Podcast · Business

Business Extra

by The National News · English · Business

As one of the world’s most influential business hubs, the Middle East requires expert attention. Business Extra provides those experts, as well as news and insights from The National’s esteemed team of business editors and reporters, who are on top of the markets, technology, the energy sector and m

New episodes: Weekly
Typical length: 21 min
Latest: 7 Oct 2026
Language: English

Latest episode

7 Oct 2026 · 18 min

Who are we building our cities for?

This episode was produced by The National in partnership with LIVEX. In this episode of Business Extra from LIVEX in Abu Dhabi, guest host David Dunn is joined by Dana Awad, chief commercial officer at ICT Real Estate Development. As Abu Dhabi continues to grow and attract new residents, businesses and investment, the conversation explores what makes a development truly liveable. Ms Awad explains why developers need to look beyond individual buildings and consider how people will actually live, work and spend their time within a community. Beautiful architecture alone, she argues, is not…

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Earlier episodes 29 most recent

E441 · 9 Sep 2026 · 24 min
How smarter grids are reshaping the energy workforce
This episode was produced by The National in partnership with Schneider Electric. In the second episode of a special three-part Business Extra series, guest host Shereen Abdulla is joined by Walid Sheta, Middle East and Africa president at Schneider Electric. As power grids become increasingly digital and enabled by artificial intelligence, the people responsible for managing them need a very different set of skills. Mr Sheta explains how the traditional role of the power engineer is evolving, requiring more electrical expertise rather than mechanical skills alone. The conversation looks at…
E440 · 2 Sep 2026 · 36 min
Schneider Electric on powering the Global South’s next phase of growth
This episode was produced by The National in partnership with Schneider Electric. In the first episode of a special three-part Business Extra series, host Khaled Abuljebain is joined by Manish Pant, executive vice president for international operations at Schneider Electric, before the Innovation Summit Middle East and Africa. As populations grow, cities expand and demand for electricity rises, countries across the Global South face the challenge of building energy systems capable of supporting the next generation of economic growth. Mr Pant explains why that challenge also presents an…
E439 · 17 Jun 2026 · 20 min
The $2.2 trillion question: What if the Iran War never happened?
The financial cost of the Iran war is becoming clearer as according to the latest study by the Institute for Economics and Peace, the conflict is costing the global economy $2.2 trillion in annual GDP. The US alone had spent $25 billion within two months of the war beginning, and sought a further $200 billion from Congress to continue operations. Economists estimate the long-term cost at around $1 trillion. That cost does not stay on a balance sheet. It moves through supply chains, interest rates, insurance premiums and shipping costs until it arrives in grocery bills, fuel prices and…
E438 · 10 Jun 2026 · 16 min
World Cup economics: Ticket prices, tourism and visa restrictions
The 2026 Fifa World Cup was supposed to be a record-breaking economic windfall for the United States. But as the tournament gets under way, the numbers reveal a more complicated story. Top-tier tickets for the final are going for more than $10,000, nearly seven times what the co-hosts' bid book originally promised. Hotel occupancy in some host cities, meanwhile, is tracking below normal summer levels. And the international tourism boom that was supposed to drive billions into local economies is being complicated by visa restrictions, geopolitical tensions and dynamic pricing that has left…
E437 · 3 Jun 2026 · 31 min
Why so few UAE SMEs become major companies
Small and middle-sized companies (SMEs) make up more than 95 per cent of businesses in the UAE and contribute more than 60 per cent of the country’s non-oil GDP. But despite that, the UAE still has relatively few SMEs growing up to become large private companies. Founders have been saying that starting a business is much easier than scaling one, and in some cases, even easier than closing one. As businesses grow, they tend to encounter the same roadblocks. Access to growth financing can be difficult, delayed payments create cash flow pressure, and operational complexity can take focus away…
E436 · 20 May 2026 · 19 min
Syria’s investment boom: Real opportunity or political mirage?
Syria is becoming part of the economic conversation again. Over the past few weeks, there has been a lot of talk about investment and reconstruction, from the first Syrian-Emirati Investment Forum to upcoming business events in Damascus for the private sector in early June, and even discussions in Washington about Syria's economic future. UAE officials and business delegations have met the Syrian leadership, and Gulf investors are studying projects tied to logistics, housing and industrial development. But beyond these announcements, the reality on the ground remains extremely difficult. The…
E435 · 13 May 2026 · 25 min
Is the UAE's exit the beginning of the end for Opec?
