Dubai’s residential property sales surge more than 33%, reports brokerage firm

Dubai’s residential property sales surge more than 33%, reports brokerage firm
Dubai’s population is growing by over 100,000 annually, leading to a robust real estate sector. Shutterstock
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Updated 02 August 2024
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Dubai’s residential property sales surge more than 33%, reports brokerage firm

Dubai’s residential property sales surge more than 33%, reports brokerage firm

RIYADH: Dubai’s residential property sales saw a 33.5 percent annual increase in the first half of 2024 with 77,233 transactions, according to a top brokerage company.

The Gulf metropolis also recorded a total sales value of 227 billion dinars ($61.8 billion), – up 31 percent compared to the first half of 2023, according to a press release from Engel & Volkers Middle East.

The firm said the market has continued its impressive growth trajectory, breaking records and setting new benchmarks.

The brokerage house explained that key infrastructure projects, including the $8 billion drainage system, the $35 billion Al-Maktoum International Airport expansion, and the $5 billion Dubai Metro Blue Line, underscore Dubai’s commitment to growth and development.

With Dubai’s population growing by over 100,000 annually and the economy projected to expand by four percent in 2024, the real estate market outlook remains positive.

Reflecting on these achievements, Daniel Hadi, CEO of Engel & Volkers Middle East, said that the first half of 2024 has been impressive for Dubai’s residential real estate market.

“The unprecedented growth in sales transactions and value is a testament to Dubai’s resilience, strategic infrastructure investments, and its appeal to global investors. As we look ahead, we are optimistic about the sustained growth and transformation of this dynamic market,” Hadi added.

The growth underscores the robust demand and investor confidence in Dubai’s real estate market, as per the firm, which added that the off-plan market drove over 60 percent of all transactions, reflecting strong investor interest in new developments due to their availability, competitive pricing, flexible payment plans, and high return potential.

Popular communities such as Jumeirah Village Circle, Dubai South, and Damac Hills 2 stood out for their affordability, modern amenities, and strategic locations.

During this period, apartments were the primary driver of growth, contributing 91 percent of the increase in transactions. Their affordability, availability, and higher returns fueled significant demand, with apartment sales comprising over 80 percent of all transactions and rising by 41 percent year-on-year.

The total transaction value increased by 33 percent, with Jumeirah Village Circle remaining the most popular community for both off-plan and secondary transactions, driven by its affordable prices, steady supply of new projects, and attractive returns for investors.

The Business Bay also continued to be in high demand, highlighting its importance in the market, the company, which is also specialized in the brokerage of commercial real estate, yachts and aircrafts, said the Engel & Volkers Middle East release.

It further stated that while the villa segment remains relatively small, it experienced significant growth in the first half of 2024, with transactions up 52 percent year-on-year and total sales value rising by 66 percent. This surge reflects demand from families seeking spacious homes and buyers looking for prime properties.

The market’s resilience was evident after the April floods, with May surpassing the previous monthly transaction record by 20 percent.

Dubai’s luxury real estate segment continues to thrive, with a 47 percent year-on-year increase in transactions.

The UAE is expected to be the largest recipient of millionaires globally in 2024, driving demand for opulent villas and branded residences.


Radisson doubles down on Saudi Arabia with aggressive hotel expansion

Radisson doubles down on Saudi Arabia with aggressive hotel expansion
Updated 26 sec ago
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Radisson doubles down on Saudi Arabia with aggressive hotel expansion

Radisson doubles down on Saudi Arabia with aggressive hotel expansion

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia now accounts for half of Radisson Hotel Group’s Middle East portfolio, as the Kingdom cements its role as a global priority for the hospitality giant. 

The company currently has 100 hotels either open or under development across the region, with 50 of them located in Saudi Arabia, revealed Radisson’s top executive in an interview with Arab News on the sidelines of the Future Hospitality Summit in Riyadh. 

The expansion aligns with Saudi Arabia’s fast-growing hotel sector, as the Kingdom plans to add more than 362,000 new hotel rooms by 2030, backed by a $110 billion investment. 

Elie Younes, executive vice president and global chief development officer at Radisson, said: “Saudi Arabia sits in one of the top five countries for us globally.”  

He said that of the 50 hotels in Saudi Arabia, 30 are open and 20 are under construction. 

Providing details and a timeframe for their planned 20 hotels in Saudi Arabia, Younes said the projects will be rolled out over the next three to four years, with an additional 30 hotels expected to open in the following three to four years. 

The new wave of properties will translate into approximately 4,000 to 5,000 rooms. “If you multiply 20 by 200 to 250, you will get 4,000 to 5,000 rooms currently planned under construction in Saudi Arabia, which will eventually also make an economic impact because that will create job opportunities for approximately 5,000 people,” said Younes. 

Radisson is also ramping up its presence in the capital. The company recently opened Radisson Blu Minhal in Riyadh and plans to launch its third Radisson Collection hotel in the city soon.  

