MENA faces shortfall of 111,737 construction Project Managers by 2035: PMI

• Even under a low-growth scenario, the region would still face a shortfall of more than 88,561 professionals.
• Retirement-driven attrition will widen the gap further, compounding pressure on an already strained talent market.

Firms lag as AI-driven fraud surges: Study

• Among the fastest-growing threats is deepfake-enabled social engineering.
• The United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia have the potential to take a leading role in next-generation fraud prevention.

Geopolitics, risk aversion and crypto: Why this time may be different

• The Crypto Fear and Greed Index recently fell to record lows, highlighting just how fragile investor confidence had become even before geopolitical tensions intensified.
• Progress around the proposed CLARITY Act in the United States could mark a structural milestone for the industry.

UAE Central Bank to hold rate after Fed pause amid regional tensions

• The CBUAE said it would also maintain the rate applicable to short-term borrowing at 50 basis points above the Base Rate for all standing credit facilities.
• Central Banks of GCC countries --Kuwait remains a partial exception-- typically adjust their policy rates in lockstep with the Fed, as their currencies being pegged to the dollar.

Financial frauds cost global economy over $442bn in 2025: INTERPOL

• However, the report also found that law enforcement authorities are collaborating more effectively.
• Since 2024, the number of fraud-related Notices and Diffusions has increased by 54 percent.

G7 ministers consider oil reserves as markets face volatility

• They added that proactive measures—including the possible use of strategic oil reserves—remain under consideration as part of efforts to stabilize global energy markets.
• The ministers said coordination is ongoing among G7 members as well as with IEA member states and other partners.

Middle East conflict: Trade tensions rise as oil jumps and tariffs shake markets 

• DP World said operations at Jebel Ali port in Dubai, one of the world's busiest container ports, had been suspended due to a fire after "aerial interception"
• The direct impact is most acute for energy‑importing economies in Europe and Asia, and a prolonged closure could feed through into higher inflation

The shift from innovative to native: Unlocking where real AI value lies

MEA market decision-making cycle is fast but risk-averse: Ralph Melis 

• The real shift is that AI becomes the interface. Users no longer need technical knowledge or experience navigating complex systems.
• They simply prompt their way forward—asking natural-language questions and receiving accurate comparisons, recommendations, and insights instantly.

Dubai moves from importing innovation to exporting it, says Future Solutions Head

• Dubai Future Solutions connects student innovators with government, industry and investors, offering year-round support until technologies are validated and ready for funding.
• The program evaluates submissions based on global impact, depth of academic research, and effective use of technology to address social or environmental challenges.