Latest Business and Market Updates
- Infrastructure: A fourth major highway is planned to connect the Dubai-Sharjah border to Ras Al Khaimah, featuring up to 16 lanes.
- Corporate: Emirates Global Aluminium has successfully restarted 50% of the smelting cells at its Al Taweelah facility.
- Technology: Bookings for the Tesla Roadster are now open in the UAE with pricing starting from Dh210,000, though a specific delivery date remains unannounced.
- Clarification: A circulating video regarding an incident in Makkah that allegedly resulted in two executions has been identified as misleading.
The UAE has emerged as the premier destination for fractional C-suite executives seeking international opportunities. Research from Fractional, the country’s largest collective of such professionals, indicates that nearly three out of four—73 percent—of these senior leaders looking to work abroad selected the UAE as their top choice. These applicants were almost three times as likely to target Dubai or Abu Dhabi compared to any of the other 62 city hubs within the organization’s network. With at least 70 per cent of cross-border applicants selecting Dubai or Abu Dhabi as their preferred location, the UAE ranked first in every month. Including those in their home market, applicants can apply through any of the 64 city hubs. The system records the country each applicant is in at the time of application. With the flexibility to bring in the right people at the right time.”, fractional gives them that C-suite expertise.
Analysis conducted on applications submitted between August 1 and October 13, 2026, confirms the UAE’s consistent appeal, ranking first in every observed month. Viral video on indecent act in Makkah that led to 2 executions is ‘misleading. Fractional analysed applications to its 64 city hubs between 1 August and 13 October 2026.
The profile of these candidates is highly experienced; over half possess at least 15 years of executive expertise, with more than a third boasting two decades or more in leadership roles. Roles represented in the applicant pool include chief operating, financial, marketing, technology, and human resources officers, as well as chief executives. In line with applicants already based in the UAE, more than half had at least 15 years of executive experience and over a third had 20 years or more.
The draw of the region is notably international, with non-resident applications originating from 27 different countries. Europe accounts for 36 percent of these applicants, while South Asia provides 24 percent. The data highlights a distinct trend: the UAE attracts a much higher share of foreign talent than other global hubs. While 27 percent of applicants for Dubai and Abu Dhabi hubs are based abroad, that figure drops to only 8 percent when looking at all other Fractional hubs combined.
Regarding their engagement models, about 31 percent of these non-resident executives expressed an intention to relocate permanently to the UAE. Conversely, approximately 67 percent plan to serve local businesses through periodic visits, opting to maintain their existing households rather than move. Notably, none of the senior executives already residing in the UAE applied for positions outside of the country.
Managing director of Fractional, Rhys Holding, noted that senior talent remains committed to the UAE, attracted by its lifestyle, rapid growth, and the chance to collaborate with internationally experienced peers.
Holding attributes this demand to the structure of the UAE economy, which is heavily comprised of small to medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).
As these businesses scale, they increasingly require high-level expertise without the burden of full-time permanent overhead.
Fractional leadership allows these companies to access C-suite experience precisely when it is needed most, providing a flexible and efficient solution for specialized corporate guidance.
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- E-911: UAE’s fourth highway from Dubai-Sharjah border to RAK to have up to 16 lanes.
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