Morning Drive

Osad

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  Key Market Insights & Investment Trends Post-Forex Expo 25.09.2026 36min

  Forex Expo Dubai has wrapped up, bringing together global traders, brokers, and fintech innovators to unpack the future of trading and financial technology. In this interview, Finance Educator and Entrepreneur Raja Zahoor (Dominion Markets) breaks down the biggest takeaways from the expo, how macro trends and geopolitical shifts are driving regional sentiment, and what investors should watch closely as we move into the final months of the year. He also shares key insights on the rise of Gen Z investors, navigating social media financial advice, and the critical role of risk management during periods of high volatility.
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  GCC Banks face AI gap: core systems need overhaul 24.09.2026 21min

  GCC banks are investing heavily in artificial intelligence, but can their existing technology infrastructure keep up? Today, we look at what banks need to modernize as AI becomes increasingly central to financial services.Joining us from Seamless Middle East 2026 is Mücahit Gündebahar, Co-founder and CEO of Fimple , who has more than 25 years of experience across banking technology and fintech.
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  How UAE Interest Rate Increases Affect Mortgages, Loans and Savings 24.09.2026 26min

  In this segment of The Morning Drive on Mira Business FM, James Thomas breaks down the recent interest rate rise and its direct financial impact on UAE residents. Following the US Federal Reserve’s 25-basis-point increase, the Central Bank of the UAE raised its base rate from 3.65% to 3.90%.
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  The Hiring Crisis: What’s Broken in Modern Recruitment? 24.09.2026 1t 5min

  In this episode, David Mackenzie and Tim Elliott take a deep dive into the current state of hiring. From the rise of AI-driven resume screening and ghosting to the shifting power dynamics between employers and job seekers, they explore why the recruitment process feels more fragmented than ever — and what both companies and candidates can do to navigate it.
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  64% of UAE SMEs Still Run on Excel. Is Your POS Being Wasted? 23.09.2026 26min

  A new Fortis survey of more than 130 UAE merchants reveals a surprising digital gap: 64% of SMEs still run core operations on Excel, even as businesses invest heavily in digital transformation. Many already have a powerful tool sitting at the checkout: their POS system. But are they actually using it to run the business? Joining us is Ahmed Sameh, CMO at Fortis, to look at why UAE SMEs may be leaving valuable business intelligence untapped.
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  Dubai Landlord Renewal Charges: Are Extra Admin Fees Legal? 23.09.2026 31min

  Tim Elliott speaks with EVA Real Estate Senior Manager Mario Volpi to discuss a major friction point for Dubai tenants: unexpected lease renewal charges. Volpi clarifies Land Department guidelines regarding administrative fees and assesses whether real estate agents deserve compensation when managing commercial transactions, tenancy agreements, or Ejari contracts.
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  US-Iran Escalation: What It Means for Gulf Energy Investment 23.09.2026 19min

  Billions of dollars are being committed to Gulf energy projects, but renewed US-Iran tensions are raising fresh questions about the region’s investment outlook. With oil prices above $100 and continued risks around regional energy infrastructure, how could the latest escalation affect the Gulf’s major investment plans?Frank Kane, Editor-at-large at Arabian Gulf Business Insight, joins us to look at the outlook for Gulf energy investment and what businesses and investors should be watching.
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  Abu Dhabi Property Market Targets Wealthy Investors, Not Speculators 22.09.2026 22min

  Abu Dhabi is reshaping its property market to target multi-generational family wealth, high-net-worth end users, and family offices rather than yield-seeking speculators. Highlighting a distinct strategy from neighbouring Dubai, government-backed developers are launching premium villa projects priced from AED 8.5 million upwards, positioning the capital as a prime regional safe haven. Tim Elliott speaks to Ajay Menon, CEO of Luxe Vista Properties, to unpack this.
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  AI Is Changing How We Sell Food 22.09.2026 24min

  AI is rapidly changing food marketing, giving restaurants and brands new ways to create images, menus and promotional campaigns without traditional production costs. But what does this mean for the creative industry behind food advertising?And as AI-generated food becomes harder to distinguish from the real thing, businesses face a new question: how far can they go without losing customer trust?On Morning Drive, Tim Elliott speaks with Lucy Bradley, Founder of Plug, about how AI is reshaping food marketing.
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  Islamic Banks Stay Strong as Regional Tensions Rise 22.09.2026 19min

  Regional tensions are putting financial systems across the region under pressure, but Islamic banks are showing resilience. Strong capital and liquidity buffers are helping the sector absorb shocks. So, what is keeping Islamic banks stable, and can that resilience hold if tensions persist? Tim Elliott is joined by Islamic economics and finance expert Dr. Adnan Aziz to break it down.
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  How Geopolitics Is Changing Middle East Aviation 21.09.2026 21min

