Dubai tourism and hospitality bounced back strongly last year and have continued to grow. Photo: Dubai Media Office
Dubai tourism and hospitality bounced back strongly last year and have continued to grow. Photo: Dubai Media Office
Dubai tourism and hospitality bounced back strongly last year and have continued to grow. Photo: Dubai Media Office
Dubai tourism and hospitality bounced back strongly last year and have continued to grow. Photo: Dubai Media Office

Business

Economy

Dubai's government debt burden to fall this year amid robust economic momentum, S&P says

Rating agency expects Dubai economy to expand by 3 per cent this year and grow at pace over two to three years

Sarmad Khan
Sarmad Khan

May 23, 2023

  • English
  • Arabic

Debt burden of Dubai's government as share of the emirate’s gross domestic product will fall this year as its economy will continue to grow robustly despite global macroeconomic headwinds, S&P Global Ratings has said.

Dubai's gross general government debt is expected to drop to 51 per cent of its GDP in 2023 from a cyclical high of 78 per cent in 2020, the rating’s agency said in its latest report on the emirate’s economy.

“The government's debt stock could fall even faster if the reduction in nominal debt, which occurred in 2021 and to a more significant extent in 2022, continues over the coming years,” S&P said.

Dubai, the tourism and commercial centre of the Middle East, has been repaying its debt, including $2.9 billion in bonds between 2020 and the first quarter of 2023. It has also reduced its loans from Emirates NBD by 30 per cent over the same period. Loans from the largest lender in the emirate account for 44 per cent of the government’s gross debt.

Loans extended by Abu Dhabi and the Central Bank of the UAE after the 2009 financial crisis account for 30 per cent, while the remaining is outstanding in securities issued by the government, as well as other bilateral and syndicated facilities, S&P said.

“In our base case, we assume the government debt stock will remain broadly flat in nominal terms over the period to 2026, but decline as a share of GDP,” it said.

Despite a declining government debt burden, its public sector debt is at 100 per cent of GDP.

However, the robust recovery of the emirate's economy, particularly its real estate and tourism sectors, should help some government-related entities to deleverage and “reduce rollover risks amid current favourable operating conditions”.

The establishment of the government of Dubai's Debt Management Office in 2022 should also help in further improving the structure of the emirate's debt by measures such as lengthening maturities, diversifying funding sources, and developing an efficient market for government securities, S&P said.

Dubai's economy has bounced back strongly from the coronavirus-driven slowdown in 2020.

The emirate’s GDP has maintained strong growth momentum since, driven by a strong recovery in travel and tourism, and retail sectors.

Dubai’s economy expanded by 4.6 per cent on an annual basis in the first nine months of 2022, with retail trade accounting for 24.1 per cent of its GDP, according to data from the emirate's statistics centre.

Emirates NBD estimates Dubai's full-year growth for 2022 at 5 per cent and expects its GDP to expand by 3.5 per cent this year.

S&P projects Dubai economy to grow by 3 per cent in 2023 and sustain the same growth momentum over the next two to three years.

