Bitesize Business Breakfast Podcast

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...

12 Aug 2026. Is Bitcoin becoming a safe haven when tensions rise? We ask Saqr Ereiqat of the Dubai Digital Asset Association, who says yes and no. Plus, earnings season rolls on. Abu Dhabi’s sovereign AI company Presight has posted another quarter of strong growth, with CEO Thomas Pramotedham. And the region’s oilfield services giant NESR reports a record quarter: revenue is up 59% and profits nearly tripled. We speak to Chairman and CEO Sherif Foda. Our Summer Strategy series also continues, with the Dubai restaurant that spent more on marketing, not less, when spending slowed. Sylvana Sari of Bobi Bowl...

11 Aug 2026. Stevi Lowmass publicly admitted The Camel Soap Factory might not survive, then launched a campaign to sell 25,000 bars. Three months on, she’s almost there. We hear how it went. Plus, earnings season continues. Spinneys reveals its first half numbers with CEO Sunil Kumar, and e7 Group posts a bumper six months on the back of its secure identity business. We speak to Group CEO Esteban Gómez Nadal. And it’s a big week for inflation data, with UAE demand holding up better than expected. Nick Stadtmiller of Emirates NBD unpacks it.

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10 Aug 2026. ADNOC Gas has beaten its own guidance with a $665 million second quarter, despite the Strait disruption, and greenlit $8.2 billion of new contracts. We speak to CFO Peter van Driel. Plus, a container of classic Ferraris is stuck off Khor Fakkan for another week. Ryan Hughes of RMA Motors on how shipping delays are reaching Dubai’s luxury car market. We also get an exclusive look at July’s Dubai property numbers with Haider Tuaima of ValuStrat, as the market edges towards stability. And oil is caught between diplomacy and disruption. Robin Mills of Qamar Energy on where the mark...

08 Aug 2026: Luxury watches, fine art, rare collectibles and classic cars are increasingly being considered alternative stores of wealth as investors look beyond traditional safe havens. But protecting these assets is not always straightforward. Kapil Sharma, Senior Vice President of Sales at Continental Group, joins us to discuss how high-value collectibles are insured, the challenges surrounding valuations and the coverage gaps owners may not realise exist. Meanwhile, Wynn Resorts is pressing ahead with plans to hire 2,500 employees for its $5.7 billion UAE resort, despite its opening being pushed back to September 2027. Nathan Kearney, Managing Director of Executive Search, joins us to...

06 August 2026. The Japanese yen has strengthened sharply following the first coordinated US-Japan currency intervention since 1998. It has recovered from a 40-year low of almost 164 yen to the dollar in July to around 156 to 157 this week. Josh Gilbert of eToro explains what the intervention involved, why the US stepped in, and whether the yen’s recovery can last. Also, tourist arrivals to the UAE are projected to fall by more than 30% in 2026 following the regional conflict earlier this year, while visitor spending dropped by more than 40% during the height of the disruption. Akshay Jayaprakasan of RedSeer Strategy Consultants discusses when arr...

Saudi Aramco reported a 33 per cent jump in quarterly profit after oil prices surged above $100 a barrel during the disruption in the Strait of Hormuz. Amena Bakr, Head of Middle East Research at Kpler, unpacks the numbers and tells us what drove the rise in earnings, what it means for energy markets, the Gulf economy and consumers, and whether the market is returning to normal. Meanwhile, ADNOC Distribution posted record first-half earnings as fuel demand remained strong across the region. CFO Ali Siddiqi joins the Business Breakfast to discuss what is driving the company’s next phase of growth be...

04 August 2026. Middle East Film & Comic Con returns to Abu Dhabi in September with an expanded programme and ambitions to surpass last year’s attendance of more than 46,000. Show Director Loy Pinheiro discusses the move from its traditional April slot, the business of staging a major event amid regional uncertainty, and the new attractions aimed at drawing record crowds. Also, the Business Breakfast can reveal that Thrifty Car Rental UAE has secured an exclusive five-year partnership with Etihad Rail, investing more than AED 10 million in first and last mile transport across all 11 stations. General Manager Amit Kumar discusses the initial fl...

