Entrepreneurs emphasize that viral claims of panic do not reflect the real situation.
Dubai: Certain international reports on the ongoing geopolitical tensions in the Middle East have suggested a wave of departures from the UAE and portrayed the situation in dramatic terms. This includes AI-generated videos circulating online that depict war-like conditions in Dubai.
Business leaders in the UAE say the reality on the ground tells a very different story.
The British Chamber of Commerce Dubai reports that the British business community’s response has been calm and measured rather than reactive. Many entrepreneurs who have built businesses in the country over the past decade note that they are well-acquainted with the UAE’s leadership style in handling complex situations.
Katy Keenan, CEO of the British Chamber of Commerce Dubai, highlighted the strong sense of resilience within the business community. While companies are monitoring developments closely, the prevailing approach is to continue operating normally and avoid unnecessary disruption.
She noted that some international media coverage does not accurately reflect the situation on the ground. Based on the Chamber’s direct presence and engagement with members and the wider business community in the UAE, the mood is far from panic. Businesses and residents are following events carefully, but the overall approach remains calm, focused, and centered on maintaining continuity.
Business as usual: Britons praise UAE leadership and stability amid regional tensions – Katy Keenan
“From our direct presence here and engagement with members and the wider business community in the UAE, we can say the prevailing mood is not one of panic,” Katy Keenan said. “Businesses and residents are following developments carefully, but the general approach remains calm and focused on maintaining continuity wherever possible.”
She added that this sense of confidence is shaped by experience. Many business leaders still recall the decisive response during the pandemic, which reinforced the perception that authorities can manage complex situations while keeping the economy functioning.
Continuity built into the system
Entrepreneurs across sectors note that the UAE’s operating environment is structured to maintain continuity even during periods of disruption.
Raymond Kissany, partner at Davidson & Co Law Firm, explained that the country’s ability to operate through crises stems from systems that have been tested repeatedly. Previous events such as the global financial crisis, the pandemic, and the floods in April 2024 compelled businesses and institutions to refine their continuity plans.
“Each time, many commentators from outside the region wrote Dubai off,” said Raymond Kissany, partner at Davidson & Co Law Firm. “But Dubai had systems in place to ensure continuity, clear guidance, and the capacity for government and the broader ecosystem to step in quickly, stabilize, and keep essential activities running.”
Kissany added, “What gives me confidence that the UAE economy will remain resilient is that this is not the first time Dubai has faced what people call ‘unprecedented’ or ‘once-in-a-lifetime’ disruptions. The global financial crisis, Covid, and the April 2024 floods were all described in exactly those terms. Yet each time, Dubai demonstrated its ability to maintain continuity, provide clear guidance, and enable rapid stabilization across the economy.”
Clients continue to operate from the UAE and remain active in the market. Kissany noted that recent legal advisory work has focused on practical matters such as contractual risk allocation, supply chain continuity, and compliance, rather than business closures.
“The strongest indicator of continued confidence in operating from the UAE is what clients and partners are doing, not what they are saying,” he said. “We have already received a number of new corporate investments and expansion instructions.”
Businesses adapt, activity continues
Entrepreneurs across various sectors report a similar trend: operations have adapted where necessary, but business activity continues.
Natasha Hatherall-Shawe, founder and CEO of communications agency TishTash Group, said companies across the UAE have faced challenging moments before and have developed the ability to respond quickly.
“We are an established business of 14 years in the region, and we’ve demonstrated our resilience and determination to navigate even the toughest periods,” she said. “There is clear communication, strong infrastructure, and a consistent message from leadership that normal economic activity should continue.”
The UAE has built a reputation for calm and proactive crisis management. Strong leadership, robust infrastructure, and consistent communication have created a sense of stability that enables businesses to keep operating. For companies, that clarity is crucial and plays a key role in maintaining confidence during such periods.
Natasha Hatherall-Shawe
Founder and CEO, TishTash Group
Clients have adjusted their communications strategies and event plans to account for the broader situation, but commercial activity has continued. Campaigns have been reframed rather than cancelled, and new contracts are still being signed.
Stability driven by governance and infrastructure
Many entrepreneurs highlight governance and infrastructure as key factors supporting business confidence.
Paul Tilley, founder and managing director of research and communications firm IN2, said the UAE’s culture of long-term planning and its diversified economy create one of the most resilient operating environments in the region.
“The UAE offers a highly stable and resilient business environment, thanks to the clear strategic direction set by its leadership and a culture focused on long-term planning,” he said. “This forward-looking approach prioritises stability and economic growth, while the government’s ability to act decisively reduces uncertainty during periods of regional tension, allowing businesses to operate normally.”
