This Week In Business

by Arabian Business

This Week in Business: World economy poised for AI boom, Dubai strengthens China ties, UAE reaches for the stars

Is the global economy heading for an AI-driven boom? And why is Dubai looking to China to help transform its manufacturing and technology sectors? This week, Tom Evans and Rana Tabbara unpack Rana’s exclusive interview with Nouriel Roubini, including his confidence in AI-driven economic growth, his criticism of US President Donald Trump’s tariffs and why he believes financial markets can force governments to change course. Also on the show: Dubai’s push to attract Chinese manufacturers and technology companies, the latest escalation in Middle East tensions, and the growing uncertainty over shipping in the Strait of Hormuz. Plus, Rana examines former US Vice President Mike Pence’s stark warnings over Iran, his disagreements with Trump’s economic policies, and what the shifting geopolitical landscape means for businesses across the Gulf.

Oct 16, 2026

22:55

This Week in Business: Trump accused of treason and Dubai's Michelin guide sparks backlash

What happens when an “America First” ally accuses Donald Trump of betraying American interests? And what does the fallout mean for the Gulf? This week, Tom Evans and Rana Tabbara unpack Tom’s exclusive interview with Tucker Carlson, including his fierce criticism of the Iran war, his account of private Oval Office conversations and his praise for the UAE's leadership. Also on the show: the latest escalation in Saudi Arabia, uncertainty over shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, and why Dubai’s latest Michelin Guide has sparked a backlash over its inclusion of closed restaurants. Plus, Rana explores Abu Dhabi’s push to turn AI investment into real-world results and investigates the UAE’s growing fertility industry, where expanding patient choice raises difficult questions about the commercialisation of care.

Oct 9, 2026

23:31

Season 1

This Week in Business: Turkey changes its pitch to millionaires and and Hormuz edges towards a breakthrough

The Gulf has spent years trying to diversify beyond oil. But after a year of geopolitical disruption, is diversification itself being redefined? This week, Tala Michel Issa and Tom Evans look at how the GCC is rethinking economic resilience, infrastructure and regional integration, as negotiations over the Strait of Hormuz edge closer to a potential breakthrough. Also on the show: Turkey’s attempt to turn passport buyers into long-term residents and investors, why global founders are increasingly looking to Abu Dhabi, and Arabian Business reporter Rana Tabbara takes us aboard the first Etihad Rail journey between Abu Dhabi and Dubai. Plus, what the Gulf’s next phase of growth could look like when the question is no longer simply whether an investment makes money, but whether it can survive the next shock.

S1 · E11

Oct 2, 2026

19:18

This Week in Business: Venezuela next out of OPEC? RAK’s ‘haunted’ palace and Amazon HQ rumours

Could Venezuela follow the UAE out of OPEC? Hosts Tala Michel Issa and Tom Evans unpack that question and the other stories shaping business in the Gulf this week. Arabian Business reporter Rana Tabbara joins them for the aviation story. Venezuela next out of OPEC? Why leaving the group would not suddenly bring more Venezuelan oil to market. What happened to the Hormuz talks? The latest from the UN General Assembly, new US aviation sanctions and rising Saudi-Houthi tensions. Would you buy RAK’s ‘haunted’ palace? Tala investigates the 35-room property for sale near Wynn Al Marjan Island. Is Amazon leaving the UAE? The company responds to claims that it is moving its regional operations. Why are airlines still buying planes? Rana reports from an Airbus event and shares what its regional boss told her about fleet expansion during the conflict. Plus, The Briefing returns on November 25 in Abu Dhabi, and nominations for the Arabian Business Industry Awards are open until September 28. Read the stories at ArabianBusiness.com. New episodes every Friday.

S1 · E10

Sep 25, 2026

15:49

This Week in Business: Syria could be the big winner from the Hormuz crisis, here's why

Is Syria about to become one of the biggest economic winners from the disruption in the Strait of Hormuz? This week, Managing Editor Tala Michel Issa and Head of News Tom Evans unpack President Ahmad Al-Sharaa’s extraordinary pitch to turn Syria into a $200 billion economy, and why its Mediterranean ports could suddenly matter far beyond the country’s reconstruction. We hear froom Business Reporter Rana Tabbara about how Dubai's tourism comeback after months of regional disruption. At ATM, airlines and hotels reveal what actually kept the industry moving. The US Federal Reserve’s latest rate hike spells more expensive mortgages, loans and borrowing across the Gulf. And because that wasn’t quite enough for one episode: Singapore has found a new way to stop people doomscrolling. It involves books, virtual coins and an extremely long wait for a cup of coffee. This is This Week in Business, your weekly guide to what happened, why it matters and what to watch next.