The Mansard Hotel, part of its urban portfolio, was noted as the brand’s first resort in Riyadh. Service apartments under the Radisson Collection brand are expected to open in the next four months. 

The group sees strong potential across multiple segments. “There is room for another 10 to 15 Radisson Blu hotels. As for Radisson Collection, which is our entry-level luxury brand, there will be fewer opportunities to grow it because of its luxury nature — maybe four or five more hotels. We already have three in Riyadh alone,” he said. 

Younes highlighted the scalability of the core four-star Radisson brand, particularly in smaller Saudi cities.  

“We recently opened three of them here in Riyadh alone, and I think we could open at least or sign another 20 or 30 of them in the Kingdom across the next four to five years, focusing on places like Riyadh, Jeddah, Makkah, and Madinah… to some extent, and specifically, after that, in some of the secondary regional cities, where we also see opportunities for business development,” he explained. 

Commenting on global tariffs, Younes said it is difficult to assess the impact of what he described as a “semi-political, semi-non-political” decision. 

 “We don’t see that to have a direct impact in Saudi Arabia because — you have to remember that — over 50 percent of the travel industry in Saudi Arabia is domesticated in terms of traveling, and over 90 percent of investments in Saudi Arabia comes from Saudi Arabia,” he added. 

Younes also spoke about broader trends in the hospitality industry, including growing traveler volumes and a heightened focus on sustainability. “I think we are very lucky and should be grateful to work in this industry because it is one of those ever-growing industries,” he said. 

He noted shifts in travel behavior as business and leisure increasingly merge: “People going for a long business trip but integrating into that trip a little bit of fun, bringing the wife, bringing the kids, spending the extra day. Wanting to have fun.” 

The executive noted that operational challenges are mounting, driven by rising costs and technological disruption. “The cost of labor going up. Inflation going up. The influence of artificial intelligence. All of these elements will push us and will result in us becoming more efficient,” he said. 

While artificial intelligence will likely shape back-end operations, Younes emphasized the enduring value of human service: “The human touch will never go away. We all know that.” 

Looking ahead, he sees the convergence of hospitality and residential real estate as a key evolution in the sector.

“I see more integration and fusion between the conventional hospitality and residential real estate as we move forward to try and achieve all of these efficiencies and economies,” he concluded. 


Closing Bell: Saudi main index closes in green at 11,532 

Closing Bell: Saudi main index closes in green at 11,532 
Updated 45 min 20 sec ago
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Closing Bell: Saudi main index closes in green at 11,532 

Closing Bell: Saudi main index closes in green at 11,532 

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s Tadawul All Share Index extended its upward momentum for the second consecutive day, gaining 43.62 points, or 0.38 percent, to close at 11,532.27.

The total trading turnover of the benchmark index reached SR5.37 billion ($1.43 billion), with 120 listed stocks advancing and 121 declining.

The Kingdom’s parallel market Nomu also closed higher, rising 585.86 points to end at 27,928.99.

Meanwhile, the MSCI Tadawul Index edged up 0.41 percent to close at 1,474.55.

The best-performing stock on the main market was Saudi Arabia Refineries Co., whose share price jumped 9.85 percent to SR65.80.

Zamil Industrial Investment Co. also saw gains, with its stock rising 7.73 percent to SR47.40.

ARTEX Industrial Investment Co. recorded a 4.35 percent increase, closing at SR13.44.

On the other hand, Gulf General Cooperative Insurance Co. saw its share price decline by 6.45 percent to SR7.11, making it one of the worst performers of the day.

On the announcements front, Al-Babtain Power and Telecommunication Co. reported a net profit of SR88.2 million for the first quarter of 2025, a 6.77 percent increase compared to the same period last year.

The company attributed the rise to improved productivity, cost reductions, and stronger profit margins. Its share price rose 1.45 percent to SR49.

Tabuk Cement Co. posted a 28.35 percent year-on-year decline in net profit for the first quarter, reaching SR13.04 million.

In a statement to Tadawul, the company cited a decrease in sales and other income as the primary reasons for the drop. Its stock fell 0.50 percent to SR11.90.

Riyadh Cement Co. reported a net profit of SR75.68 million for the first quarter, up 7.95 percent from the same period a year earlier, driven by increased sales volume and higher average selling prices. Its share price rose 0.45 percent to SR33.35.

Arabian Drilling saw its net profit plunge 48.63 percent year on year to SR75 million in the first quarter. Its stock declined 1.78 percent to SR82.90.

Fawaz Abdulaziz Alhokair Co., also known as Cenomi Retail, reported a net profit of SR1.8 million for the first quarter, reversing a net loss of SR151.7 million in the same period last year.

The company credited favorable seasonal dynamics and a continued focus on operational efficiency for the turnaround. Cenomi Retail’s share price rose 2.71 percent to SR15.94.

Al-Jouf Agricultural Development Co. reported a net profit of SR34.65 million in the first quarter, up 5.26 percent year on year. Its share price increased 1.76 percent to SR49.15.


