Bitesize Business Breakfast Podcast

12 Jan 2024. We'll hear from Ed Bell on that surprisingly hot US inflation report – and what it means for YOUR loan payments. As UAE school operator Taaleem posts a record revenue of Dh258.7 million during its first quarter, rising 11.5 per cent on the back of a 26.6 per cent spike in student enrolments, Alan Williamson, CEO, Taaleem joins us to tell us what's behind the numbers. Plus, the IEA is predicting big growth for renewable energy this decade -we'll find out what role we can play in it with Robin Mills. Finally, with be talking gold with Chris May, CEO, Dubai Golf as Rory McIlroy headlines the field at the inaugural Dubai Invitational this week as the 2024 DP World Tour begins.

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11 Jan 2024. We get the latest from President Sheikh Mohammed's visit to India with Shalini Mittal, Principal Economist, Asia, Economist Intelligence: EIU who explains how relationships are being strengthened and find out the key economic takeaways with Ed Bell, Senior Director, Market Economics, Emirates NBD. We'll also be talking cups - Stanley Cups to be specific and why everyone's raving about them. As air travel passes 99% of pre-pandemic demand, we hear from Kashif Khalid, Regional Director – Middle East & Africa, IATA. Plus, we'll speak to Hoor Al Khaja, Senior Vice President - Operations, Dubai's Department of Economy and Tourism (DET) about Dubai being crowned the No.1 global destination in the Tripadvisor Travellers’ Choice Awards for the third consecutive year. Finally, we'll be talking property with Espace Real Estate MD, John Lyons, exploring the key findings from their latest report.

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10 Jan 2024. The Dubai private sector has seen its best performance for 16 months in December, as new PMI data shows one of the fastest rises in new orders and job creation in more than four years. We've got the latest on that as well as The World Bank report who have issued a dire warning on the global economy - it's on track for the worst half-decade in 30 years- that's with the author of that World Bank report - Deputy Chief Economist Ayhan Kose. Plus, we'll speak to Property Finder's Chief Revenue Officer about Dubai's record breaking growth in the real estate sector. And Frank Kane, Editor-at-Large, AGBI tells us the trouble he's facing currently with the rental market.

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09 Jan 2024. Ed Bell, Senior Director, Market Economics, Emirates NBD joins us to discuss his outlook on oil prices which fell 4% overnight, as Saudi cut prices for sales to Asia. We also hear from Fadi Ghandour, Executive Chairman, Wamda Capital to discuss why start-up funding in the Middle East and North Africa (Mena) has seen a decline. Plus, healthcare billionaire Dr Azad Moopen reveals why he’s selling a billion-dollar stake in his Aster empire. Finally, as Saudi broadcast giant MBC closed 30% higher on its stock market debut, we'll hear from Faheem Aziz, Chief Executive Officer, Safa Capital to find out why its shares surged to 32.50 riyals ($8.66) shortly after trading opened.

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08 Jan 2024. Friday's US jobs report was potentially a game changer on inflation, as could be the latest developments in the Red Sea - Ed Bell, Senior Director, Market Economics, Emirates NBD has the latest on that. We'll also hear from aviation expert Geoff Thomas about the US 737 Max 9 grounding, and what it means for Boeing. Plus, we'll find out what the Red Sea situation means for retailers trying to ship goods into Dubai with furniture superstore boss Jens Ravnbol of Jysk.

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05 Jan 2024. Hiring in the private sector rose at a faster-than-expected pace in December, closing out a strong 2023 for the resilient U.S. jobs market. We've got all the details on that with Jeanne Walters, Senior Economist at Emirates NBD. We'll also speak to Hart Hodges Center for Economic and Business Research, Professor, Dept. of Economics, Western Washington University to get his take on the jobs market. We'll hear from Kirti Meghnani, Head of Procurement at  Choithrams on how the delays to global trade caused by attacks in the Red Sea are set to inflict months of disruption and imminent price rises on supplies of household items and foodstuffs. Plus, we'll look at what these security issues in the Red Sea mean for the cost of shipping insurance - that's with a Singapore-based insurance expert. Finally, we'll be looking at Dubai Duty Free's ground breaking sales year with their COO - Ramesh Cidambi. 

