UAE - Mubasher: The adjusted IHS Markit Dubai Purchasing Managers' Index (PMI) recorded 51.5 in September, showing the continuous growth in Dubai's non-oil economy for the tenth month in a row.

The September index went down when compared to 53.3 in August to point to a softening of growth momentum across the non-oil sector and the first decrease in new businesses for seven months, according to a press release on Monday.

The production extended its expansion at a strong pace, but new orders decreased for the first time since February.

Therefore, the employment rate declined to its lowest level in four months, while firms cut their output charges at the fastest rate in a year.

The Economist at IHS Markit, David Owen, said: "Firms were largely unconcerned about the setback for order books in September, with the expansion in output remaining sharp and close to August’s two-year high."

Meanwhile, Owen commented: "Whilst IHS Markit predicts that the direct growth impact from the event will be modest, the latest PMI data highlighted a considerable impact on near-term business confidence."