  • APARTMENT PRICES BY CBRE: Jumeirah: Dh2,324 per square foot — up 0.6 per cent in December, up 3.7 per cent in November, up 3.3 per cent in October, up 0.2 per cent in September, up 3.4 per cent in August, up 0.1 per cent in July, up 1.8 per cent in June, up 3.6 per cent in May, up 3.5 per cent in April. The National
    APARTMENT PRICES BY CBRE: Jumeirah: Dh2,324 per square foot — up 0.6 per cent in December, up 3.7 per cent in November, up 3.3 per cent in October, up 0.2 per cent in September, up 3.4 per cent in August, up 0.1 per cent in July, up 1.8 per cent in June, up 3.6 per cent in May, up 3.5 per cent in April. The National
  • The Palm Jumeirah: Dh2,171 per square foot — up 1.9 per cent in December, up 5.0 per cent in November, down 2.1 per cent in October, up 4.5 per cent in September, up 2.0 per cent in August, up 1.5 per cent in July, down 4.2 per cent in June, up 4.2 per cent in May, up 4 per cent in April. Antonie Robertson / The National
    The Palm Jumeirah: Dh2,171 per square foot — up 1.9 per cent in December, up 5.0 per cent in November, down 2.1 per cent in October, up 4.5 per cent in September, up 2.0 per cent in August, up 1.5 per cent in July, down 4.2 per cent in June, up 4.2 per cent in May, up 4 per cent in April. Antonie Robertson / The National
  • Downtown Dubai: Dh2,170 - up 0.4 per cent in December, up 0.6 per cent in November, up 2.5 per cent in October, down 0.3 per cent in September, up 1.5 per cent in August, up 1 per cent in July, up 0.3 per cent in June, up 0.5 per cent in May, up 0.7 per cent in April. Reuters
    Downtown Dubai: Dh2,170 - up 0.4 per cent in December, up 0.6 per cent in November, up 2.5 per cent in October, down 0.3 per cent in September, up 1.5 per cent in August, up 1 per cent in July, up 0.3 per cent in June, up 0.5 per cent in May, up 0.7 per cent in April. Reuters
  • DIFC: Dh1,601 per square foot — down 2.3 per cent in December, down 4.7 per cent in November, up 2.1 per cent in October, down 3.0 per cent in September, up 3.1 per cent in August, up 0.3 per cent in July, down 0.5 per cent in June, up 2.5 per cent in May, up 1.2 per cent in April. Jeff Topping / The National
    DIFC: Dh1,601 per square foot — down 2.3 per cent in December, down 4.7 per cent in November, up 2.1 per cent in October, down 3.0 per cent in September, up 3.1 per cent in August, up 0.3 per cent in July, down 0.5 per cent in June, up 2.5 per cent in May, up 1.2 per cent in April. Jeff Topping / The National
  • Mohammed bin Rashid City: Dh1,702 per square foot — up 1.6 per cent in December, up 4.7 per cent in November, no change in October, up 2.2 per cent in September, up 1.0 per cent in August, up 1.3 per cent in July, up 1.9 per cent in June, up 2.3 per cent in May, down 0.2 per cent in April. Satish Kumar / The National
    Mohammed bin Rashid City: Dh1,702 per square foot — up 1.6 per cent in December, up 4.7 per cent in November, no change in October, up 2.2 per cent in September, up 1.0 per cent in August, up 1.3 per cent in July, up 1.9 per cent in June, up 2.3 per cent in May, down 0.2 per cent in April. Satish Kumar / The National
  • Dubai Hills: Dh1,722 per square foot — up 0.9 per cent in December, up 3.2 per cent in November, up 2.1 per cent in October, up 4.0 per cent in September, up 1.4 per cent in August, up 1.7 per cent in July, up 1.6 per cent, up 2.7 per cent in May, up 0.3 per cent in April. Photo: Emaar Malls Management
    Dubai Hills: Dh1,722 per square foot — up 0.9 per cent in December, up 3.2 per cent in November, up 2.1 per cent in October, up 4.0 per cent in September, up 1.4 per cent in August, up 1.7 per cent in July, up 1.6 per cent, up 2.7 per cent in May, up 0.3 per cent in April. Photo: Emaar Malls Management
  • Business Bay: Dh1,579 per square foot — down 1.1 per cent in December, up 3.4 per cent in November, up 0.9 per cent in October, up 1.5 per cent in September, up 2.6 per cent in August, down 1.4 per cent in July, down 2.2 per cent in June, up 1.3 per cent in May, up 1.7 per cent in April. Sarah Dea / The National
    Business Bay: Dh1,579 per square foot — down 1.1 per cent in December, up 3.4 per cent in November, up 0.9 per cent in October, up 1.5 per cent in September, up 2.6 per cent in August, down 1.4 per cent in July, down 2.2 per cent in June, up 1.3 per cent in May, up 1.7 per cent in April. Sarah Dea / The National
  • Jumeirah Beach Residence: Dh1,483 per square foot — up 3.7 per cent in December, down 0.1 per cent in November, up 0.5 per cent in October, up 1.4 per cent in September, up 0.4 per cent in August, down 0.8 per cent in July, down 2.8 per cent in June, down 1.0 per cent in May, down 2.2 per cent in April. Photo: LuxuryProperty.com
    Jumeirah Beach Residence: Dh1,483 per square foot — up 3.7 per cent in December, down 0.1 per cent in November, up 0.5 per cent in October, up 1.4 per cent in September, up 0.4 per cent in August, down 0.8 per cent in July, down 2.8 per cent in June, down 1.0 per cent in May, down 2.2 per cent in April. Photo: LuxuryProperty.com
  • Dubai Marina: Dh1,421 per square foot — down 1.2 per cent in December, up 2.7 per cent in November, up 0.5 per cent in October, down 2.0 per cent in August, up 2.3 per cent in July, up 1.8 per cent in June, down 0.3 per cent in May, down 0.7 per cent in April. Victor Besa / The National
    Dubai Marina: Dh1,421 per square foot — down 1.2 per cent in December, up 2.7 per cent in November, up 0.5 per cent in October, down 2.0 per cent in August, up 2.3 per cent in July, up 1.8 per cent in June, down 0.3 per cent in May, down 0.7 per cent in April. Victor Besa / The National
  • The Greens and The Views: Dh1,190 per square foot — down 0.2 per cent in December, up 2.7 per cent in November, up 1.9 per cent in October, flat in September, up 3.0 per cent in August, up 2.4 per cent in July, up 1.2 per cent in June, down 2.5 per cent in May, down 0.6 per cent in April. Sarah Dea / The National
