Business Extra

How Adnoc Gas is expanding its network to meet AI data centre demands

24 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

From powering AI data centres to ensuring long-term energy security, Adnoc Gas is shaping what reliable, sustainable and scalable energy looks like in...

Behind the Bitcoin drop: Are we entering a new era for crypto?

10 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Bitcoin lost over $18,000 in November, triggering one of the sharpest monthly declines since 2021. With nearly $3 billion in forced liquidations, head...

What you need to do to retire comfortably in the UAE

19 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

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 n...

Inside the UAE’s SME strategy

05 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode of Business Extra, Abdulla bin Touq, Minister of Economy and Tourism, joins host Salim Essaid to discuss how the country is positionin...

How Adnoc L&S became a global logistics power

22 Oct 2025

Contributed by Lukas

This episode was produced in partnership with the Adnoc Group Capt Abdulkareem Al Masabi, chief executive of Adnoc Logistics & Services, joins thi...

Why more wealth is leaving the UK and landing in the UAE

15 Oct 2025

Contributed by Lukas

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-f...

What can Donald Trump’s Gaza economic plan offer without Palestinian sovereignty?

08 Oct 2025

Contributed by Lukas

US President Donald Trump's 20-point plan for Gaza peace promises investment corridors and special economic zones. But without sovereign control, how ...

TikTok's new owners and what is at stake

01 Oct 2025

Contributed by Lukas

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...

Beyond Carrefour: Why some global brands are losing ground in the Middle East

24 Sep 2025

Contributed by Lukas

The announcement that Carrefour has shut stores in Kuwait, Bahrain and other countries made headlines across the region. But behind the immediate news...

How Fed's interest rates decision affects economic policies and consumers in the Gulf

17 Sep 2025

Contributed by Lukas

It’s a big week for global economies tied to the dollar with the US Federal Reserve widely expected to cut interest rates at its meeting. Interest r...

Middle East internet cables, the 'very vulnerable' communication corridor

10 Sep 2025

Contributed by Lukas

People across the UAE and the region have noticed web pages loading more slowly, shows taking longer to stream and Wi-Fi going in and out. This is bec...

Why some companies have suffered 'zero returns' from AI investments – and who got it right

03 Sep 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Despite billions being spent over the past few years on artificial intelligence investments, a recent MIT Media Lab report found 95 per cent of organi...

What will Syria’s revalued currency mean for its economy?

27 Aug 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Syria’s central bank has announced plans for a currency overhaul that will involve eliminating two zeros from its pound and printing new banknotes. ...

What's behind US-UAE nuclear partnership?

06 Aug 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Nuclear energy can be a flashpoint for tension in the Middle East. Now, though, it's taking new light. A handful of Gulf countries, including the UAE,...

Donald Trump's new tariffs and the Middle East

30 Jul 2025

Contributed by Lukas

New US tariffs are coming into effect this week. US President Donald Trump's newest deadline of August 1 is his latest attempt to secure trade agreeme...

What new US crypto laws mean for the future

23 Jul 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Crypto has reached a critical moment in its history. The US released a slew of game-changing bills for cryptocurrency last week, signalling a long-ant...

How to own property in Saudi Arabia

16 Jul 2025

Contributed by Lukas

A whole new property market is to open up to international buyers and it is from the Middle East’s largest economy. Starting in January 2026, Saudi ...

What does Oman's new income tax mean for the Gulf?

09 Jul 2025

Contributed by Lukas

The absence of income tax has helped to attract people from around the world to move to the Gulf. But one country is set to change direction. Oman rec...

Emiratisation and the future of work in the UAE

02 Jul 2025

Contributed by Lukas

For decades, most Emiratis have worked in government roles. But now, thousands are joining private companies as part of a nationwide plan to balance t...

Gulf economies and the Iran-Israel conflict: What's next?

25 Jun 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Gulf leaders have been on alert for triggers on several fronts: for one, potential damage to nuclear sites, such as the Bushehr nuclear power plant in...

Oil up, stocks down: Market volatility amid Iran-Israel war

18 Jun 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In the days since Israel started its offensive against Iran, oil prices have shot up and global markets dipped. Israel has struck nuclear sites and oi...

