AGP Executive Report

Cross-Border Investment: Pakistani development authorities drew interest from Saudi investors at the Saudi-Pak Real Estate Expo, showcasing planned commercial districts and infrastructure projects. UAE Projects: Delayed approvals remain a leading risk to project delivery, while Abu Dhabi residential deals topped AED21.5 billion in the third quarter. Saudi Arabia: Construction costs rose 2.2% in September, and developers are positioning for a more mature market. Egypt Housing: President Sisi backed a major housing drive that includes rental and middle-income homes, alongside a large development deal with Talaat Moustafa Group. Property Compliance: A complaint filed in Canada alleges Israeli real estate firms misled buyers about properties in West Bank settlements.

West Bank Property Dispute: A complaint in Canada alleges Israeli real estate agencies misled buyers about West Bank properties, bringing settlement-land sales under fresh scrutiny. Branded Homes: Sugee and Wyndham plan the world’s first Vienna House residences in Ras Al Khaimah, adding to the emirate’s hospitality-led development pipeline. Egypt’s Housing Drive: Egypt says its urban footprint has doubled to 14%, with 1.96 million homes built. The government has also announced an EGP 11 trillion deal with Talaat Moustafa Group for four mixed-use projects and plans for up to 200,000 rental homes. Saudi Market: Property platform Ghanem secured $1.5 million in funding, while Arada has entered Saudi Arabia with a SAR 50 billion land bank and a $3.8 billion Riyadh project.

Iraq Infrastructure: Grand Al-Faw Port has completed its breakwaters, with its submerged tunnel 98% finished. The $17 billion project anchors a planned Gulf-to-Europe road and rail corridor. Egypt Development: Egypt says its urban footprint has doubled to 14%, with 1.96 million homes built. A separate 11-trillion-pound deal with Talaat Moustafa Group covers four mixed-use projects, while the government is seeking up to 200,000 rental homes. UAE Property: Sugee and Wyndham plan the world’s first Vienna House-branded residences in Ras Al Khaimah, adding to the emirate’s luxury development pipeline. Saudi Construction: The kingdom awarded $33 billion in projects over nine months, while construction costs rose 2.2% year-on-year in September. West Bank Planning: The EU urged Israel to scrap its planned 1,200-home E1 development, warning it could divide the West Bank.

Doha’s Heat Challenge: Rapid urban growth has pushed land-surface temperatures up more than 7°C in some areas, while electricity use rose 25% in five years, sharpening the case for heat-resilient design. West Bank Property: Israeli forces have demolished buildings and ordered families to leave in Hebron amid a widening military operation, adding to displacement pressures. Market Scrutiny: Canadian authorities are reviewing a complaint alleging Israeli firms marketed West Bank properties as if they were in Israel. Saudi Projects: Arada’s planned $3.8 billion Riyadh development adds to a busy pipeline; Saudi Arabia awarded $33 billion in projects in the first nine months of 2026, while construction costs rose 2.2% in September. Abu Dhabi Deals: Residential transactions topped Dh21.5 billion in the third quarter. Egypt’s Expansion: A deal worth EGP 11 trillion (about $202 billion) will fund four mixed-use projects, as foreign investment in Egyptian real estate climbs 47%. Housing Plans: Egypt is preparing a programme spanning rental and middle-income homes, while Arab housing ministers discuss rebuilding conflict-hit cities.

Pakistan’s Urban Plans: Islamabad is pitching Saudi investors on a proposed “Manhattan-style” residential and leisure development, with a one-window approvals process promised to speed investment. Abu Dhabi Market: Residential property deals topped Dh21.5 billion in the third quarter, underscoring strong activity in the capital. Egypt’s Mega-Projects: The government signed an EGP 11 trillion agreement with Talaat Moustafa Group for four projects and is also advancing plans for a major rental-housing programme, including up to 200,000 homes. Saudi Construction: Project awards reached $33 billion in the first nine months of 2026, while construction costs rose 2.2% in September. Gaza Rebuilding: Reconstruction remains on hold as Israel restricts the entry of building materials and other supplies.

