UAE Launches ‘Markets of Tomorrow’ Initiative

The UAE government announced the signing of an agreement with WEF in the development of applications of the Fourth Industrial Revolution. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
The UAE government announced the signing of an agreement with WEF in the development of applications of the Fourth Industrial Revolution. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
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UAE Launches ‘Markets of Tomorrow’ Initiative

The UAE government announced the signing of an agreement with WEF in the development of applications of the Fourth Industrial Revolution. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
The UAE government announced the signing of an agreement with WEF in the development of applications of the Fourth Industrial Revolution. (Asharq Al-Awsat)

The UAE government has launched the "Markets of Tomorrow" initiative, in partnership with the World Economic Forum (WEF).

The initiative aims to develop new business accelerators that will prepare the UAE's national economy to embrace business activities focused on the new economy and boost its readiness to enter tomorrow's markets, utilizing the latest technological means.

The launch of the initiative is part of a comprehensive strategic partnership agreement between the UAE Ministry of Economy and WEF's New Economy and Society Center.

The UAE government also announced the signing of an agreement with WEF in the development of applications of the Fourth Industrial Revolution.

The deal was signed in the presence of Omar bin Sultan Al Olama, Minister of State for Artificial Intelligence, Digital Economy and Remote Work Applications, Deputy Managing Director of Dubai Future Foundation, Jeremy Jurgens, Managing Director & Head of the Forum's Center for the Fourth Industrial Revolution, and Sebastian Buckup, Head of Network and Partnerships, Member of the Executive Committee, WEF.

Al Olama stressed that the strategic partnership between the UAE government and WEF aims to serve communities by employing artificial intelligence, blockchain and various technologies of the future, and sharing innovative experiences and practices to provide supportive environments for the development of new ideas and projects that accelerate the process of scientific, technological, and cognitive progress.

Khalfan Belhoul, CEO of Dubai Future Foundation, said that the Center for the Fourth Industrial Revolution shapes new policies and strategies in areas such as artificial intelligence, blockchain and digital assets, among others.



Firm Dollar Keeps Pound, Euro and Yen Under Pressure

US Dollar and Euro banknotes are seen in this illustration taken July 17, 2022. REUTERS/Dado Ruvic/Illustration/ File Photo
US Dollar and Euro banknotes are seen in this illustration taken July 17, 2022. REUTERS/Dado Ruvic/Illustration/ File Photo
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Firm Dollar Keeps Pound, Euro and Yen Under Pressure

US Dollar and Euro banknotes are seen in this illustration taken July 17, 2022. REUTERS/Dado Ruvic/Illustration/ File Photo
US Dollar and Euro banknotes are seen in this illustration taken July 17, 2022. REUTERS/Dado Ruvic/Illustration/ File Photo

The US dollar charged ahead on Thursday, underpinned by rising Treasury yields, putting the yen, sterling and euro under pressure near multi-month lows amid the shifting threat of tariffs.

The focus for markets in 2025 has been on US President-elect Donald Trump's agenda as he steps back into the White House on Jan. 20, with analysts expecting his policies to both bolster growth and add to price pressures, according to Reuters.

CNN on Wednesday reported that Trump is considering declaring a national economic emergency to provide legal justification for a series of universal tariffs on allies and adversaries. On Monday, the Washington Post said Trump was looking at more nuanced tariffs, which he later denied.

Concerns that policies introduced by the Trump administration could reignite inflation has led bond yields higher, with the yield on the benchmark 10-year US Treasury note hitting 4.73% on Wednesday, its highest since April 25. It was at 4.6709% on Thursday.

"Trump's shifting narrative on tariffs has undoubtedly had an effect on USD. It seems this capriciousness is something markets will have to adapt to over the coming four years," said Kieran Williams, head of Asia FX at InTouch Capital Markets.

The bond market selloff has left the dollar standing tall and casting a shadow on the currency market.

Among the most affected was the pound, which was headed for its biggest three-day drop in nearly two years.

Sterling slid to $1.2239 on Thursday, its weakest since November 2023, even as British government bond yields hit multi-year highs.

Ordinarily, higher gilt yields would support the pound, but not in this case.

The sell-off in UK government bond markets resumed on Thursday, with 10-year and 30-year gilt yields jumping again in early trading, as confidence in Britain's fiscal outlook deteriorates.

"Such a simultaneous sell-off in currency and bonds is rather unusual for a G10 country," said Michael Pfister, FX analyst at Commerzbank.

"It seems to be the culmination of a development that began several months ago. The new Labour government's approval ratings are at record lows just a few months after the election, and business and consumer sentiment is severely depressed."

Sterling was last down about 0.69% at $1.2282.

The euro also eased, albeit less than the pound, to $1.0302, lurking close to the two-year low it hit last week as investors remain worried the single currency may fall to the key $1 mark this year due to tariff uncertainties.

The yen hovered near the key 160 per dollar mark that led to Tokyo intervening in the market last July, after it touched a near six-month low of 158.55 on Wednesday.

Though it strengthened a bit on the day and was last at 158.15 per dollar. That all left the dollar index, which measures the US currency against six other units, up 0.15% and at 109.18, just shy of the two-year high it touched last week.

Also in the mix were the Federal Reserve minutes of its December meeting, released on Wednesday, which showed the central bank flagged new inflation concerns and officials saw a rising risk the incoming administration's plans may slow economic growth and raise unemployment.

With US markets closed on Thursday, the spotlight will be on Friday's payrolls report as investors parse through data to gauge when the Fed will next cut rates.