UAE Non-Oil Business Activity Surges to Nine-Month High in December

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 The United Arab Emirates' non-oil private sector recorded its fastest expansion in nine months in December 2024, buoyed by strong domestic demand and increased business activity, according to the latest S&P Global Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI) report. PMI Highlights Robust Growth The seasonally adjusted UAE PMI climbed to 55.4 in December from 54.2 in November, signaling robust growth well above the 50.0 threshold that separates expansion from contraction. This marked the third consecutive monthly increase, underscoring sustained recovery in the non-oil sector. Key drivers of growth included a notable rise in new business activity. The new orders subindex rose sharply to 59.3 in December from 58.0 in the previous month, reflecting strong domestic demand. Challenges Amid the Growth While domestic demand flourished, export growth slowed, with the export orders subindex dropping to a seven-month low. Additionally, businesses faced mounting backlogs due to capacity constraints,...

A Call for Immediate Action

 

A recent study published in the science journal Heliyon, "Water resources availability, sustainability, and challenges in the GCC countries: an overview," provides light on the gravity of the situation. The findings serve as a harsh reminder that the status quo cannot be maintained.

One of the most alarming discoveries is the depletion of subsurface water reserves in some locations, with levels reaching as high as 80%. Over-extraction not only depletes precious resources; it also causes saltwater intrusion, rendering the remaining freshwater supplies less useful.

 While the GCC governments have launched public media efforts to encourage water conservation, public response has been poor. It is past time for Gulf inhabitants to recognise the gravity of the situation and take appropriate action.

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