Saudi Construction: The kingdom awarded $33bn in projects over nine months, while construction costs rose 2.2% in September. JLL says the market is maturing, with tender prices forecast to climb 5%. Pakistan-Saudi Investment: President Asif Ali Zardari visited the Saudi-Pakistan Real Estate Expo in Lahore, where Saudi developers are showcasing projects and exploring investment opportunities. Egypt Mega-Projects: Egypt signed an EGP11tn deal with Talaat Moustafa Group for four mixed-use developments and is planning a major rental-housing programme, including up to 200,000 homes. Dubai Property: Office leasing remained resilient in the third quarter as tenants prioritized quality, while Dubai Maritime City secured 18 new leases amid demand for industrial space. Egypt Hospitality: Hotel101 plans a $102m, 750-room hotel near the Pyramids, marking its entry into Africa. Qatar Schools: Contracts were signed for four private schools, adding capacity for about 5,000 students.

Saudi–Pakistan Investment: A Lahore property expo is pitching opportunities to Saudi investors, with Lahore’s RUDA and Central Business District presenting development plans and offering one-stop investor support. Egypt’s Mega-Projects: Egypt signed an EGP 11 trillion agreement with Talaat Moustafa Group for four mixed-use developments, while the government is also pursuing a major rental-housing programme. Saudi Growth: Arada has launched in Saudi Arabia with a SAR 50 billion land bank; JLL says the Kingdom’s construction market is maturing and forecasts tender-price growth of 5%. UAE Handovers: National Properties completed its AED 1 billion, 399-home Hills Park project in Dubai Hills Estate and has begun handing units to buyers. Qatar Development: The government allocated land for four private schools, with contracts covering construction and operation.

Egypt Housing: President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi has asked a developer to provide up to 200,000 rental homes as the government advances a major programme spanning rental and middle-income housing. Dubai Development: National Properties completed its AED1 billion, 399 Hills Park project in Dubai Hills Estate and has begun handing homes to buyers. Hotel Investment: Hotel101 plans a $102 million, 750-room hotel near Cairo’s pyramids, expanding the brand into Africa. Saudi Expansion: Arada has entered the Saudi market with a SAR50 billion land bank and a SAR14 billion residential project planned for Riyadh. Market Trends: Saudi real estate prices rose 1.2% year-on-year in the third quarter, despite a quarterly decline; meanwhile, regional construction costs are climbing as the Middle East conflict disrupts supply and pushes up expenses.

Egypt’s Mega-Projects: Talaat Moustafa Group and the government have signed an EGP 11 trillion deal for four mixed-use developments, with milestones targeted by 2030. Separately, President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi is preparing a housing programme combining rental, social and middle-income homes. Saudi Development: Arada has launched Riyadh operations with a SAR 50 billion land portfolio, while Saudi home prices rose 1.2% year-on-year in the third quarter despite a quarterly dip. Egypt Investment: Foreign real estate investment climbed 47% to $2.8 billion, pointing to continued investor interest. Urban Resilience: Turkish mayors called for more spending on disaster readiness and urban renewal; one proposed reserving 40% of municipal revenue for infrastructure. Building Costs: Middle East construction costs are rising as the conflict drags on, adding pressure to project budgets and investment decisions.

Egypt’s Mega-Projects: Egypt and Talaat Moustafa Group agreed an EGP 11 trillion ($202 billion) deal for four mixed-use developments, with milestones targeted for 2030. Hotel101 also signed a joint venture for a 750-room Cairo hotel, its first African project. Saudi Expansion: Arada launched its Saudi business with a SAR 50 billion land portfolio and a $3.8 billion residential masterplan in Riyadh. UAE Demand: Sharjah waterfront homes drew strong early interest, while Taraf and Marriott plan JW Marriott Residences on Yas Island. Market Pulse: Saudi property prices rose 1.2% year-on-year in the third quarter, despite a quarterly decline; foreign investment in Egyptian real estate climbed 47.4% to $2.8 billion.

Saudi Expansion: Arada is entering the market with a $3.8 billion Riyadh project, while a Sharjah waterfront homes launch drew reported interest 150% above expectations within an hour. Dubai Investment: Real estate investment reached $185 billion in 2025, with Asian and European investment up 38.9% to AED496 billion, according to reports. Egypt’s Property Market: Foreign real estate investment climbed 47.4% to $2.8 billion. The sector is also calling for stronger regulation and buyer protection as Egypt establishes an investment zone for Qatar’s $29.7 billion Alam Al Roum development. Construction Pipeline: Türkiye broke ground on a $4.1 billion Ankara data-center complex, adding a major project to the region’s expanding development pipeline.