Middle East aviation takes off

11 Jun 2025

Contributed by Lukas

“New” is the theme in the Middle East’s growing aviation sphere: new cities, new aircraft and new markets. The International Air Transport Assoc...

Dubai real estate: Are we heading into market correction?

04 Jun 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In the UAE, where development is the name of the game, real estate is a big deal. There's a lot of growth in the UAE, and that means questions about p...

Stargate UAE: What does it mean for the future of AI?

28 May 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Last week, some of the biggest names in tech announced a partnership with Abu Dhabi’s leading AI entity, G42 – a project called Stargate UAE. It’...

The UAE's race to 'make it' here

21 May 2025

Contributed by Lukas

The UAE is in a race with itself to raise its manufacturing game.  From machine parts to pasta, there is one goal: Make it in the Emirates. That also...

What do Trump's business deals in the Gulf mean for the region and the US?

16 May 2025

Contributed by Lukas

US President Donald Trump’s historic trip to the Gulf has come to an end – but the business deals announced during it will have a lasting impact. ...

Why is Jordan burdened by external debt?

07 May 2025

Contributed by Lukas

The Jordanian government owed 44.8 billion dinars in public debt as of February this year. That’s more than $63 billion. It’s not $36 trillion dol...

Recession fears evoke deja vu. The Middle East might be safe.

23 Apr 2025

Contributed by Lukas

It's been a time of tumult on Wall Street – at the hands of the White House. US President Donald Trump made his plans for tariffs known on the campa...

Sanctions on Syria: a look back, a way forward

09 Apr 2025

Contributed by Lukas

For more than a decade, Syria has been under international sanctions aimed at pressuring Bashar Al Assad’s regime. But there is a longer history of ...

Trump's tariffs are back. What are they and what do they mean for the Middle East?

26 Mar 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Donald Trump has been vocal about his planned tariff war since setting foot on the campaign trail – in both his first and second times in office. Mr...

What challenges do women still face in the Middle East start-up scene?

12 Mar 2025

Contributed by Lukas

The start-up economy is booming in the Middle East, but despite progress, women remain underrepresented, as founders and as recipients of funding. Whi...

Al Masaood Automobiles chief on the future of mobility

03 Mar 2025

Contributed by Lukas

This episode is sponsored by Al Masaood Automobiles The global automotive industry is undergoing dramatic transformation as owners seek more from thei...

AI and the Gulf: Where it's been and what's next

26 Feb 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In the past decade, Gulf countries have prioritised innovation. It's part of a shift from their prime standing as oil economies to their new goal of...

IFC's Makhtar Diop on AI, investments and emerging markets

12 Feb 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Global leaders, policymakers and industry experts came together in Dubai this week at the World Governments Summit to discuss the most pressing chal...

TikTok, Meta and the Middle East: Social media shifts in the US and what they mean for the region

29 Jan 2025

Contributed by Lukas

It’s been a busy few weeks in the world of tech, with big names such as TikTok, Meta and X making moves in terms of policy and business models. Chan...

Business Extra is back with a new host

15 Jan 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Tune in every other Wednesday for top stories from a global business hotspot, with vital analysis from renowned experts, diverse perspectives from key...

Trump-Damac Dealing: What's behind it and what's next?

15 Jan 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Two weeks before returning to office, US president-elect Donald Trump has his eyes on the Middle East — and business interests that are storied to h...

Cash, not credit: the enduring power of paper

05 Dec 2024

Contributed by Lukas

For the past few decades, slowly but surely, paper cash has increasingly been viewed as antiquated. Digital payment options are in. You can pay by c...

How family values continue to drive the progress of Danube Group

02 Dec 2024

Contributed by Lukas

This page was produced by The National in partnership or collaboration with Danube Group. The Danube Group is a prime example of how 1990s oppor...

How NHC is driving the Saudi real estate success story

13 Nov 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Saudi Arabia is witnessing a housing boom that is transforming the country’s real estate sector, as home ownership rises and international investors...

