Shows / Morning Drive
Morning Drive
Morning Drive is Mira Business FM’s flagship weekday programme airing Monday–Friday, 8 AM–12 PM. Presented by Tim Elliott, it delivers a dynamic mix of business news, expert analysis, and in-depth interviews with thought leaders and market specialists.
From financial markets and economic trends to entrepreneurship, technology, property, and leadership, the show explores the stories shaping today’s business landscape, equipping listeners across the UAE and beyond with practical insights that…
Episodes
Morning DriveFrom Corporate Boardrooms to... Motorsport?
Corporate executives Alan VanderMolen and Jon de Jager step into the pit lane as co-founders of Dutch Brothers Racing. Speaking with Tim Elliott, the duo…
Morning DriveWhy Budgeting Fails—and What You Should Do Instead
Tim Elliott and Independent Financial Consultant James Thomas dissect a BBC report on Lloyds Bank CEO Charlie Nunn’s controversial personal finance advice…
Morning DriveGlobal Hiring Slowdown: What It Means for Candidates
As global recruitment giants face staggering profit falls and regional office closures, a hiring slowdown is gripping major international markets. Presenter…
Morning DriveGold Expert Projects Surge Past $5,000 Mark
Tim Elliott is joined by Monetary Metals’ Jeff Rhodes to analyse the global gold market’s resilient performance amidst inflation fears and looming interest…
Morning DriveMENA's Auto Slowdown. Who Is Still Buying Cars?
Halfway through 2026, the MENA automotive sector is facing a sharp 3.9% decline in vehicle sales. Presenter Tim Elliott sits down with Anna-Marie Baisden, Head…
Morning DriveWhy Landlords Prefer Empty Homes Over Flexible Pay
Dubai’s rental market is moving toward a more modern, flexible future. Speaking on Mira Business FM today, EVA Real Estate’s Mario Volpi tells Tim Elliott that…
Morning DriveUSD 375 Million Deal to Power the Middle East's Clean Energy Growth
UAE-based energy transition platform Positive Zero has closed a landmark non-recourse debt facility of up to $375 million, marking a major milestone for the…
Morning DriveIs Georgia the Plan B of Dubai Investors?
Is Georgia the new frontier for luxury real estate? Following a high-profile Mira Verde launch in Tbilisi, Luxe Vista Properties CEO Ajay Menon sits down with…
Morning DriveCan Your Investments Survive the US-Iran Crisis?
Fresh tensions between the US and Iran are rattling global markets once again, and raising fresh questions about inflation, interest rates, and where investors…
Morning DrivePeace on Hold: What the US-Iran Escalation Means for Business
Fresh uncertainty hangs over the Middle East as US-Iran escalations transform into a conditional war over the strategic Strait of Hormuz. Tim Elliott speaks…
Morning DriveCan Emirati Ingredients Become a Global Food Trend?
One UAE entrepreneur believes dates and camel milk could be the foundation of a new generation of premium, high protein snacks, while also supporting food…
Morning DriveWill Gold Prices Go Up?
Tim Elliott speaks with gold expert Jeff Rhodes of Monetary Metals about the forces shaping the gold market. They discuss recent price movements, interest…
Morning DriveHow Do You Keep a 130 Year Old Business Relevant?
Tim Elliott speaks with Nahel Selo, Creative Director of Sedar Global, about how a company founded in 1892 continues to thrive. They discuss innovation…
Morning DriveLow Credit Scores: What They Really Cost
Tim Elliott welcomes independent financial consultant James Thomas to explore the implications of having a low credit score. They discuss borrowing, mortgages…
Morning DriveAre You Bored at Work?
Are you bored at work? It might not be laziness—it could be the first sign of burnout. Mackenzie Jones MD David Mackenzie joins Tim Elliott on Mira Business FM…
Morning DriveEver Wonder How Your Delivery Arrives So Fast?
In this exclusive interview, Mira Business FM presenter Tim Elliott sits down with Constantin Kodsi, Director of Logistics for Talabat UAE. They pull back the…
Morning DriveHow UAE Universities are Transforming Vacation into Career Launchpads
As global employers demand real-world readiness, the traditional summer break is transforming into a critical career launchpad. Tim Elliott tackles the…
Morning DriveWhatsApp’s New Privacy Feature Weaponised by Cybercriminals, Experts Warn
As WhatsApp rolls out its highly anticipated username feature to boost user privacy, cybersecurity experts are warning of a potential disaster. Cyronel founder…
Morning DriveWhat’s Next for UAE Property Investors?
