分类： business

Dubai’s real estate market is witnessing a surge in activity as developers capitalize on the growing interest in metro-linked areas. Tranquil Developers has recently launched Blossom76, a new residential project in Jumeirah Village Circle (JVC), strategically positioned to benefit from the upcoming Dubai Metro Blue Line. This development is part of a broader trend where infrastructure improvements are reshaping the city’s property landscape. The Blue Line, expected to connect key commercial and residential districts, is not just a transportation project but a catalyst for economic transformation. Dr. Sharad Nair, co-founder and chairman of Tranquil Developers, emphasized that the metro link is unlocking value in districts like JVC and redirecting investor focus toward emerging growth corridors. Aditya Khurana, co-founder and managing director, noted that buyers are increasingly prioritizing connected and community-based living, with proximity to metro routes becoming a critical factor for both end-users and investors. Industry reports highlight that off-plan transactions are driving activity in metro-connected zones, with average villa prices rising by 7.9% in the first half of 2025. Rental yields in JVC are projected to increase by 4.5% over the next year, supported by population growth and enhanced connectivity. Dubai’s property sector recorded Dh120 billion in residential sales in Q1 2025, marking an 18% year-on-year increase. Analysts attribute this growth partly to transport connectivity, with the Blue Line expected to improve accessibility across east and west Dubai, unlocking new demand in suburban communities. Tranquil Developers’ entry into JVC aligns with broader trends in Dubai’s property sector, where developers are responding to infrastructure expansion with targeted residential launches. As the Blue Line progresses, industry observers anticipate sustained demand in areas that integrate transport, affordability, and community living.

Chinese culinary preferences are increasingly shaping global partnerships, as evidenced by the recent release of Dianping’s 2025 Must-Eat List. This year, Dubai became the first Middle Eastern city to feature on the prestigious list, with ten local restaurants earning a spot. The list, which highlights high-quality dining experiences based on authentic user reviews, underscores the growing influence of Chinese diners on the global food scene. Since its inception in 2017, the Must-Eat List has expanded to over 3,000 cities worldwide, covering more than 100 million merchants. In 2024 alone, the platform garnered nearly 400 million user reviews, reflecting its widespread impact. The inclusion of Dubai on the list marks a significant milestone, driven by the increasing number of Chinese tourists visiting the UAE. According to Dubai’s Department of Economy and Tourism, the city welcomed 824,000 Chinese tourists in 2024, a 31% increase from the previous year. This surge in tourism has been accompanied by a 500% rise in Chinese user reviews of Dubai’s cuisine over the past year. The selected restaurants offer a diverse range of cuisines, including Arabian, Middle Eastern, Chinese, African fusion, and American dishes. Shahab Shayan, Regional Director for Asia-Pacific at Dubai’s Department of Economy and Tourism, emphasized the importance of the Chinese market to Dubai’s tourism strategy. ‘China has always been one of Dubai’s most important source markets,’ he said. ‘Through our ‘China Ready’ strategy, we are committed to providing a seamless experience for Chinese visitors, from visa-free access to Mandarin-speaking services and convenient digital payments.’ The strategic partnership between Dubai and Meituan, the parent company of Dianping, aims to enhance the digital transformation of local food and tourism services. Ou Boqian, Chinese Consul-General in Dubai, highlighted the role of cuisine in fostering mutual understanding between China and the UAE. ‘This list helps people understand Dubai’s soul through its cuisine and fosters mutual understanding,’ she said. ‘We expect more Chinese enterprises like Meituan to bring technological and cultural innovation to the UAE, boosting bilateral relations.’ Beyond Dubai, the Must-Eat List expanded to 14 new cities, including Fukuoka, Sydney, and London, with first-time inclusions from the UAE, Australia, Saudi Arabia, Indonesia, the United Kingdom, and Vietnam. The total number of selected restaurants increased by 50% year-on-year, with Hong Kong, Macao, Tokyo, Osaka, and Singapore leading the list. An Tianlei, responsible for Dianping’s Must-Eat List, noted that the list is tailored to Chinese diners’ tastes while showcasing global flavors. ‘We’ve also launched an English version of our app to help foreign diners explore Chinese cuisine, turning taste into a two-way cooperation tool,’ he said. Mao Fang, Vice-President of Meituan, emphasized the broader significance of the Must-Eat List. ‘The language of taste knows no borders,’ she said. ‘This list isn’t just about recommending restaurants. We aim to build a food bridge that strengthens cooperation and connections between China and the world, rooted in shared culinary appreciation.’