The new Hindi large language model

25 Sep 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Just when you thought AI news and developments have reached peak saturation, it seems there’s always something new that captures our collective imag...

How Kamala Harris or Donald Trump might affect Middle East technology aspirations

18 Sep 2024

Contributed by Lukas

The Middle East, particularly the UAE and Saudi Arabia, has witnessed significant growth in sectors such as cryptocurrency, artificial intelligence, a...

How can EVs accelerate toward market growth?

11 Sep 2024

Contributed by Lukas

After decades of anticipation, electric vehicles are becoming the mainstream – as more hit the roads globally, despite bumps along the way.   ...

The future of digital banking in the UAE

05 Sep 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Banking institutions are a common denominator for many throughout the developed world. Though often portrayed as powerful and imposing, banks, especia...

How FinTech is evolving in the Middle East

14 Aug 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode of Business Extra, we explore the rapidly evolving FinTech landscape in the Middle East, where new apps and products are constantly em...

What to expect after the global stock market slump

07 Aug 2024

Contributed by Lukas

A global market sell-off kicked off the week, marking the biggest sell-off in decades. Japan’s Nikkei started things off, dropping 12 per cent, whic...

Paris 2024: How AI is a game changer for the Olympics

31 Jul 2024

Contributed by Lukas

The Olympics have always been a stage for showcasing human excellence in sports. But this year, technology and artificial intelligence play a pivotal ...

What did we learn from the global tech outage?

25 Jul 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Last week more than 8.5 million computers stopped working. The post-industrial and very much digital world in which we live, much of it anyway, came t...

Co-founder on Palestine Cola's plans to expand and market reaction

17 Jul 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Amid the war in Gaza, some communities, especially Arab ones, have decided to support the Palestinian cause by boycotting certain international brands...

Front Office Sports founder on the business of sport

10 Jul 2024

Contributed by Lukas

There is more to sport than wins and losses, the sports business comprises many factors, including the athletes, their training methods, their agents,...

How LinkedIn led growth, engagement and professionalism among social platforms

04 Jul 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Founded in California in 2002, LinkedIn’s growth has been at a methodical pace. Slowly but surely, the CV-based, aspirational job platform gained mo...

All about the UAE-based social media app that promises better monetisation

26 Jun 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In the rapidly evolving world of social media, many new, innovative platforms are still trying to challenge the dominance of industry giants by promis...

How did Snapchat win the GCC market?

19 Jun 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In 2011, amid the Arab uprisings, other protests around the world and the rise of social media, Snapchat emerged with a unique concept.   The a...

Social Media Edition – Gary Vee on TikTokification and tech addiction

12 Jun 2024

Contributed by Lukas

At a pivotal time when social media platforms are undergoing significant shifts, Business Extra host Cody Combs sat down with influential businessman ...

Social Media Edition - History, hopes and hurdles

05 Jun 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In this introductory episode of the Business Extra podcast, host Cody Combs delves into the evolution of the internet from its early days, the rise of...

Matt Dalio’s plan to improve education through gaming

22 May 2024

Contributed by Lukas

As the saying goes, life isn’t all fun and games, or is it? That’s part of the idea behind Endless Studios, a youth-focused game-making studio and...

From World Economic Forum: Where will electric vehicles be in 2030?

29 Apr 2024

Contributed by Lukas

More than 700 government officials, international organisations, politicians, corporate leaders and entrepreneurs have been gathering for two days in ...

What is the role of AI in global sustainability?

24 Apr 2024

Contributed by Lukas

How can environmental sustainability and corporate responsibility come together? As the world commemorates the 54th Earth Day this week, host Cody Com...

Driverless racing - what do we need to know about autonomous vehicles?

17 Apr 2024

Contributed by Lukas

The Yas Marina Circuit in Abu Dhabi is no stranger to motorsport memories. At the heart of those memories are usually big names such as Lewis Hamilton...

Ramadan Edition - Gilberto Silva and Tim Chase on Striver app

03 Apr 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Start-up Striver, which has football as its focus, is hoping to leave its mark as the world’s first abuse-free social media platform.   In th...

