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According to the latest statistics from the Dubai Land Department (DLD), Dubai attracted approximately 94,700 investors in the first half of 2025, marking a significant 26% increase compared to the same period last year. Of these, around 59,000 were new investors, representing a 22% rise year-on-year. Notably, UAE residents accounted for 45% of these new investors, highlighting strong local participation in the market.
The days when Francis Fukuyama could plausibly argue that the world had reached ‘The End of History’ seem a very long time ago now.[1] The cozy consensus that he envisaged, and which for a time seemed an accurate forecast of the 21st Century, has now been replaced by fissures between nations. Territorial and ethnic disputes have escalated into war, as in Ukraine; profound disagreements over state legitimacy and coexistence have spiralled into open conflict as seen most recently in the ‘Twelve Day War’ between Israel and Iran; and even trade and tariffs have divided nations – witness the disputes between the United States and China. Only the threat of nationalisation can be said to have declined almost uniformly around the globe; the experience of Venezuela in that regard has served as a cautionary tale to Governments everywhere.[2]
Governments worldwide, including now in the Gulf, want to know what economic benefits they will receive from alternative policy settings as well as from developments beyond their control. Policy examples include changing visa or competition regulations, or creating free trade or enterprise zones.[1] Other developments that Governments may want to analyse include the impact of particular domestic industries,[2] wildfires[3] or travel restrictions[4] on the economy as a whole. At a project level, cities and public agencies want similar information when they make specific decisions, for example analysing the economic benefits of Expo 2020 in the UAE,[5] deciding on transportation projects in Hong Kong,[6] analysing Saudi smart cities,[7] and authorising real estate developments.[8]
A straightforward idea Provide the infrastructure, then construct the buildings, and both owners and tenants will appear almost as as if by magic to occupy them. Whatever its origin, this seemingly straightforward idea has come to be associated with supply-driven real estate policies. They have been enacted now for many decades, not only in the Gulf but worldwide. But is […]