Mashriq Elite Real Estate Developments has officially commenced construction on its fifth residential project, Floarea Skies, in Jumeirah Village Circle (JVC), a prime location in Dubai’s thriving property market. The 23-floor development, situated in District 10, will offer 192 premium yet affordable apartments, catering to the high demand in JVC, which has consistently led in sales transactions in 2024 and the first three quarters of 2025. The project is set for completion by Q4 2027. Floarea Skies will feature a mix of studio, one-bedroom, and two-bedroom apartments, with prices starting from Dh666,000 for a studio, Dh1,069,000 for a one-bedroom, and Dh1,499,000 for a two-bedroom unit. Strategically located at the entry/exit point of JVC, the development boasts proximity to key landmarks such as Dubai Media City, Dubai Marina, and Mall of Emirates, all within a 10-25 minute travel radius. The project also introduces a range of luxury amenities, including a Rooftop Infinity Pool, Zen Garden, Mini Golf, and a fully equipped Gymnasium, setting a new standard for community living. With Dubai’s property market witnessing a surge in demand driven by population growth and global investor interest, Mashriq Elite plans to add over 1,200 residential units across Dubai in the next two years, including projects in Discovery Gardens, Arjan, and Dubai Land Residential Complex.

In a significant move to bolster bilateral ties, Indian airline IndiGo has officially reinstated its direct passenger service between Delhi and Guangzhou, marking the end of a five-year suspension. The daily flight, operated using the Airbus A320neo aircraft, signifies a renewed commitment to fostering economic and cultural exchanges between India and China. This development follows the successful resumption of the Kolkata-Guangzhou route on October 27, 2025, which had been halted due to the Covid-19 pandemic. IndiGo is now the first Indian carrier to restore direct flights between the two nations. Pieter Elbers, CEO of IndiGo, expressed enthusiasm about the expansion, stating, ‘This new route from Delhi, our largest domestic hub, will enhance travel options and strengthen connections between the two countries. It also provides Chinese travelers access to over 90 domestic destinations across India.’ Elbers extended gratitude to both governments for their support in reestablishing these vital links, which are expected to unlock opportunities in trade, tourism, and collaboration.

Dubai’s real estate market is witnessing a surge in demand for furnished, ready-to-move-in homes, driven by the influx of expatriates and professionals seeking convenience and cost efficiency. According to Bayut, nearly 59,000 property transactions were recorded in the third quarter of 2025, totaling over Dh169 billion. Furnished homes accounted for more than 18,500 deals worth Dh86.4 billion, highlighting their growing popularity. Real estate experts attribute this trend to the city’s expanding population, which recently surpassed four million, and the increasing number of foreign workers and investors arriving post-pandemic. Humaira Vaqqas, a senior consultant at Range International Properties, emphasized that furnished apartments eliminate logistical challenges, allowing newcomers to settle in immediately without the hassle of purchasing furniture or setting up utilities. These units often come equipped with essential items like sofas, beds, and kitchen appliances, and sometimes include pre-configured utilities such as Wi-Fi or gas. Industry analysts also note that short-term professionals, often on two- or three-year contracts, prefer the flexibility of furnished homes to avoid long-term investments in household items. This trend is further supported by the moderation in price and rental growth in the mid-market apartment segment, as reported by Cushman & Wakefield Core. As Dubai continues to attract global talent, the demand for seamless living solutions is expected to remain robust.

