AGP Executive Report

Golden Residency: Bahrain’s LMRA has launched an enhanced digital work-permit renewal service for Golden Residency holders, cutting processing to an immediate automated step, reducing paperwork by 50% and approvals by 25%. Kuwait Real Estate: Kuwait’s progressive fees on undeveloped plots and Law 126/2023 enforcement have revived the market by limiting freehold areas from 5,000 to 1,500 sq m, easing monopolistic control and stabilising prices. Kuwait Construction Pipeline: CAPT extended bids for the PAFN HQ study/design/supervision tender to Sept 27, with a follow-on construction tender expected after the technical work. Iraq Industrial Land: Iraq’s PM ordered 250 hectares per province for industrial projects and a ban on exports of some metal raw materials to boost local manufacturing. Egypt Real Estate Tax: Egypt saw strong uptake of a new real estate tax app as citizens seek clearer incentives. Saudi Real Estate Projects: New Capital developments keep moving, including launches and financing signals tied to developer commitments. Regional Shipping & Ports: With Red Sea disruption continuing, the Arctic Northern Sea Route is gaining commercial attention—an indirect but real factor for Middle East logistics planning.

Renewables & Grid Buildout (Egypt): Egypt’s Electricity and Renewable Energy minister met Masdar to review solar, wind and battery storage progress, including a 200MW Gulf of Suez wind project (grid connection targeted for Dec 2027), 1,000MW wind in Ras Shukeir, 1,000MW solar in Minya, and multiple battery storage additions. Urban Mobility (Egypt): Transport officials inspected trial-readiness work on Egypt’s Ain Sokhna–Alamein–Matrouh high-speed electric rail line, focusing on station access, passenger flows and supporting road links. Real Estate Policy (UAE): Dubai’s shared housing law for 2026 takes effect, with fines up to Dh1m—another sign of tightening rules around housing supply and compliance. Defense-Driven Regional Risk (Turkey/Gulf): Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Türkiye are set to hold their first committee meeting in Istanbul under the Makkah Joint Defence Agreement, with interoperability and defense-industry cooperation on the agenda. Heritage vs Conflict (Lebanon): Archaeological excavation work in southern Lebanon has stalled as the Israel-Hezbollah war disrupts access to heritage sites, risking delays to key discoveries. Community Planning Flashpoint (Israel): Tel Aviv residents are worried about a planned mikveh in Ramat Aviv, with secular groups considering a court petition over the city council decision. Infrastructure & Trade (Ports): Chattogram Port retained 68th place in Lloyd’s List’s 2026 top container ports ranking, while new terminal investments are positioned to reshape future throughput.

West Bank Violence: Israeli settlers attacked homes around Qusra, throwing stones and surrounding a Palestinian house under construction; witnesses say tear gas was used and residents were detained, while Netanyahu condemned the “criminal acts of violence” as a “handful of rioters.” Urban Development & Infrastructure: Jerusalem’s L3 light rail segment opened after years of delays, adding 12 stations and improving transfers toward the expanding Gav Yam tech park. Property Tax Digitisation (Egypt): Egypt launched a Real Estate Transactions Mobile App, enabling online registration, electronic payments, and a 5-step process for certified final tax clearance, with a 60-day payment window and exemptions for certain family transfers. Saudi Real Estate Leadership: New Murabba (PIF-backed) replaced its CEO, signaling continued reshuffling in Saudi flagship projects. Renewables Finance (Egypt): IFC plans up to $100m for the 900MW Shadwan wind farm, supporting a wider $700m investment and grid-linked power under a 25-year deal. FDI Boost (Qatar): Qatar’s FDI inflows jumped 559% to $3bn in 2025, strengthening investor appetite across the GCC.

Saudi Real Estate & Demand: Cityscape Global 2026 is spotlighting Saudi homebuying momentum, with the 2025 homeownership rate hitting 66.24% and 107,000 housing units/plots delivered—plus new clarity for international buyers under the non-Saudis real estate ownership rules. Water & Infrastructure PPP: Nesma & Partners teamed with Saur to prepare the next tender stage for a Riyadh recycled water project, aiming to scale water reuse under Vision 2030. Urban Development Tender: Saudi MOMAH launched RFQs for the King Fahd Suburb Boulevard Project in the Eastern Province, a 43-year PPP DBFOMT mixed-use corridor covering about 1m sqm. UAE Market Performance: UAE real estate activity stayed strong in H1 2026, with Dubai seeing 104 project completions worth AED 111bn and a surge in new units. Finance & Housing Rules: China’s regulator issued new rules for commercial housing development loans and personal mortgages, pushing project-focused risk controls and closed-loop fund management. Iraq Housing Crisis & Corruption: Iraq’s housing shortage is blamed on corruption and hoarding, with integrity probes tied to dozens of properties in Saladin and Baghdad. Tech & Real Assets: Tether is expanding its Hadron tokenization platform across APAC, including a Saudi real estate tokenization collaboration. Transport Boost (Egypt): Egypt is set for trial operations of a high-speed electric rail line from Ain Sokhna toward Marsa Matrouh starting mid-September.

