Bitesize Business Breakfast Podcast

13 Oct 2026. Emirates NBD’s Daniel Richards explains what businesses should take from the UAE’s new three year federal budget, which is more than 28%t larger than the previous plan. S&P Global Energy’s Dave Ernsberger reports from the World Petroleum Congress, NEOPAY’s Vibhor Mundhada explains its deal for a controlling stake in noon payments, and Accenture’s Andrew Smart looks ahead to ADIPEC.

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12 Oct 2026. The UAE economy grew by just under half a per cent in the first six months of the year, despite contracting by more than 2% in Q2. Emirates NBD’s Daniel Richards explains what the figures mean for businesses. We also discuss Dubai property with Savills, oil markets with Gulf Intelligence, the UAE’s couch economy with Visa and the Dubai Oman Green Corridor with Dubai Customs.

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09 Oct 2026. New UAE limits on sodium, sugar and fat will require some food manufacturers to reformulate their products. Hunter Foods’ Ananya Narayan discusses the cost and whether shoppers could pay more. Plus, AEON Clinic on the business of longevity, Beautyworld on whether trade shows are translating into deals, and Jaguar Land Rover on its electric reinvention.

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08 Oct 2026. Live from HSBC Tower, Simon Williams explains how Gulf economies have absorbed regional instability and why growth could rebound n 2027. HSBC UAE CEO Mohamed Al Marzooqi reflects on the bank's 80 years in the country, Al Ghurair's John Iossifidis discusses its move into healthcare, and Duncan Fraser-Smith examines the business value of a Michelin star. 

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07 Oct 2026. Live from HSBC Tower as the bank celebrates 80 years in the UAE, HSBC’s Janet Henry expects a soft landing for the global economy, despite slower growth, higher inflation and geopolitical risks. Paul Mackel looks at the outlook for the US dollar. Plus, ValuStrat says the decline in property valuations has paused and Musafir.com discussed winter travel demand.

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06 Oct 2026. HOLM Developments’ Mahmud Raad and VOCE International Constructions’ Nesar Reza Khan explain how rising material costs are changing projects and squeezing contractor margins. Zeekr’s Roberto Colucci discusses how Chinese premium EV brands are challenging established European rivals, while GreatPeople’s Fadi El Husseini on whether pressuring service workers to request five star reviews actually helps anyone.

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05 Oct 2026. The UAE’s non oil private sector continued to expand in September, with business activity and employment rising, while selling prices increased at their fastest rate in 15 years. Silver Arrow Advisory explains how higher material costs are squeezing contractors, while Atlas Advisory Real Estate looks at what they could mean for future property launch prices. Plus, with the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix two months away, we check in on premium yacht bookings.

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02 Oct 2026. As BMW, Apple, Volkswagen and Amazon cut management roles, Hays’ Eamonn Hart explains whether AI is flattening corporate structures here in the region. Dataiku’s Sid Bhatia discusses research showing fewer than one in five UAE CIOs can see all the AI agents operating inside their businesses. Orbitworks CEO Dr Hamdullah Mohib talks about launching the first commercial satellite built in the UAE, while MCH Global’s Uli Stanke looks at whether Dubai’s events industry can handle a packed final quarter.

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1 Oct 2026. Matt Stanley explains why UAE petrol prices have risen for a third consecutive month, while economist Daniel Richards looks at what it means for inflation. Plus, ADNOC Drilling CFO Youssef Salem on communicating with investors, Majid Al Futtaim reveals The Hangout at Mall of the Emirates, and September was held up by many as the big bounce back month, we asked Espace Real Estate what that meant for commercial real estate.

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30 Sep 2026. We are celebrating the launch of the Etihad Rail network today! Etihad Rail’s Adhraa Almansoori explains what the Dubai launch means for the national network. Plus, AtkinsRéalis’s Roger Cruickshank on connecting road and rail, Wasl’s Mohamed Al Bahar on the impact on Jumeirah Golf Estates, and Keolis Group’s Frédéric Van Heems on running the service.

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29 Sep 2026. Accor’s Jeff Tisdall unveils the world’s first Pullman branded offices, opening in Meydan in 2029 alongside new residences. Plus, Gonçalo Capela Godinho on UAE Argentina trade talks, Donna Benton on life after The Entertainer, and Honeywell’s George Bou Mitri on AI in the oil industry.