    The Greens and The Views: Dh1,190 per square foot — down 0.2 per cent in December, up 2.7 per cent in November, up 1.9 per cent in October, flat in September, up 3.0 per cent in August, up 2.4 per cent in July, up 1.2 per cent in June, down 2.5 per cent in May, down 0.6 per cent in April. Sarah Dea / The National
  • Jumeirah Lakes Towers: Dh1,023 per square foot — down 0.2 per cent in December, up 0.5 per cent in November, up 0.1 per cent in October, up 0.6 per cent in September, down 0.9 per cent in August, up 1.7 per cent, down 0.9 per cent in June, up 3.1 per cent in May, down 1.1 per cent in April. Antonie Robertson / The National
    Jumeirah Lakes Towers: Dh1,023 per square foot — down 0.2 per cent in December, up 0.5 per cent in November, up 0.1 per cent in October, up 0.6 per cent in September, down 0.9 per cent in August, up 1.7 per cent, down 0.9 per cent in June, up 3.1 per cent in May, down 1.1 per cent in April. Antonie Robertson / The National
  • Damac Hills: Dh1,052 per square foot — down 0.1 per cent in December, up 3.3 per cent in November, down 3.5 per cent in October, up 1.3 per cent in September, up 1.9 per cent in August, up 2.1 per cent, up 0.4 per cent in June, up 2.1 per cent in May, down 0.7 per cent in April. Pawan Singh / The National
    Damac Hills: Dh1,052 per square foot — down 0.1 per cent in December, up 3.3 per cent in November, down 3.5 per cent in October, up 1.3 per cent in September, up 1.9 per cent in August, up 2.1 per cent, up 0.4 per cent in June, up 2.1 per cent in May, down 0.7 per cent in April. Pawan Singh / The National
  • Jumeirah Village Circle: Dh950 per square foot — up 2.4 per cent in December, up 1.0 per cent in November, up 0.4 per cent in October, up 0.7 per cent in September, down 0.8 per cent in August, up 0.5 per cent in July, up 1.2 per cent in June, up 0.4 per cent in May, up 0.1 per cent in April. Razan Alzayani / The National
    Jumeirah Village Circle: Dh950 per square foot — up 2.4 per cent in December, up 1.0 per cent in November, up 0.4 per cent in October, up 0.7 per cent in September, down 0.8 per cent in August, up 0.5 per cent in July, up 1.2 per cent in June, up 0.4 per cent in May, up 0.1 per cent in April. Razan Alzayani / The National
  • Town Square: Dh856 per square foot — up 0.6 per cent in December, down 0.8 per cent in November, up 0.9 per cent in October, up 0.5 per cent in September, down 0.9 per cent in August, up 0.9 per cent in July, down 1.9 per cent in June, up 0.4 per cent in May, down 1.9 per cent in April.
    Town Square: Dh856 per square foot — up 0.6 per cent in December, down 0.8 per cent in November, up 0.9 per cent in October, up 0.5 per cent in September, down 0.9 per cent in August, up 0.9 per cent in July, down 1.9 per cent in June, up 0.4 per cent in May, down 1.9 per cent in April.
  • Motor City: Dh694 per square foot — up 1.1 per cent in December, up 2.8 per cent in November, up 1.5 per cent in October, up 0.8 per cent in September, up 1.9 per cent in August, down 1.8 per cent in July, down 2.5 per cent in June, up 0.8 per cent in May, down 0.7 per cent in April.
    Motor City: Dh694 per square foot — up 1.1 per cent in December, up 2.8 per cent in November, up 1.5 per cent in October, up 0.8 per cent in September, up 1.9 per cent in August, down 1.8 per cent in July, down 2.5 per cent in June, up 0.8 per cent in May, down 0.7 per cent in April.
  • Dubai Silicon Oasis: Dh614 per square foot — down 0.8 per cent in December, down 0.4 per cent in November, up 1.6 per cent in October, up 0.2 per cent in September, down 0.3 per cent in August, up 1.8 per cent in July, up 3.6 per cent in June, down 2.9 per cent in May, down 0.7 per cent in April. Chris Whiteoak / The National
    Dubai Silicon Oasis: Dh614 per square foot — down 0.8 per cent in December, down 0.4 per cent in November, up 1.6 per cent in October, up 0.2 per cent in September, down 0.3 per cent in August, up 1.8 per cent in July, up 3.6 per cent in June, down 2.9 per cent in May, down 0.7 per cent in April. Chris Whiteoak / The National
  • Dubai Sports City: Dh638 per square foot — up 0.3 per cent in December, down 0.5 per cent in November, up 3.3 per cent in October, up 2.6 per cent per cent in September, down 1.0 per cent in August, up 0.5 per cent, up 3.0 per cent in June, down 3.9 per cent in May, down 1.1 per cent in April. Reem Mohammed / The National
    Dubai Sports City: Dh638 per square foot — up 0.3 per cent in December, down 0.5 per cent in November, up 3.3 per cent in October, up 2.6 per cent per cent in September, down 1.0 per cent in August, up 0.5 per cent, up 3.0 per cent in June, down 3.9 per cent in May, down 1.1 per cent in April. Reem Mohammed / The National
  • Discovery Gardens: Dh545 per square foot — up 2.7 per cent in December, down 2.3 per cent in November, up 3.5 per cent in October, up 1.7 per cent in September, up 0.9 per cent in August, down 0.8 per cent in July, down 1.8 per cent in June, up 0.3 per cent in May, down 2.2 per cent in April. Pawan Singh / The National
    Discovery Gardens: Dh545 per square foot — up 2.7 per cent in December, down 2.3 per cent in November, up 3.5 per cent in October, up 1.7 per cent in September, up 0.9 per cent in August, down 0.8 per cent in July, down 1.8 per cent in June, up 0.3 per cent in May, down 2.2 per cent in April. Pawan Singh / The National
  • International City: Dh480 per square foot — up 1.2 per cent in December, down 0.2 per cent in November, up 3.3 per cent in October, up 1.8 per cent in September, up 0.4 per cent in August, up 2 per cent in July, up 0.9 per cent in June, down 0.5 per cent in May, down 0.6 per cent in April. Antonie Robertson / The National
    International City: Dh480 per square foot — up 1.2 per cent in December, down 0.2 per cent in November, up 3.3 per cent in October, up 1.8 per cent in September, up 0.4 per cent in August, up 2 per cent in July, up 0.9 per cent in June, down 0.5 per cent in May, down 0.6 per cent in April. Antonie Robertson / The National

