UAE's most valuable brands for 2015 revealed

Led by Emirates airline, 16 companies from the UAE have made into the list of top 50 Mena firms in terms of brand value for 2015 as their valuations grew by nearly one-third.

The brand value of the UAE companies increased 33.5 per cent to $25.5 billion (Dh93.58 billion) in 2015 as compared to $19.1 billion (Dh70 billion) in the previous – regaining the top slot from the Saudi Arabia.

According to world’s leading brand valuation and strategy consultancy Brand Finance, Dubai-based Emirates remained the Middle East’s most valuable brand and also the world’s most valuable airline brand by a considerable margin.

Thanks to soaring revenues, new routes and strong business growth, the Dubai carrier is the only ‘AAA’ brand in the Middle East, it said adding that the airline’s brand value jumped 21 per cent or $1.1 billion (Dh4 billion) to $6.6 billion (Dh24.22 billion) in 2015 from $5.5 billion (Dh20.18 billion) in the previous year.

The airline is expected to announce its results today (Thursday).

The brand rating is calculated using Brand Finance’s Brand Strength Index which is a benchmark of a brand’s power, stability and future potential, similar to a credit rating. 2015 brand values are calculated in US dollar with a valuation date of 1/1/15.

Led by Dubai entities, the top five UAE companies registering highest brand value increase were Emaar Properties (74%), Dubai Islamic Bank (63 per cent), RakBank (62 per cent), Abu Dhabi Islamic Bank (59 per cent) and Mashreq Bank (56 per cent).

Other Emirati companies that made into the list are Etisalat, Emirates NBD, Du, National Bank of Abu Dhabi, Etihad Airways, First Gulf Bank, Abu Dhabi Commercial Bank, Taqa, DP World and Union National Bank.

“The UAE has strength in depth, with major brands from a variety of sectors including banking, aviation, telecoms, energy and real estate, led by Emirates,” the consultancy said.

Except Taqa, all UAE companies saw their brand value increasing in the latest Brand Finance rating.

Brand Finance Chief Executive David Haigh said: “It is very pleasing to see such robust brand value growth across the board when the countries of the Gulf are surrounded by troubled nations.  Mena brands are not just surviving this tricky period but are thriving, growing in importance within their domestic markets and in many cases out-competing international brands. They are emerging from their position of regional significance and becoming international brands themselves, adapting or changing their identities to suit global markets.”

According to Brand Finance, the total brand value for the Middle East’s top 50 brands has increased 23% between 2014 and 2015 from $50.3 billion (Dh184.6 billion) to $61.7 billion (Dh226.44 billion).

Saudi Arabia has the most brands (17) together with an estimated value of about $21.7 billion.

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