The Gulf region awakens to a new economic and regulatory rhythm. Saudi Arabia kicked off the summer season on June 10 with the resumption of Umrah visa issuance, just one day after Hajj concluded—welcoming pilgrims from June 11 onward and reigniting religious tourism activity At the same time, authorities have imposed a midday outdoor work ban from noon to 3 pm, effective June 15 through September 15, aimed at safeguarding laborers from extreme heat. Businesses in construction and energy must navigate operations around this window.
Economic data reinforces the rebound narrative: Saudi’s industrial production index grew 3.1 % year‑on‑year in April, with a 4.3 % expansion in oil activities, and modest 0.1 % gains in non‑oil sectors . Even broader growth trends are visible in Q1, where GDP rose 3.4 %, driven by private-sector dynamism and a minor contraction in oil sector output .
Moving to the UAE, Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM) continues to outpace expectations. In Q1 2025, new licenses spiked 67 %, and assets under management soared 245 %, drawing firms like BlackRock and Morgan Stanley.
Regulatory scrutiny in the UAE is intensifying. The Central Bank has imposed AED 12.3 million in fines on six exchange houses for AML violations, part of a broader crackdown that totals over AED 339 million in recent penalties. This aggressive enforcement cements the UAE’s commitment to financial integrity and boosts its credibility internationally.
On the investment front, Abu Dhabi’s luxury property market is in overdrive. Sales hit AED 6.3 billion in January–April (+158 % YoY), driven by HNWIs, branded residences, and foreign buyers across key districts.
In Riyadh, Islamic finance continues to shine: Mashreq Bank’s debut $500 million sukuk listed on Nasdaq Dubai under its $2.5 billion program offers a 5.03 % profit yield, adding depth to Dubai’s stature as a leading Islamic finance center.
Further afield, China has extended visa-free entry for up to 30 days to citizens of Saudi Arabia, Oman, Kuwait, and Bahrain—boosting bilateral tourism and commerce from June 9, 2025, through June 8, 2026.
But risks remain. Nigeria’s planned $5 billion oil‑backed loan with Saudi Aramco is stalled amid falling Brent crude prices and production constraints, raising red flags for commodity‑linked financing across the region
