Business
Dubai is emerging as a new launchpad for graduate talent – here’s why
For years, British graduates followed a familiar path: complete a degree, apply for schemes in London, Manchester or Birmingham, and hope to carve out a foothold in a crowded market. But that path is narrowing. Last year alone, 1.2 million applications were submitted for just 17,000 UK graduate roles. Even for high achievers, progress can feel like standing in a queue that isn’t moving.
It’s hardly surprising, then, that a new trend has emerged: graduates looking overseas, not simply for roles, but for genuine early-career acceleration. Increasingly, that search is leading them to Dubai and the wider UAE, where the country’s labour force has grown by nearly 9% over the past year and hiring sentiment ranks among the highest globally. The UAE’s Q4 +45% Net Employment Outlook is one of the highest globally, with more than half of employers planning to increase hiring.
Graduates look abroad
But statistics only tell part of the story. What young professionals say they want – international exposure, meaningful responsibility and the chance to shape their own trajectory – is precisely what Dubai has become known for.
“Dubai has become a global launchpad for ambitious talent,” says Rami Tawfiq, Director of Dubai Business Associates (DBA), one of the city’s most prestigious graduate programmes. “Organisations here seek globally minded talent with commercial acumen and cultural fluency; skills that DBA cultivates throughout the programme.”
Those skills are increasingly prized across sectors. According to Gavin Aspden, Partner at PwC Middle East, the city’s rapid economic growth has reshaped employer expectations. “Employers today expect graduates to think critically, adapt quickly, and communicate effectively. DBA’s blended model – technical consulting skills paired with soft skills and cultural awareness – creates graduates who can thrive in complex environments.”
Inside the DBA programme
This blended model is exactly what sets the DBA programme apart. Run under the patronage of the ruler of Dubai, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum,, the nine-month, fully funded programme offers outstanding graduates the chance to study, train and work within Dubai-based companies. It functions as both a transition from higher education into employment and a bridge between cultures, immersing participants in an international environment from day one.
While highly selective, the DBA programme offers something different: a clear, structured route into meaningful early-career experience. The most recent cohort was selected from more than 6,600 applicants across 146 countries. In total, 313 alumni from 53 nations have completed consulting projects for over 30 public and private organisations, saving an estimated $23 million in consulting fees.
The programme’s structure explains its appeal. Associates rotate through a combination of academic modules, skills development workshops, cultural immersion activities, and two major placements: a 12-week role embedded within a Dubai organisation, and a 12-week consulting project delivered as part of a team. Along the way, they receive career coaching, life coaching, masterclasses from business leaders, and hands-on mentoring.
For many alumni, this exposure becomes catalytic. “My DBA experience in Dubai absolutely fast-tracked my career,” says Cambridge graduate Leya Ali, now working in Business Development and Mergers & Acquisitions. “Working on real strategic projects with international teams gave me the analytical edge and cultural fluency top-tier firms value. Dubai offers early access to leadership and high-impact work — it was the best decision to take a leap of faith.”
The sentiment is echoed by employers themselves. “We consistently welcome DBA Associates because they bring fresh thinking and a global perspective to strategic logistics projects,” says Noor Salman, Vice President at dnata Cargo. “Graduates here gain real responsibility early, something rare in mature markets.”
Why Dubai stands out
Beyond the programme, Dubai’s wider ecosystem is part of its magnetism. Progressive immigration pathways, a secure environment, tax-free earning, world-class healthcare, and a multicultural population have helped attract more than 200,000 new residents in the past year alone. For graduates who grew up during economic uncertainty, the city offers not only opportunity but also stability.
With its speed, scale and international connectivity, Dubai has positioned itself at the forefront of this shift. The Dubai Business Associates programme is perhaps the clearest example of how the city is cultivating the next generation of global leaders – not through theory alone, but through deep, real-world learning.
As the global graduate landscape evolves, one thing is certain: the next chapter of early-career opportunity may not begin in a boardroom in London, but on the ground in one of the world’s most dynamic cities. For those willing to look beyond familiar borders, Dubai is no longer a distant idea, it is a genuine place to start.
