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Yousef Haddad

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Yousef Haddad writes for ICN.live about global markets, cross-border payments, and digital custody and has authored market coverage for Arab News Tech, and other regional publications. Known for clarity and precision, he trained in Broadcast Journalism and Media Communication at a leading Arab University. His passion for biking is very well known inside of the company. He has a huge collection of bikes.
DIEZ sets new economic measures

DIEZ sets new economic measures to support companies facing pressure across Dubai free zones today. The new package covers Dubai Airport Freezone, Dubai Silicon Oasis, and Dubai CommerCity from now. The authority wants stronger business continuity while regional conditions place extra strain on planning. Officials also want firms to keep moving, protect cash flow, and maintain daily operations.

This step fits wider goals for the Dubai economy and long-term investor confidence. DIEZ said the package supports a stable setting where companies adjust faster during change. The plan also backs operational resilience for firms working across trade, technology, logistics, and services. Leaders in Dubai often link practical support with stronger growth during uncertain periods.

In this case, DIEZ focused on cost relief and better flexibility for partner businesses. The authority said rental rates will stay stable during contract renewals under current circumstances.

Selected administrative charges will also disappear for a temporary period across the zones

Late licence renewal penalties will stop until conditions improve and business pressure eases. These decisions give firms more room to meet obligations without extra financial stress. Rent payment rules also changed, giving companies monthly instalments without added instalment fees. This part matters because liquidity often decides whether firms keep staff and operations steady. As I see it, this package targets immediate needs instead of offering broad promises.

The package also gives companies extra room to reshape ownership and internal structures. DIEZ deferred shareholder amendment fees for three months to reduce near-term expenses. Fees tied to company restructuring and authorised capital changes also received temporary waivers. These changes help firms reorganise faster when market needs shift across sectors.

Business continuity support across Dubai free zones

Licence activity amendment fees also received a three-month deferral under the package. This gives companies more freedom to expand, narrow focus, or enter related activities. Such flexibility matters when firms need quick responses to customer demand and supply changes. The measures support operational resilience because management teams gain more options with lower costs. For many businesses, timing matters as much as the size of the relief.

Quick decisions on rent, compliance, and structure often shape survival during difficult periods. The authority linked the initiative to Dubai’s long-standing support for the business community. Officials said the package reflects leadership goals for practical action and market stability. They also tied the measures to the D33 agenda and Dubai’s investment ambitions. That link matters because investors watch policy signals during periods of regional stress. When authorities ease burdens quickly, firms often view the market as responsive and dependable.

This response strengthens trust in the Dubai economy and supports future expansion planning.

Why DIEZ sets new economic measures matters now

The wider message reaches beyond fee reductions and delayed payments for current contracts. DIEZ wants a business environment where firms stay active and prepare for future growth. That approach supports Dubai free zones as competitive locations for regional and global operations. It also helps existing companies protect momentum instead of delaying decisions for long periods.

The package sends a clear signal that public institutions are tracking business needs closely. For partners inside DIEZ zones, the support offers breathing room during an unsettled phase. For Dubai economy planners, the move supports confidence, continuity, and stronger market competitiveness. DIEZ sets new economic measures with a clear purpose, to keep businesses stable and ready.

GCC banking sector revenues

The quarterly rise reached 1.7 percent, showing banks still expanded income despite softer fee generation. Net interest income did most of the work as lending volumes increased across major Gulf markets. Non-interest income slipped after seven rising quarters, trimming part of the gain from core banking activity. At the same time, impairments climbed to their highest level in eighteen quarters regionwide. That shift pushed aggregate net profit down to 15.6 billion dollars from Q3 2025 levels. Broad lending trends gave the quarter its main support, and credit facilities growth stayed widespread.

Listed GCC banks lifted gross loans by 2.7 percent, ending the quarter at 2.47 trillion dollars. Net loans also moved higher, rising 2.5 percent to 2.37 trillion dollars across the region. From my perspective, this pattern shows banks still found healthy demand outside oil-linked segments. Recent project awards and service activity supported borrowing needs in corporate and retail channels. Kamco also linked the trend to resilient non-oil growth across several major economies recently.

Personal and consumer lending remained the strongest driver in the UAE, Qatar, Kuwait, and Oman. Government borrowing also increased in the UAE, Oman, and Bahrain, backing public investment plans.

GCC banking sector revenues and lending strength

Customer deposits then fell 0.6 percent, reaching 2.78 trillion dollars after nineteen straight quarters of gains. This drop, paired with stronger lending, lifted the loan-to-deposit ratio to 85.4 percent. That level stood above the prior quarter reading of 82.8 percent, showing tighter liquidity. Banks still held large funding bases, yet the shift deserves close attention during 2026. Topline growth varied across markets, with Oman, Kuwait, Bahrain, and Saudi lenders posting revenue increases. UAE and Qatari-listed banks reported slight revenue declines, which softened the regional result.

Even so, the record headline confirmed strong earning power from core balance sheet expansion. GCC banking sector revenues also reflected stronger activity in households, government projects, and energy-related segments. Net interest income stayed central because lower yields on credit did not stop loan book growth. Non-interest income moved the other way, reflecting softer fees, trading flows, or related income lines. Energy and utilities lending also showed firm growth, especially in Kuwait and the UAE.
Those patterns matched wider regional spending on infrastructure, power systems, and transition-related projects.

Why profits slipped despite record revenue

Profit pressure came from higher impairments and a second straight rise in operating expenses. Those costs more than offset revenue growth, pulling quarterly earnings back from record levels. Oman stood out as the only market avoiding a quarterly profit decline during Q4 2025. Elsewhere, banks faced broader credit costs as some portfolios required heavier provisioning during the quarter. Construction and manufacturing also weakened in Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, and Bahrain during the period. That pullback may reflect project completion cycles or a more careful industrial expansion phase.

The sector still entered 2026 with scale, lending momentum, and clear support from investment programs. For readers, the main lesson is simple: revenue strength looked solid, yet risk costs rose. Analysts will watch whether GCC banking sector revenues keep rising if deposit competition increases. GCC banking sector revenues should stay linked to lending demand, deposit trends, and credit quality.