Urban Housing Crisis: Iraq’s Al-Dora crackdown in Baghdad turned deadly, spotlighting the country’s long-running informal settlement problem, with officials citing thousands of settlements and millions affected. Real Estate Regulation: Egypt’s NUCA rolled out seven new rules for foreign companies investing in new cities, including setting up an Egyptian entity, bank guarantees, and consulate-authenticated documents. Middle East Development & Investment: Lebanon’s Hezbollah finance crackdown is framed as potentially “designed to fail,” with Beirut tightening regulated channels while leaving the group’s parallel funding largely intact. Infrastructure & Construction: Pakistan’s Sindh governor met federal ministers as rail construction from Karachi to Rohri is set to start next year, alongside ongoing fuel and coal logistics. Energy-Efficiency Finance: Swedfund committed USD 20m to expand the Africa Go Green Fund, backing green buildings and energy-efficiency solutions—relevant for future regional property and retrofit projects. Security & Land Use: Israeli airstrikes around Jenin killed three Palestinians, including a Qassam Brigades commander, as ambulances were blocked by a tight security cordon.

Iraq Real Estate Fraud Crackdown: Iraq’s National Security Service arrested 61 people in Al-Muthanna over an alleged land-record forgery network, involving more than 90 forged transactions and about 2 billion Iraqi dinars in losses, with suspects including government staff, lawyers, and real-estate office owners. UAE Housing & Tokenisation Policy: Dubai’s shared housing law for 2026 has come into effect, while Qatar has approved a real estate tokenisation draft bill—both pointing to faster, more regulated housing delivery and new investment rails. Saudi Urban Tech Push: Riyadh launched a Digital Innovation District to attract global tech firms and talent, covering AI, cybersecurity, cloud, IoT, blockchain, and robotics—an urban development move that can reshape demand for offices, housing, and services. Israel Planning & Settlement Expansion: Israel’s far-right finance minister unveiled a plan to “Judaize” the Negev and Galilee by adding 1 million Jews, including new settlements and housing—raising fresh uncertainty for land use and regional property markets. Northern Ireland Cost Pressure (Housing Impact): SSE Airtricity raised gas tariffs by 19.2% from Oct 1, adding roughly £170+ a year for many households, a reminder that energy costs can quickly feed into housing affordability.

West Bank Housing Access: New Israeli roadblocks in Qusra, including at Ras al-Ain hill, are tightening a “permanent siege” on homes and land access, adding to the pressure on Palestinian residential areas. Settlement Expansion & Land: Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich’s plan to accelerate “land, population, and security” includes creating 40 new communities (20 in the Negev, 20 in the Galilee) and cancelling projects he says link Arab localities—directly tied to housing and settlement growth. Gaza Humanitarian Pressure: Israel’s “war on kites” and renewed threats around children’s kites continue to disrupt daily life, while Gaza aid access is described as pushed to breaking point. Kuwait Housing Support: Kuwait’s budget allocates KD139.9m for subsidizing construction materials, tied to loans via Kuwait Credit Bank and applications through Sahel—aimed at lowering build/renovation costs for eligible citizens. Dubai Shared Housing: Dubai’s 2026 shared housing law takes effect, with fines up to Dh1m, shaping rental and accommodation compliance. Construction & Energy Signals: Kuwait and Saudi policy moves keep feeding regional development—Saudi pushes Vision 2030 digital infrastructure and stored energy investment, while ADNOC-linked engineering work and battery storage projects underline ongoing build momentum. Mortgage Rates Watch: Mortgage rates are edging up again in the US (30-year fixed around 6.6%), a reminder that affordability pressure can spill into regional buyer sentiment.

Baghdad Housing Crackdown Turns Deadly: Iraqi security forces and Baghdad Municipality staff removing illegal structures in Dora (southern Baghdad) were hit by gunfire, killing a brigadier general and a second security member, with four others wounded; authorities sealed the area and arrested at least one suspect. Kurdistan Investment Push: Iraq’s Kurdistan Region says it has issued 900+ investment permits since 2019 and is nearing self-sufficiency in key construction materials, with cement output above 21 million tons and reinforcing steel over 4 million tons annually, as the Erbil construction exhibition draws 450 firms. Saudi Construction Market Matures: Big 5 Construct Saudi is splitting into two standalone editions to match Saudi Arabia’s build lifecycle, with a focus on early-stage procurement, local supply chains, and sustainability for mega-projects tied to Expo 2030 and FIFA World Cup 2034. Israel West Bank Tensions: Israel’s military chief ordered heightened readiness for rapid troop reinforcement in the occupied West Bank, citing potential multi-front escalation, as housing tenders for the E1 area continue to fuel international concern. Dubai Real Estate Resilience Theme: A new report argues Dubai can absorb regional shocks by repeatedly repositioning its economy, including after past property and mobility shocks.