Business as usual: Britons praise UAE leadership and stability during tensions
Paul Tilley MBE
Founder and Managing Director, IN2
“The UAE offers one of the most resilient and stable business environments in the region,” Paul Tilley said, noting that the government’s ability to act decisively helps reduce uncertainty during periods of regional tension.
Authorities have also stressed the importance of relying on verified information rather than rumours. This disciplined approach to communication has allowed businesses to plan and continue operations even as developments evolve.
Investor confidence holds firm
In the real estate sector, investor activity has continued despite the broader geopolitical backdrop.
Fayez Khouri, senior director of legal at RAK Properties, said that transparent governance and clear communication play a key role in maintaining confidence among both investors and residents.
“We’ve seen that daily economic activities and transactions are proceeding as usual,” Fayez Khouri said. “This is a significant factor for clients and stakeholders, both local and international.”
He added that the UAE’s resilience amid recent regional tensions is rooted in a strong foundation of prudent governance and diversified economic strategies. “As a real estate developer, our sector relies on clear regulatory frameworks, well-maintained public confidence, and the ability to plan with a measured approach,” he said.
Demand across the property market remains strong, supported by a diversified investor base seeking long-term value in the UAE.
Legal and advisory firms serving international clients report a similar level of confidence. Darren Harris, managing partner at Gateley Middle East, noted that businesses continue to operate smoothly thanks to the country’s robust regulatory framework and coordinated crisis management.
Fayez Khouri
Senior Director of Legal, RAK Properties
“The UAE’s regulatory clarity, advanced infrastructure, and coordinated crisis management create a stable and safe environment for business continuity,” said Darren Harris, managing partner at Gateley Middle East.
He added that with strong safety measures and transparent communication, the UAE enables businesses and individuals to continue operations without disruption.
Global hub continues to function
Companies with international operations note that the UAE’s connectivity and infrastructure allow them to adapt quickly as regional circumstances evolve.
Maire “Mo” Morris, CEO of Morris Global Consulting, said her company briefly shifted to remote work earlier in the week following government guidance, before returning to the office once conditions stabilized.
Darren Harris
Managing Partner, Gateley Middle East
“None of our projects have paused so far,” Maire “Mo” Morris said, noting that clients across the GCC, Europe, and the UK continue to operate normally.
She added that one of the reasons businesses choose to base themselves in the UAE is the consistency and clarity of governance. “When situations arise, the response from authorities is structured, decisive, and clearly communicated, allowing companies to adapt quickly without uncertainty.”
Business as usual: Britons praise UAE leadership and stability during tensions
Maire Morris
CEO, Morris Global Consulting
Some logistical disruptions have occurred, including minor shipment delays linked to temporary airspace adjustments. However, Morris emphasized that international partners remain confident in the UAE as a hub for regional operations.
“Brands remain very confident in the UAE as a place to operate,” she said. “There is strong underlying confidence that the UAE will remain stable and continue to function as the region’s key business hub.”
Stability built into the business environment
Matt Hewitt, partner at OneSpace and a British entrepreneur who has lived in the UAE for 15 years, said the country’s stability becomes most apparent during challenging periods. Reliable infrastructure, clear government communication, and the ability of institutions to respond quickly allow companies to continue operating without disruption.
He noted that the UAE has deliberately built a resilient economy. “Dubai, for example, is heavily diversified across trade, finance, logistics, tourism, and technology rather than relying solely on oil,” Hewitt said. “Even amid global events or regional tensions, multiple sectors continue to drive the economy.”
Business as usual: Britons praise UAE leadership and stability during tensions
Matt Hewitt
Partner, OneSpace
“From my experience running a business like ours in the UAE, leadership and predictability are key,” Hewitt added. “We know our internet works, our utilities work, and the information we receive from the government is timely and accurate, so operating here is actually quite straightforward.”
Reflecting on previous crises, including the pandemic, he said decisive government action has consistently reinforced confidence among businesses and investors.
“When the UAE faces an event, it tends to respond quickly, calmly, and in a highly coordinated way. That kind of reassurance is priceless,” Hewitt said.
He added that the country’s diversified economy also helps sustain momentum during uncertain periods. Dubai’s growth across sectors such as trade, finance, logistics, tourism, and technology ensures the economy does not rely on a single engine.
“In our own business, we host some of the world’s largest companies as tenants, and the feedback is consistent,” he said. “They value the UAE because it offers both connectivity and stability.”
Calm response despite global headlines
Across sectors—from law and communications to consulting and real estate—the message from entrepreneurs is consistent. Companies are monitoring developments closely, making adjustments where needed, but continuing operations.
While geopolitical tensions remain a feature of the wider regional environment, business leaders emphasize that the UAE’s institutions, infrastructure, and regulatory framework continue to support stability. On the ground, the prevailing mood is steady rather than alarmed, with companies focused on maintaining continuity and planning for the long term.
