Will UK economic sentiment rebound? - Business Extra

Economic sentiment in the UK is weighed down by the impact of the war in Ukraine on energy prices as well as overall rising inflation, together with post-Brexit struggles. Recent local election results have also shaken the political landscape.

Last month, the IMF downgraded its UK growth forecast for the year to 3.7 per cent, from the 4.7 per cent it projected in January. Britain's economy had rebounded by 7.5 per cent in 2021, its strongest year of growth since the Second World War, as it recoverd from the Covid-19 pandemic.

Can the country shake-off the current downbeat mood?

Chris Blackhurst, The National columnist speaks to host Mustafa Alrawi about the prospects for a rebound in sentiment.

Conservatives' London wipeout does not bode well for future elections

China sharpens the cleaver as a game is played to split HSBC

Reform of the UK's non-dom status is a taxing subject for opposition parties

In this episode

What is happening in the UK? (0m 44s)

Will the government step in to help? (5m 49s)

Is London still attracting wealth? (11m 45s)

Investing in the UK (15m 49s)

On Women's Day

Dr Nawal Al-Hosany: Why more women should be on the frontlines of climate action

Samar Elmnhrawy: How companies in the Middle East can catch up on gender equality

The National Editorial: Is there much to celebrate on International Women's Day 2021?

Justin Thomas: Challenge the notion that 'men are from Mars, women are from Venus'

Whiile you're here

Damien McElroy: Anti-science attitudes in America are proving lethal

Editorial: What makes the UAE such a good place to test vaccines?

Editorial: The fight against Covid-19 should be guided by science

The alternatives

• Founded in 2014, Telr is a payment aggregator and gateway with an office in Silicon Oasis. It’s e-commerce entry plan costs Dh349 monthly (plus VAT). QR codes direct customers to an online payment page and merchants can generate payments through messaging apps.

• Business Bay’s Pallapay claims 40,000-plus active merchants who can invoice customers and receive payment by card. Fees range from 1.99 per cent plus Dh1 per transaction depending on payment method and location, such as online or via UAE mobile.

• Tap started in May 2013 in Kuwait, allowing Middle East businesses to bill, accept, receive and make payments online “easier, faster and smoother” via goSell and goCollect. It supports more than 10,000 merchants. Monthly fees range from US$65-100, plus card charges of 2.75-3.75 per cent and Dh1.2 per sale.

• 2checkout’s “all-in-one payment gateway and merchant account” accepts payments in 200-plus markets for 2.4-3.9 per cent, plus a Dh1.2-Dh1.8 currency conversion charge. The US provider processes online shop and mobile transactions and has 17,000-plus active digital commerce users.

• PayPal is probably the best-known online goods payment method - usually used for eBay purchases - but can be used to receive funds, providing everyone’s signed up. Costs from 2.9 per cent plus Dh1.2 per transaction.