The National · 5 Oct, 13:00 · Business briefing

Non-oil sectors in UAE and Saudi Arabia maintain strong growth trajectory despite Iran war

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The briefing

The story
in brief.

What happened, who it affects, and why it landed on our intelligence desk — in plain English, sixty seconds or less.

Recent reports indicate that non-oil economic sectors in the UAE and Saudi Arabia continue to demonstrate robust growth, remaining resilient despite regional tensions associated with the conflict involving Iran. This sustained trajectory underscores the effectiveness of ongoing diversification strategies within both nations. For professionals, this signals a stable and expanding market for industries beyond traditional energy, suggesting continued investment and operational expansion in sectors such as technology, tourism, and logistics. The data highlights a decoupling of economic performance from geopolitical volatility, offering a clear indicator of long-term structural change in the Gulf’s economic landscape.

Employer demand for Crisis Management skills — indexed growth since 2019
Indicative index of skill mentions in professional job postings for the field this story moves (2019 = 1)

Your move

What this means
for your career.

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This resilience signals that demand for expertise in diversification sectors will remain high, regardless of regional instability. You should prioritise skills in Crisis Management and Risk Management Strategies to navigate uncertain environments effectively. Professionals in supply chain, finance, and project management are particularly well-positioned to capitalise on this stability. To stay competitive, you must demonstrate adaptability and strategic foresight. Focus on understanding how non-oil industries mitigate geopolitical risk. Update your profile to highlight experience in volatile markets and resilient business models. Engage with courses that teach how to maintain operational continuity during crises. By positioning yourself as a stabilising force, you become indispensable to organisations seeking growth strategies in the Gulf. Act now to align your skill set with these enduring market trends.

For this story, the fields that convert it into pay are Crisis Management, Risk Management Strategies, Supply Chain and Business And Management — exactly the programmes matched below. The chart shows the indicative salary uplift certified professionals report in each of those fields; every one of them is a click away, from £79, finishing in as few as 20 days.

Indicative salary uplift in the fields matched to this story
Indicative ranges from published continuing-education salary studies, by field — each field is a recommended course below

Matched to this story

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