Business activity in Dubai's non-oil private sector economy rose to an eight-month high in April, boosted by a sharp rise in sales and new orders as demand growth quickened.

The emirate's seasonally adjusted S&P Global purchasing managers' index reading rose to 56.4 in April, remaining well above the neutral 50 mark separating an expansion from a contraction.

The emirate’s tourism sector has carried over growth momentum from last year in 2023, with international visits reaching 4.7 million in the first quarter versus, a shade under 4.8 million recorded before the pandemic in 2019.

Dubai's property market has also registered strong growth in the first quarter, with total transaction value up 80 per annually to Dh157 billion ($42.75 billion), according to official data.

“We expect Dubai's relatively well-diversified and service-oriented economy to expand,” S&P said.

“In our view, this year will be more reflective of regular economic activity in the emirate compared with the post-pandemic recovery years.”

UAE-wide social and economic reforms, as well as the government's steps to boost the ease of doing business in the emirate, will benefit Dubai and support its medium and long-term economic growth prospects.

Steps such as the Dubai Economic Agenda D33, and the government move to monetise state assets through initial public offerings also support Dubai’s growth momentum in the longer term, S&P said.

Muslim Council of Elders condemns terrorism on religious sites

The Muslim Council of Elders has strongly condemned the criminal attacks on religious sites in Britain.

It firmly rejected “acts of terrorism, which constitute a flagrant violation of the sanctity of houses of worship”.

“Attacking places of worship is a form of terrorism and extremism that threatens peace and stability within societies,” it said.

The council also warned against the rise of hate speech, racism, extremism and Islamophobia. It urged the international community to join efforts to promote tolerance and peaceful coexistence.

