Russia and the Gulf Cooperation Council
As 2025 draws to a close, the strategic trade and economic exchanges between Russia and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) have reached unprecedented depth and vibrancy. What began as periodic high-level consultations has matured into a multifaceted, mutually beneficial partnership rooted in macroeconomic complementarity, robust commercial cooperation, infrastructure connectivity, and shared interests in shaping a stable, multipolar economic order. From Sochi to Riyadh, from Dubai to Muscat, business leaders, policymakers, and investors increasingly speak of Russia-GCC relations not just in geopolitical terms but as a platform for sustainable economic transformation and shared prosperity, one that integrates trade, investment, transportation networks, innovation ecosystems, and people-to-people links across Eurasia, the Middle East, and Africa.
Dubai’s economic security centre launches campaign
The Economic Security Centre of Dubai (ESCD) on Monday launched a national awareness campaign to combat economic fraud under the slogan “Strong Economy… An Aware Society”. The initiative aims to empower individuals, businesses, and institutions with the knowledge, tools and vigilance needed to counter the rapidly evolving threat of economic fraud in an increasingly digital world. As fraudulent tactics grow more sophisticated through the use of artificial intelligence, deepfake technology, and deceptive online schemes, the campaign positions public awareness as the first and most effective line of defence in safeguarding the UAE’s economic achievements and maintaining global confidence in Dubai’s business environment. The campaign sheds light on some of the most prevalent and dangerous fraudulent practices currently targeting individuals and companies, including misleading commercial advertisements, deepfake manipulation, risks associated with buying and selling on online platforms, theft of bank card information through fake links, email and SMS phishing attacks, fraudulent investment schemes that promise unrealistic returns, manipulation in cryptocurrency and financial markets, and deceptive business deals and partnerships.
Pakistan shifts focus from aid to trade and investment with GCC
Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb said Pakistan is moving from an aid-dependent model to a trade- and investment-driven approach for sustainable growth, particularly with Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries.
In an interview with CNN Business Arabia, he said the shift, championed by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, reflects Pakistan’s renewed economic confidence and reform momentum.
Aurangzeb acknowledged the longstanding support of GCC nations, including Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and Qatar, highlighting their role in financing, funding, and cooperation at international financial institutions like the International Monetary Fund (IMF).
He said this relationship is now evolving towards trade expansion and investment flows.
Oman, India seek to deepen strategic and economic ties
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi will arrive in Oman on Wednesday for a two-day official visit, during which he will hold formal talks with His Majesty Sultan Haitham bin Tarik. He will be accompanied by an official delegation that includes senior Indian government officials.
The visit comes amid steady growth in Omani–Indian relations, particularly in economic cooperation, which has emerged as a central pillar of bilateral engagement. Ties between the two countries span centuries, encompassing trade, culture and people-to-people links, and the current engagement reflects shared ambitions to expand cooperation across key sectors.
India is Oman’s sixth-largest trading partner by total exports. Bilateral trade stood at about RO1.627bn at the end of September, according to the National Centre for Statistics and Information.
Indian direct investment in Oman amounted to RO268.4mn at the end of the second quarter of this year, while Omani direct investment in India was around RO5.5mn at the end of 2024. Sixty-one Indian-invested establishments were operating in Oman till last year. The number of Indian visitors to the sultanate reached 609,789 by November 2025.
Monetary policy support countered by oil challenges in GCC markets
Interest-rate-sensitive sectors are expected to remain engaged as GCC central banks follow the U.S. Federal Reserve‘s lead from last week. However, the decline in crude oil prices and the IEA’s prediction of supply exceeding demand by approximately 4 percent in 2026 could impact market sentiment, according to a new report from Iridium Advisors.
Following the Federal Reserve’s reduction of its policy rate by 25 basis points to a range of 3.50 percent–3.75 percent, the upcoming week will focus on significant monetary policy decisions from other central banks, as well as inflation data in anticipation of year-end. In the U.S., attention will be on non-farm payrolls and inflation figures to assess the prospects for further rate cuts versus maintaining the current rate. Europe will be in the spotlight with decisions from the European Central Bank and the Bank of England, while Asia looks to the Bank of Japan and macroeconomic data from China.
To see how the 21st-century economy is taking shape, look to the UAE
With more than 5,000 financial companies from 100 countries and tens of thousands of industry figures having gathered in the UAE for Abu Dhabi Finance Week, a closer look at the four-day event that ended on Thursday reveals a lot more than the pursuit of profit.
The breadth of topics and announcements – as well as the calibre of participants – is an indicator of what the global 21st century economy will look like and what it could do in the years ahead. Although not every country will embrace all aspects of the future economy as comprehensively as the UAE has, most nations will have to explore some combination of the elements seen in Abu Dhabi this week such as AI, data centres or next-generation finance.