UAE Doubles Support for Low-Income Emirati Families to $7.6Bln

 Vehicles queue to refuel at a petrol station in Dubai on June 30, 2022. (AFP)
Vehicles queue to refuel at a petrol station in Dubai on June 30, 2022. (AFP)
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UAE Doubles Support for Low-Income Emirati Families to $7.6Bln

 Vehicles queue to refuel at a petrol station in Dubai on June 30, 2022. (AFP)
Vehicles queue to refuel at a petrol station in Dubai on June 30, 2022. (AFP)

The United Arab Emirates is doubling the financial support it provides for low-income Emirati families to AED28 billion ($7.6 billion) to help them with soaring living costs in the Gulf state.

The expanded budget allocation, directed by UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, includes increasing existing benefits and establishing new ones targeted at mitigating the impact of inflation on food prices, and rising fuel and household energy costs.

The move is aimed at raising the annual social support allocation from AED2.7 billion ($734 million) to AED5 billion ($1.3 billion) to ensure family and social stability and provide the citizens with a decent life.

The program, overseen by the Ministry of Community Development, covers various social aspects for national families with limited income, including the allowances of the head of the family, the wife, and the children.

It also covers financial support for housing and other basic needs such as food, water, electricity and fuel, in addition to temporary financial support for the unemployed who are over 45 years old.

It introduced four new allowances: housing allowance, university education allowance, the allowance for unemployed citizens over the age of 45, and the allowance for unemployed job seekers.

The allocations are aimed at enabling low-income Emirati families to obtain adequate housing, encourage outstanding children to enroll in university, and support elderly citizens.

The housing allowance provided is between AED1,500 ($408.3) to AED2,500 ($680.5) per month until the family obtains government housing. Applicants who live with their parents or any other family are entitled to 60% of the sum.

The social welfare program provides a monthly subsidy of 50% for electricity consumption less than 4,000 kilowatts, and monthly subsidy for water at a value of 50% for water consumption less than 26,000 gallons, in addition to a monthly subsidy of 85% of the fuel price increase over AED2.1 per liter.



Digital Marketing Emerges as Engine of Economic Efficiency

Digital Marketing Emerges as Engine of Economic Efficiency
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Digital Marketing Emerges as Engine of Economic Efficiency

Digital Marketing Emerges as Engine of Economic Efficiency

In an era increasingly defined by data and rapid technological transformation, digital marketing has evolved from a simple promotional tool into a core driver of economic productivity. Experts say the discipline is reshaping business models by enabling precise targeting, reducing waste, and maximizing returns.

Financial and economic advisor Dr. Hussein Al-Attas told Asharq Al-Awsat that digital marketing is now an economic necessity rather than a luxury. “Digital transformation has become a key lever for productivity and return on investment,” he said, noting that analytics and artificial intelligence are redefining the rules of competition.

According to Al-Attas, the shift from broad-based marketing to highly personalized campaigns has allowed companies to forecast demand with greater accuracy, cut unnecessary costs, and accelerate sales cycles. He emphasized that this transformation offers smaller firms a chance to compete with major players by reaching their target audiences more efficiently and experimenting in new markets without heavy infrastructure spending.

“Today, the market value of a company is measured not just by its products but by the depth and quality of its data,” Al-Attas added, predicting that AI and predictive analytics will continue to revolutionize marketing by automating content, refining targeting, and driving higher returns. He also stressed the importance of respecting data ethics to build consumer trust and long-term growth.

Economic analyst Rowan bin Rabeean echoed these views, describing digital marketing as a true driver of productivity and economic expansion. She explained that the shift to real-time analytics has fundamentally changed supply and demand dynamics, as companies no longer rely on historical estimates but react to live market signals.

Bin Rabeean said that in today’s digital economy, smaller enterprises are finding unprecedented opportunities to expand their reach and enhance competitiveness. Affordable tools such as social media campaigns and search engine optimization allow them to reach customers more effectively than traditional channels ever could.

Looking ahead, she predicted that AI-powered marketing will help businesses anticipate customer needs before they are even expressed, driving smarter, faster decisions and elevating economic efficiency overall.

Bin Rabeean concluded that in this new landscape, those who own and understand data will hold the competitive advantage. However, she emphasized the growing imperative to protect consumer privacy alongside the rise of data-driven business models.