UAE market remained under intense pressure due to global slowdown and Dubai World's crisis, but now, the region has started showing signs of recovery, giving positive cues to rising demand in the international market.

Raghu Malhotra, Area Business Head, Middle East, Gulf Countries, MasterCard Worldwide added, "Consumer Confidence in the UAE has significantly increased and consumers appear optimistic about the future."

UAE, according to Worldwide Index of Consumer Confidence Survey of MasterCard, is expected to experience rise in consumer optimism that would propel demand in the domestic market. The survey, conducted from 1 October to 9 November 2009, has been prepared on the basis of inputs from 2,400 consumers from the Gulf region in addition to the data collected from other sources.

UAE takes lead in the Middle East and Levant markets reporting consumer index at 86.1, much higher from 29.6 registered in the previous survey. The survey, conducted twice in a year, has been carried out on the basis of ongoing market conditions taking into view five economic parameters namely- Economy, Employment, Stock Market, Regular Income and Quality of Life.