The UAE real estate market is witnessing a significant shift as mixed-use communities emerge as the most profitable investment option, outperforming traditional standalone residential buildings. According to recent data, mixed-use developments have achieved the highest rental yields year-to-date at approximately 8%, compared to 7% for master-planned communities and 5% for standalone residential projects. This trend underscores the growing preference for integrated living spaces that combine residential, retail, and lifestyle amenities. Cherif Sleiman, Chief Revenue Officer at Property Finder, highlighted that such developments attract tenants seeking convenience, community facilities, and proximity to workplaces. The demand for smaller, affordable units like one-bedroom apartments and studios has surged, with apartments constituting 57% of buyer demand and 78% of rental searches. Mixed-use communities also command rental premiums averaging 20–25%, with steady demand throughout 2025. While standalone buildings have seen a 16% price appreciation, slightly higher than mixed-use developments at 15%, the latter offers a balanced combination of rental returns and capital growth. Experts like Ben Crompton of Crompton Partners Estate Agents emphasize that mixed-use projects provide long-term stability, higher ROI, and resilience against market downturns due to their diversified tenant mix. Jamal Lootah, President of MEFMA, noted that integrated communities benefit from shared infrastructure, reducing operational costs and ensuring stable occupancy. This shift aligns with urban strategies like Dubai’s 2040 Urban Master Plan, which promotes walkable, mixed-use neighborhoods. While standalone developments will persist, the future of UAE real estate is increasingly defined by self-sustained, amenity-rich communities.
分类： business
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Dubai welcomes Adhara Star: Acube’s first project officially handed over
Acube Developments has reached a significant milestone with the official handover of Adhara Star, its inaugural project in Arjan, Dubai. This achievement underscores the company’s rapid ascent in Dubai’s competitive real estate market, showcasing its ability to deliver high-quality, innovative, and lifestyle-focused developments. Completed in under two years since the company’s inception, Adhara Star has already sold out within three months of its launch, reflecting strong investor confidence and setting the stage for Acube’s ambitious future projects. The freehold mixed-use development features 113 residential units spread across 13 floors, complemented by ground-level retail spaces and podium parking. Designed for modern urban living, the project offers a range of apartment configurations, including one, 1.5, 2.5, and 3.5-bedroom units, all equipped with premium European appliances and luxury finishes. Adhara Star combines affordable luxury with a community-centric lifestyle, catering to Dubai’s growing population of families and young professionals. Residents will enjoy access to a variety of premium amenities, including a rooftop pool, Japanese Zen Garden, health clubs, an indoor gym, sports courts, and an open-air fitness zone. Notably, the development is certified as a Green Building, highlighting Acube’s commitment to sustainable construction and resource-efficient design. Ramjee Iyer, Chairman and CEO of Acube Group, emphasized the significance of this achievement, stating that Adhara Star reflects Dubai’s dynamic property market and the company’s ability to maintain world-class standards. With its brand promise, ‘Live on a Star,’ Acube aims to continue delivering projects that blend aspirational living with lasting value, shaping communities and setting new benchmarks in the real estate sector.
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Italy secures third place among the UAE’s top jewellery exporters
Italy has reaffirmed its status as a global leader in the jewellery and gemstone industry, securing its position as the third-largest exporter to the United Arab Emirates (UAE). In the first seven months of 2025, Italian jewellery exports to the UAE surged to €836.9 million, marking a 13.72% year-on-year increase and capturing a 7.9% market share. This growth underscores the sustained demand for Italian craftsmanship and the robust trade relationship between the two nations.