The UAE's decision to leave Opec is the biggest exit the organisation has faced since 1960. As the group's third-largest producer and one of the few members with real spare capacity, the departure of the Emirates raises urgent questions about the future of global oil markets and the organisation that has shaped them for decades. This comes at a critical moment. The Iran war is escalating, the Strait of Hormuz is under pressure and Aramco is warning that the market has already lost about one billion barrels. Analysts say it could take until well into next year for the situation to fully…
E434 · 6 May 2026 · 17 min
How the UAE's Aleria is partnering with Nvidia to own its AI future
As global supply chains face sustained disruption, the UAE is pressing ahead with a plan to build sovereign AI infrastructure, technology and data that the country can control without relinquishing intellectual property to foreign providers. In this week's Business Extra, recorded at Making it in the Emirates in Abu Dhabi, host Salim A Essaid speaks to the executives behind a deal finalised in March, in which UAE-based sovereign AI company Aleria won a major agreement with Nvidia to use advanced AI infrastructure in the UAE, beginning with thousands of Blackwell Ultra chips. Eric Leandri,…
E433 · 29 Apr 2026 · 1 hr 2 min
UAE property: Experts address what is next for the market
The UAE property market has been one of the strongest stories in the sector globally over the past few years, with record transactions, rising prices and huge numbers of international buyers. What makes the Emirates unique is not just the growth but its ability to recover quickly from downturns, attract global capital and reinvent itself through policy and positioning. But over the past few weeks, something unprecedented has happened. After the US-Israeli war on Iran started in late February, and Tehran's subsequent attacks on the UAE and other Gulf countries, transaction volumes fell by…
E432 · 22 Apr 2026 · 31 min
What the energy crisis reveals about how we power world
In a matter of weeks, energy supply shocks sent oil prices up by 30 per cent, fuel costs surged to record highs, and the ripple effects hit everything from inflation and global growth to household bills. The International Monetary Fund has warned of one of the sharpest six-month economic downturns in the Middle East since the 2008 financial crisis. But the larger question is not just what happened. It is whether it had to be this bad. Could this crisis have been less severe if more countries had invested earlier in renewables and built a more distributed energy system? That's what host Salim…
E431 · 15 Apr 2026 · 23 min
Uncertainty is certain: Inside the IMF and World Bank Spring Meetings
This year's IMF and World Bank Spring Meetings in Washington are unlike any in recent memory. The Iran war has given the annual gathering a geopolitical charge that has drawn an unusually broad crowd, not just the traditional ministers of trade, investment and finance, but foreign policy officials and venture capital executives from across the globe. In this episode of Business Extra, host Salim A. Essaid travels to Washington to speak to some of those attending about what they are looking for and how they are feeling about the state of the global economy. We hear from Mohamed Soliman,…
E430 · 8 Apr 2026 · 16 min
Beyond oil: How the Iran war is already hitting wallets
The economic fallout from the Iran war extends well beyond oil markets and is beginning to be felt in consumers' daily lives. With transport and production costs rising, food prices are beginning to climb globally and airline tickets are already more expensive. Analysts are anticipating that much of the inflationary impact has not hit consumers yet. For Gulf economies, the question is whether strong non-oil sectors can stand the pressure. Globally, the stakes are higher still, with leading financial voices warning that a prolonged conflict could tip the world into recession. In this episode…
E429 · 1 Apr 2026 · 12 min
Inside Borouge: The UAE's petrochemical powerhouse
In this special episode of Business Extra, host Khaled Abuljebain sits down with Yan Martin Nufer, chief financial officer of Abu Dhabi-based Borouge, to explore how one of the region’s industrial giants is driving long-term value through innovation, technology and strategic expansion. From delivering one of the largest IPOs in the UAE to returning more than $15.5 billion in dividends, Borouge has positioned itself at the forefront of the global materials sector. Mr Nufer explains how Borouge’s proprietary technology is shaping next-generation materials, improving product durability,…
E428 · 25 Mar 2026 · 45 min
CERAWeek in the shadow of war: How the conflict is reshaping the global energy conversation
Leading executives from the world’s most influential energy companies are gathered in Houston for CERAWeek, often described as the industry's Super Bowl, as the Iran war rattles global markets. The conflict involving the US, Israel and Iran has disrupted supplies and raised concern over the stability of key routes such as the Strait of Hormuz. In this special live-recorded episode of Business Extra, host Salim A Essaid looks at how one of the most important international energy gatherings is unfolding in the shadow of war. Reinforcing a sense that this is not business as usual, major…
E427 · 18 Mar 2026 · 16 min