Mumbai: Lower revenue as a share of GDP has been more than offset by cuts to subsidies and spending on current schemes, leading to the smallest fiscal consolidation in six years, likely positive for growth, a new report has said.
The fiscal consolidation for FY27 is the slowest in six years. And the budgeted disinvestment, which is a below-the-line funding item, is likely to see the highest rise in six years, the report from HSBC Global Investment Research said.
“The central government continues with fiscal consolidation, though signing up for a gentler path for FY27; the fiscal impulse will likely turn neutral after several years in the negative, and this should be good news for GDP growth,” the research firm added.
The report said that the services sector was the focus of the Budget, “with ambitious plans and increased outlays for medical institutions, universities, tourism, sports facilities, and the creative economy.”
Urban infrastructure saw a renewed push with each City Economic Region (CER) set to receive get Rs 50 billion over 5 years.
Seven new high-speed rail corridors will connect major cities, the report noted, adding large cities will also get an incentive of Rs 1 billion if they issue municipal bonds worth more than Rs 10 billion.
The report highlighted policy priorities, saying, “new manufacturing sectors were given incentives, namely biopharma, semiconductors, electronic components, rare earth corridors, chemical parks, container manufacturing, and high-tech tool rooms.”
Direct taxes are expected to grow faster than nominal GDP while indirect taxes will expand more slowly, with gross tax revenues budgeted to rise about 8 per cent year‑on‑year, the report said.
Central government set a fiscal deficit target of 4.3 per cent of GDP for FY27 after a 4.4 per cent estimate for FY26, and nominal GDP growth was pegged at 10 per cent.
Business
India’s $5 trillion economy push: How ‘C+1’ strategy could turn country into world’s factory
New Delhi: India is preparing for a major economic transformation. The Union Budget 2026-27 lays out measures that could make the country the top choice for global manufacturing using the popular ‘China +1’ (C+1) strategy. This comes as international companies rethink supply chains after COVID-19 disruptions, rising trade tariffs and geopolitical tensions.
India has positioned itself as the backup factory for the world that is ready to absorb international demand in case of any crisis in China or Taiwan.
The government has offered tax breaks for cell phone, laptop, and semiconductor makers, making India more attractive to foreign investors. Reducing bureaucratic hurdles for global firms, the budget also strengthens the National Single Window System to simplify business procedures. The message is clear: India is ready to step in as a global manufacturing hub, ensuring supply continuity for the world.
The expressway to a $5 trillion economy
China presently dominates about 40% of global manufacturing. Its factories supply critical products worldwide, but 2026 is expected to be a turning point. Expanding influence and economic opacity have made global companies seek alternatives.
India has leveraged this moment, offering a comprehensive incentive package for foreign manufacturers. Analysts call it more than policy; it is a blueprint to become a $5 trillion economy and reclaim India’s historic position as a global industrial leader.
Why the world needs India now
The COVID-19 pandemic exposed the dangers of over-reliance on a single supplier. When China halted medical exports, nations realised the need for diversified supply chains. Major companies such as Apple and Samsung now see India as a dependable alternative.
China’s aging workforce and rising labour costs further enhance India’s appeal. With 65% of its population under 35, India offers a vast, skilled and affordable workforce for decades. The geopolitical uncertainty surrounding Taiwan, which produces 90% of advanced chips, has also created demand for a secure manufacturing backup. India is stepping in to fill that gap.
How India stands to gain from China’s challenges
India’s budget, 2026-27, slashes import duties on cell phone and laptop components, turning the country into a hub for component manufacturing, not just assembly. Electronics exports are projected to cross $120 billion by 2025.
The government has also launched a Rs 1.5 lakh crore semiconductor mission, attracting companies like Tata and Micron to establish advanced chip plants in India. In the chemical sector, stricter environmental regulations in China have shut down several plants, benefiting Indian companies such as Privi Specialty and Aarti Industries, which are now filling gaps in global supply chains.
