Saudi property reforms, Dubai price forecasts and $25bn Gulf investment deals: 10 stories you missed this week

Real estate was high on the agenda, with foreign ownership rules, mega-developments and affordability initiatives all moving from policy to practice. Aviation, technology and soft power also featured, underscoring how capital, talent and influence are being actively reshaped across the region.

Catch up on 10 regional business stories this week, as selected by Arabian Business editors.

Saudi’s Red Sea becomes first real test of foreign property ownership

Saudi Arabia’s Red Sea development is becoming the first place where the Kingdom’s newly opened property market is being tested in practice, with international buyers already completing purchases under rules that took effect this month, according to Driven Properties CEO Abdullah Al Ajaji.

“We’re already seeing buyers pull the trigger,” Al Ajaji told Arabian Business, referring to foreign investors acquiring residential units at the Red Sea following the introduction of a unified national framework allowing non-Saudis to own property in designated areas.

The new Law on Non-Saudis’ Ownership of Real Estate has come into force this month, replacing a restrictive system that had been in place since 2000. The legislation allows foreign individuals and entities to buy residential, commercial, industrial and agricultural property within zones to be identified by the Council of Ministers on the recommendation of the Saudi Real Estate General Authority.

How much will Dubai property prices rise in 2026? Offices tipped to outperform homes

The Dubai residential property market is expected to shift into a more normalised phase in 2026, with price growth moderating sharply from recent highs, while the office sector is forecast to remain a standout performer, according to the latest outlook from ValuStrat.

In its Dubai Real Estate Outlook 2026, ValuStrat forecasts residential capital gains of around 10 per cent next year, down from 19.8 per cent in 2025, as the market cools following several years of rapid appreciation.

In the consultancy’s base case, residential rents are expected to be broadly flat (0 per cent), reflecting a softer leasing cycle and tighter affordability conditions. By contrast, office capital values and rents are both projected to rise by around 15 per cent, supported by ongoing corporate expansion and a persistent shortage of Grade A supply in prime locations.

REVEALED: Dubai Square Mall to drive ‘higher occupancy, stronger retail sales, premium pricing’ for surrounding areas – experts

Dubai Square Mall, a 2.6 million square metre retail destination at Dubai Creek Harbour is set to become the largest retail destination in the world, doubling the size of Dubai Mall.

With the development expected to open in approximately three years, according to the developer, the master plan covers around 11 million square metres and is valued at AED180bn.

With the city already home to thriving retail districts including Dubai Mall and Mall of the Emirates, the new development would mean a “rebalancing of gravity,” Yogesh Bulchandani, CEO and founder of Sunrise Capital told Arabian Business.

Abu Dhabi real estate boom looms in 2026 as off-plan sales set to exceed $32.7bn

The Abu Dhabi residential property market is poised for a strong year, with total off-plan sales expected to reach over AED120 billion ($32.7 billion) in 2026, as buyer confidence returns and off-plan demand accelerates, supported by a robust pipeline.

The Abu Dhabi housing market, according to Metropolitan Capital Real Estate, is expected to benefit from a shift away from short-term speculation towards end users and long-term investors, supported by infrastructure expansion, stabilising prices and a more mature investor base.

“Abu Dhabi’s property market is entering a more mature phase of growth,” said Evgeny Ratskevich, chief executive of Metropolitan Capital Real Estate.

Saudi Arabia opens real estate ownership to non-Saudis under new law

Saudi Arabia has officially implemented a new law regulating the ownership of real estate by non-Saudis, marking a significant step in the Kingdom’s evolving property framework.

The Saudi legislation entered into force on January 22, and is now being applied as part of the national real estate legislative system.

The Real Estate General Authority (REGA) confirmed that applications for non-Saudis to own property will be received exclusively through the official digital platform Saudi Properties.

Emirates agrees multi-billion-dirham deal for new cabin crew housing project

Emirates Airline has signed an agreement with Dubai Investments Park to acquire land for a new purpose-built Cabin Crew Village, marking a multi-billion-dirham investment in residential infrastructure for its workforce.

The development, which will be delivered through a long-term lease arrangement, is designed as a mixed-use residential community capable of housing up to 12,000 cabin crew members. Groundbreaking is scheduled for the second quarter of 2026, with the first phase of the project expected to be completed in 2029.

The agreement was signed by Ali Mubarak Al Soori, Emirates’ Chief Procurement and Facilities Officer, and Khalid Bin Kalban, Vice Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Dubai Investments. The signing took place in the presence of senior executives from both organisations, including Emirates’ Deputy President and Chief Operating Officer Adel Al Redha.

Dubai Silicon Oasis launches $3.49bn expansion as Sheikh Mohammed backs future tech economy

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, has launched expansion projects at Dubai Silicon Oasis, with total investments of AED12.8bn ($3.49bn).

The projects reinforce Dubai Silicon Oasis’ role as a key pillar of Dubai’s knowledge economy ecosystem and align with the emirate’s ambition to position itself as one of the world’s most future-ready cities.

Sheikh Mohammed said the launch reflects Dubai’s vision to anticipate and shape the future through advanced technologies deployed to serve people, the economy, and society, while continuing to build a sustainable knowledge economy rooted in innovation.

Dubai First-Time Home Buyer Program drives $885m in sales as 2,000 residents buy first homes

The Dubai First-Time Home Buyer (FTHB) Program is accelerating access to homeownership across the emirate, enabling more than 2,000 residents to purchase their first home in the past six months and generating more than AED3.25bn ($885m) in residential property sales, according to figures from the Dubai Land Department (DLD).

Launched in July 2025, the initiative was jointly developed by the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET) and DLD to make homeownership more accessible for residents of all nationalities and income levels.

The program brings together government entities, developers, and financial institutions to offer priority access to new projects, tailored mortgage solutions, and preferential pricing for first-time buyers.

UAE ranks among world’s top ten in 2026 Global Soft Power Index for fourth consecutive year

The UAE has consolidated its position among the world’s top ten countries in the 2026 Global Soft Power Index issued by Brand Finance, marking the fourth consecutive year the country has maintained this global standing.

The announcement was made on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum meetings in Davos, Switzerland, in the presence of the former Prime Minister of Canada, Justin Trudeau.

The result reflects growing international recognition of the UAE’s influence and reputation on the global stage. The UAE’s continued ranking among the world’s leading soft power countries highlights the stability of its development model and its ability to strengthen its international presence amid rapid global change and declining trust in several traditional powers.

Qatar targets $25bn investment as Goldman Sachs deepens QIA partnership

Qatar Investment Authority and Goldman Sachs Asset Management have signed a deal to expand their strategic partnership, with QIA targeting a combined commitment of $25bn to funds managed by Goldman Sachs Asset Management and co-investment opportunities.

Under the agreement, QIA will support Goldman Sachs Asset Management across both existing business strengths and new areas of growth, alongside direct investment opportunities.

The expanded partnership builds on the longstanding relationship between the two institutions and is aimed at enhancing access to global investment opportunities.