Demand for oil is weak from major consumers in Asia, including China, Japan, and South Korea, with a reduction of more than 400,000 barrels per day. These countries are the main consumers of oil from Arabian Gulf producers, so the decline will have a major impact on Gulf economies without exception. In addition, demand in the United States has slowed by 70,000 barrels per day, along with reduced demand from Mexico. Oil prices have now fallen below $68 a barrel, a level not seen even during the 2009 financial crisis or the COVID-19 pandemic.

The sad reality is that oil prices are now much lower than in previous years, possibly reflecting the impact of U.S. tariffs, which may also be affecting domestic demand. Meanwhile, Europe and emerging markets such as India, Pakistan, and Vietnam show reduced demand. This could suggest that Far East countries either have surplus oil with no available storage capacity, or they are holding off in anticipation of further price drops. This is certainly bad news for OPEC, which recently increased crude output, pushing more than one million barrels per day in excess into the market.

With global oil demand at 104 million barrels per day and supply at 105.2 million, the market is now oversupplied by over one million barrels daily, and it is struggling to find buyers. As a result, prices have dropped below $68 a barrel, with no immediate signs of recovery. The question remains whether OPEC+ will return to its traditional policy of supporting crude oil prices by cutting production, a strategy that may ultimately benefit non-OPEC producers and erode OPEC+’s market share. This could lead to the same cycle of repeated policy shifts. Or will this time be different, as OPEC+ becomes more accustomed to outside borrowing? The oil market needs stability and clear guidance from OPEC+ to take the right actions that balance supply while managing oil prices at an acceptable level. This raises questions about the effectiveness of the quota system and the success of the overall policy of OPEC+. Most of the time, their measures work only briefly before the organization relaxes its stance. When oil prices rise, other producers increase output to capitalize on the situation, undermining OPEC’s efforts. This cycle repeats as prices eventually harden again.

The decline in oil prices is likely to continue, and nothing can change this unless OPEC+ intervenes as usual by calling for further production cuts, resulting, as always, in losses for the organization. As mentioned before, OPEC+ is relying heavily on borrowing from external banking sources to cover its deficits, a trend that is expected to continue unless oil-producing countries reduce their expenses and cut their budgets. In addition, it is important to explore new sources of income. Governments must also focus on creating jobs for recent graduates despite the drop in oil revenues. The future looks challenging, with lower oil prices and reduced income from oil. Our governments need to find alternative revenue streams and provide job opportunities for new entrants to the labor market. We must face these new realities – weaker oil prices, higher expenses, and growing numbers of job seekers. These are the new challenges facing the Arabian Gulf countries amid a period of lower oil prices.

By Kamel Al-Harami
Independent Oil Analyst
Email: [email protected]

DUBAI, July 12: Young professionals earning between AED 10,000 and AED 15,000 per month are being advised to allocate 20% to 30% of their income toward savings if they plan to invest in real estate. Property experts say disciplined financial planning—combined with gradual salary increases—can help prospective buyers accumulate enough for a down payment within three to five years.

“For properties priced between AED 600,000 and AED 900,000, buyers would typically need to save AED 90,000 to AED 180,000 for a 15% to 20% down payment,” said Adriano Vichi, co-founder of Monopoly Properties AVS. “With consistent monthly savings of AED 2,000 to AED 4,500 and prudent budgeting, this goal is achievable within three to five years.”

Real Estate Isn’t Just for the Wealthy

Vichi emphasized that real estate investment is no longer exclusive to high-income earners. “With the right strategy—understanding the market, selecting locations aligned with budget and expected returns, and timing entry—individuals with moderate incomes can also step into property ownership and start building long-term wealth,” he said.

For early-career professionals, the idea of investing in real estate might seem daunting. However, thanks to innovations like tokenisation and fractional ownership, the barrier to entry is significantly lower today, enabling more people to participate in the property market.

Breaking Traditional Barriers

Previously, financial institutions often required a minimum of six months’ salary history and a stable income to approve mortgage applications—making early investment difficult for newcomers to the workforce. But now, real estate tokenisation offers a new avenue. Ayman Youssef, Managing Director at Coldwell Banker UAE, explained that young professionals and even recent graduates can invest through fractional ownership with as little as AED 2,000.

Tokenisation involves converting the value of a physical property into digital “tokens” that are then bought and sold via blockchain—a secure and transparent digital ledger shared across a computer network.