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04 Jan 2024. We'll have the latest on the new Dubai PMI data from Jeanne Walters, Senior Economist at Emirates NBD as the UAE private sector saw strong growth in December, with the latest PMI reading the second-highest since mid 2019. Plus, as Saudi Arabia’s non-oil sector witnessed the fastest sales growth since July 2023, with the Kingdom’s Purchasing Managers’ Index hitting 57.5 in December, we'll get the latest from Omer Zakaria, Associate Director - Country Head Saudi Arabia, Robert Walters. We'll also discuss IHG Hotels & Resorts as they are set to open a headquarters in Riyadh as Saudi Arabia becomes more important to the hotel group, with more than half of its regional hotel pipeline in the country. Haitham Mattar, Managing Director, Middle East and Africa, S-W Asia IHG Hotels & Resorts has the latest on that. Finally, Simon Penney joins us to tell us about being appointed as a Companion of the Order of St Michael and St George after a five-year stint as Britain’s trade commissioner for the Middle East and Pakistan.

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03 Jan 2024. Elon Musk’s Tesla has been knocked off the top spot as the world’s best-seller of electric cars. We talk electric car wars, as China's BYD dethrones Tesla with Craig Stevens, CEO, Dubicars.com. Plus, we speak to the CEO of soon to list robotics company Micropolis about their IPO plans. And, a look at the potential - and potential pitfalls - for start-ups in 2024 with Najla al Midfa of Sharjah Entrepreneurship Center.

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02 Jan 2024. Strategist Keith Fitzgerald of Fitz-Gerald Group reveals his Wall Street “deal of the decade”. Plus, we asked David Mackenzie of Mackenzie Jones what the year might hold for wages here in the UAE. And, real estate data guru Zhann Johincke of Property Monitor discussed what we might happen to property prices - and rents this year, 2024.

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We wrap up our series of ‘Christmas Guest Co-hosts’ with Jasper Hope – the man who launched Dubai Opera House, who’s doing it all over again in Riyadh.

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We discuss the economics of NYE - starting with how much will it cost you to drive home with chauffeur service Blacklane. Plus, demand for a nice boat, with the boss of Seven Yachts and the demand for a posh meal with the boss of Dubai restaurant BB Social. 

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We talk planes, trains and motorbikes with this morning's Christmas Guest Co-host - DXB boss Paul Griffiths.

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We look in more detail at the Emiratisation scheme for the education sector with Sean Robison, CEO, BBD Education. Plus, talking about the growth and future of media industry with global media intelligence company, Mazen Nahawi, Founder & CEO of CARMA. 

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We continue our ‘guest presenter’ series, with the media mogul Sunil John, President, MENA, BCW and Founder of ASDA’A BCW.

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We speak to  aviation expert Vinamra Longani of SGI Aviation about the need for more seats between the UAE and India. Plus, we look at the booming market for medium-stay accommodation with the boss of BNBME, Vinayak Mahtani. And, we discuss the 'winners and losers' on local stock markets for 2023 with Andrew Tarbuck, Partner, Head of Capital Markets, Al Tamimi & Company.

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It's almost the end of the year and how to end it with distinguished guest! The Business Breakfast invited the author, columnist, financier, businesswoman and academic Dame Heather McGregor DBE FRSE. She unveils the keys to her triumphant career and wisdom on achieving success in the business world.

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We found out why cheese is this season’s must-have present, with the CEO of online retailer Joi Gifts, Rami Kahale. Plus, why January 1st is such a big day for UAE corporate tax with ADCB's head of taxation, Addison Younan, Head of Tax at Abu Dhabi Commercial Bank (ADBC). 

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Big focus on aviation this festive morning on The Business Breakfast! Paul Griffiths talk us through the DXB Airport expected 258,000 passengers this holiday period and how they prepare for it. Plus, Managing Director of Wizz Air, Johan Eidhagen talks through how they’ve doubled both their flights and their passenger numbers this year. And, could rents finally fall in 2024? Louis Harding from Betterhomes talk trends for the new year.

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Over 120 container ships are being rerouted away from the Red Sea, as logistics companies look to rail and air as possible alternatives. We speak to global trade expert Matt Stanley on how soon that shipping disruption will impact shoppers. Plus, UAE proptech startup, has announced that its mortgage unit in the UAE has processed a record AED 1 billion+ (USD $270 million) in home financing in November 2023. We reflect the boom in demand for mortgages with Sawan Karia, Head of Brokers Channel of Huspy. And, why global investors reckon M&A will recover next year despite continuing pressures on capital? We find out with Nicholas McDonagh, who’s a Senior MD in the region for Teneo.

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We talk the etiquette of firing and hiring with leadership recruitment expert Nathalie Spree, Partner at August Leadership. Plus, nearly half of shoppers are planning to spend more this year than last, and only a quarter are cutting back. Analysis of those numbers with Shane McGinley, the News Editor of Arabian Gulf Business Insight (AGBI). And we speak to Jessica Constantinidis, Innovation Officer EMEA at ServiceNow about the new survey that 79% of surveyed UAE employees agreed that digital skills give people an edge in business.

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