Oman’s rial currency is pegged to the dollar, but the cost of a taxi ride varies according to the driver. Silvia Razgova / The National
The Gulf has thrived without income tax but times are changing

Before oil, Gulf states limited themselves to internal security and external defence. Since then, their array of high-quality public services demand more revenue

July 24, 2024, 4:00 AM
People attend a protest seeking an emergency order halting US support for Israel's war in Gaza, in Oakland, California, in January 26. Reuters
Elections in the West are a sign to the Middle East to resolve issues internally

For better or worse, a wave of western apathy is imminent and it signals to the region to resolve its own problems

July 10, 2024, 7:00 AM
A book fair being hosted at Al Safa Art and Design Library in Dubai. Chris Whiteoak / The National
As Gulf countries continue to grow, they need more public libraries

Studies, including the latest from the US, suggest that these institutions boost children’s intellectual capabilities

June 26, 2024, 7:00 AM
When an entrepreneur establishes a new business, no matter how brilliant the idea, at some point they will need external investment for their company to grow. Victor Besa for The National
Start-ups need a nurturing parent, not a suffocating in-law

Agile Gulf governments are better placed than many to avoid the errors states often make when they get involved in the private sector

June 12, 2024, 7:00 AM
The success of the Emirates’ strategy is reflected in persistently high inward FDI flows, and the absence of any notable capital flight following the imposition of the tax. The National
The UAE's corporate tax is about more than raising revenue

Introduced a year ago, the 9% levy prevents other leading business hubs from undercutting the Emirates and allows it to further embrace multilateralism

May 29, 2024, 4:00 AM
Bishop Paolo Martinelli during the Easter service held at the Church at the Abrahamic Family House in Abu Dhabi. Pawan Singh / The National
Religious tolerance is at the core of the Gulf's strategic thinking

Countries such as the UAE are trying to reform religion’s traditional role to reap its benefits without incurring its costs

May 14, 2024, 4:00 AM
GCC states have experienced unprecedented economic success in recent years. Silvia Razgova / The National
The Gulf's economic rise should prompt its economists to meet the moment

GCC economists are underrepresented in academic research, but there are ways to fix that

May 01, 2024, 4:00 PM
Electric vehicle models are on display at a shopping mall in Beijing. China has overtaken the US in terms of global unit sales of EVs. Reuters
Why America should think twice before banning Chinese EVs

The challenge in front of the US government is to distinguish security threats from lobbying efforts

April 26, 2024, 4:00 AM
Solar panels in the Egyptian resort town of Sharm El Sheikh. Middle East countries stand to gain when they use energy relations as a conduit for better partnerships. Reuters
Can the Middle East use economic integration as a vehicle for peace?

The European model of the past half a century is worth emulating, but not blindly copying

April 03, 2024, 4:00 AM
A volunteer prepares Iftar meal for low-wag workers during a charity Iftar (breaking fast) by a local mosque in Adliya, Bahrain, March 30, 2023.  REUTERS / Hamad I Mohammed
In Muslim countries, fasting increases happiness even if economic growth stalls

Ramadan has a positive affect on people’s subjective well-being and is a reminder that less can be more

March 13, 2024, 2:00 PM
Twentieth-century corporate laboratories spawned exceptional innovations. Reuters
The US turned its back on corporate labs. Gulf states must not make the same mistake

Institutions such as IBM Research Labs and Bell Labs were hotbeds of ideas but a fixation on quick returns undermined decades of American innovation

February 20, 2024, 4:00 AM
Ruya UAE National Career Fair at the World Trade Centre in Dubai. Chris Whiteoak / The National
Why the Gulf should not emulate Europe's ban on unpaid internships

The goals of our region's labour policy are very different to those in Europe

February 01, 2024, 7:00 AM
The number of protected areas in the Arabian Peninsula is growing. Getty
Gulf states can do better than Europe in protecting biodiversity

Conservation is costly, which is why it needs to be incentivised and done on solid foundations

January 02, 2024, 7:00 AM
The importance of local research to water policy in the Gulf is elevated. Pawan Singh / The National
In Gulf countries, water audits could be key to conservation

Giving households financial incentives to decrease how much water they use can create long-lasting positive effects

December 12, 2023, 4:00 AM