Where Are the Investment Hotspots?

When it comes to where to invest, Youssef points to Dubai South, citing its proximity to the upcoming Al Maktoum International Airport. “The airport’s expansion is expected to drive strong demand for residential, commercial, and retail space,” he said.

Another promising area is Town Square, known for its master-planned communities and attractive price points. Planned connectivity improvements to Sheikh Zayed Road are expected to boost demand and raise property values in the future.

Don’t Overlook the Hidden Costs

Vijay Valecha, Chief Investment Officer at Century Financial, cautioned young investors not to underestimate the true cost of homeownership. “Many overlook recurring expenses such as insurance, maintenance, and utility bills, which can accumulate significantly,” he said. “It’s wise to build a solid financial foundation before entering the property market.”

He also stressed the importance of having an emergency fund. “Given that many young investors are in their first job, creating a financial safety net is essential,” Valecha said. “Ideally, they should save the equivalent of six months of living expenses in a liquid account to cover unforeseen setbacks, such as job loss.”

Valecha suggests that new earners structure their investment portfolios with a diversified mix—70% in equities, 20% in bonds, and 10% in real estate—adjusted based on individual risk tolerance and financial goals.

Investing from Just AED 500

For those with limited capital, platforms like SmartCrowd and PRYPCO enable investments in Dubai properties for as little as AED 500 and AED 2,000 respectively. The concept has gained significant traction. According to PRYPCO founder Amira Sajwani, one tokenised property on the platform was fully funded within 24 hours by 224 investors, while a second property was sold out in under two minutes.

Proceed with Caution

However, not all experts are convinced about the long-term value of fractional ownership. Zsombor Szokol, co-founder of Monopoly Properties AVS, advises caution. “While these platforms offer easier access, they come with trade-offs: reduced control over the asset, limited liquidity, and often lower income returns compared to full ownership,” he said.

“For serious investors, traditional methods—through direct acquisition backed by market research—remain the most reliable way to build a solid real estate portfolio,” Szokol added.

Final Word: Strategy Matters

Whether to start small through tokenisation or save gradually for full property ownership is ultimately a personal decision. While entering the market early with modest sums may seem appealing, prospective investors should weigh the risks and long-term benefits.

Dubai is rapidly embracing real estate innovation. Earlier this year, the Dubai Land Department (DLD) launched its Real Estate Tokenisation Project, now in the pilot phase. The initiative aims to drive substantial growth in the sector, with projections estimating that tokenised real estate transactions could account for AED 60 billion—roughly 7% of all property transactions—by 2033.

US President Donald Trump speaks during a lunch with African leaders in the State Dining Room of the White House on July 9, in Washington. (AP)

WASHINGTON, July 10, (AP): US President Donald Trump singled out Brazil for import taxes of 50% on Wednesday for its treatment of its former president, Jair Bolsonaro, showing that personal grudges rather than simple economics are a driving force in the U.S. leader’s use of tariffs. Trump avoided his standard form letter with Brazil, specifically tying his tariffs to the trial of Bolsonaro, who is charged with trying to overturn his 2022 election loss.

Trump has described Bolsonaro as a friend and hosted the former Brazilian president at his Mar-a-Lago resort when both were in power in 2020. “This Trial should not be taking place,” Trump wrote in the letter posted on Truth Social. “It is a Witch Hunt that should end IMMEDIATELY!” There is a sense of kinship as Trump was indicted in 2023 for his efforts to overturn the results of the 2020 US presidential election.

The US president addressed his tariff letter to Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, who bested Bolsonaro in 2022. Lula responded in a forceful statement that said Trump’s tariffs would trigger the country’s economic reciprocity law, which allows trade, investment and intellectual property agreements to be suspended against countries that harm Brazil’s competitiveness.

He noted that the US has had a trade surplus of more than $410 billion with Brazil over the past 15 years. “Brazil is a sovereign country with independent institutions that will not accept being taken for granted by anyone,” Lula said. Bolsonaro testified before the country’s Supreme Court in June over the alleged plot to remain in power after his 2022 election loss.

Judges will hear from 26 other defendants in the coming months, and legal analysts say a decision could come as early as September. The country’s electoral authorities have already barred Bolsonaro from running for office until 2030. The former president did not comment about Trump’s tariff decision on his social media channels, but wrote that he is being politically persecuted.