Dubai non-oil private sector growth weakens to five-month low

Growth in Dubai’s private sector ended on a weaker footing in the third quarter, on the back of a contraction in employment and softer output growth.

The seasonally adjusted Emirates NBD Dubai Economy Tracker Index fell to 54.4 in September, down from 55.2 in August.

The survey covers the Dubai non-oil private sector economy, with additional sector data published for travel and tourism, wholesale and retail, and construction.

At the sector level, travel and tourism was the weakest performing category at 51.3 in September, followed by construction at 53.8 and wholesale and retail at 55.5 respectively.

A reading of below 50.0 indicates that the non-oil private sector economy is generally declining; above 50.0, that it is generally expanding. A reading of 50.0 signals no change.

“The Dubai Economy Tracker Index declined to 54.4 in September signaling the slowest rate of expansion since April. Both output and new work increased in September but at a slightly slower rate than in August,” said Khatija Haque, head of MENA Research at Emirates NBD.