News related to
good

The city-state’s employers have set a striking pace as they head into the final quarter of 2025: a Net Employment Outlook of 45 per cent signals that nearly three in five organisations expect to expand their workforces. That optimism comes amid shifting global headwinds, structural reforms, and a rising demand for specialised talent.

The ManpowerGroup Employment Outlook Survey canvassed 525 UAE employers across sectors to assess hiring intentions. A positive balance of 45 per cent means that those anticipating workforce increases outnumber those expecting reductions by nearly half. This figure places the UAE among the world’s more aggressive labour markets, especially given challenges such as global trade uncertainty, rising automation, and fluctuating commodity prices.

This projected hiring boom is not evenly distributed. The strongest demand lies in transport, logistics and automotive, energy and utilities, and consumer goods and services. These sectors appear ready to leverage infrastructure projects, green energy transitions, and regional consumption growth. Meanwhile, the information technology sector is showing solid demand at +48 per cent, reflecting sustained digital transformation pushes.

Driving much of this confidence is corporate expansion: 40 per cent of participating firms cited scaling operations as their primary reason for hiring. Another 28 per cent pointed to pivoting business models and growth into new areas. In addition, nearly 30 per cent of respondents acknowledged that talent shortages—and competition for specialised skills—are influencing recruitment strategies.

Yet the buoyant sentiment is tempered by caution. Roughly 10 per cent of employers still expect to trim staff, particularly in roles vulnerable to automation or in sectors facing structural disruption. Around 15 per cent responded that they will hold staffing constant, prioritising internal upskilling over external recruitment. In interviews, some HR executives noted that while they want to hire aggressively, wage inflation, geopolitical uncertainty, and regulatory shifts may prompt them to phase recruitment over several quarters.

Regional and global context strengthens the UAE’s position. In the third quarter of 2025, the UAE recorded a world-leading NEO of +48 per cent. That marked a standout alignment with its long-term growth strategy, and the Q4 figure of +45 per cent suggests sustained momentum rather than a cyclical spike. Elsewhere, the global average NEO stood at +24 per cent during Q3 — placing the UAE’s outlook nearly double the global benchmark.

Analysts view this hiring optimism as part of a broader strategy to reposition the UAE as a knowledge-economy hub. Recent government initiatives have focused on advanced manufacturing, artificial intelligence, sustainability, and logistics corridors. These programs have triggered demand not only for engineers and technicians but also for data scientists, sustainability consultants, and cross-disciplinary professionals. In one corporates sector round-table, a senior UAE CEO observed that “the competition for deep tech talent is global, and we must offer not just pay but opportunity, stability and a pathway for growth.”

Labour authorities are also aligning policies with employer needs. New visa frameworks, targeted Emiratisation programmes, and regulatory incentives for R&D investment are being synchronized with workforce forecasts. At the same time, the UAE’s PMI for non-oil activity has held above the expansion threshold, underlining demand growth across private sectors and supporting hiring intent.

However, potential headwinds remain significant. Global supply chain disruptions, slowing demand in key export markets, and monetary tightening in major economies could dampen growth. Employers may delay or scale back hiring plans if external pressures intensify. Some labour economists warn of mismatches between skills supplied locally and those demanded, especially in emerging fields.

By Anjan Roy Donald Trump’s high fees for H1B visas are a serious headache for India, not just for the sake of its impact on India’s IT sector and services exports to USA. This is a huge worry for the overall security environment and strategic- diplomatic scenario for India. Among others, if China is able […]

The article China Is Making Every Effort To Attract Talent Thrown Out By America appeared first on Latest India news, analysis and reports on Newspack by India Press Agency).

India has engaged with Washington over the U. S. decision to impose a one-time $100,000 fee on new H-1B visa applications, warning that the move threatens the mobility of skilled professionals and could strain bilateral trade ties.

The External Affairs Ministry affirmed it would continue talks with relevant stakeholders in the United States, emphasising that talent exchange has underpinned innovation and growth in both economies. The government noted that the new rule may disproportionately affect Indian nationals, since they constitute a significant share of the H-1B pool.

The White House announced that the fee will apply only to fresh petitions filed from September 21, 2025 onwards, not to renewals or existing visa holders. The administration framed this shift as part of efforts to prevent misuse of the visa system and prioritise higher-wage, high-skilled cases.

India’s reaction underscores deep concerns within its technology sector—many firms rely on U. S. operations staffed via H-1B sponsorship. Analysts estimate that the fee hike could reduce IT margins by 4–13 percent depending on visa intensity, while Indian IT stocks saw steep declines following the announcement.