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US ends penny-making run after more than 230 years
The United States is bidding farewell to the penny, a one-cent coin that has been in circulation for over 230 years. The Philadelphia Mint will produce its final batch of pennies on Thursday, marking the end of an era. While the coins will remain in circulation, businesses are already adjusting prices as pennies become increasingly scarce. The decision to halt production is driven by economic considerations, with the government estimating annual savings of $56 million. President Donald Trump, who first announced the plans in February, framed the move as a step toward eliminating waste in the national budget. Pennies, which honor Civil War president Abraham Lincoln and are made of copper-plated zinc, now cost nearly four cents each to produce—more than twice the cost a decade ago. The rise of electronic transactions has further diminished the penny’s relevance, with the Treasury Department noting that approximately 300 billion pennies remain in circulation, far exceeding commercial needs. A 2022 government analysis revealed that about 60% of all coins in circulation, equivalent to $60-$90 per household, are stashed away at home, deemed not worth trading in. However, the phase-out may have unintended consequences for consumers. A study by the Richmond Federal Reserve estimates that businesses rounding up prices could cost shoppers $6 million annually. The US is not alone in this trend; countries like Canada, Australia, and New Zealand have also phased out their lowest-value coins. Attention in the US has now shifted to the nickel, which costs nearly 14 cents to produce despite its five-cent face value. Retiring the nickel could have a more significant financial impact, potentially costing consumers $55 million annually.
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Talent plan launched in Shanghai to boost global green transition
Shanghai has taken a significant step toward fostering global green transition with the launch of the ‘Industrial Green-Collar Talents Initiative.’ This groundbreaking program, unveiled during the G20 Entrepreneurship Roundtable 2025 held from November 4 to 5, aims to cultivate talent and promote synergistic development in the green supply chain industry. The initiative is a collaborative effort between Tsinghua University’s Entrepreneurship Research Center on G20 Economies and Horen Group, a leading smart logistics packaging solutions provider based in Shanghai.
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UAE-UK flights: Advisory issued for Emirates, Etihad passengers flying to Manchester
In a significant operational update, UAE-based carriers Emirates and Etihad Airways are set to transition their services to Terminal 2 at Manchester Airport. This move, announced by the UK airport, will see Etihad Airways relocating from November 12, followed by Emirates on November 18, 2025. Both airlines operate direct flights between their respective hubs in Abu Dhabi and Dubai to Manchester, a city renowned for its industrial heritage and vibrant cultural scene.
The shift is part of Manchester Airport’s broader £1.3 billion Transformation Programme, initiated in 2015, aimed at enhancing passenger experience. Terminal 2, which already hosts several international carriers including Gulf Air, British Airways, and Turkish Airlines, will now accommodate these two prominent UAE airlines. Check-in facilities for Terminal 2 are located on the upper level of the terminal.
Manchester Airport has assured passengers that all airlines will directly communicate the details of the transition, with airport staff available to assist during the move. This change underscores the airport’s commitment to improving service quality and operational efficiency.
Emirates has further bolstered its presence in Manchester by deploying its newly retrofitted Airbus A380 aircraft, featuring Premium Economy cabins. Since June 6, the airline has expanded its Premium Economy offering to nearly 5,000 weekly seats on flights to and from the UK. This upgrade aligns with Emirates’ strategy to enhance passenger comfort and cater to the growing demand for premium travel options.
Manchester, known for its iconic football teams and legendary music scene, continues to attract international travelers, making it a key destination for UAE carriers. The relocation of Emirates and Etihad to Terminal 2 is expected to streamline operations and provide passengers with a more seamless travel experience.
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Call for entries issued for the 2026 Middle East & North Africa Stevie® Awards
The Stevie® Awards, renowned for hosting the world’s premier business awards programs, has officially opened submissions for the 2026 Middle East & North Africa (MENA) Stevie Awards. This seventh annual edition, presented in collaboration with the RAK Chamber of Commerce & Industry, celebrates innovation in the workplace across 18 MENA nations, including Algeria, Bahrain, Egypt, Iran, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Morocco, Oman, Palestine, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Syria, Tunisia, Türkiye, the United Arab Emirates, and Yemen. The awards are open to all organizations—public or private, for-profit or non-profit, large or small—with no entry fees required. Winners of Gold, Silver, and Bronze awards may opt to pay a nominal fee to maintain their winner status. Nominations can be submitted online through two deadlines: December 3, 2025, for reduced winners’ fees, and January 21, 2026, as the final deadline. Winners will be announced on April 16, 2026, and honored at a gala event on May 14, 2026, at the InterContinental Hotel in Istanbul, Türkiye. The 2026 competition introduces new categories, such as AI Innovation Awards and Public Sector Innovators, reflecting the region’s rapid advancements in technology and modernization. Maggie Miller, President of the Stevie Awards, emphasized the program’s role as a leading platform for showcasing business excellence and innovation. A new website and entry system have been launched to streamline participation, offering multilingual support and seamless nomination management. The 2025 winners included prominent organizations like Abu Dhabi Customs, Deloitte & Touche, and Saudi Aramco, among others. Over 150 global professionals will judge the 2026 entries. For more details, visit: https://mena.stevieawards.com/Judges/you-be-the-judge.
