Ongoing promotion efforts in the UAE and Saudi have reshaped the real estate market towards continuous high-season demand, as Saudi and the UAE attract more business travellers, relocating families, and tourists all year round
Author Archives: James Mathew
James Mathew, preferred to be addressed as James, assumes the role of India Correspondent at Arabian Business from New Delhi, bringing to the table a wealth of knowledge and expertise in economic, financial, and corporate sectors. With a career spanning renowned financial dailies like The Economic Times, Business Standard, and The Observer of Business & Politics in India, James transitioned to the international media scene in 2018.
At Arabian Business, his reporting covers a wide spectrum of sectors, developments, and issues spanning India, the Middle East, Africa, and, at times, the global arena. Known for his passionate reporting, James keeps a vigilant eye on significant economic and business sectors, aiming to be the first to inform Arabian Business readers. He boasts an impressive track record of breaking stories, particularly in the domains of major corporate developments and cutting-edge tech sectors, including the metaverse and cryptocurrency. Amidst his journalistic endeavors, James considers his series of emotionally resonant stories on the challenges faced by expat returnees from the Gulf during the Covid-19 pandemic, published in Arabian Business, as his proudest moments, surpassing even his numerous globally impactful breaking stories. His educational background includes a Master's degree in English Literature and Language, complemented by a Postgraduate Diploma in Journalism.
Blockchain network HAQQ reveals plans for gold-backed stablecoin, tokenised sukuk to boost Islamic interbank market
The move comes close on the heels of the UAE central bank approving issuance of stablecoin regulation
Dubai real estate developers target wealthy expats with beehives, lakes, greenery as buyers hunt for ‘close-to-nature’ properties
Upcoming green projects in Dubai, like Majid Al Futtaim’s Ghaf Woods and Aldar’s Athlon, are targeting luxury buyers as preferences shift in favour of sustainable living
Dubai real estate boom: Property prices in Dubai South, neighbouring areas post 15% spike following Al Maktoum International Airport expansion announcement
Industry insiders predicted a massive demand for properties – both housing and commercial spaces – pegging the numbers at upwards of 100,000 properties in the airport vicinities over the next decade, leading to a further surge in prices
Saudi Arabia’s $3.2 trillion luxury tourism drive fuels expansion plans for high-end travel service providers
Luxury travel companies are currently striking deals to provide wealthy VIPs with access to premium clubs and fitness centres as well as premium airport assistance in Saudi Arabia
UAE, Saudi real estate: Last-minute Eid Al Adha bookings fuel massive spike in short-term rental demand
The demand surge, coupled with an increase in room tariffs by hotels, is leading to a jump in short-term rental bookings in the UAE and Saudi during the holiday season
UAE, wider Gulf region witness influx of global entrepreneurs looking to raise early-stage startup capital
The allure of the GCC to distant startups is expected to remain powerful over the next 2-3 years, experts say
Revealed: UAE, Saudi Arabia global leaders in greener construction, recording major reductions in greenhouse gas emissions since 2010
The UAE and Saudi Arabia scored big for leading the way for green buildings, with both countries making it to the top ten list globally
Dubai’s Seabeats Real Estate to make big splash with series of ultra-luxury residential, hospitality projects
The real estate arm of Dubai’s popular fine-dining major earmarks $2bn kitty to launch the projects
UAE AI hub: Multinational tech, marketing firms relocating to Gulf as region emerges as global AI leader
International and regional companies are in talks with leading UAE companies in sectors such as automobile, retail and realty
Revealed: UAE, MENA witnessing boom in restaurant delivery; posts 10% jump in food delivery orders in Q1, 2024
The Syrve MENA-Admitad study presents interesting cuisine-specific trends in food delivery
Tumodo, Tabby ink deal to boost business travel efficiency by 80%
Tumodo’s collaboration with Tabby signifies a major step forward in digitalising business travel in the UAE and GCC
Dubai real estate: Family offices new target for high-value property investments
The rising trend is leading to a surge in opening of foundations and entities connected to prominent family businesses and individuals at Dubai International Financial Centre
Dubai set to dominate global sports industry’s Web3 transition as football legends, major clubs back blockchain tech, NFTs
The Atleta Network is set to open 20 blockchain-powered football academies worldwide in 2024 following Dubai launch, even as major football legends and clubs like FC Barcelona, Liverpool, and La Liga are reportedly applying blockchain for sports NFTs, ticketing and fan engagement
Dubai billionaire migration: Footballers, rappers, royalty flocking to UAE trigger new breed of luxury services as ‘fashion sourcers’ enter market