How the Iran war is threatening water security in the Gulf
Water infrastructure, supply chains and agriculture are now increasingly exposed to geopolitical shocks. As the US-Israeli war on Iran led to attacks on infrastructure across the region, attention is shifting to the energy-water-food nexus, a tightly interconnected system where disruption in one area quickly cascades into others. In the Gulf, where countries rely on desalination for up to 90 per cent of their drinking water and import the majority of their food, these vulnerabilities are especially acute. In this week's episode of Business Extra, host Salim A Essaid is joined by Sameh…
E426 · 11 Mar 2026 · 19 min
How UAE and Gulf residents can better manage their money amid Iran war turmoil
The effects of a distant war are rarely felt in the finances of residents in the UAE. Until now. The US-Israel-Iran war that began at the end of last month is already affecting global markets, driving up oil prices and shipping costs.While the long-term geopolitical effects are still unfolding, the financial consequences are directly affecting households across the Gulf. What does this mean for household budgets, savings, and financial security? Should residents move money, pay down debt, or hold additional cash? In this episode of Business Extra, host Salim A Essaid sits down with Carol…
E425 · 4 Mar 2026 · 24 min
How global energy security is being reshaped amid US-Israel and Iran attacks
Missiles are flying overhead and being intercepted in the Gulf region. Days after the US and Israel attacked Iran, it fired back, sending waves of ballistic missiles and drones towards Israeli and US targets, including assets in the Gulf. The escalation quickly spread to regional energy infrastructure. Saudi Aramco’s Ras Tanura refinery halted operations of its 550,000-barrels-per-day production, after reported drone strikes. The Mina Al Ahmadi refinery in Kuwait, with a capacity of around 346,000 bpd, was reportedly hit by debris. Qatar faced blows that led to a complete halt of LNG…
E424 · 25 Feb 2026 · 24 min
The Ramadan economy: How UAE consumers are spending in 2026
Ramadan is a time of self-reflection, generosity, community and family, but it is also a period of intense consumer spending. Even as people fast from morning until dusk, spending rises across food and retail. In 2026, how people spend is shifting, with more people staying home, ordering in, and buying not only products but experiences too. Yet a recent survey suggests UAE consumers still expect to spend more this Ramadan. Redseer Strategy Consultants estimates the UAE Ramadan economy will grow from about $15 billion in 2025 to $16.4 billion this year. In this episode of Business Extra, host…
E423 · 11 Feb 2026 · 22 min
Understanding Sovereign AI and why governments are racing to build it
A new phrase is quietly reshaping how governments, businesses and even militaries think about the future of power: Sovereign AI. The term is appearing in policy papers, billion-dollar infrastructure deals, and national strategies from Washington to Beijing and increasingly across the Gulf. But what does it actually mean? Is Sovereign AI about governments owning data and AI power? Is it about controlling data centres and chips? Or is it something larger – control over the intelligence systems that will run future economies, influence societies and shape geopolitics for decades to come? In…
E422 · 29 Jan 2026 · 42 min
Inside the UAE job market: What you need to know about hiring in 2026
In this live Q&A session, Business Extra host Salim Essaid explores what the UAE Salary Guide 2026 reveals about the job market. He is joined by Viacheslav Shakhov, managing partner at Cooper Fitch, to discuss hiring trends across key sectors, how employers are responding to slower global growth, and why competition for skilled roles is intensifying. The conversation explores the growing influence of artificial intelligence in recruitment, including which skills are becoming more valuable, how roles are evolving rather than disappearing, and why continuous learning is increasingly important…
E421 · 26 Jan 2026 · 7 min
How Adnoc Distribution is scaling profits and sustainability
This episode was produced in partnership with Adnoc Group In this special episode of Business Extra, host Khaled Abuljebain speaks to Ali Siddiqi, chief financial officer of Adnoc Distribution. Mr Siddiqi shares how the company is growing its national footprint while cutting costs and advancing the UAE's energy transition goals. He outlines Adnoc Distribution’s plan to increase its fuel station network from 940 to 1,150 by 2028. At the same time, the company has reduced unit costs by 30 per cent through automation, AI and operational efficiency. The conversation also covers Adnoc’s evolving…
E420 · 24 Dec 2025 · 8 min
How Adnoc Gas is expanding its network to meet AI data centre demands
From powering AI data centres to ensuring long-term energy security, Adnoc Gas is shaping what reliable, sustainable and scalable energy looks like in the modern era. Adnoc Gas is expanding its network of more than 3,500 kilometres of pipelines, reaching new AI data centres in Abu Dhabi and scaling liquefied natural gas (LNG) capacity to meet rising global demand, all while maintaining long-term resilience and sustainability. Fatema Al Nuaimi, chief executive of Adnoc Gas, brings two decades of experience as one of the UAE’s leading energy executives, from her early engineering days to…