What are NFTs?

Are non-fungible tokens a currency, asset, or a licensing instrument? Arnab Das, global market strategist EMEA at Invesco, says they are mix of all of three.

You can buy, hold and use NFTs just like US dollars and Bitcoins. “They can appreciate in value and even produce cash flows.”

However, while money is fungible, NFTs are not. “One Bitcoin, dollar, euro or dirham is largely indistinguishable from the next. Nothing ties a dollar bill to a particular owner, for example. Nor does it tie you to to any goods, services or assets you bought with that currency. In contrast, NFTs confer specific ownership,” Mr Das says.

This makes NFTs closer to a piece of intellectual property such as a work of art or licence, as you can claim royalties or profit by exchanging it at a higher value later, Mr Das says. “They could provide a sustainable income stream.”

This income will depend on future demand and use, which makes NFTs difficult to value. “However, there is a credible use case for many forms of intellectual property, notably art, songs, videos,” Mr Das says.

Skoda Superb Specs

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Power: 190hp

Torque: 320Nm

Price: From Dh147,000

Available: Now

UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Our legal columnist

Name: Yousef Al Bahar

Advocate at Al Bahar & Associate Advocates and Legal Consultants, established in 1994

Education: Mr Al Bahar was born in 1979 and graduated in 2008 from the Judicial Institute. He took after his father, who was one of the first Emirati lawyers

While you're here
Match info

Who: India v Afghanistan
What: One-off Test match, Bengaluru
When: June 14 to 18
TV: OSN Sports Cricket HD, 8am starts
Online: OSN Play (subscribers only)

Islamophobia definition

A widely accepted definition was made by the All Party Parliamentary Group on British Muslims in 2019: “Islamophobia is rooted in racism and is a type of racism that targets expressions of Muslimness or perceived Muslimness.” It further defines it as “inciting hatred or violence against Muslims”.

WWE TLC results

Asuka won the SmackDown Women's title in a TLC triple threat with Becky Lynch and Charlotte Flair

Dean Ambrose won the Intercontinental title against Seth Rollins

Daniel Bryan retained the WWE World Heavyweight Championship against AJ Styles

Ronda Rousey retained the Raw Women's Championship against Nia Jax

Rey Mysterio beat Randy Orton in a chairs match

Finn Balor defeated Drew McIntyre

Natalya beat Ruby Riott in a tables match

Braun Strowman beat Baron Corbin in a TLC match

Sheamus and Cesaro retained the SmackDown Tag Titles against The Usos and New Day

R-Truth and Carmella won the Mixed Match Challenge by beating Jinder Mahal and Alicia Fox

Libya's Gold

UN Panel of Experts found regime secretly sold a fifth of the country's gold reserves. 

The panel’s 2017 report followed a trail to West Africa where large sums of cash and gold were hidden by Abdullah Al Senussi, Qaddafi’s former intelligence chief, in 2011.

Cases filled with cash that was said to amount to $560m in 100 dollar notes, that was kept by a group of Libyans in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso.

A second stash was said to have been held in Accra, Ghana, inside boxes at the local offices of an international human rights organisation based in France.

Company profile

Date started: 2015

Founder: John Tsioris and Ioanna Angelidaki

Based: Dubai

Sector: Online grocery delivery

Staff: 200

Funding: Undisclosed, but investors include the Jabbar Internet Group and Venture Friends

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MATCH INFO

Uefa Champions League quarter-final (first-leg score):

Juventus (1) v Ajax (1), Tuesday, 11pm UAE

Match will be shown on BeIN Sports

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MATCH INFO

Champions League quarter-final, first leg

Tottenham Hotspur v Manchester City, Tuesday, 11pm (UAE)

Matches can be watched on BeIN Sports

While you're here
While you're here
While you're here
Our legal columnist

Name: Yousef Al Bahar

Advocate at Al Bahar & Associate Advocates and Legal Consultants, established in 1994

Education: Mr Al Bahar was born in 1979 and graduated in 2008 from the Judicial Institute. He took after his father, who was one of the first Emirati lawyers

European arms

Known EU weapons transfers to Ukraine since the war began: Germany 1,000 anti-tank weapons and 500 Stinger surface-to-air missiles. Luxembourg 100 NLAW anti-tank weapons, jeeps and 15 military tents as well as air transport capacity. Belgium 2,000 machine guns, 3,800 tons of fuel. Netherlands 200 Stinger missiles. Poland 100 mortars, 8 drones, Javelin anti-tank weapons, Grot assault rifles, munitions. Slovakia 12,000 pieces of artillery ammunition, 10 million litres of fuel, 2.4 million litres of aviation fuel and 2 Bozena de-mining systems. Estonia Javelin anti-tank weapons.  Latvia Stinger surface to air missiles. Czech Republic machine guns, assault rifles, other light weapons and ammunition worth $8.57 million.