A new breed of “fashion sources” enters the UAE market to cater to the exclusive needs of the rich and famous
Core42’s first consumer AI product to launch soon, cementing UAE’s status as major global tech hub
The UAE is already witnessing an influx of both talent and companies specialising in advanced AI on the back of a slew of government initiatives
Middle East’s tech development to transform global finance with AI in native languages
Fintech startups are investing heavily to attract top talents from global financial powerhouses including Citibank, JP Morgan, Standard Chartered and FICO to develop their new-gen products to help banks and financial institutions to go truly ‘glocal’
Startups in UAE, MENA region witness rising record capital as investors prioritise profits over growth
Ventures in the region build businesses resilient by design with sustainability as a prerequisite in their business models, in view of relative scarcity of capital, talent and resources, says investment expert
Revealed: Dubai hits stride as global hub for Web3 gaming with GameFi mainstream in UAE
Companies like Playnance are deploying new technologies to develop and roll out new products to make Web3 games suitable for mass audiences, helping GameFi to go mainstream
Dubai real estate: UK investors flock to luxury branded residences for retirement, investment
British investors are relocating to Dubai in record numbers for retirement and lucrative property investments
UAE Blue Residency Visa to trigger real estate price hike, investment boom as Dubai tops FDI flows
The UAE’s allowance of 100% foreign ownership of companies and more flexible visa arrangements to contribute to surge in both capital and talent inflow
Sustainable Indian fashion brand Styched begins international expansion with UAE debut
Though India-born, Styched’s fashions are not ethnic but have global appeal as they aim to cater to the wider international market
Dubai real estate: House prices, rentals to become 10% more expensive due to renovation cost increases
Costs for home staging – design and decoration of houses to improve their appearance and market value – and attended repair costs for a two-bedroom apartment can now cost up upwards of AED 45,000
UAE casino: Wynn Resort to fuel 58% real estate boom in luxury property on Al Marjan Island in RAK, study shows
The casino project is triggering an influx of investments in hotel and resort projects, paving the way for the man-made island to successfully transition into a world-class hospitality destination
Revealed: Dubai real estate leads the world in demand for $10 million-plus homes
The emirate’s ongoing infrastructure development and other strategic initiatives are said to be acting as major factors for market savvy international investors to acquire high value real estate assets
Revealed: Statevolt Emirates’ $3.2bn gigafactory to trigger massive real estate demand, job creation in RAK
The California-headquartered company’s move to play a key role in strengthening the UAE’s positioning as a leader in sustainability and green transition
UAE to be global launch pad for groundbreaking new gaming business model – Web3 GaaS
The new gaming model, to be launched by Barcelona-based Games For A Living, is touted as an ethical and sustainable business model, and will also bring in an AI-based revolution in video games, leading to boost benefits to both users and developers
Dubai real estate: 1% payment plans trigger major shift in house buying patterns
This, in turn, is prompting developers to look at more innovations for house purchases, including back-loaded payment plans and value added schemes
UAE to be testing ground for a series of game changing consumer blockchain applications
It takes off with tokenisation of tickets to launch the first fully onchain music festival in the country
UAE is fastest growing markets for cryptocurrency adoption in Q1, 2024
The upsurge in the growth of the crypto market in the UAE, in turn, is expected to attract more international and regional crypto companies into the country
GenAI: UAE poised to rise to number 3 position globally, predicts eminent sector expert
The Gulf country could also potentially emerge as a major job creator in this field if domestic companies and organizations efficiently work on seizing the vast potential of this fast emerging technology
Dubai’s Roasters to embark on massive UAE, Middle East specialty coffee expansion
The celebrated coffee chain is also poised to lead the way into the future of coffee in Dubai and beyond, with each of its new outlets scripted to offer a distinct ambiance and menu
Startup funding future bright as sector recovers from 62% plunge in Q1 2024
Projected robust GDP growth, strong government spending and significant investments across key sectors like infrastructure and tourism in many countries in the region to drive PE investments
UAE real estate: Leading Dubai developers ARA, DECA and Arabian Hills Estate to launch multi-billion housing projects across UAE, Europe
The land value of the ambitious multi-country project alone is estimated at $6 billion
India’s Klub close to striking deals with UAE, Saudi investors for $275mn Middle East SME funding
