Saudi Arabia’s non-oil exports rose by 17.8 per cent in Q2 2025, according to official data, reflecting growth in both re-exports and national exports.

The increase included a 46.2 per cent surge in re-exports, while national non-oil exports, excluding re-exports, grew by 5.6 per cent, according to Saudi Arabia’s General Authority for Statistics.

The ratio of non-oil exports, including re-exports, to imports rose to 37.3 per cent in the second quarter from 35.8 per cent in the same quarter of 2024.

This was driven by the 17.8 per cent growth in non-oil exports, which outpaced a 13.1 per cent increase in imports during the period.

In contrast, a 15.8 per cent decline in oil exports in Q2 led to a 7.3 per cent year-on-year drop in total merchandise exports. This, combined with the rise in imports, pushed the merchandise trade balance surplus down by 56.2 per cent compared to the same quarter of 2024.

Oil’s share of the kingdom’s total exports slipped from 74.7 per cent to 67.9 per cent, reflecting a gradual rebalancing of the export basket.

Chemical products and machinery were the top non-oil exports and imports, respectively, with China continuing to be the primary trading partner in Q2 2025.

June showed a positive trend for non-oil exports in Saudi

However, monthly data for June showed a more positive trend, with non-oil exports surging by 22.1 per cent, outpacing a modest 1.7 per cent increase in imports. This lifted the trade balance surplus by 10.6 per cent year-on-year.

Even with oil exports falling by 2.5 per cent, the non-oil momentum was sufficient to keep overall merchandise exports in positive territory, rising 3.7 per cent.

Oil’s share of exports in June narrowed further, dropping from 74.7 per cent in June 2024 to 70.2 per cent.

Read: UAE economy hits Dhs1.776tn as non-oil sectors drive growth

As the UAE prepares for economic expansion in 2024 and 2025, new data reveals a deepening gap in salary trends across industries.

According to recent analysis, sectors like Finance, Banking, and Fintech continue to outpace others, offering salaries that average 24 per cent above the market median. Close behind is the Energy and Utilities sector, with wages 20 per cent above median levels.

Read more-UAE’s job boom: 56% of companies planning to hire

Vijay Gandhi, regional director of Korn Ferry Digital, EMEA, said the Technology and Innovation sector, particularly fields such as artificial intelligence, data science, and cybersecurity, also commands premium pay. “Transport, while less pronounced, still sits 4 per cent above the median,” he added.

On the flip side, several industries remain significantly underpaid compared to the national average. Workers in tourism and hospitality earn 19 per cent below the median, followed by construction (13 per cent below), trade, retail and consumer services (11 per cent), life sciences (8 per cent), and real estate (5 per cent).

Wage growth remains modest amid inflation

Despite the rising cost of living, salary increases across the UAE have remained relatively modest. Annual raises have averaged just 4 to 5 per cent in recent years. This stagnation is echoed globally. A Korn Ferry survey noted that many companies now plan no salary increases for most employees, focusing instead on rewarding only critical and high-impact roles.

“In today’s climate, reward programs must work harder,” the report notes. “They must be agile, inclusive, and aligned with both business goals and employee values.”

Facing pressure to retain talent without overextending compensation budgets, UAE companies are expanding their focus beyond traditional pay. Many employers have begun to adopt more holistic “Total Rewards” strategies.

These include financial wellness benefits such as student loan repayment assistance and flexible pension contributions. Wellness is also a rising priority, with 27 per cent of companies offering tailored mental, physical, and emotional health benefits.

Work-life balance is another key area of investment. Employers are expanding caregiving support and providing lifestyle perks to help staff manage personal and family responsibilities. Continuous learning and career growth are increasingly being used as strategic tools to attract and retain talent.

“As employees re-evaluate both personal and professional goals, companies must reassess their reward strategies,” Gandhi added.

Economic growth supports optimism

The positive salary trends in certain sectors are underpinned by a broader economic upswing. The UAE’s economy is projected to grow 4 per cent in 2024 and 6 per cent in 2025, according to the Arab Monetary Fund and the Central Bank of the UAE. This optimism is supported by strong government initiatives to boost local employment.

A $1.7bn budget has been allocated to support Emiratisation, with the goal of integrating more UAE nationals into the private sector. As of 2023, approximately 42,000 Emiratis had joined private companies, bringing the total to 92,000. The aim is to add another 36,000 Emiratis to the workforce by the end of 2024.