Tim Elliott sits down with Mario Volpi, senior manager at Eva Real Estate, to break down the pivotal developments shaping Dubai’s booming property sector over…
Morning DrivePeace Talks, Oil Shock and Qatar's Economic Contraction
Tim Elliott sits down with AGBI - Arabian Gulf Business Insight Editor-at-large Frank Kane Frank Kane to analyse why Qatar faces a 14% economic contraction…
Morning Drive"It's Too Far"... Or Is It? Challenging Property Location Myths
Why do so many buyers judge a property by its distance from familiar landmarks rather than what it truly offers? Tim Elliott speaks with Ajay Menon, CEO of…
Morning DriveTaylor Said I Do. What Does It Cost in the UAE?
Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce's wedding has captured headlines around the world, putting the spotlight back on lavish celebrations and what it really costs to…
Morning DriveHow a Fragile US-Iran Ceasefire Impacts Gulf Banks
Fitch Ratings has revised its Gulf banking sector outlook to deteriorating, warning that structural health relies on a sustained US-Iran ceasefire. Whilst…
Morning DriveBritish Degree for Less? New UAE Scholarships Could Change the Cost of University
Tim Elliott sits down with De Montfort University Dubai Provost, Simon Bradbury, to discuss groundbreaking financial relief initiatives. The interview analyses…
Morning DriveWhat's Driving GCC Demand for UK Property?
GCC investor interest in UK property has surged by 16%, driven by regional conflicts and a desire to mitigate risk. While London’s Westminster remains a prime…
Morning DriveHow Etihad Rail Will Change Where We Live and Work
As passenger services officially commence on the Etihad Rail network, host Tim Elliott sits down with Mackenzie Jones Middle East MD David Mackenzie to dissect…
Morning DriveGold Surges Past $4,200 as US Payroll Growth Slows
US non-farm payrolls came in significantly lower than expected, dampening aggressive interest rate hike noise and sparking a massive overnight gold rally back…
Morning DriveWill Higher Hormuz Fees Push Up Prices Worldwide?
Could the cost of moving oil through one of the world's busiest shipping lanes soon hit consumers everywhere? Fresh concerns are emerging that proposed charges…
Morning DriveMore Than Half of GCC Employees Feel Constantly Stressed
The latest GCC People Pulse from Ipsos and Employee Experience Exchange reveals a surprising contradiction in the region's workforce. Employees are more…
Morning DriveStrait of Hormuz: Can Fragile Peace Keep Global Shipping Safe?
A ceasefire has eased tensions between the US and Iran, but uncertainty over the next round of peace talks means risks remain in the Strait of Hormuz. So, how…
Morning DriveDubai Retail Property Sales Hit Record Highs
Dubai's retail property market is off to a flying start in 2026, with sales values jumping 171% to AED2.1 billion, driven by a surge in off-plan deals. At the…
Morning DriveUAE E-Invoicing Is Here. Is Your Business Ready?
A major change to how businesses issue invoices is officially underway. The UAE launches the pilot phase of its new e invoicing framework from July 1, marking…
Morning DriveUAE Hiring Update. Is Summer the Best Time to Land a Job?
Is hiring slowing for summer, or are employers still actively recruiting? We take a look at what's really happening in the job market.Joining Tim Elliott is…
Morning DriveReal Estate Impact of the Etihad Rail Launch
Tim Elliott sits down with Mario Volpi, Senior Manager at Eva Real Estate, to discuss the official launch of passenger services on Etihad Rail. They explore…
Morning DriveCan Saudi Property Laws Lure Corporate Talent Away From Dubai?
As Vision 2030 drives global multinationals to relocate corporate operations to Riyadh, can property ownership market shifts convince top executive talent to…
Morning DriveMicroplastics, Imported Bottles: What Are We Actually Drinking
We consume it daily, but do we truly know what’s in our water? Tim Elliott sits down with BE WTR Founder Mike Hecker to unpack growing concerns over…
Morning DriveSummer Camps Cash In as Schools Close
As schools close for summer, demand for holiday camps is rising, transforming childcare into a fast-growing business. Charlotte D’Souza, Co-Founder of Blah…
Morning DriveWho's Training AI? Data Workers Speak Out
AI is transforming business and daily life, but questions are growing over how the people training these systems are treated. Joining Tim Elliott to discuss…
Morning DriveWhy Every World Cup Team Wants a Hit Song
As the World Cup intensity peaks in the knockout stages, music has become as crucial to a team's campaign as their tactical formation. Julie Hanse, Director of…
Morning DriveA New Approach to Senior Care for Emiratis
As businesses adapt to a period of economic uncertainty shaped by regional geopolitical tensions, flexibility has become the new constant. Joining Tim Elliott…
Morning DriveCan Uncertainty Make Your Business Stronger?