At the same time, India is navigating friction on trade. U. S. tariffs levied on Indian goods—particularly a 50 percent cumulative duty tied to India’s oil imports from Russia—are already under scrutiny in bilateral talks. Officials assert that the visa and trade issues will be addressed as interconnected elements of the broader U. S.–India partnership.

During meetings on the sidelines of the U. N. General Assembly, India’s Foreign Minister and Commerce Minister held discussions with their U. S. counterparts, reinforcing that continued engagement is essential to manage tensions. The Indian side has also said that relevant domestic departments are evaluating options concerning the impact of the tariffs.

Despite the pushback, some U. S. industry figures support the new fee. Leaders at firms such as Nvidia, OpenAI and Netflix have welcomed the shift as a mechanism to prioritise high-value talent. Others, including JPMorgan’s CEO, have warned it risks driving skilled workers to competing nations. U. S. medical associations are lobbying for exemptions, arguing that the steep cost could impede physician recruitment, particularly in underserved areas.

India’s Finance Ministry has called for heightened monitoring of the economic fallout, citing possible impacts on remittance inflows and service exports. The ministry has described the short term as manageable but warned of long-term risks if the regime remains in place.

Within India’s tech industry, there has been a strategic pivot. Companies have invested over $1 billion in onshore training and hiring in the U. S., reducing dependence on H-1B deployment. Industry bodies argue that this shift could help absorb the shock should visa access tighten further.

Still, experts caution that such mitigation has limits. Smaller firms and startups that depend on cross-border talent mobility may feel the squeeze most acutely. Some analysts suggest that alternative destinations, including Canada, South Korea and the UK, may be more appealing to Indian professionals seeking global opportunities.

By Satyaki Chakraborty The Communist Party of India(CPI) concluded its five day Party Congress at Chandigarh on September 25 reelecting D. Raja as the general secretary of the CPI for another three year term. Raja is the first dalit leader to head the CPI in 2019 after the then party secretary S Sudhakar Reddy sought […]

The article CPI’s 25th Party Congress Elects D Raja As The General Secretary For The Third Time appeared first on Latest India news, analysis and reports on Newspack by India Press Agency).

The Indian rupee plunged to a lifetime low of ₹88.7975 per US dollar, sliding about 0.5 per cent on the day as fears over a sharp hike in U. S. H-1B visa fees rallied selling pressure across foreign exchange markets. Intervention by the Reserve Bank of India failed to staunch the slide fully, leaving the currency exposed amid faltering capital inflows and heightened external risks.

Markets pointed to the visa fee jump as a critical trigger. The Trump administration’s new proclamation imposes a $100,000 application cost on fresh H-1B visa petitions, vastly above its prior range, and is widely seen as a threat to remittance flows and the earnings outlook for India’s technology exporters. Meanwhile, persistent foreign portfolio outflows and U. S. tariff tensions on Indian goods compounded downward pressure.

Analysts estimate that remittances from the U. S. account for roughly 3.4 per cent of India’s GDP, making any disruption in the flow of workers and repatriated funds significant for the external balance. The visa change, if sustained, could erode that buffer. Traders now widely expect the rupee’s trajectory to remain weak in the coming weeks unless policy tailwinds emerge.

Speculation is building that the RBI sold dollars via state banks in the ₹88.50 zone to support the rupee, but the support was limited. While intervention took multiple forms—spot market, non-deliverable forwards and futures—the central bank appears to be managing volatility more than defending a fixed exchange rate. Some market participants view the decline as partly calibrated and allowable, until macro fundamentals justify a reversal.

Data from the RBI’s monthly bulletin show that in July alone, the central bank sold a net $2.54 billion in the spot foreign exchange market. It held forward dollar sales of about $57.85 billion at the end of July—suggesting pre-emptive hedging and reserve deployment to offset pressure. The use of forward sales is a tool to mitigate speculative demand and signal resolve.

U. S. rate expectations and the global dollar trajectory also weigh heavily. The U. S. dollar index remains firm, underpinning strength in emerging market currency pairs’ downside. Weakness in India’s export performance and looming protectionist measures add to caution. In September to date, foreign investors withdrew over $1 billion from Indian equities, pushing year-to-date outflows to roughly $16 billion.

Technology stocks bore the brunt of the rupee stress. With margins threatened by the visa fee shock, several large IT firms are already budgeting for higher immigration costs. Estimates place incremental fee burdens between $150 million and $550 million for major firms, depending on visa volumes and contract structures.