Still, not all experts are entirely optimistic. Some analysts have warned that the UAE’s rapidly growing population may suppress average salaries in the long run. Despite the economic gains, a recent Cooper Fitch survey forecasts no average salary increase for new hires in 2025, due to population pressures.

In the face of inflation and growing expectations around flexibility, UAE companies are rethinking their compensation strategies heading into 2025. According to the Mercer 2024 Total Remuneration Survey, salaries are projected to rise by an average of 4 per cent, driven by increased competition for talent and rising living costs.

“Companies need to strike a balance between employee satisfaction and financial sustainability,” said a spokesperson for Guildhall, a leading recruitment agency in Dubai. “It’s no longer just about pay; it’s about purpose, progression, and perks.”

Real estate and aviation drive talent demand

The real estate sector has been a major growth engine for employment. According to LinkedIn data, the number of property professionals in the UAE rose by 42 per cent in Q1 2024 compared to Q4 2023, while job postings in the sector surged 94 per cent during the same period.

Analysts at Bloomberg note that while developer activity is booming, unit handovers are not expected to peak until 2026–27. This suggests sustained demand for skilled professionals in the real estate space over the next few years.

Meanwhile, the aviation sector is also seeing record-breaking recruitment. According to Emirates’ 2023–24 Annual Report, the airline’s workforce grew by 10 per cent to 112,406 employees—its largest size ever. Etihad also onboarded over 2,300 new employees in 2023. Passenger traffic, a key employment driver, rose by 13 per cent, reaching nearly 98 million in the first eight months of 2024.

Tech jobs still outpacing supply

The UAE’s tech sector remains a key source of job creation. The country ranked first in the Middle East and 16th globally in Huawei’s Global Digitalisation Index (GDI) 2024. While AI-related hiring has not scaled as quickly as some predicted, 43 per cent of UAE-based respondents to a recent SAP-YouGov survey said that a lack of available AI talent remains a major challenge.

This mismatch between demand and supply continues to drive up compensation packages in AI, data science, and cybersecurity, areas that experts believe will define the future of employment in the region.

As the geopolitical climate continues to evolve across the Middle East, security concerns remain a critical factor in the UAE’s employment outlook. Experts believe the emirates will use its diplomatic leverage to help maintain regional peace and economic stability, both of which are essential for sustaining talent attraction.

Retail investors in the UAE are showing strong confidence in their domestic market while balancing global exposure and defensive assets, according to the latest edition of the UAE Retail Investor Beat by eToro. The survey, which polled 1,000 UAE-based investors, highlights shifting portfolio priorities, growing interest in commodities, and the rising role of AI in trading strategies.

George Naddaf, managing director of eToro (MENA), believes the findings reflect a maturing retail investment sector in the Gulf, where optimism about local markets is complemented by pragmatic diversification.

Shifts in sector and asset preferences

Naddaf said, “There are shifts but there are also constants. Compared to a year ago, financial services, real estate and technology are still the most popular sectors in terms of what respondents are currently invested in. However, energy has overtaken communications and staple and discretionary consumer goods, becoming the fourth most popular sector. Similarly, crypto is still the most popular asset class. However, while alternative investments like real estate were the second most popular option a year ago, they have now been overtaken by commodities, cash and local equities.”

Investor motivations are also evolving. “Investors’ goals have changed slightly as well. 52 per cent now invest for financial independence and 48 per cent for long-term security, compared to 39 per cent and 37 per cent respectively in 2024, emphasising their relative importance over goals like generating capital for a future payment or outperforming their savings account,” Naddaf added.

Balancing regional and global opportunities

Diversification remains a key priority. According to Naddaf, UAE investors are blending home-market confidence with international exposure. “The recent Retail Investor Beat (RIB) survey by eToro reveals that 85 per cent of investors are backing local stocks, and 58 per cent expect the Middle East to deliver the best returns over the next five years. Still, at the same time, investors are not ignoring global markets. The US ranked second with 50 per cent seeing the strongest long-term returns there, while China ranked third at 35 per cent.”

Trade tensions have also shaped investor sentiment. Naddaf said, “Against trade tensions, many are anchoring their portfolios in regional markets that they view as resilient and well-supported by government initiatives (such as the UAE), while trimming exposure to countries most affected by tariffs.”

AI reshaping investor behavior

The survey also captures early signals of AI’s impact on both investment trends and decision-making. Naddaf said, “First, on the market side, investors are channeling capital into technology firms, particularly those adopting or enabling AI, as part of their long-term growth strategies. 35 per cent of respondents are currently invested in technology stocks, while 36 per cent plan to in the next 3 months.”