Qatar Real Estate Tokenisation: Qatar’s Cabinet approved a draft bill to regulate real estate tokenisation and trading of real estate tokens, linking ownership rights to the Real Estate Registry and opening the draft for 10 days of public feedback on the Sharek platform. Dubai Housing Rules: Dubai’s shared housing law for 2026 has come into effect, with fines up to Dh1m, as the emirate continues tightening the rules around residential arrangements. Dubai Mega Projects & Growth: Haifa unveiled a $1B waterfront “Strip” megaproject, while Dubai pushed ahead with Al Maktoum Airport expansion and awarded Dh55bn in contracts by year-end, reinforcing the region’s construction pipeline. West Bank E1 Shockwaves: Palestine warned that Israel’s E1 annexation and settlement expansion plans threaten regional peace, with UN officials also flagging the legal and humanitarian fallout. Market Financing Watch: Qatar’s tokenisation push lands alongside broader regional caution on property lending exposure, as banks elsewhere reassess real estate risk amid higher borrowing costs and uncertainty.

Jordan-UAE Development Finance: Jordan’s PM Jafar Hassan met Abu Dhabi Fund for Development chief Mohammed Al Suwaidi to back vocational/technical education and energy projects, underscoring the two countries’ long-running partnership on major economic and development work. Qatar Education Build-Out: Qatar’s cabinet backed preparations for the 2026-27 school year, highlighting continued construction of new schools in population-heavy areas and upgrades to curricula and education workforces. West Bank Settlement Pressure: Israel’s Netanyahu vowed to keep expanding illegal West Bank settlements, while Denmark and Malta joined a growing international statement condemning the E1 settlement tenders and warning firms against bidding. US Senate Pushback: US Senate Democrats urged Netanyahu to rein in settler violence and mass arrests, including calls to investigate deaths of American citizens in the West Bank. Dubai Real Estate Outlook: Nisus Finance said Dubai’s property market still offers long-term opportunities despite regional uncertainty, citing fundamentals, regulation, and population growth. Saudi Logistics Rents Rising: JLL reported tight occupancy and rising industrial/logistics rents across Riyadh, Jeddah and Dammam as Vision 2030 industrial expansion continues. Infrastructure & Flood Control (Ghana): GARID will start building a 10-metre-wide underground stormwater drain in Kaneshie from Sept 7 to boost flood resilience after deadly flooding.

Saudi Nuclear Deal & Israel Normalisation: Trump has sent a civil nuclear agreement with Saudi Arabia to the US Congress, but approval is tied to Riyadh normalising relations with Israel under the Abraham Accords, setting up months of political debate over nuclear cooperation and safeguards. Expo 2030 Riyadh Framework: Saudi Arabia and the Bureau International des Expositions signed the “SEE Agreement” outlining legal and administrative support for country participation in Expo 2030, covering design, construction, visas, taxes and customs. Cross-Border Real Estate & Residency Advisory: CivicLabs launched a Global Business Development Platform with Henley & Partners to help built-environment startups and internationally mobile families align residency and property decisions across markets. Middle East Disruption Hits Property-Adjacent Demand: Helloworld’s FY26 results flagged Middle East conflict disruption, a reminder that regional instability can spill into travel and related demand that often feeds into real estate activity. Syria Reconstruction Signals: Syrian Democratic Forces announced the end of its independent mission after integration into the Syrian army, with reconstruction and rebuilding now positioned as the next phase. Turkey-Syria Investment Push: The Damascus International Fair is expected to boost Turkish-Syrian investment and local production, with infrastructure and construction among the targeted sectors. Kuwait Airport Partnerships: Kuwait is moving to expand aviation partnerships and incentives to attract foreign investment for Kuwait International Airport upgrades, aiming to turn the airport into a regional aviation hub.