Dubai is doubling down on confidence. After the recent regional conflict, government leaders brought businesses together to protect the emirate's status as a…
Morning DriveIs Gold Mispriced? Bullion Hits 7-Month Low as Market Pressures Mount
High inflation, a surging US dollar, and expected interest rate hikes have pushed gold to a seven-month low. With stabilizing oil prices and easing…
Morning DriveDubai Car Ownership Costs Soar Amid 30% Fuel Price Hike
As regional developments drive Dubai fuel prices up by 30 per cent, resident motorists face escalating costs. On Mira Business FM, independent financial…
Morning DriveUAE Job Market: What to Expect in Q4
The UAE's private sector workforce grew by 2.5% in the first quarter of 2026, according to MoHRE, with skilled workers also on the rise. But with regional…
Morning DriveWhy Slashing Marketing Budgets Is a Fatal Mistake
As economic pressure mounts, can transparent narrative marketing save struggling UAE businesses? Plug’s Brand Commander, Lucy Bradley, joins Tim Elliott to…
Morning DriveFrom Hormuz to New Trade Routes: What's Changing?
With tensions around the Strait of Hormuz putting global trade routes under scrutiny, Gulf businesses are looking at new ways to keep goods moving. From the…
Morning DriveSaudi Tourism Revenue Surges to 82.7B Riyals in Q1
Saudi Arabia’s tourism sector has visualised dramatic growth, generating over 82 billion rials in Q1 2026. Whilst international visitor numbers fell due to…
Morning DriveDLD's Flexi Rent: The End of Upfront Cheques in Dubai?
Tim Elliott sits down with EVA Real Estate’s Senior Manager Mario Volpi to break down the Dubai Land Department’s groundbreaking Flexi Rent initiative…
Morning DriveTo Buy or to Rent in Dubai? Moving Beyond the Excel Sheet
It’s the ultimate Dubai dilemma: is it better to buy property or keep renting? While calculators and spreadsheets can crunch the upfront costs, the true…
Morning DriveBracing for the Bounce: Inside the UAE’s 2026 Property Rebound with Grovy Developers
Abhishek Jalan, CEO of Grovy Developers, joins the show to break down the post-ceasefire market dynamics. We dive into why the sub-AED 3 million segment is…
Morning DriveUAE's Under-15 Social Media Ban: Could It Change Consumer Behaviour?
The UAE has announced a ban on social media access for children under 15, a move that could reshape the way brands market, advertise and connect with young…
Morning DriveEmiratisation Deadline: Are UAE Firms Ready?
As the 30 June Emiratisation deadline fast approaches, businesses across the UAE are scrambling to meet strict targets. Dawlati founder Zakaria Doleh joins Tim…
Morning DriveLuxury Watches Become a New Source of Cash in the UAE
As luxury timepieces increasingly transition from status symbols to genuine financial assets in the UAE, a pioneering buyback model is transforming the…
Morning DriveCan Peace Deliver a Boost for UAE's F&B Sector?
UAE food and beverage operators are looking ahead with renewed confidence following months of regional uncertainty. Speaking to Tim Elliott, Roster co-founder…
Morning DriveGold Market Shaken by Fed Signals and Middle East Peace Shifts
As Middle East peace developments and oil prices reshape the region, gold markets face a fresh wave of volatility. Monetary Metals' Jeff Rhodes joins Tim…
Morning DriveThe Impact of the US-Iran Peace Deal on the Gulf Economy
Following the historic US–Iran peace memorandum, the vital Strait of Hormuz has reopened, easing global energy supply anxieties. However, whilst buoyant…
Morning DriveAre You Saving Enough to Retire Comfortably?
New analysis reveals a comfortable retirement now demands a staggering £1.2 million pension pot. Independent Financial Consultant James Thomas joins Tim…
Morning DriveWill AI Make the Recruitment Industry Redundant?
Are AI advancements about to trigger widespread corporate redundancies? David Mackenzie, Managing Director of Mackenzie Jones Middle East, joins Tim Elliott to…
Morning DriveUAE's Strait of Hormuz Exit Plan. Is Zero Dependence Possible?
The UAE is moving to cut its dependency on the Strait of Hormuz to zero, as concerns over regional security and supply chain resilience remain in focus. What…
Morning DriveHas Sharjah Become the UAE’s Real Estate Hotspot?
Sharjah’s property market has hit record highs, with real estate sales surging 64% to AED65.6 billion. Foreign ownership reforms, lower living costs and major…