On the behavioural side, AI is democratising access to institutional-grade tools. “We believe that AI’s biggest influence on retail investor behaviour and decision-making is that it will provide them with valuable tools and capabilities that were historically reserved for institutional investors. That’s why recently eToro introduced a suite of new AI tools that allow vetted Popular Investors to build customisable apps and dashboards on top of eToro’s new public API, enabling them to innovate like top quantitative hedge funds. In addition, our new AI companion, Tori, provides personalized insights and guides users across the platform through natural conversation, while our AI-powered Alpha Portfolios deliver quant-style strategies traditionally reserved for institutions.”

Equities, ETFs and digital assets

Despite their enthusiasm for real estate and traditional asset classes, UAE investors are embracing a broader set of vehicles. Naddaf said, “Equities continue to be extremely popular, with 85 per cent of UAE retail investors holding local stocks — 39 per cent in Abu Dhabi, 28 per cent in Dubai, and 18 per cent in both. Among sectors in the UAE, investors are also most optimistic about real estate, with 55 per cent choosing this sector.”

Digital assets remain prominent. “Crypto is already the most widely held asset class, with 54 per cent of investors participating. While the survey did not ask about holdings in ETFs specifically, when it comes to investing in UAE equities, 30 per cent of investors prefer baskets of stocks such as index funds or ETFs, while 44 per cent favour a mix of both ETFs and individual stocks. Only 24 per cent prefer individual stocks alone.”

Higher risk appetite than global peers

One of the survey’s standout findings is the relatively higher risk appetite of UAE investors compared with their global counterparts. “Comparing the new UAE data to eToro’s global data from Q2, UAE investors appear to have a higher risk tolerance than their global counterparts, as they are more likely to invest in more volatile assets like crypto (54 per cent vs 36 per cent globally) and less likely to keep money in cash (45 per cent vs 68 per cent globally). They are also much more likely to hold derivatives (47 per cent vs 21 per cent globally).”

Confidence in the UAE economy

This appetite for risk is underpinned by strong faith in local markets. “UAE investors are clearly optimistic about the local economy. This is clearly a reflection of confidence. Nearly two-thirds of investors describe themselves as ‘very confident’ in the UAE economy today, and 59 per cent express the same confidence in the long-term performance of local equities.”

That confidence is reinforced by the belief that the UAE market itself offers diversification. “Our survey shows that 64 per cent of retail investors believe that the UAE market itself offers sufficient diversification opportunities. That could be one of the reasons for their confidence.”

Still, Naddaf acknowledges the importance of balance. “Concentration does carry risk. To balance this, many investors are allocating to a range of other assets: cryptoassets (54 per cent), commodities such as gold and oil (47 per cent), cash (45 per cent), and alternatives like real estate and private equity (43 per cent) — in addition to domestic equities. Within the UAE market itself, sector diversification is evident, with 50 per cent of retail investors actively investing in financial services, 47 per cent in real estate, and 35 per cent in technology as well as many other sectors.”

Building resilience with commodities

Commodities are also becoming an important hedge in volatile times. “In response to global trade tensions, 53 per cent of investors are increasing exposure to UAE equities, while 51 per cent are boosting commodity allocations. When asked what type of assets are most resilient in a volatile trade environment, gold ranked number one at 49 per cent.”

For Naddaf, this dual approach strengthens investor resilience. He concluded, “Investors are then able to capture the upside from resilient local markets while cushioning portfolios with defensive assets. In my view, it positions UAE retail investors to remain resilient in the face of global uncertainty.”

In a bold move to elevate the spiritual and logistical experience of millions of pilgrims, Saudi Arabia is rolling out a series of improvements at the Two Holy Mosques that reflect a seamless integration of technology, hospitality, and spiritual inclusivity.

With the Umrah season in full swing, pilgrims arriving in Makkah and Madinah are being welcomed with a carefully coordinated network of services that prioritise ease of access, historical immersion, and global outreach, ensuring the journey of a lifetime is both spiritually enriching and effortlessly organised.

Read-Umrah 2025: New digital platform launched for visas

Integrated system built for millions

At the heart of this transformation is a fully integrated system of facilities and services aimed at managing the steady influx of pilgrims, many of whom have already begun arriving in significant numbers. In Madinah, the Prince Mohammad Bin Abdulaziz International Airport has been receiving thousands of Umrah performers daily, with support teams facilitating transportation, guidance, and catering services designed to create a smooth arrival experience, a Saudi Press Agency report said.