The Indian financing platform worked on the funding deals with investors in the region following it was granted approval by the Financial Services Regulatory Authority (FSRA) of ADGM for managing credit funds
Middle East F&B sector to undergo massive transformation with new DocsInBox MENA expansion
The company is targeting to help the region’s hotel, restaurant and catering (HoReCa) sector to save one million man hours per month with its e-invoicing and procurement solution
Dubai crypto sector: Major market re-alignment on the cards amidst regulatory move to ease entry barriers for smaller entities
Easing of entry barriers for smaller firms is to be done by lowering the regulatory cost
Dubai real estate: New AI-powered app to allow buying, selling of property
The soon-to-be-launched will also double up as a crucial market data provider to developers to make informed decisions on what projects are to be built and at what price points to sell
Dubai real estate: Indian investors spark new round of growth in property market, driven by 5-year visit visa
Beyond Indians, Dubai’s property market is also of late drawing interest from American investors
Revealed: Exclusive European and Swiss clubs for the ultra rich flocking to Dubai amidst swelling millionaires club
Legendary Swiss private banks are also upping their games with plans to double and triple their employee strength amidst the Gulf country emerges as the most preferred destination for the global rich
Middle East gaming industy to see surge in investments, influx of new players in crypto entry push
The current bull run in the cryptocurrency market and the forthcoming Bitcoin halving event triggering massive hype in Web3 gaming are the other drivers for luring multi-dollar investments and leading global companies to enter the sector
Dubai to be meeting ground for next big turn for crypto industry
Industry veterans to converge in the city later this month to strike consensus among web3 players to forge synergies between decentralized projects and centralized exchanges to drive mainstream adoption of digital currencies to the next level
UAE home, laundry care market ramps up sustainability drive as sector value seen hitting $500mn by 2029
With rising demand for eco-friendly home and personal care goods, firms are creating more products made solely of natural surfactants that are hypoallergenic and environmentally sound
Revealed: Dubai firm selling multi-million dollar watches to the super-rich set to make debut in luxury real estate
The Watch Meister breaks into the Dubai real estate market after major success in luxury watches worth $2 million and above
Revealed: Renewable energy firms tap asset-backed crypto tokens to raise billions for Middle East solar projects
Crypto investments will drive a revolutionary decade for renewables, expert says
UAE startups: Global investors, VCs redirect funding to tech, renewable energy, tourism ventures
The UAE is witnessing technology platforms-driven transformation in the investment sector, with intermediary ventures such as Incomlend linking smaller businesses to major international investors and private funders for securing financing
UAE Golden Visa: Wealthy ‘retirees’ flock to Dubai after $272,000 rule change
The Dubai’s exceptional services and amenities, including addition of a range of world-class healthcare facilities, are also acting as catalysts for potential relocation for cash-rich retirees
Revealed: Abu Dhabi to host world’s first ‘eSports Island’ – a $280mn global hub for gamers
The eSports Island project, initiated by True Gamers, will feature top-tier gaming tournaments, digital exhibitions, and PUBG-style hotel check-ins
India’s Akasa Air to begin flights to Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, warns Dubai, Sharjah flights might not happen
The newest commercial Indian carrier Akasa Air is set to kick off its international operations with flights to Doha from March 28
Revealed: Top 4 child-friendly Dubai residential areas for families
Incidentally, these areas are the most preferred locations for property investors in the city because of their high rental demand
Niche ultra-luxe perfume brand Navitus Parfums announces massive AED60mn expansion in 25 cities in the Middle East
The Dubai-based perfume brand plans to foray into personal care and grooming products in the region
Dubai real estate: Developers announce price cuts, fee waivers amid hunt for Ramadan buyers
Companies such as Danube is said to be offering free full furnishing and a 2% percent waiver on Dubai Land Development fees, while Tiger Properties and DAMAC Properties are said to have come up with huge price discount offers on select properties
Dubai-based AI recruitment platform to transform hiring in booming UAE job market
The tech-driven change-over in the emirate’s job market coincides with the boom in the non-oil sector in the UAE, catapulting Dubai as the second most competitive job market globally
Revealed: Dubai, Abu Dhabi airports brace for major surge in lounge visits during F1, other mega-events after record-breaking 2023
Abu Dhabi is projected to see a surge in airport lounge visits this December when it hosts the last F1 Grand Prix of the year amidst the rise of sports and event-based tourism around the world