Aramco to sign MoUs with NextDecade and Sempra, CEO says

Aramco to sign MoUs with NextDecade and Sempra, CEO says
Updated 59 min 12 sec ago
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Aramco to sign MoUs with NextDecade and Sempra, CEO says

Aramco to sign MoUs with NextDecade and Sempra, CEO says

RIYADH: Saudi oil giant Aramco will sign on Tuesday memoranda of understanding with US liquefied natural gas producer NextDecade and utility firm Sempra , Aramco’s CEO Amin Nasser told the US-Saudi Investment Forum.

- This is a breaking news story, and updates will follow


SMEs account for 30% of listed companies in Saudi Arabia: CMA chief 

SMEs account for 30% of listed companies in Saudi Arabia: CMA chief 
Updated 13 May 2025
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SMEs account for 30% of listed companies in Saudi Arabia: CMA chief 

SMEs account for 30% of listed companies in Saudi Arabia: CMA chief 

JEDDAH: Small and medium enterprises now constitute 30 percent of listed companies in Saudi Arabia, following significant efforts by the Capital Market Authority to streamline the listing process and enhance the parallel market, according to CMA Chairman Mohammed El-Kuwaiz.

Speaking during “Finance Week” at the SME Support Council — an event organized by the Small and Medium Enterprises General Authority, also known as Monsha’at — El-Kuwaiz underscored the regulator’s commitment to broadening financing options and encouraging more SMEs to enter the capital market.

According to the Saudi Press Agency, El-Kuwaiz highlighted the 2017 launch of the parallel market, Nomu, as a major milestone in expanding access for smaller firms. Since then, 14 companies have successfully moved from Nomu to the main market, underscoring the strength of the investment ecosystem.

The Kingdom is targeting a 35 percent contribution from the SME sector to its gross domestic product by 2030, in line with the Vision 2030 economic diversification plan.

El-Kuwaiz noted that the Nomu index has grown tenfold since its inception, with market capitalization soaring 26 times to nearly SR60 billion ($16 billion) by the end of 2024. Liquidity has also surged, with trading values reaching approximately SR14 billion this year — an eightfold increase.

To further ease capital market access, the CMA has introduced a suite of new tools, including direct listings and regulatory simplifications, in collaboration with strategic partners. As a result, companies now have access to nine distinct financing options, most of which were developed in recent years.

The CMA chief also pointed to the rapid growth of the fintech sector within capital markets, with revenues more than doubling — up 105 percent compared to 2023.

He emphasized the growing importance of credit ratings and evaluations in securing financing, particularly through debt instruments, which are increasingly vital for fostering sustainable growth in the financial sector.


Jordan’s industrial index rises 2.73% in Q1 2025: official data

Jordan’s industrial index rises 2.73% in Q1 2025: official data
Updated 13 May 2025
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Jordan’s industrial index rises 2.73% in Q1 2025: official data

Jordan’s industrial index rises 2.73% in Q1 2025: official data

RIYADH: Jordan’s industrial production index climbed 2.73 percent year on year in the first quarter of 2025, reaching 87.62 points, driven by robust growth in manufacturing and electricity output, according to data released by the Department of Statistics.

Manufacturing production rose 3.2 percent during the first three months of the year, while electricity output increased 4.97 percent, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported. However, the extractive industries sector declined by 8.03 percent over the same period.

The rise in industrial activity comes as Jordan’s inflation rate accelerated by 2.21 percent annually during the first two months of 2025, fueled by rising prices in several key commodity groups.

The upward trend in the index was also reflected in January’s figures, which showed a 2.76 percent annual increase to 88 points.

In March alone, the industrial index grew by 1.73 percent year on year, reaching 87.62 points compared to 86.13 points in March 2024. Petra noted this growth was supported by a 3.38 percent increase in manufacturing and a 4.02 percent rise in electricity production, despite a sharp 23.89 percent decline in extractive industries.

Month on month, the index rose 0.44 percent from February to March, increasing from 87.24 to 87.62 points. During this period, the extractive sector rebounded with a 9.96 percent increase, while manufacturing inched up 0.41 percent. The electricity sector, however, contracted by 7.18 percent.

Meanwhile, Fitch Ratings earlier this month affirmed Jordan’s long-term foreign currency issuer default rating at “BB-” with a stable outlook, citing macroeconomic stability and ongoing fiscal and economic reforms.

The US-based agency highlighted Jordan’s resilient financing environment, supported by a well-capitalized banking sector, a robust public pension fund, and sustained international assistance.

Despite the stable outlook, Jordan’s credit rating remains lower than several of its regional peers. In February, Fitch reaffirmed Saudi Arabia’s rating at “A+” with a stable outlook and the UAE’s at “AA-.”

A “BB” rating indicates a higher vulnerability to default risk in the event of unfavorable economic or business conditions, although some financial flexibility remains.