S1 · E9

Sep 18, 2026

15:34

This Week in Business: Lebanon's bid to win back Gulf capital, Selling Sunset comes to Dubai and LIV Golf goes bankrupt

Can Lebanon win back Gulf investment? Managing Editor Tala Michel Issa and Head of News Tom Evans examine what the country must do to rebuild trust and attract long-term capital. They also discuss how Saudi-backed LIV Golf ended up in Chapter 11 despite billions in funding, why Selling Sunset’s Oppenheim Group is making a multimillion-dollar bet on Dubai and ITP Media Group’s expansion into Asia. Plus, the week’s biggest developments in the Strait of Hormuz. Nominations are now open for the Arabian Business Industry Awards 2026, with 28 categories spanning technology, real estate, finance and enterprise. Entry is free. Submit your nomination at ArabianBusiness.com before September 25.

S1 · E8

Sep 11, 2026

20:22

This Week in Business: LEAP 2026, US-Iran latest and how Gulf money changed European football

In this episode, Tala Michel Issa and Tom Evans unpack a tense week across the Gulf, beginning with the renewed Iran-US exchanges and the risks around the Strait of Hormuz. Tala reports from LEAP 2026 in Riyadh, where sovereign AI, data centres, start-ups and Saudi-built intellectual property dominated the conversation. They also examine Saudi Arabia’s $4bn Adobe partnership, giving more than 27 million people access to premium AI tools. Tala and Tom then discuss The Away Game, Arabian Business’ September cover story on how Abu Dhabi, Qatar and Saudi Arabia have turned football investments into global businesses and city-building projects. They also round up the UAE’s corporate tax deadline, Qatar’s surge in foreign-owned companies, Thailand’s visa changes, Careem’s rival-order cashback and Dubai’s growing billionaire population. New episodes every Friday on Spotify, Apple Podcasts and wherever you get your podcasts.

S1 · E7

Sep 4, 2026

19:01

This Week in Business: US-Saudi nuclear deal, Lebanon-Gulf relations and the latest on Hormuz

In this episode, Arabian Business Managing Editor Tala Michel Issa and Senior Contributor Justin Harper break down the biggest stories from across the region this week. This week, Tala and Justin break down: Strait of Hormuz talks as Iran and Oman work on a shipping corridor deal US officially removes Syria from terrorism list Saudi Arabia-US nuclear deal sent to Congress UAE schools reopen with AI training, digital learning changes and no homework for younger pupils Gulf support returns to Lebanon, but security and IMF reforms remain key Saudi HUMAIN unveils plans for an AI laptop built around user intent Saudi Arabia backs €6bn Dragon Ball theme park project near Paris Abu Dhabi’s Lulu Island moves closer to major redevelopment This Week in Business is Arabian Business’ weekly roundup of the key developments shaping business, politics and investment across the region. New episodes every Friday on Spotify, Apple Podcasts and wherever you get your podcasts.

Aug 28, 2026

23:28

This Week in Business: Missiles, millionaires who refuse to retire and the $5,000-a-night train

In this week’s episode, Tala Michel Issa is joined by Justin Harper to discuss the UAE’s brief missile alert, the official response and the commercial fallout from disruption around the Strait of Hormuz. They examine how rerouted shipping, delayed payments and force majeure claims are testing contracts agreed before the conflict, alongside record activity at the DIFC Courts. They also look at Saudi Arabia’s latest business reforms and plans for a UAE luxury train that could launch in 2028. Later in the episode, they discuss BlackBerry’s return to profitability as a software company, why wealthy investors are reconsidering traditional retirement, the risks attached to Dubai’s $100 million trophy homes and the future of LIV Golf following the end of PIF funding. This Week in Business is Arabian Business’ weekly Gulf business debrief, explaining what happened, why it mattered and what to watch next.

S1 · E6

Aug 21, 2026

27:48

This Week in Business: Cold War 2.0, Assad's death sentence and the psychics profiting from war

Is the Strait of Hormuz becoming the frontline of Cold War 2.0? This week, Arabian Business Managing Editor Tala Michel Issa and Head of News Tom Evans examine the proxy battles, new alliances and economic risks emerging around one of the world’s most important trade routes. They also unpack Bashar al-Assad’s death sentence in absentia and what the landmark verdict means for Syria as Gulf investors help finance its reconstruction. Tom explains what the UAE’s corporate tax relief extension means for small businesses and how Abu Dhabi’s investment transformed Manchester, while Tala asks whether Fujairah could be approaching its own economic turning point. Tala also discusses her investigation into online psychics predicting developments in the Iran war, including a widely circulated warning about August 9. She and Tom examine the economy of fear surrounding the conflict and how uncertainty is being monetised through views, followers and paid readings. The episode closes with the homegrown UAE soap company that asked customers to help save its business, one bar at a time.

S1 · E5

Aug 14, 2026

26:20

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