Ramadan Edition - How technology transformed observing faith for Muslims

27 Mar 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In today's fast-paced world, technology has become an integral part of our daily lives, and religious rituals are no different. And in Ramadan, Muslim...

Ramadan Edition - How can AI provide solutions to improve our lives?

22 Mar 2024

Contributed by Lukas

It’s Ramadan, a time of reflection and renewal in all aspects of life. And though it might seem like quite the juxtaposition, the themes of reflecti...

Ramadan Edition - How the eSIM business connects people and saves lives

13 Mar 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Ramadan is a time of reflection, solidarity and community. One of the core values of the month for Muslims is to gather with family members for big ...

Tech Edition - How Abu Dhabi's Adia Lab will use data for progress

28 Feb 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Never before have we had so much computing power so widely available. We have super computers, we have quantum computers and, yes, we have an unpreced...

Tech Edition - AI-generated deepfake videos, why should we worry?

22 Feb 2024

Contributed by Lukas

AI-generated deepfake videos and images often go viral, deceiving millions before the truth comes out, and even then, it keeps on circulating. In fact...

Tech Edition - Bloomberg executives on the impact of AI on finance

13 Feb 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Since 2022, the ripple of artificial intelligence has turned into a tidal wave around the world, having an effect on almost all industries and areas o...

Tech Edition - How an AI model will transform the health sector

07 Feb 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Large language models, more commonly known as LLM, are the backbone of what makes artificial intelligence so intelligent. M42, Abu Dhabi's technology-...

Tech Edition - What is the future of entrepreneurship in Sharjah?

31 Jan 2024

Contributed by Lukas

What do you do with a critical mass of talent yearning to make an entrepreneurial mark in the Middle East? That is the task faced by the UAE’s north...

Tech Edition - Will Vero change social networking?

24 Jan 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Does the world need another social network? Ayman Hariri, co-founder of Vero and son of former Lebanese prime minister Rafic Hariri, thinks so. Host C...

Tech Edition- AI & the complexities expected in 2024

17 Jan 2024

Contributed by Lukas

AI isn't going away, the metaverse is still showing signs of life, and cybersecurity concerns remain abundant. Just when you thought it was safe to en...

What trends will shape 2024?

27 Dec 2023

Contributed by Lukas

A new year is around the corner, and that particular time is always a great opportunity to look back and reflect. However, it's also essential to look...

Climate Edition – Building sustainable cities

13 Dec 2023

Contributed by Lukas

The Abu Dhabi Department of Energy will be moving into one of Masdar City’s net-zero buildings by the end of 2024, which shows the commitment to ene...

Climate Edition – Generating water without electricity

11 Dec 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Manhat, an Emirati-founded start-up launched in 2019, wants to be among the first to introduce a new technology to generate fresh water from the ocean...

Climate Edition - Is finance the solution?

08 Dec 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Participants at Cop28 in Dubai are more adamant about cutting emissions this time, chief executive of Dynamic Planet Kristin Rechberger told Business ...

Climate Edition - Why is Google at Cop28?

07 Dec 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Climate talks often conjure up images of smokestacks, car exhaust, and even aviation contrails. There’s also the mental image of endless climate mee...

Climate Edition - Sustaining agriculture in Gaza and ocean health

05 Dec 2023

Contributed by Lukas

The lives of 384 million people have been improved by more than 100 winners of the UAE’s Zayed Sustainability Awards over 15 years. This year’s aw...

Climate Edition - Young advocates in the Middle East (part 2)

04 Dec 2023

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode of the Business Extra podcast, host Cody Combs interviews three young climate advocates from the UAE, Morocco and Mauritania. Recordin...

Climate Edition - Young advocates in the Middle East

01 Dec 2023

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode of the Business Extra podcast, host Cody Combs interviews two young environmental game-changers from Lebanon and Jordan, exploring the...

Climate Edition - The history of Cop

29 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

About 80,000 participants from all around the world are expected to make the journey to the UAE for the much-anticipated Cop28 summit. But how did we ...

