UAE’s Non-Oil Business Sector Continues to Grow Despite Supply Constraints
The United Arab Emirates has witnessed a slight deceleration in the growth of its non-oil business sector in March, as per the latest survey findings. The S&P Global UAE Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI) indicated a modest drop to 56.9 in March from 57.1 in February. However, the index remains well above the neutral 50 threshold, suggesting that the sector continues to expand.
Despite a slight ease in the output sub-index from February’s near five-year peak, the growth momentum is still robust, buoyed by an influx of new business and a healthy project pipeline. The sector’s resilience is further underscored by the backlogs of work sub-index, which has hit a joint record high since June 2018, reaching 59.8 in March from 56.4 in February. This rise in backlogs is attributed to a combination of factors, including vigorous demand, administrative hold-ups, and notably, disruptions to shipping across the Red Sea.
David Owen, a senior economist at S&P Global Market Intelligence, commented on the sector’s performance, “The overall picture for the UAE non-oil private sector remained rosy at the end of the first quarter.” He pointed out that while the surge in backlogs could be seen as a concern for business health, it also indicates a level of pent-up demand that is likely to fuel further activity growth once the existing supply constraints are addressed.
The survey also revealed an uptick in the new orders sub-index to 61.5 in March from 60.4 in February, signaling sustained strong demand within the sector. Moreover, optimism among businesses about future prospects reached its highest in six months, suggesting confidence in the sector’s trajectory despite current challenges.
In conclusion, while supply chain disruptions have led to increased backlogs, the UAE’s non-oil business sector shows signs of continued growth and resilience. With strong demand and an optimistic outlook, the sector appears poised to maintain its upward trajectory once supply issues are resolved.