03 August 2026: Abu Dhabi’s property market continues to record strong annual gains—but is momentum beginning to slow? Sean Swinburn, Director of Valuations at ValuStrat, gives us a first look at its Q2 2026 data, with quarterly capital value growth easing to 2.1%, its weakest pace in two years. UAE petrol prices have risen for August as renewed geopolitical tensions push Brent crude back above $100 a barrel. Rustin Edwards, Head of Sales at VKG, examines the volatility driving global oil markets and what it could mean for prices at the pump. Plus, UK barrister Byron James has become the first foreign lawy...

Economic growth in the US unexpectedly slowed in the second quarter, despite an increase in consumer spending. Dan Richards of Emirates NBD explains what caused the slowdown and what it means for the US economy. Plus, football’s biggest tournament could soon attract private equity investment, and the team shares its thoughts on what that could mean for the sport. ADNOC Drilling reports record first-half revenue of $2.46 billion, with CFO Youssef Salem discussing what drove the results and the company’s growth strategy. We also examine the renewed disruption facing Gulf aviation as major international carriers extend flight suspensions, with...

Iran's Gulf Strait Authority (PGSA) could extend its remit beyond merchant shipping to include subsea cable installation and maintenance in the Strait of Hormuz, requiring permits or fees for cable-laying vessels that can remain stationary for extended periods. Baker Botts partner Joshua Cole explains the potential impact on international connectivity and costs. Meanwhile, Nigel Green of deVere Group discusses UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham's priorities, what his government could mean for investments, and the implications for British nationals living in both the UK and the UAE. Plus, Daniel Richards of Emirates NBD breaks down the Federal Reserve's latest interest...

29 Jul 2026. We continue the earnings conversation following SK Hynix's results and ahead of updates from the hyperscalers. Monte Safieddine of Capital.com explains what has been moving the tech sector and what could drive markets in the coming sessions. Also, Dan Richards of Emirates NBD looks ahead to the Federal Reserve’s interest-rate decision, the factors policymakers are weighing and why the decision has become so politically charged. We also looked at Aster Clinics’ AED 100 million plan to expand its UAE primary-care network to more than 100 facilities by 2030. Plus, Lara Ewing, Head of Dubai Opera, discusses the recovery of the...

28 Jul 2026. Longer stays now account for nearly 70% of booked nights in Dubai’s short-term rental market. We speak to Luis Santos of First Class Property Management about what is driving the shift towards flexible monthly living. Plus, a quarter of junior employees surveyed say poor onboarding has made them more likely to leave, while two-thirds say they did not feel supported. Is this down to generational expectations? We ask Megan Prosser of Robert Walters about “lily padding” and whether it is happening in the UAE. Peter Willmott of AtkinsRéalis takes us inside the plans for Abu Dhabi’s $1.7 billion S...

27.07.2026 Ras Al Khaimah welcomed a record 670,000 plus visitors during the first half of 2026, driven by strong domestic tourism despite regional tensions disrupting international travel. We asked Phillipa Harrison, CEO of the Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Development Authority (RAKTDA), how they achieved it. Earnings season continues, with Union Properties reporting a 68% year-on-year surge in H1 2026. As the Dubai developer transitions from financial restructuring to sustainable growth, CEO Eng. Amer Khansaheb told us more. Plus, we looked at whether the conflict is making SMEs more aware of credit insurance—and whether it should. Roopesh Punjabi of Earnest Insurance tells us more. An...

24 Jul 2026. Dubai Taxi Company (DTC) saw revenue and net profit fall as tourism and airport demand weighed on earnings, though Group CEO Mansoor Rahma Alfalasi says the company is seeing early signs of normalisation. Plus, with pressure on both the Red Sea and the Strait of Hormuz, we look at how the crisis is changing what a good contract looks like, with Amir Kordvani of PwC Middle East. And rising coffee prices mean more of us are making our own, apparently says FT. Are we seeing the same here. we asked Garfield Kerr of Mokha 1450.

