UAE consumers are more optimistic for the first half of 2010 compared to the latter half of last year, registering the highest increase in consumer confidence in the Middle East region, a survey showed on Wednesday.

Consumer confidence in the UAE took a leap of around 187 per cent, rising to 86 from 30 on an index published by MasterCard Worldwide.

The Gulf Arab state's consumers are optimistic towards the first half period versus a pessimistic viewpoint in the second half of 2009.

The survey was conducted before state-owned conglomerate Dubai World shook world markets and investor confidence after requesting a debt standstill on its $26 billion of debt.

The index measures consumer sentiment on five economic indicators; economy, employment, stock market, regular income and quality of life, and surveys 2,400 people in each country.

Most people surveyed in the UAE were optimistic about stock markets, with confidence reaching 89.6 from 31.3.

Benchmarks in Dubai and Abu Dhabi are the worst performing markets in the Gulf Arab region this year, down 8 per cent and 3.2 per cent respectively.

Confidence for the Middle East region was also up by 50 per cent in the same period, jumping to a 75 optimistic sentiment from a 50 neutral.

Other regional countries surveyed included Egypt, Kuwait, Qatar, Lebanon, and Saudi Arabia.

Consumers in Qatar, the world's largest exporter of liquefied natural gas, had the highest confidence levels, reaching 89, up from 71 for the second half of 2009. – Reuters