UAE - Mubasher: Dubai's non-oil economy recorded the sharpest rise in input price inflation in 28 months at the end of the first quarter (Q1) of 2021, as shown by the seasonally adjusted IHS Markit Dubai Purchasing Managers' Index (PMI).

The surge in input price inflation is driven by increasing input shortages, restocking efforts by companies, and intensifying global supply delays, according to a press release on Sunday.

The IHS Markit Dubai PMI recorded 51 in March, marginally up from 50.9 in February, reflecting a rise in output of Dubai's non-oil economy for the fourth month in a row and continuing recovery.

The outlook for future business activity among non-oil firms remained positive in March, despite being down from February's five-month high.

The staff levels across Dubai's non-oil economy were cut for the first time in 2021-to-date; however, the employment levels registered a slight decrease.

"Sector data meanwhile pointed to a surge in construction output, particularly as some projects were able to resume following COVID-19 restrictions. Wholesale & Retail growth also picked up, but shrinking Travel & Tourism activity continued to weigh on Dubai's recovery as international travel restrictions further constrained new orders," Economist at IHS Markit, David Owen, commented.