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28 Sep 2026. Aviation expert Nick Humphrey explains what airlines owe passengers when flights are delayed or cancelled, plus Raza Rizvi on AI liability, Andrew Hallam on rising bond yields and Behnam Bargh on demand for Dubai offices and warehouses.

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25 Sep 2026. Chris Sylt explains how Global Village overtook Disney’s Magic Kingdom for daily attendance, while AIQ’s Saravan Penubarthi discusses AI safeguards, SHUAA Capital’s Thomas Christie unpacks surging US borrowing costs and Khamas Hospitality’s Pratik Kachroo assesses Dubai’s hotel recovery.

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24 Sep 2026. Airtel Money CEO Ian Ferrao discusses its planned London IPO, while CII’s Swarup Gupta examines the Trump Xi summit, VentureOne’s El Mehdi Abdat addresses AI safeguards, and Atlantis Dubai’s Kym Barter shares its latest investment plans and exclusively reveals its NYE headliner.

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21 Sep 2026. More goods are moving by land as disruption redirects cargo through alternative ports. TruKKer founder and CEO Gaurav Biswas says the UAE could need around 17,000 additional heavy trucks to meet demand. Plus, Cavendish Maxwell’s Zacky Sajjad explains what the shift means for warehouse rents and availability, Captain Zarir Irani of Constellation Marine Services gives us the latest from the Strait of Hormuz, and Khalifa Al Qama of Dubai Future Labs and Dubai Future Foundation explains why Dubai’s PropTech sandbox is looking for more start ups.

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18 Sep 2026. Several international airlines are preparing to restore UAE services. Aviation lawyer Nick Humphrey explains which carriers are returning, why some remain cautious and what greater competition could mean for passengers. Plus, Rove Hotels says it could add another couple of thousand branded residences across the UAE, Grant Thornton’s Imran Mushtaq examines the country’s tax landscape, and RAKBANK CEO Raheel Ahmed and Group General Counsel Ghalia Bushnaq discuss managing risk during regional disruption.

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17 Sep 2026. ATM is showing the travel industry that Dubai is open for business, but how do you convince the average foreign punter? Hoor Alkhaja of Dubai Economy and Tourism explains the strategy behind the push. She says Dubai Invite attracted more than 90,000 registrations and has already brought 75,000 friends and relatives of residents to the emirate. Plus, UN Tourism Secretary General Her Excellency Shaikha Al Nuwais on rebuilding confidence in travel, Espace Real Estate’s John Lyons on Dubai’s property market, and pistachio is everywhere, but is it a lasting food trend or just the flavour of the moment? We a...

16 Sep 2026. Emirates says passengers should not expect much movement in ticket prices while fuel and operating costs remain high. Deputy President and Chief Commercial Officer Adnan Kazim also explains how the airline restored passenger and cargo flights after safe corridors opened. Plus, what did postponing ATM cost, and what does its return tell us about confidence? Executive Reporter Georgia Tolley asks organiser RX Global. We also hear from Hilton’s Guy Hutchinson on the outlook for hotels across the Middle East and Africa, and RAKBANK’s Vishal Shah on what UAE businesses need from their bank.

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15 Sep 2026. The UAE Minister of Economy and Tourism says the decline is over. We ask Dubai Airports CEO Paul Griffiths what he is seeing on the ground. Plus, Etihad CEO Antonoaldo Neves on new aircraft and cabin upgrades; Executive Reporter Georgia Tolley speaks to Dr Marwan Alzarouni at the Arabian Travel Market about how AI could change the way we plan holidays; and RAKBANK’s Shehzad Hameed on how residents staying longer are changing the way they invest.

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14 Sep 2026. “We’re done with the descending.” UAE Minister of Economy and Tourism H.E. Abdulla bin Touq Al Marri says the country is preparing for tourism to “ascend strongly” as Arabian Travel Market begins. Plus, Emirates Deputy President and Chief Commercial Officer Adnan Kazim discusses Premium Economy, new aircraft deliveries and its US$5 billion retrofit programme. Plus, full conversation with RAKBANK CEO Raheel Ahmed as the bank marks 50 years, and Kempinski Group CEO Barbara Muckermann joins us on the outlook for luxury hospitality.

