2017 in review: Protectionism, Bitcoin and everything else that cost us sleep

Ho ho ho! It’s Christmas time, so the Dirhams & Dollars team gathers by the fire (and the microphones!) to talk through the biggest stories of the year, and boy, was this a long year!

We start off with the crazier news including Bitcoin, whose prices have skyrocketed this year. We also discuss one of the worst economic trends that seems to have cast a dark cloud of the year; protectionism. From France (earlier this year) to the US, the idea of protectionism seems to be gaining more traction.

We also talk about huge companies that saw their good fortunes reversed in 2017, from Uber to Etihad Airways.

In more local news, we discuss what possibly has been the biggest headache for consumers and companies in 2017; taxes. The UAE saw the introduction of excise tax this year, and is getting ready to roll out VAT in 2018.

Finally, we talk through the event of the year; the Dubai Air Show, and all the mega deals signed there. So, get yourself some cocoa, sit back, and listen to the year that was.