Skewed figures

In the village of Mevagissey in southwest England the housing stock has doubled in the last century while the number of residents is half the historic high. The village's Neighbourhood Development Plan states that 26% of homes are holiday retreats. Prices are high, averaging around £300,000, £50,000 more than the Cornish average of £250,000. The local average wage is £15,458. 

Electric scooters: some rules to remember
  • Riders must be 14-years-old or over
  • Wear a protective helmet
  • Park the electric scooter in designated parking lots (if any)
  • Do not leave electric scooter in locations that obstruct traffic or pedestrians
  • Solo riders only, no passengers allowed
  • Do not drive outside designated lanes
Six tips to secure your smart home

Most smart home devices are controlled via the owner's smartphone. Therefore, if you are using public wi-fi on your phone, always use a VPN (virtual private network) that offers strong security features and anonymises your internet connection.

Keep your smart home devices’ software up-to-date. Device makers often send regular updates - follow them without fail as they could provide protection from a new security risk.

Use two-factor authentication so that in addition to a password, your identity is authenticated by a second sign-in step like a code sent to your mobile number.

Set up a separate guest network for acquaintances and visitors to ensure the privacy of your IoT devices’ network.

Change the default privacy and security settings of your IoT devices to take extra steps to secure yourself and your home.

Always give your router a unique name, replacing the one generated by the manufacturer, to ensure a hacker cannot ascertain its make or model number.

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SPECS
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EEngine%3C%2Fstrong%3E%3A%202-litre%20direct%20injection%20turbo%20%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETransmission%3C%2Fstrong%3E%3A%207-speed%20automatic%20%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPower%3C%2Fstrong%3E%3A%20261hp%20%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETorque%3C%2Fstrong%3E%3A%20400Nm%20%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPrice%3C%2Fstrong%3E%3A%20From%20Dh134%2C999%26nbsp%3B%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
UPI facts

More than 2.2 million Indian tourists arrived in UAE in 2023
More than 3.5 million Indians reside in UAE
Indian tourists can make purchases in UAE using rupee accounts in India through QR-code-based UPI real-time payment systems
Indian residents in UAE can use their non-resident NRO and NRE accounts held in Indian banks linked to a UAE mobile number for UPI transactions

Company%20profile
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EName%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20WallyGPT%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EStarted%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E2014%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EFounders%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ESaeid%20and%20Sami%20Hejazi%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EBased%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Dubai%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ESector%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EFinTech%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EInvestment%20raised%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E%247.1%20million%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ENumber%20of%20staff%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%2020%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EInvestment%20stage%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EPre-seed%20round%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Where to buy

Limited-edition art prints of The Sofa Series: Sultani can be acquired from Reem El Mutwalli at www.reemelmutwalli.com

Poacher
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Explained
The story in numbers

18

This is how many recognised sects Lebanon is home to, along with about four million citizens

450,000

More than this many Palestinian refugees are registered with UNRWA in Lebanon, with about 45 per cent of them living in the country’s 12 refugee camps

1.5 million

There are just under 1 million Syrian refugees registered with the UN, although the government puts the figure upwards of 1.5m

73

The percentage of stateless people in Lebanon, who are not of Palestinian origin, born to a Lebanese mother, according to a 2012-2013 study by human rights organisation Frontiers Ruwad Association

18,000

The number of marriages recorded between Lebanese women and foreigners between the years 1995 and 2008, according to a 2009 study backed by the UN Development Programme

77,400

The number of people believed to be affected by the current nationality law, according to the 2009 UN study

4,926

This is how many Lebanese-Palestinian households there were in Lebanon in 2016, according to a census by the Lebanese-Palestinian dialogue committee

The specs

Engine: 1.6-litre 4-cyl turbo and dual electric motors

Power: 300hp at 6,000rpm

Torque: 520Nm at 1,500-3,000rpm

Transmission: 8-speed auto

Fuel consumption: 8.0L/100km

Price: from Dh199,900

On sale: now

Updated: May 23, 2023, 3:30 AM
EconomyUAEGCCMiddle East