Incentives for companies
The Production Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme promises cash rewards for output, covering over 14 sectors. This is India’s answer to Chinese subsidies. From land acquisition to electricity connections, the National Single Window System now enables businesses to clear all approvals through a single portal.
Infrastructure investment has also received a massive boost, with Rs 11.11 lakh crore allocated under PM GatiShakti. New ports and dedicated freight corridors are being built to ensure that exports from India reach the world faster and cheaper than ever before.
India’s moves points to a strategic shift in global manufacturing. By rolling out the red carpet for foreign companies and investing heavily in infrastructure, technology and policy reforms, the country is poised to become the go-to destination for global supply chains. The C+1 formula is not only a concept; it is a roadmap to turn India into the next industrial superpower and a $5 trillion economy.
At a time when global markets are witnessing high volatility due to geopolitical uncertainties, the hike in securities transaction tax (STT) on derivatives trades hit investor sentiment on Dalal Street on the Budget day. This in turn led to a sharp sell-off that pulled the sensex down by nearly 1,500 points—its biggest points loss on a Budget day—to close at 80,773 points. The sell-off also left investors poorer by Rs 9.4 lakh crore, the biggest Budget day loss in BSE’s market capitalisation.The day’s trading was marked by high volatility. The sensex rallied over 400 points as FM started her speech, fell about 1,100 points after the STT hike proposal was announced, partially recovered by mid-session to trade 600 points down on the day and then sold-off to close below the 81K mark for the first time in four months.On the NSE, Nifty too treaded a similar path to close 495 points (2%) lower at 24,825 points. Fund managers and market players feel the day’s sell-off was overdone, compounded by the absence of most institutional players since it was a Sunday. “The market’s reaction (to the hike in STT rates) was a bit overdone, although the decision itself was unexpected,” said Taher Badshah, President & Chief Investment Officer, Invesco Mutual Fund. “I think markets should settle down in 2-3 days.” Badshah said the Budget was in line with govt’s set path of the past few years, showing a conservative approach to setting targets.“The revenue and expenditure targets for FY27 are achievable. And since the rate of inflation is lower now, the nominal GDP growth rate of 10% may turn out to be on the higher side as inflation normalises during the year,” the top fund manager said. In Sunday’s market, of the 30 sensex stocks, 26 closed in the red. Among index constituents, Reliance Industries, SBI and ICICI Bank contributed the most to the day’s loss. Buying in software services majors Infosys and TCS cushioned the slide. In all, 2,444 stocks closed in the red compared to 1,699 that closed in the green, BSE data showed.STT hike aimed at curbing F&O speculation The decision to raise securities transaction tax (STT) for trading in equity derivatives means trading futures & options (F&O) will be more expensive from April 1. STT on futures trading rises from 0.02% to 0.05% now, and on options premium and exercise of options to 0.15% from 0.1% and 0.125% respectively. This could more than double statutory costs of trading F&O contracts.While the move is to curb excessive speculation by retail traders who mostly suffer losses, investors sold stocks of those companies that derive a large portion of their turnover from this segment. Stock price of Angel One crashed nearly 9%, BSE crashed 8.1%, Billionbrains Garage Ventures that runs the Groww trading platform, lost 5.1% and Nuvama Wealth Management lost 7.3%. STT hike follows a Sebi survey that showed that 91% of the retail investors lost money in the F&O market with average loss per investor surpassing Rs 1 lakh per year. Institutional and some high net worth players took home most of the profits from the segment.18% GST on brokerage for FPIs removedThe Budget proposed to do away with 18% GST charged on the brokerage that foreign portfolio investors pay in India. Among the host of changes to the GST laws that the finance minister proposed, one was abolishing clause (b) of sub-section (8) of section 13 of the Integrated Goods and Services Tax Act, 2017. This is being “omitted so as to provide that the place of supply for ‘intermediary services’ will be determined as per the default provision under section 13(2) of the IGST Act,” the Budget proposal said.
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