The Indian government mounted a diplomatic push in response, deploying a high-level delegation to Washington to discuss the visa fee policy and broader trade concerns. Delhi has warned of “humanitarian consequences,” arguing that abrupt changes in visa costs risk disrupting families and the livelihood of highly skilled professionals. In public remarks, Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal and other officials have insisted that they will press for reversals or carveouts.

White House sources clarified that the $100,000 fee will apply only to new applications, not renewals or current visa holders—a move that soothed some immediate concerns in the IT industry. That assurance has allowed short-term relief in some quarters, though uncertainty lingers over enforcement guidelines and compliance timelines.

By Nitya Chakraborty India’s South Asia diplomacy is proving a disaster as the neighbouring countries of the South Asian Association of Regional Cooperation (SAARC) are discussing in details the issue of the revival of SAARC which has been lying inactive in the political arena since 2016 due to India’s decision not to deal with Pakistan […]

The article How Narendra Modi’s Ego Has Destroyed India’s South Asian Diplomacy In The Recent Past? appeared first on Latest India news, analysis and reports on Newspack by India Press Agency).

China’s goods exports expanded by 4.4% year-on-year in August, the slowest growth in six months, as shipments to the United States plunged more than 33%, weighed down by steep tariffs. Customs data showed imports rising just 1.3%, leading to a trade surplus of approximately US$102.3 billion for the month. China has now posted a goods surplus of more than US$785 billion through the first eight months of the year.

Exporters are offsetting the loss of U. S. demand by shifting focus to markets in Southeast Asia, Africa and Europe. Shipments to Southeast Asian nations rose 22.5%, while exports to Africa are on track for an annual peak, demonstrating that China’s firms are diversifying sales away from U. S. consumers.

India has emerged as a critical destination. August saw Chinese sales to India hit record highs, with strong volumes in electronics playing a central role. Firms assembling smartphones and components have increasingly used export routes into India, capitalising on shifting supply-chains that seek to avoid punitive duties in U. S. trade policy.

The gains elsewhere have only partially compensated for losses in the U. S. Bilateral shipments to America fell by about 33% in August compared to the same month last year; exports to the EU, by contrast, rose about 10.4%.

Manufacturers are accepting lower profit margins to maintain volume. Domestic industrial profits have declined in recent months as overcapacity forces price-cutting for export orders. Meanwhile, home consumption remains weak, undercut by a property sector in distress, tight credit for consumers, and muted wage growth.

Trade policy experts warn the durability of this export pivot depends heavily on external stability. Many countries receiving surging shipments from China are contemplating anti-dumping investigations; India, for example, has reportedly registered dozens of petitions addressing low-cost imports from China and Vietnam. Indonesia has raised concern over ultra-cheap clothing items appearing in its large urban markets.

By Nantoo Banerjee Few will disagree that India should keep investing substantially in both onshore and offshore oil search as the country is becoming increasingly dependent on the import of petroleum crude to meet its energy needs. Currently, almost 86 percent of India’s annual crude petroleum needs are being met through imports. During his recent […]

The article Higher GST Will Hurt Oil-Starved India’s Exploration Drills appeared first on Latest India news, analysis and reports on IPA Newspack.

Record trade worth AED 336 billion from the Dubai Integrated Economic Zones Authority across its three free zones marked a 19% increase over 2023, with the zone authority accounting for 13.7% of Dubai’s non-oil foreign trade—the highest share recorded.

Dubai Airport Free Zone, Dubai Silicon Oasis and Dubai CommerCity together processed trade volumes of 444,300 tonnes, representing a rise of over 28% compared with 346,700 tonnes the year prior. Sector-wise, machinery, electrical and electronics led the growth, making up about 72% of total trade and increasing by approximately 17%. Precious stones, metals, jewellery and ornaments grew by 33% and contributed about 22%. Combined, both sectors accounted for nearly 94% of total trade activity.

Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Chairman of the Executive Council, stated that these outcomes reflect Dubai’s ambition under the Economic Agenda D33, enhancing its role as a global hub through innovation and competitiveness. Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Chairman of DIEZ, affirmed this was the fourth year of sustained growth, noting increasing investor confidence and strengthened global trade partnerships.

Volume growth and value growth were supported by improved infrastructure and “integrated services” across the three zones, which reduced friction in supply chains. DIEZ’s performance coincided with Dubai as a whole achieving record highs in non-oil foreign trade.

While machinery, electronics and precious materials drove most of the expansion, other sectors are underrepresented, indicating a dependency on high-value goods. The focus now may turn to diversification to prevent vulnerabilities to sector-specific global headwinds. Economists suggest sustaining infrastructure investment and expanding trade ties beyond traditional markets will be critical for maintaining momentum.