UAE Non-Oil Private Sector Growth Surges

The United Arab Emirates' non-oil private sector experienced its fastest growth in new business in nearly two years in January, with the S&P Global UAE Purchasing Managers' Index rising to 54.9, an 11-month high. This surge was driven by a steep increase in new orders, particularly from domestic clients, and positive reactions to new products and services. Business activity continued to expand, with improvements noted in sectors like real estate and technology. Despite accelerated sales growth, firms tightened price margins due to competitive pressures, leading to only marginal increases in selling prices while input costs rose at their fastest rate in 18 months. Purchasing activity also saw its sharpest increase in six-and-a-half years, as companies built up inventories and supply chains improved. Business expectations reached a 15-month high, reflecting optimism about future demand and expansion efforts. United Arab Emirates===Dubai's non-oil private sector mirrored this trend, with sales growth accelerating to its quickest since March 2024, prompting faster employment growth and renewed stockpiling.