From the moment pilgrims touch down, their journey is carefully supported by a network of authorities. “A full range of services ensures a spiritually fulfilling and logistically smooth journey for every visitor,” said an official from the General Authority for the Care of the Affairs of the Grand Mosque and the Prophet’s Mosque, which oversees operations at both holy sites.

That experience continues at the Prophet’s Mosque, where pilgrims from various countries are welcomed with multilingual guidance and logistical support in the courtyards and prayer areas. As part of the Kingdom’s broader effort to highlight Islamic heritage, visitors are also encouraged to explore Madinah’s revered historical sites, many of which date back to the time of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH).

Smooth access at the Grand Mosque: Gates, bridges, and mobility

Meanwhile, in Makkah, the Grand Mosque, home to the Kaaba, has introduced enhanced access points designed to streamline the pilgrim flow and prevent overcrowding during peak times. Five primary gates, each topped with iconic minarets, serve as the main arteries into the mosque: King Abdulaziz Gate, King Fahd Gate, King Abdullah Gate, Umrah Gate, and Al-Fath Gate.

Among these, the King Fahd Gate, King Abdulaziz Gate, and the Al-Salam Basement provide direct entry to the Mataf area, where pilgrims perform the sacred act of Tawaf. For those accessing the site from the upper floors, the General Authority for the Care of the Two Holy Mosques recommends dedicated bridges including Al-Shubaika, Ajyad, and Al-Arqam, all engineered to handle large volumes of foot traffic efficiently.

When exiting from the Masa’a area, the corridor between the hills of Safa and Marwah, worshippers can rely on designated exits such as the Al-Safa Gate, Al-Marwah Gate, Al-Nabi Gate, and specialised facilities like the Al-Marwah Wheelchair Bridge.

“These infrastructure upgrades are critical,” the authority noted. “They not only help pilgrims reach their destinations within the mosque with ease but also play a vital role in minimizing congestion and ensuring the safety of all visitors.”

Reaching the world: Sermons now in 15 languages

In a parallel effort to make the spiritual message of the Two Holy Mosques more accessible to the global Muslim community, the Presidency of Religious Affairs has launched an ambitious translation initiative. As of August 1, 2025, Friday sermons from both the Grand Mosque and the Prophet’s Mosque are being translated into 15 international languages, streamed live through the presidency’s official YouTube channel.

This milestone marks the first phase of a wider plan to eventually reach 30 languages, enabling millions of non-Arabic-speaking Muslims to connect with the sermons’ powerful messages of faith, compassion, and moderation.

“The goal is to reinforce moderate Islamic values and harness modern technology to expand our reach,” said Sheikh Dr Abdulrahman Al-Sudais, President of Religious Affairs of the Two Holy Mosques. “By offering translations, we are opening doors for Muslims around the world to engage more deeply with the teachings delivered from these sacred sites.”

Unified vision for modern pilgrimage

The combined efforts, from infrastructure improvements and hospitality services to digital spiritual outreach, reflect a unified national vision: to make pilgrimage more accessible, inclusive, and meaningful for all. Whether it’s a pilgrim navigating the historic corridors of Madinah, entering the Mataf through a minaret-topped gate in Makkah, or listening to a Friday sermon from thousands of miles away in their native tongue, the kingdom’s approach is centered on both reverence and innovation.

With year-round preparations and collaboration among multiple authorities, Saudi Arabia is redefining what it means to serve pilgrims, not just as visitors, but as honored guests undertaking a sacred journey.

Agility Public Warehousing Company has confirmed that its wholly owned subsidiary, Menzies Aviation, has completed the acquisition of 100 per cent of US-based G2 Secure Staff for an enterprise value of $305m, with an additional $10m deferred consideration payable in 2026, contingent on performance milestones.

The deal significantly reinforces Menzies’ position as the world’s largest aviation services provider, now operating across 350 airports in 65 countries. As part of the integration, G2’s operations will be rebranded under the Menzies Aviation name, with a transition plan already underway to ensure continuity for employees, customers, and partners.

Financially, the acquisition is expected to deliver a strong uplift. G2’s financials will be consolidated with Menzies’, which is projected to boost group revenue by 20 per cent to over $3.1bn, based on Menzies’ FY2024 revenue figures.

This acquisition marks a major milestone in Menzies’ global growth strategy, further expanding its footprint in the US aviation services market and enhancing its capacity to serve airlines, airports, and passengers at scale.