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China’s Singles’ Day online shopping bonanza’s sales slow as shoppers opt for more affordable deals
China’s Singles’ Day, the nation’s largest online shopping festival, recorded a 17.6% increase in sales this year, reaching an estimated 1.7 trillion yuan ($238 billion). However, the growth rate slowed compared to previous years, reflecting cautious consumer spending amid economic headwinds. The prolonged property market slump, stagnant wages, and high youth unemployment have led shoppers to prioritize affordability over extravagance.
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UAE: Etihad Rail could have a stop at Dubai’s new Al Maktoum International Airport
The UAE’s ambitious Etihad Rail project is set to revolutionize transportation by potentially integrating with Dubai’s Al Maktoum International Airport at Dubai World Central (DWC). This strategic move could allow passengers to check in directly from train stations, enhancing convenience and efficiency. Paul Griffiths, CEO of Dubai Airports, revealed in an interview with Flight Global that the planned Etihad Rail network is expected to include a stop at DWC, fostering a seamless travel experience. The passenger train service, scheduled to launch in 2026, is projected to accommodate approximately 36.5 million passengers annually by 2030. The rail network will connect key cities across the UAE, including Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Sharjah, Ras Al Khaimah, Fujairah, Al Ain, Ruwais, Al Mirfa, Al Dhaid, Ghuweifat (bordering Saudi Arabia), and Sohar in Oman via the Hafeet Rail project. Additionally, a new high-speed electrified line between Abu Dhabi and Dubai will feature six stations, including one near Al Maktoum Airport, reducing travel time between the two cities to just 30 minutes. This development aligns with Dubai’s broader strategy to expand its transport infrastructure and accommodate growing passenger demand. In April 2024, the Dubai government announced plans to transfer all operations from Dubai International (DXB) to Al Maktoum International (DWC), which will boast a new Dh128-billion passenger terminal capable of handling 260 million passengers annually. This transition is expected to be completed within a decade, addressing DXB’s capacity constraints. Griffiths emphasized the goal of creating a frictionless airport experience, leveraging artificial intelligence to optimize aircraft scheduling and passenger connections. As Dubai continues to innovate, the integration of Etihad Rail with Al Maktoum International Airport marks a significant milestone in the region’s transportation evolution.
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Global shares advance after the Dow hits a fresh record
Global stock markets experienced a broad-based rally on Wednesday, with European and Asian indices climbing higher following a record-breaking performance by the Dow Jones Industrial Average. The resurgence in technology stocks, particularly those tied to artificial intelligence (AI), has fueled investor optimism after last week’s volatility. In Europe, France’s CAC 40 rose 0.5% to 8,193.98, while Germany’s DAX surged nearly 1.1% to 24,357.28. The UK’s FTSE 100 edged up 0.1% to 9,906.82. Futures for the S&P 500 and Dow Jones also indicated positive momentum, gaining 0.4% and 0.2%, respectively. In Asia, Japan’s Nikkei 225 advanced 0.4% to close at 51,063.31, despite SoftBank Group’s shares dropping 3.5% after the company disclosed the sale of its entire $5.83 billion stake in Nvidia, a leading AI chipmaker. Hong Kong’s Hang Seng rose 0.9%, while the Shanghai Composite remained nearly flat. The U.S. bond market was closed for Veterans Day, and concerns persist over the Federal Reserve’s ability to navigate economic challenges amid a government shutdown that has delayed critical economic data. Meanwhile, oil prices dipped slightly, with U.S. crude falling to $60.70 a barrel and Brent crude dropping to $64.85. The U.S. dollar strengthened against the Japanese yen but weakened slightly against the euro.