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11 Sep 2026. Emirates Development Bank (EDB) has lent Dh30 billion to companies over the past five years. We speak to its CEO, H.E. Ahmed Al Naqbi, about where the money is going and how businesses can access funding. Plus, Arvind Ramamurthy explains how ADGM increased its assets under management by 50% in the first half of the year. We also look at The Hoxton’s Middle East debut in Dubai Media City and Azizi’s plans to build more than 10,000 homes in Sharjah.

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10 Sep 2026. Wizz Air is restoring flights to Dubai and Abu Dhabi. Global Chief Commercial Officer Ian Malin explains what has changed and what it could mean for ticket prices. Plus, the Australian Trade and Investment Commission on CEPA and moving goods between Australia and the UAE despite regional disruption, the business deals expected during the UAE President’s visit to Germany, and eToro market analyst Josh Gilbert on Apple’s passport shaped foldable iPhone Duo and the market reaction.

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09 Sep 2026. Despite fears that AI is replacing entry level roles, ManpowerGroup says demand for junior staff is surging. Country Manager Bryan Luro explains what UAE employers are looking for and why 51% plan to increase headcount. Plus, Majid Al Futtaim reports record first half earnings, Aramex discusses its workforce transformation and Dubai Opera celebrates ten years.

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08 Sep 2026. UAE employer medical costs could rise by another 10% next year. Adel Alderi of Marsh Health and Benefits explains what is driving the increase and how companies are managing the pressure. Plus, PepsiCo discusses rising commodity costs and changes to its drinks, Paws & Co outlines plans for 30 veterinary clinics and hospitals, and Ferox Partners examines the rise of fractional hiring. 

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04 Sep 2026. What have the past six months meant for Emirates Skywards and its members? Dr Nejib Ben Khedher discusses rising membership, changes to rewards and how disruption has created an opportunity to attract passengers from rival airlines. Plus, Emirates NBD’s Daniel Richards examines the rebound in UAE business activity, Queen Elizabeth’s School Founding Principal Dan Clark discusses the changing expectations of parents, and the Emirates Dubai 7s Long Lunch is back, with former England rugby player Martin Bayfield joining us ahead of the event.

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03 Sep 2026.  Would you pay AED1,949 for a toothbrush with a camera, AI and its own water jet? Dyson Principal Engineer Chris Vincent explains what took 661 engineers six years to develop. We also ask Fortes Education why more Dubai families are switching schools and catch up with The Camel Soap Factory after it reached its 25,000 bar survival target.

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02 Sep 2026. Events season is under way, but what insurance do organisers need and what happens when a show is cancelled or postponed? Boyd Edmondson of Seven Insurance Brokers explains. We also speak to IATA’s Kashif Khalid as global air travel grows while Middle Eastern airlines remain nearly 10% down, checkin with Ras Al Khaimah’s property market with Cavendish Maxwell’s Ali Siddiqui, and speak with Innoventures Education CEO Poonam Bhojani as the group opens two new schools in Town Square and Sharjah.  

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01 Sep 2026. UAE petrol prices up around 5.5% this month, while diesel has increased 13%. We unpack the sharp rise at the pump with Kpler’s Matt Stanley, explore Dubai’s billion-dollar lab-grown diamond trade with DMCC’s Ahmed bin Sulayem, hear how House of Pops cracked the Chinese market, and it's the first day of 'Psychological September', we look at what it might hold for business with Oxford Economics

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31 Aug 2026. Taaleem’s Alan Williamson and GEMS Education’s Dino Varkey discuss school enrolments, teacher recruitment and parents’ priorities, while Alshaya’s John Hadden takes stock of summer shopping and loyalty programs, and Bayut’s Fibha Ahmed explores what’s shaping buyers’ and renters’ choices across Dubai.

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27 Aug 2026. eToro’s Josh Gilbert unpacks Nvidia’s $96.2 billion quarter; Platinumlist explains why UAE event bookings are up 31% while customers spend less; Ethara discusses the latest additions to Abu Dhabi’s F1 concert line-up; and Atlantis Dubai takes stock of its summer

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26 Aug 2026. Dubai International Airport saw 31.5 million passengers in the first half of the year, just over 30% down on the same period in 2025, with aircraft movements falling by a similar margin. CEO Paul Griffiths takes us through the numbers. Plus, Anthony Robbins is coming to Coca-Cola Arena. What else is keeping the seats full? We talk to GM Mark Jan Kar. Dubai has 20,000 international students and only 6,000 proper beds, and Craig Fernandes of Makaan is trying to fix that. And the iconic Toyota building is reportedly coming down in 2027. We hear the story behind the landmark from Katib Belkhodja as...