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23 Jul 2026. Dubai inflation rose to 5.7% in June on the back of higher fuel and food costs, although monthly gains came at their slowest pace in several months. We get the reaction from Emirates NBD’s Nick Stadtmiller, and find out why he thinks the Fed might start cutting next year. Plus, 2025 was the year of funds and family offices moving to the UAE. Has the conflict put paid to their expansion? We speak to the man who finds them their CEOs, Oscar Orellana-Hyder of Cordell Partners. And Aramex has a new CEO. We speak to Amadou Diallo about where he...

22 Jul 2026. Betterhomes says the conflict is actually bringing some clarity to Dubai’s real estate market. We ask how, with Richard Waind. Plus, a major new sovereign AI data centre has just gone live in Ras Al Khaimah. We find out what it tells us about the UAE’s AI ambitions with Jimi Ibrahim of IOPn. We also get the latest read on oil, trade and tariffs with Nick Stadtmiller of Emirates NBD. And a seven-bed villa on Dubai’s Billionaire Row has just been leased for AED 17 million a year, a new record. We find out more with Abdull...

21 Jul 2026. Warehouse demand is rising in Dubai, and prices with it, despite the conflict. We speak to Sean Swinburne of ValuStrat about why. Plus, with the Strait of Hormuz disrupted, Gulf oil has leaned on the Red Sea and overland pipelines. Now that backup is under pressure too. We get the analysis on what it means for supply and prices with Robin Mills of Qamar Energy. And gold was the UAE’s leading non-oil trade commodity in the first half of the year, new numbers show. We find out more about how it’s been moving with Aliasgar Tambawala of t...

20 Jul 2026 Some Gulf flights are being rescheduled, but airlines are keeping the region moving. We find out how with Kashif Khalid of IATA. Plus, TikTok has been taking stock of its operations here in the UAE, and we speak to one of its regional GMs, Shadi Kandil. We also look at why financial services growth is outpacing much of the UAE’s private sector, with Aakash Bassi of Grant Thornton. And Treo Homes has posted another record month for sales and rentals despite the headwinds. We find out how with Aron Lomax.

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17 Jul 2026. Spain against Argentina in the final on Sunday. But behind the football, has the first 48-team World Cup actually paid off? We get the commercial verdict from Abigail Carpenter of Greenberg Traurig. Plus, Dubai has handed over its biggest batch of new homes in years. Is the market finally shifting towards buyers? We ask Andrew Cummings of Savills. India has issued guidance for its sailors in the Strait of Hormuz, and we look at the implications for shipping with Captain Zarir Irani (yes, we have a Captain!). And opening a business bank account in the UAE could soon...

16 Jul 2026. Dubai’s GDRFA issued more than one million new residence permits and 66,000 Golden Visas in the first half of 2026. We discuss what does that tell us about the emirate’s ability to attract talent, investors and businesses, and what could it mean for economic growth. Plus, if conflict is driving oil higher, why isn’t gold behaving like a traditional safe haven? We ask Marex. And the UN’s maritime body has raised concerns over shipping in the Strait of Hormuz. We discuss the impact on global trade and shipping with maritime security expert Christopher Long.

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15 Jul 2026. Parkin reveals its first expansion outside Dubai, into Sharjah. Naveed Khawaja joins us with the details and what it means. Plus, US inflation has cooled sharply, the biggest monthly fall in six years, but with oil surging again, can it last? Daniel Richards of Emirates NBD breaks it down. Oil is climbing after fresh tanker attacks, and the FT reports DP World is in talks to build a new port that bypasses the Strait of Hormuz entirely. Robin Mills of Qamar Energy has the analysis. And our Summer Strategy series continues. When business slows, do you discount, collaborate...

14 Jul 2026. Oil is surging and Kpler’s own data shows tanker traffic has halved in a week. We get the latest with Matt Stanley. Plus, GCC hiring has contracted for the first time in seven quarters. Dr Trefor Murphy of Cooper Fitch has the Q2 numbers. Taaleem’s revenue is up 19% and profits are climbing even through the turmoil. We speak to CEO Alan Williamson. And we meet the gym chain behind the world’s first muscle thobe.

