# UAE GDP fell 2.1% in Q2; first half still up 0.4%

Second Order · 9 October 2026, 17:51 UAE time

<https://secondorderuae.com/brief/2026-10-09/>

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## 1. UAE real GDP fell 2.1% year on year to Dh476.9 billion in Q2 2026, leaving first-half growth at 0.4% (Dh961.9 billion), the Federal Competitiveness and Statistics Centre said.

Money & Banking

**What it means:** GDP grew 6.2% in 2025. In Q2 non-oil activity fell 1.1%, with tourism, transport and trade hit hardest, while finance and insurance grew 14.8% in the first half.

Source: [The National](https://www.thenationalnews.com/business/economy/2026/10/09/uae-economy-grew-in-first-half-of-2026-despite-impact-of-iran-war)

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## 2. Saudi Arabia's civil aviation authority said three Saudi citizens were killed in two missile attacks on Riyadh's King Khalid airport on 8 October that hit a Saudia aircraft and airport facilities.

Flights & Airspace

**What it means:** Riyadh flights, first suspended on 7 October, were gradually returning to normal on 9 October; the Houthis claimed the strike, saying they used two cruise missiles.

Source: [The National](https://www.thenationalnews.com/news/gulf/2026/10/09/saudi-airline-pilot-among-three-killed-in-attacks-on-riyadh-airport)

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## 3. Iran has warned regional countries that any attempt to open new oil export routes would be treated as hostile, a senior regional official close to Tehran told Reuters.

Shipping & Supply

**What it means:** The routes in question: Gulf producers have been moving oil along the Omani side of the strait and transferring it in the Gulf of Oman with US aerial support, Reuters sources said.

Source: [MarineLink](https://www.marinelink.com/news/iran-close-hormuz-routes-risk-tanker-543573)

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## 4. President Trump said on 8 October he had no intention of ordering attacks on Iran before the US midterm elections in November.

Safety

**What it means:** The pledge covers strikes, not the strait: Trump also said the US blockade of Iranian shipments through Hormuz stays in full force.

Source: [The National](https://www.thenationalnews.com/business/energy/2026/10/09/oil-headed-for-weekly-gain-on-impact-of-middle-east-tension-and-hurricane-isaias)

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