effecting flights with Dubai Aiports CEO, Paul Griffiths and we'll hear whats been happening at the World Government Summit as Rich headed down yesterday to bring us the latest. Dubai's RTA has approved the final design for flying taxis and vertiports (vertical airports) and they will be launched in the emirate by the end of 2025. Ahmed Bahrozyan, CEO, Public Transport Agency, RTA tells us more. Plus, we'll speak to Arnaud Verchere, Founder and Head of Strategy, Tonic International about today’s Superbowl that has set a new advertising record at $650 million, according to agency Dentsu, with the presence of Taylor Swift in the crowd drawing in unprecedented attention. And, a new auction-based taxi hailing service being rolled out in Dubai this month, which could end up reducing your fares - we speak to founder and CEO, Firdosh Sheikh. 

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