25 Aug 2026. We started a new interview series this morning, Summer Stocktake, looking at how business fared through the hotter months. Today, gyms, summer camps and cafes. Plus, the F1 Grand Prix isn’t the only big event coming back to the capital this December. We also have Abu Dhabi Finance Week, and we spoke to the Editor in Chief. Companies used to choose a base on licence costs alone, but now they’re asking about schools and housing. Ramy Jallad of RAKEZ on what’s changed. And the business of being funny. Zarna Garg is headlining the Dubai Comedy Festiv...

24 Aug 2026. The CEO of F1 has confirmed that the final race of the 2026 season will take place in Abu Dhabi, in a boost for hotels and other businesses in the capital. We speak to David Powell, Chief Portfolio and Strategy Officer at Ethara, on the conversations behind it and what it means for the economy. With the race confirmed, we also look at what it means for business, from hotels to private jets. And what do higher AI chip costs mean for the UAE’s data centres? We speak to the companies building and running them.

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21 Aug 2026. UAE companies claiming VAT refunds will need to verify their suppliers under new rules coming into force from 1 October. The Federal Tax Authority is asking businesses to check who they’re buying from before claiming input tax back. Tax expert Thomas Vanhee, Founding Partner at Aurifer, on what it all means. Plus, it’s back to school. We speak to the boss of the newly opened Harrow School and one university head about what the new academic year holds

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20 Aug 2026. Dubai inflation came in at just over 5.3% annually in July. Transport rose by nearly 12%, while food and beverage prices grew by nearly 8%, compared with the same month a year earlier. We look at what’s behind those numbers and where they’re heading with economist Dan Richards. Plus, a new school year begins with more families arriving in Dubai. We find out what parents are asking about fees and value with Graham Paris, Director of US Curriculum Schools in Dubai for Taaleem. A new research report suggests UAE companies are spending on AI but not necessarily using it to i...

19 Aug 2026. Choithrams has launched convenience stores, called Quickerr, in four Dubai Metro stations, with four more to open in the next two days, the CEO has told The Business Breakfast. There will be 28 by the end of the year. Plus, are people still setting up businesses here? We find out what the licence numbers reveal about confidence in the UAE right now with Virtuzone. And entry level jobs are disappearing just as AI takes hold. We meet the teenagers already solving real problems for DIFC companies.

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18 Aug 2026. Dubai’s mid-range hotels outperformed our high end hotels in the first half of this year, according to Cavendish Maxwell. We find out more with Research Manager Ali Siddiqui. Plus, air freight rates out of this region are up nearly 50% in a year, even as volumes fall. We find out what that means for the cost of getting goods here with aviation expert Nick Humphrey. An Indian coffee chain is looking to create a stir with its first UAE cafe, but have we got room for more? We speak to the CEO of Blue Tokai Coffee Roaters. And ou...

17 Aug 2026. Corporate tax filing is underway, so what questions might the FTA be asking about executive bonuses? We ask tax lawyer Nils Vanhassel, Partner and Head of Tax for the Middle East at Addleshaw Goddard. Plus, it’s almost back to school. Parents are getting ready, but what does the spend look like this year? We speak to Home Centre and Noon. And almost everything on your plate is imported. We find out how one food business kept supplies moving through months of disruption.

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14 Aug 2026. Emirates Global Aluminium (EGA) has posted adjusted profits up 34%, even as sales volumes fell by a third. CFO Pål Kildemo joins us on how that happened. Plus, a quarter of a million square feet of indoor sport is opening in Dubai. Terry Kidd of AllSports on one of the emirate’s biggest fitness investments. And the global beauty industry lands in Dubai for the 30th time this month. Show Director Ravi Ramchandani on who’s coming and what it’s worth.

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13 Aug 2026. US prices rose 3.4% in the year to July, slightly lower than the 3.5% recorded in June, according to new figures. We get the analysis and reaction from economist Nick Stadtmiller of Emirates NBD on what it means here, given the dirham’s dollar peg. Plus, Razan Hilal of FOREX.com on how the dollar has responded.  Gold is a safe haven trade, Copper a growth trade. Where is Silver? We asked Madhur Kakkar of Elevate Financial Services. And our Summer Strategy series continues. A fine dining group that expected a quiet summer got a surge in demand instead. Samyukta Nair...