A Chinese woman, Zhimin Qian, known as the ‘cryptoqueen,’ has been sentenced to over 11 years in prison by a UK court for orchestrating a massive Bitcoin fraud scheme. The 47-year-old defrauded more than 128,000 people in China through a Ponzi scheme, amassing 5 billion pounds ($6.6 billion) in Bitcoin. The UK police investigation led to the largest cryptocurrency seizure in the country, recovering devices containing 61,000 Bitcoin. Qian, who lived an extravagant lifestyle in Europe, was arrested in April 2024 after years of evading authorities. She had been staying in luxury hotels, purchasing fine jewelry, and attempting to buy multimillion-pound properties in London. Qian fled to the UK under a fake identity after attracting the attention of Chinese authorities. Her accomplice, Seng Hok Ling, a Malaysian national, was also sentenced to four years and 11 months for aiding in the transfer and laundering of the cryptocurrency. Judge Sally-Ann Hales described Qian’s actions as driven by ‘pure greed,’ highlighting her disregard for the victims whose life savings and pensions she had stolen.

The Smart and Autonomous Vehicle Industries (Savi) Cluster, a groundbreaking initiative launched by the Abu Dhabi Department of Economic Development (ADDED) and the Abu Dhabi Investment Office (Adio), is set to revolutionize the UAE’s economic landscape. By 2045, Savi is projected to create 40,000 highly skilled jobs across key sectors such as autonomous vehicles, eVTOL aircraft, maritime systems, and robotics. This ambitious project is expected to contribute approximately Dh44 billion to the emirate’s GDP. Ali Al Musawa AlHashmi, a Savi cluster specialist at Adio, emphasized the cluster’s comprehensive approach, which spans the entire value chain from research and development to manufacturing, deployment, and maintenance. Savi has already secured partnerships to launch 29 commercial projects in Abu Dhabi, with a focus on cargo and logistics. These collaborations aim to transform cutting-edge technologies into practical applications that enhance daily life. The recent Abu Dhabi Autonomous Summit 2025, attended by senior officials and industry leaders, showcased innovative solutions and highlighted the UAE’s commitment to fostering a knowledge-based economy. Savi’s ecosystem supports startups through initiatives like Hub 71 and leverages research institutions such as the Advanced Technology Research Council and Mohammed bin Zayed University for AI. With billions of dirhams invested and a focus on attracting foreign direct investment, Abu Dhabi is positioning itself as a global hub for advanced industries and sustainable economic growth.

Dubai Taxi Company PJSC (DTC) has announced a remarkable 28% year-on-year increase in net profit for the third quarter of 2025, reaching Dh76.4 million. This growth was fueled by heightened trip volumes and sustained demand across its mobility services. The company’s revenue also saw a significant boost, climbing 15% to Dh585.3 million, driven by fleet expansion and a 7% rise in completed trips, totaling 13.1 million across taxi and limousine services. Ebitda surged 23% to Dh151.4 million, with margins improving to 26%, up two percentage points from the previous year. The taxi segment remained the primary revenue generator, contributing Dh506 million, a 12% increase year-on-year, as the operational fleet expanded to 6,215 vehicles, including 401 fully electric units. Limousine revenue saw a modest 1% rise to Dh27.8 million, while the bus segment nearly doubled its revenue to Dh29.8 million, following revised contract terms with a major client. Delivery bike services experienced a 62% surge, reaching Dh18.3 million, reflecting robust growth in the on-demand delivery market. DTC distributed Dh160.7 million in dividends for the first half of the year in August, adhering to its policy of paying out at least 85% of annual net profit. The company concluded the quarter with a net debt-to-Ebitda ratio of 1.5x and a cash balance of Dh68 million. CEO Mansoor Rahma Alfalasi highlighted the company’s disciplined execution and operational excellence, noting a strategic partnership with Kabi as a significant step toward advancing Dubai’s e-hailing ecosystem. This alliance integrates DTC’s 6,215 taxis and Kabi’s 3,680 vehicles into Bolt and Zed platforms, aligning with Dubai’s goal to shift 80% of taxi trips to e-hailing. Looking forward, DTC aims to sustain growth through efficiency gains, digital enablement, and fleet optimization, while progressing toward its target of full electrification by 2040.

Lulu Retail Holdings, the largest full-line retailer in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) region, has unveiled an ambitious expansion strategy to open 50 new stores across the UAE, Saudi Arabia, and other GCC countries over the next three years. This announcement comes on the heels of a robust financial performance in the first nine months of 2025, with the company reporting a 7.5% year-on-year increase in net profit, reaching $163 million.