Infrastructure Saudi airports operator issues tender for Abha expansion Saudi Arabia’s state-owned airport operator has issued a tender for a new terminal at Abha International Airport in the Aseer region. The Civil Aviation Holding Company, also known as Matarat, has called for expressions of interest by the end of this month. On offer is a 30-year build-operate-transfer deal to develop and run the terminal. […] January 17, 2024
Banking & Finance Class action lawsuit against Saudi builder approved A class action lawsuit against a Saudi construction company has been given the green light to proceed by authorities. The Capital Market Authority said the Committee for the Resolution of Securities Disputes (CRSD) has accepted the lawsuit filed by an investor against some members of the board and employees of Mohammad Al Mojil Group. The […] January 16, 2024
Opinion People & Lifestyle The world is moving to Saudi Arabia The kingdom could supplant the UAE as the GCC destination of choice for both tourists and migrants January 16, 2024
Construction Private credit lenders expect surge in ‘last mile’ finance Private credit firms are preparing for a surge in demand for “last mile” financing from construction companies across the Middle East. This form of financing plays a critical role in the delivery of projects that are on the brink of completion but have been hit by budget overruns or unforeseen costs. William Watson, a partner […] January 15, 2024
Giga-projects Saudi Arabia plans stadium for holographic concerts Saudi Arabia has announced plans to build a new stadium featuring holographic technology that will be able to stage virtual interactions with celebrities and artists. The Prince Mohammed bin Salman Stadium will be built in Qiddiya City, located 40 minutes from Riyadh and part of the kingdom’s new entertainment city, the state-run Saudi Press Agency […] January 15, 2024
Real Estate Dubai launches housing projects worth $1.5bn A series of projects including 2,300 ready-to-move-in houses and 3,500 plots of land for housing being allocated among citizens of Dubai have been approved by the emirate’s ruler, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum. The housing projects, part of the Dubai Social Agenda 33, are valued at AED 5.5 billion ($1.49 billion), the UAE state-run […] January 15, 2024
Giga-projects Saudi developer Roshn prioritises local sourcing Saudi developer Roshn says it is increasing its local sourcing of building materials to manage global supply chain problems. “We’re working on a target at the moment of trying to locally source around 60 percent of our construction activities within the kingdom,” CEO David Grover told Al Arabiya TV on January 14. “For us it’s […] January 15, 2024
Economy Larger deficits unlikely to trouble Saudi debt access Saudi Arabia faces several years of budget deficits as it pushes ahead with massive development projects. Construction is fuelling the regional economy despite a slide in oil prices, raising questions about the kingdom’s continued access to debt markets. Saudi Arabia launched its Vision 2030 plan in 2016 to diversify the economy away from oil, but […] January 15, 2024
Construction Saudis to build carbon-negative concrete factory The Saudi real estate company Roshn Group and the Bahamas-based startup Partanna have agreed to build a factory to produce carbon-negative concrete in the kingdom. The specifics of the agreement, including the facility’s size and location, are still being finalised, a Partanna spokesperson told AGBI. The factory could have the capacity to produce enough concrete […] January 12, 2024
Infrastructure ADIA unit invests in Indonesian toll roads system A wholly owned subsidiary of Abu Dhabi Investment Authority (ADIA) has invested in Indonesia’s Trans Java Toll Roads, partnering with Dutch pension fund APG Asset Management and Indonesia’s sovereign wealth fund Indonesia Investment Authority (INA). APG said the deal is part of Indonesia’s bid to raise up to $2.75 billion in investment in its toll […] January 11, 2024
Giga-projects Neom launches ‘futuristic’ project on Aqaba coast Saudi Arabia’s $500 billion Neom giga-project has launched Aquellum, a “futuristic” mixed-use development on the Gulf of Aqaba coast. The project will be concealed from the outside along the coastline, hidden within a 450-metre-high mountain range. Visitors will access Aquellum through “the world’s first floating marina” in a specially designed vessel, entering through a concealed […] January 11, 2024