  Geopolitical tensions since February have disrupted travel, air routes and aviation across the Middle East. Now, the region’s airports are adapting to a new operating environment, with resilience, security, technology and investment becoming bigger priorities.Global Airports Forum returns to Riyadh on November 30 and December 1, bringing aviation leaders and investors together to discuss what comes next for the industry.We’re joined by Daniyal Qureshi, Managing Director of Global Airports Forum, to look at how the region’s aviation landscape is changing and what the industry should expect next.
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  Why Schools Are Investing Big in Specialist Sports 21.09.2026 24min

  Schools are moving beyond football, basketball and athletics, with specialist sports like golf and motorsport entering the classroom. As schools invest in specialist facilities and academies, sports are becoming a new competitive advantage in education. Tim Elliott speaks to Joshua Levenson, Director of Futures at GEMS School of Research Innovation, about the business behind this shift and what it means for the education market.
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  Can AI Help Businesses Beat Cyber Threats? 18.09.2026 26min

  As cyber threats become more sophisticated, security teams are facing a growing flood of alerts. At GISEC Global 2026 in Dubai, UAE-based cybersecurity company Paramount has launched SoCMate, an AI-powered assistant designed to help security teams investigate threats and respond faster.Joining us is Pradeep Menon, Chief AI and Security Officer at Paramount, to discuss how AI is changing cybersecurity and why speed can make the difference when an attack hits.
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  Why Luxury Dining Is Moving to Memberships 18.09.2026 24min

  Luxury dining is becoming more focused on value, access and exclusivity, creating new opportunities for businesses that can connect consumers with premium experiences. Mehreen Omar, Co-Founder of SupperClub Global, joins us to discuss the growing demand for exclusive dining benefits, how partnerships with premium hospitality brands are reshaping the customer experience, and what it takes to build a business around this model.
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  US Fed Hikes Rates: Gold Yield Parity and Oil Shocks Shake Markets 18.09.2026 21min

  Tim Elliott sits down with Monetary Metals' Jeff Rhodes to dissect the US Federal Reserve's first interest rate hike in three years. They analyse the impact on gold prices, examine shifting oil supply dynamics, and debate whether higher interest rates can truly curb energy-driven global inflation.
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  Couples, Cash, and Conflict: The Emotional Cost of Joint Finances 17.09.2026 29min

  Financial stress remains a top contributor to household friction, yet practical money management is rarely discussed openly. In this episode, Tim Elliott speaks with Independent Financial Consultant James Thomas, who leverages 27 years of wealth management experience to break down joint budgeting, asset allocation, and smart strategies for managing shared expenses.
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  Maldives Luxury: What’s Next for Middle East Travellers? 17.09.2026 25min

  The Maldives remains one of the world’s leading luxury travel destinations, but traveller expectations are changing fast. As the industry looks towards Travel 2040, resorts are rethinking luxury, sustainability and the guest experience. Joining us is Frederic Bohez, COO of Pulse Hotels & Resorts, to discuss the Maldives, Arabian Travel Market 2026 and the future of luxury hospitality.
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  Degrees vs Skills: Middle East Hiring Shifts Focus to Hands-On Experience 17.09.2026 39min

  In an exclusive interview with Tim Elliott, David Mackenzie, Managing Director of Mackenzie Jones Middle East, discusses why regional employers are increasingly prioritizing practical skills, industry certifications, and adaptability over traditional university degrees—and how real-world experience is fast becoming the defining metric for career advancement.
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  Sri Lanka Wants 3 million Tourists. Can the Gulf Help? 17.09.2026 28min

  Sri Lanka is targeting 3 million international tourist arrivals over the next 12 months, with the UAE and wider GCC playing a key role in that growth strategy. With eight daily direct flights from the UAE and eight daily connections across the wider GCC, the country is looking to attract more visitors while expanding into luxury, wellness, MICE, weddings and cruise tourism. Joining Tim Elliott are Sri Lanka’s Consul General in Dubai, Hon. Alexi Gunasekera, and Mr. Chamila Jayarathna, Director of the Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau, to discuss the strategy and the opportunities for Gulf travellers and businesses.
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  Is AI Changing the Cybersecurity Game? 16.09.2026 44min

  Cyber threats are evolving fast, and traditional security monitoring may no longer be enough. At GISEC Global 2026, Obrela is showcasing how Agentic AI, security analytics and continuous monitoring can help businesses move from reacting to attacks to predicting and preventing them. Joining Tim Elliott is Stephen Marriott, Cybersecurity Expert at Obrela.