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13 Jul 2026. Mortgage enquiries fell off a cliff when the conflict began. Now they’re almost back. Sam Amidi of Mortgage Finder has the first half numbers. Plus, Tabby is moving beyond buy now pay later, and Zarik Nabi reveals what’s next right here on the Business Breakfast. DIFC Courts has just had its busiest six months ever. Registrar Ayesha Bin Kalban has the exclusive figures. And Ryan and Calvin Smith on opening what they believe is the world’s largest bespoke tailoring showroom.

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10 Jul 2026. We find out how Dubai's original value clothing chain has reacted to the arrival of a 100 pound gorilla. We've got the new-ish CEO of Landmark's Max Fashion, Hani Weiss. Plus, what has June meant for Dubai property valuations and transactions? The team at ValuStrat are seeing some interesting new movements. We speak to their Head of Research, Haider Tuaima.

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09 Jul 2026. We find out more about the Dubai vertiport that the aviation regulator has just signed off, with the people who built it, Damian Kysely of Skyports. Plus, we’ve got Malina Ngai, Global CEO of beauty retailer AS Watsons, in the studio during her one day visit to the UAE. And we’re kicking off a new series today, Summer Strategy, asking what businesses are putting in place for the hotter months. First up, Abdulla Al Shaibani of Axeed.

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08 Jul 2026. In an extended interview, Ramesh Cidambi, MD of Dubai Duty Free, tells us what the conflict has meant for one of the world’s busiest travel retail hubs, from holding onto staff to how shoppers have changed and what’s next for the summer. Plus, Dubai’s most expensive school is at it again. Joshua Levenson of GEMS SRI on the launch of the region’s first school-based Motorsport Academy, where the idea came from and what it costs. 

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07 Jul 2026. With container ships starting to make it through the Strait of Hormuz, we speak to Ahmad Yousef Al-Hassan, CEO of DP World GCC, about how they kept logistics moving through the conflict. Plus, ADNOC Distribution is buying South African petrol station company Shell Downstream South Africa in a deal worth a billion dollars, including 580 fuel stations, and they’re making the announcement right here on the show, with Athmane Benzerroug. Microsoft and Inception42 have teamed up to make building agentic AI agents easier. We find out more from COO Ibrahim Aljallaf. And we meet the Dubai teenager running hi...

06 Jul 2026. In an exclusive, we speak to Air Arabia CEO Adel Ali about those new cheap flights to London Gatwick and the impact of the conflict on the budget carrier. Plus, UAE banks increased their lending in Q1. Is that likely to continue? We go through the numbers with Sam Gidoomal of Alvarez & Marsal. And one month after Abu Dhabi’s rent freeze, we look at the effect it’s having on market movements with Ben Crompton of Crompton Partners

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03 Jul 2026. As Taylor and Travis tie the knot, we ask what the conflict has actually meant for the UAE’s wedding industry. Arun Bablani, Owner and Founder of Vivaah Weddings and The Event Group, says there’s a silver lining. Plus, another Chinese EV brand is making its move into the UAE. We speak to Lucas Bellieud of Al-Futtaim Electric Mobility about what DENZA’s arrival says about the electric car race here. And Dubai has just approved a new 15km elevated road running parallel to Sheikh Zayed Road. Roger Cruickshank of AtkinsRéalis on what it means for your co...

02 Jul 2026. Dubai inflation rose to 5.5% in May, on the back of higher energy and therefore transport and food costs. We find out if this is more than just a high oil price story with our economist on call, Daniel Richards of Emirates NBD. Plus, we speak to the Dubai jewellery designer who’s just landed a major write-up in the FT, Ashna Mehta of Bag Bijoux. What does the summer mean for the restaurant business? We speak to chef Reif Othman and restaurant operator Gabrielle Mather to find out what contingencies they’re putting in place for slower summer foot...