Infrastructure DP World to invest $3bn to develop new ports in India Dubai’s DP World plans to invest $3 billion to develop new ports, terminals and economic zones in India’s western state of Gujarat over the next three years. The memorandums of understanding (MoUs) include the development of multi-purpose deep-draft ports in south and western coasts of Gujarat; special economic zones in Jamnagar and Kutch; and cargo […] January 11, 2024
Real Estate Khalaf Al Habtoor escalates dispute with Lebanon Emirati businessman Khalaf Al Habtoor has escalated his feud with the Lebanese authorities by launching an investment treaty dispute against the country. The legal notice of the dispute alleges that Beirut’s treatment of his conglomerate, Al Habtoor Group, breaches the investment treaty between the UAE and Lebanon. Under the 1999 agreement, Lebanon committed to protect […] January 10, 2024
Real Estate Egypt to offer residency to foreign property buyers Egypt is looking to attract investments into its residential property market by offering a five-year residency to international buyers. This initiative is highlighted in a cabinet document providing the economic roadmap for 2024-2030, Egypt Today newspaper reported. The government intends to establish a specialised company to manage real estate export and leasing activities, with expected […] January 10, 2024
Infrastructure Turkey secures $1.3bn for high-speed railway Financing worth more than $1.3 billion has been secured to build a high-speed electric railway in Turkey. The deal, which was structured by Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group, was enabled by support from UK Export Finance (UKEF) and three other export credit agencies: Austria’s OeKB, Italy’s Sace and Poland’s Kuke. The agreement allows Turkey’s Ministry of […] January 9, 2024
Logistics Aldar invests $272m to expand logistics business Aldar Properties, Abu Dhabi’s largest developer, will invest AED 1 billion ($272.27 million) to expand its logistics real estate business in Abu Dhabi and Dubai. The investment includes acquiring operational assets and the development of ready-to-lease and build-to-suit options due to strong demand for Grade A logistics facilities. The move will increase Aldar’s gross leasable […] January 9, 2024
Construction New Dammam project to house 50,000 residents Saudi developer Adel Real Estate has completed the blueprint for Adel District, which will accommodate 50,000 people in Dammam. Plots will be put for sale in the project, spanning 5.6 million sq m, in the first quarter of 2024, the developer said in a statement. The urban development will comprise five neighbourhoods, which include residential buildings, office […] January 9, 2024
Video length: 07:13 Real Estate Landlords keep upper hand in Dubai rental market Landlords have the upper hand in Dubai’s rental market, real estate experts say, as single-cheque payments for annual leases continue to dominate in the emirate. “With a limited number of properties available and an influx of new tenants, landlords find themselves in a stronger negotiating position,” Lewis Allsopp, chairman of the Dubai estate agent Allsopp […] January 8, 2024
Sustainability Gulf’s recycling industry grows with mega-projects The volume of Gulf construction projects will increase the use of recycled materials, the head of the Bureau of Middle East Recycling has told AGBI. Ibrahim Aboura, who is also managing director of Aboura Metals in Dubai and a committee chairman of the Bureau of International Recycling (BIR), added that it will also raise the […] January 8, 2024
Infrastructure Turkish minister hints UAE and Qatar joining mega project The United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Qatar are considering joining the mega Development Road project, which will link southern Iraq to Turkey, a senior Turkish minister has said. “We will implement the project hopefully, in collaboration with Iraq. The UAE and Qatar also seem to be interested in this process,” transport and infrastructure minister Abdulkadir Uraloglu […] January 8, 2024
Video length: 07:13 Analysis Real Estate Dubai mortgage surge as tenants flee rent rises There was a 40 percent increase in the value of home mortgage approvals in Dubai last year despite climbing interest rates, with tenants seeking to get on the property ladder to dodge rising rents, according to new data. Not since the 1980s, when the US Federal Reserve tried to curb inflation, have interest rates shot […] January 8, 2024
Video length: 07:13 Opinion Real Estate Something has gone wrong in Dubai residential real estate Policymakers must remember what makes the emirate attractive: value for money and quality of life January 5, 2024