Saudi Investment Climate: Saudi Arabia has postponed its flagship Future Investment Initiative until 2027 as Houthi attacks and security concerns disrupt Riyadh, complicating efforts to attract foreign capital. Egypt’s Property Market: Foreign real estate investment rose 47.4% to $2.8 billion, while Egypt launched an investment zone for Qatar Diar’s planned $29.7 billion Alam Al Roum development on the North Coast. Dubai Demand: Dubai recorded $185 billion in real estate investment in 2025, with investment reportedly jumping 360% over five years. Regional Expansion: Mohamed Alabbar has outlined plans to invest up to $17 billion in Syria, signaling potential new development activity as the country pursues recovery. Project Costs: JLL says higher construction costs are reshaping real estate viability and capital planning worldwide, adding pressure to project budgets across the region.

Saudi Investment: Thakher Development completed the handover of its SAR 2 billion Makkah property deal to Indonesia’s Danantara, including hotel towers and 14 development plots—an early major foreign acquisition under Saudi Arabia’s new property-ownership rules. Egypt’s North Coast: Cairo launched an investment zone for Qatar Diar’s $29.7 billion Alam Al Roum project, as foreign real estate investment in Egypt rose 47% to $2.8 billion. Dubai Market: Real estate investment reached $185 billion in 2025, up 360% over five years, according to reports. Syria’s Rebuild: Emaar chief Mohamed Alabbar outlined plans to invest up to $17 billion, signaling potential private-sector interest in reconstruction.

Dubai Momentum: The emirate’s economy reached Dh473 billion in the first half of 2026, while real estate investment totalled $185 billion in 2025. Dubai Municipality also completed Dh1.6 billion in projects. Egypt’s Property Market: Foreign real estate investment rose 47.4% to $2.8 billion. The government launched an investment zone for Qatar’s Alam Al Roum North Coast project as industry voices called for stronger regulation and buyer protection. Syria Reconstruction: Damascus and the World Bank agreed to establish a multi-donor recovery fund, a step toward rebuilding after a war that caused an estimated $216 billion in damage. Housing Pressure in Iraq: Housing costs are equivalent to about 10 years of family income. A first payment for Hanwha’s Bismayah project has been cleared, potentially allowing work to resume after a dispute over unpaid bills.

Housing Affordability: A typical Iraqi apartment costs the equivalent of 10.1 years of family disposable income. The Central Bank of Iraq has tripled its housing-support allocation to 3 trillion dinars to help buyers purchase homes in residential complexes. Dubai Development: Dubai Municipality says it has completed Dh1.6 billion in projects, including parks, beaches, schools and community facilities. UAE Investment: Abu Dhabi’s IREIS real estate exhibition returns as property transactions top $48 billion; the UAE is also offering 10-year residency to property buyers investing at least $545,000, as well as to eligible professionals. Regional Markets: Saudi Arabia is opening its property market to foreign buyers, while Aldar has entered Sharjah with a Dh1.1 billion residential acquisition.

Egypt’s North Coast: The tourism minister says major investment is transforming the Sahel into a Mediterranean destination, but a shortage of hotel rooms is limiting growth. Saudi Property Market: Saudi Arabia is opening property ownership to foreign buyers, while the country’s first credit-rated residential mortgage-backed securities mark a new financing milestone. UAE Developments: TARAF and Marriott signed a deal for JW Marriott Residences on Abu Dhabi’s Yas Island; a separate Dubai project plans a 2.5-million-square-foot logistics hub. Syria’s Rebuild: Emaar chief Mohamed Alabbar outlined $16 billion in property investment plans for Syria, while Eagle Hills has separately discussed investment of up to $17 billion. Egypt’s Assets: Egypt plans a real estate fund to generate returns from state-owned urban development assets and approved a large logistics zone in Salloum. Istanbul’s Floods: Four people died in the city’s worst flooding in decades, with poor urban planning blamed for worsening the damage.