'Dubai, Abu Dhabi inflation hit 20%'

Inflation in Dubai and Abu Dhabi probably accelerated to 20 per cent last year, almost double official figures that failed to account for the spending of foreign residents, Samba Financial Group said yesterday.

Inflation in the UAE, the second-largest Arab economy, hit at least 20-year high of 11.1 per cent, with consumer prices in Dubai and Abu Dhabi rising 11.3 per cent and 11.7 per cent, respectively, Ministry of Economy data showed in June.

"In reality, consumer price growth in the two main emirates, Abu Dhabi and Dubai, seems likely to be nearer 20 per cent a year," Samba, Saudi Arabia's second-largest bank by market value, said in a research note.

"Much of this reflects shortages of housing, as the delivery of new real estate fails to keep pace with population growth of some six per cent a year," it said.

The UAE economy ministry's consumer price index does not account for spending of expatriates, who unlike UAE nationals do not benefit from widespread state subsidies, Samba said.

Expatriates make up more than 80 per cent of the 4.5m population, with workers from south Asia dominating the population.