Sixty-nine per cent of expatriates in the UAE spend more on charitable acts during Ramadan, according to a GCC survey conducted on expatriate spending habits during Ramadan by Xpress Money, a top money transfer brand.

Around 72 per cent of expatriates in the UAE said that they want to spend more time with their families during Ramadan, and were more inclined to travel back home. Additionally, remittances to friends and family back home rise during the month, with 44 per cent of respondents sending more money during Ramadan. 43 per cent of respondents also said they tend to spend more time on socialising with friends and family at ‘Iftar’ and ‘Suhoor’ events.

“Ramadan is a month of giving, of reflection and of time spent with family and friends. Our survey confirms that expatriates in the UAE are inspired by the month’s values irrespective of faith or demographics. Family ranks high on the priority list while acts of charity considerably increase,” said Xpress Money’s vice president of Global Marketing, Ashwin Gedam.

Xpress Money’s Ramadan survey is part of the brand’s constant efforts to better understand and engage with its customers across the GCC. The survey polled 570 Muslim and non-Muslim expatriates in the GCC, focusing on the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Oman. – TradeArabia News Service