E419 · 10 Dec 2025 · 17 min
Behind the Bitcoin drop: Are we entering a new era for crypto?
Bitcoin lost over $18,000 in November, triggering one of the sharpest monthly declines since 2021. With nearly $3 billion in forced liquidations, headlines declared a crash. But is that the whole story? In this episode of Business Extra, host Salim Essaid sits down with two major voices shaping the global crypto conversation. First, Richard Teng, co-chief executive of Binance, explains what really happened in November. Then Yevgeny Bebnev, chief investment officer at Pelican Investments, argues that crypto has become an institutional asset, and that volatility is a market feature, and shares…
E418 · 19 Nov 2025 · 22 min
What you need to do to retire comfortably in the UAE
Millions of people move to the UAE for higher incomes, but after working hard for years and even decades, they face the big question: "How much do I need to retire comfortably?" Living costs are rising and foreign residents of the UAE do not have the same pension schemes available elsewhere in the world. This leaves them having to rely on personal planning and savings, which can feel overwhelming. In this episode of Business Extra, host Salim A Essaid explores the options available to maximise savings and grow your money, and asks how to avoid retirement mistakes. To figure this all out, he…
E417 · 5 Nov 2025 · 17 min
Inside the UAE’s SME strategy
In this episode of Business Extra, Abdulla bin Touq, Minister of Economy and Tourism, joins host Salim Essaid to discuss how the country is positioning itself as the global capital for start-ups and small and medium enterprises. Mr bin Touq explains how new economic reforms, ownership laws and innovation frameworks have reshaped the business landscape, doubling the number of registered companies in just five years to more than 1.3 million. The conversation explores the government’s newly launched cluster-economy strategy, focusing on five priority sectors: food and food processing, financial…
E416 · 22 Oct 2025 · 9 min
How Adnoc L&S became a global logistics power
This episode was produced in partnership with the Adnoc Group Capt Abdulkareem Al Masabi, chief executive of Adnoc Logistics & Services, joins this episode of Business Extra to explore the rise of the UAE’s largest integrated maritime logistics company. Now ranked as the second-largest player in global energy logistics, Adnoc L&S has expanded its role on the world stage with a combination of strategic foresight and resilient leadership. Capt Al Masabi explains how the company has navigated market volatility and geopolitical uncertainty to complete a record IPO. He also outlines the long-term…
E415 · 15 Oct 2025 · 20 min
Why more wealth is leaving the UK and landing in the UAE
A quiet transformation is reshaping the global wealth map. High net-worth individuals are moving their assets from the UK to the UAE. The Revolut co-founder Nikolai Stronsky's recent change of tax residency from the UK to the UAE reflects a much broader trend. Higher taxes, the end of the UK’s non-dom regime, and general regulatory uncertainty are pushing wealthy people to look for stability, predictability and a global lifestyle. In contrast, the UAE is offering zero income tax, long-term residency, world-class infrastructure and an easy environment in which to do business. In this episode…
E414 · 8 Oct 2025 · 21 min
What can Donald Trump’s Gaza economic plan offer without Palestinian sovereignty?
US President Donald Trump's 20-point plan for Gaza peace promises investment corridors and special economic zones. But without sovereign control, how can the Palestinian economy survive? In Palestine, everything from the movement of goods to collecting taxes depends on approval from the Israeli government. The result is an economy that functions but is fundamentally constrained. It grows, but only within parameters set by an external power. In this episode of Business Extra, host Salim Essaid delves into one of the world’s most complex economic realities, examining what doing business looks…
E413 · 1 Oct 2025 · 23 min
TikTok's new owners and what is at stake
As TikTok faces a high-stakes restructuring to divest from its Chinese ownership, a new deal is emerging. Major US players including Oracle and Silver Lake are in the mix, along with MGX, a UAE-based company that could become one of the few overseas owners of the platform’s American operations. This is more than a business deal. It determines who will shape the minds of users on one of the most viewed social media platforms in the world. In this episode of Business Extra, host Salim Essaid looks at the size of the deal, the level of control shareholders have over content and what TikTok…

About Business Extra

Business Extra is a English business podcast from The National News. Melo plays each episode straight from the publisher's own feed — no ads added, no account needed — and remembers where you stopped, in this browser only.

Publisher: The National News
Language: English
Category: Business
New episodes: Weekly
Typical length: 21 min
Latest episode: 7 Oct 2026
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Apple Podcasts: podcasts.apple.com/podcast/id1108800532
Rights: The National

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