Climate Edition - What you need to know about Cop28

27 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Expectations are high for climate solutions as the UAE hosts the Cop conference for the first time. What is Cop? What should we expect at Cop28, and w...

What start-ups need to know about coming to the UAE

21 Jun 2023

Contributed by Lukas

In 2019, Hub71 invited start-ups to move to Abu Dhabi, promising founders free housing, office space and health insurance for the first year, access t...

LinkedIn on AI and future of jobs

14 Jun 2023

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode: LinkedIn's reach in the region and its evolution over the last 20 years (0m 23s) The impact of the Microsoft takeover (3m 32s...

What can we learn from previous financial crashes amid recession fears?

07 Jun 2023

Contributed by Lukas

The global economy has weathered the most tumultuous century in modern history and most of the previous financial crises have shared similarities from...

How does Snapchat keep the GCC so engaged?

31 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Snapchat long stood out among other social media platforms for introducing interactive user experiences such as filters and augmented reality features...

Cyber risks in the AI age

24 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

New research from cybersecurity firm Palo Alto Networks has found that a little more than half of chief executives in the UAE estimate potential losse...

How top companies think about change

17 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Questions loom about the future of work and there is no one-size-fits-all approach. Companies in the UAE have been turning to Cosmic Centaurs to navig...

Pfizer executive on pharma’s post-pandemic future

10 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Last week, the World Health Organization announced that Covid-19 no longer qualifies as a global emergency, marking an end - albeit a symbolic one - t...

e& group CEO on Careem Super App deal

26 Apr 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Fifth Wall eyes Gulf as it tackles real estate’s climate problem

19 Apr 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Brendan Wallace, co-founder and managing partner of Fifth Wall, the world’s largest venture capital firm at the intersection of real estate and tech...

What is a parent-friendly workplace?

12 Apr 2023

Contributed by Lukas

A new nationwide programme in the UAE, the Parent-friendly Label, is aimed at identifying employers supporting parents who are juggling work and home ...

CEO of OSN on Ramadan and watch trends

05 Apr 2023

Contributed by Lukas

  Ramadan is the time of year when consumers in the Middle East tend to up their TV, streaming and media consumption. Joe Kawkabani, chief executive ...

AP’s top editor on AI, fact-checking and journalism

29 Mar 2023

Contributed by Lukas

The senior vice president and executive editor of Associated Press, Julie Pace, joins Business Extra host Kelsey Warner this week to talk about the tr...

Gary Vee on ChatGPT, doom-scrolling and why he still believes in NFTs

22 Mar 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Gary Vaynerchuk, also known as Gary Vee, documents his life on social media, dispensing advice on entrepreneurship, technology and media to his more t...

What did we learn from four-day work week largest trial?

15 Mar 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Founder and managing director of 4 Day Week Global, Charlotte Lockhart, joins Business Extra host Kelsey Warner this week to share the results of the ...

Supply chains are ready for disruption, according to investors

08 Mar 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Sacha Haider, a partner at Global Ventures, joins Business Extra host Kelsey Warner this week to discuss supply chain technology. Haider is the younge...

MBZUAI president on careers in AI and the real concern for ChatGPT

01 Mar 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Professor Eric Xing, the president of Abu Dhabi's Mohamed bin Zayed University of Artificial Intelligence, joins host Kelsey Warner this week after th...

Why Abu Dhabi is becoming a destination for modern farming

22 Feb 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Host Kelsey Warner talks to the chief executive of US based agtech firm Aerofarms David Rosenberg about who they are and why they are opening an R&D c...

Why ’The New Silk Road’ is ready for an update

15 Feb 2023

Contributed by Lukas

The World Government Summit in Dubai is examining a rebalance of power, of demographics and of society's relationship to technology and energy. On thi...

The UAE’s corporate tax law explained

08 Feb 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Host Kelsey Warner talks to KPMG's Wassim Chahine about the new regime set to take effect this year. In this episode: What is the co...

What is VC investor sentiment in 2023?

31 Jan 2023

Contributed by Lukas

The startup scene in the region (0m 19sec) The moment when focus on growth turned to profitability (6m 27s) What is the meaning of ha...