West Bank Housing & Settlements: Singapore’s foreign ministry reiterated that Israel’s West Bank settlements are illegal and urged Israel to halt E1 expansion after a tender for 1,200+ housing units, warning the plan would fragment the territory and damage prospects for a viable two-state solution while calling for action against settler violence. On-the-Ground Violence: AFP reported settlers attacked journalists near Bethlehem, injuring at least five and damaging vehicles—another reminder that construction and settlement policy are unfolding alongside escalating friction. Energy Costs & Financing Pressure: Goldman Sachs flagged that unresolved Middle East conflict keeps oil prices elevated, raising upside inflation risks and supporting a case for higher borrowing costs—an indirect headwind for regional property affordability and construction demand. Renewables & Build-Out: Türkiye said renewables made up 62.8% of installed power capacity (79.43 GW) and launched new solar and wind tenders, signaling continued infrastructure spend that can support future real estate and industrial development. Market Sentiment: Turkey’s confidence index fell in August across services, retail, and construction, with construction orders down—useful context for developers watching demand.

Saudi Capital Markets: Al Salam Bank was appointed joint lead manager and bookrunner on Saudi Real Estate Refinance Company’s $2.75bn dual-tranche sukuk, underscoring continued GCC appetite for sovereign-linked funding that can support housing finance. Israel-Palestine & Land Use: International pressure is intensifying over Israel’s E1 West Bank settlement plan, with multiple governments and blocs calling for a halt as critics warn it would sever Palestinian contiguity and undermine a two-state path. Data Center Water/Permits: New Mexico’s Supreme Court dealt two setbacks to Project Jupiter, pausing parts of the air permit process and challenging emergency water well authorization—another reminder that infrastructure timelines can hinge on local water and environmental approvals. Construction Costs: Iran-linked conflict pressures are pushing commercial construction tender prices higher, with Ireland’s tender price inflation accelerating in early 2026 as material and supply-chain costs move. Regional Development & Trade: China and Jordan pledged to deepen cooperation across infrastructure, trade and digital economy, while Türkiye and Qatar targeted $5bn in bilateral trade and pointed to construction-driven ties. Hospitality Real Estate: Centara Hotels & Resorts appointed Andrew Shaw as Chief Development Officer to expand its global development pipeline, including across the Middle East.

West Bank Housing & Settlements: Israel’s E1 West Bank settlement tender for 1,234 homes drew fresh condemnation, with EU and Palestinian officials warning it could fracture Palestinian territory and undermine the two-state solution. International Protection & Rights: UN rapporteur Francesca Albanese renewed calls for an urgent international protection presence in the occupied West Bank, East Jerusalem and Gaza amid reports of settler violence. Jordan Land & Railways: Jordan’s Senate urged avoiding expropriation of privately owned land for railway projects, recommending reroutes via state land and clearer compensation rules. Israel-Syria Security Spillover: An Israeli drone strike injured a man near Beit Jinn in Syria, while Israel and Syria reportedly met in Jordan after an airstrike on Abu al-Duhur airbase—an escalation with direct regional knock-on effects. Tel Aviv Transit Planning: Israel’s NTA published prequalification steps for the driverless, highly automated Gush Dan metro, aiming to cut operating costs and staffing needs. Greek Housing Policy: Greece released a 2026–2035 national housing strategy with 50 measures, including faster permits, cheaper mortgages, social-rent tools and a new Golden Visa for long-lease portfolios. Saudi Finance for Real Estate: Al Salam Bank was named joint lead manager for a $2.75bn Saudi SRC sukuk, signaling continued capital-market support for housing finance. Aviation Training Investment (Saudi): flynas broke ground on a Riyadh pilot and cabin crew training center (SAR 200m), targeting 2028 operations and large daily trainee capacity.

West Bank Housing & Diplomacy: The EU urged Israel to revoke its E1 West Bank settlement tender, saying it “fundamentally harms” the two-state solution and called for an immediate halt to expansion, as multiple countries—including Arab and Islamic states—pile on sanctions threats. Security & Infrastructure: Israel’s metro procurement is advancing toward driverless operations, with new “Infra II” steps for rolling stock and signaling valued around 30bn shekels, while the IDF begins construction of six new training bases. Real Estate Finance & Rates: Rising long-term rates and Middle East-driven oil volatility are pressuring housing and property stocks, with markets watching borrowing costs and bond-market stress. Qatar Real Estate Innovation: Msheireb Properties partnered with Inc. Arabia to host business and innovation events at Msheireb Downtown Doha, boosting the district’s entrepreneurship push. Iraq Construction: Work has started on Erbil–Koy Sanjaq’s Shorsh Bridge (48m high, 250m long), part of a wider dual carriageway upgrade. Egypt Maritime & Trade: U.S. and Egyptian officials met in New Cairo on ports and maritime innovation, targeting investment in Egypt’s Vision 2030 logistics and supply-chain resilience. Iran Oil Risk: Iran warned it could halt all Persian Gulf oil exports if U.S. “economic war” continues, raising uncertainty for regional energy-linked costs.

Lebanon Housing & Infrastructure Shock: The World Bank says Lebanon’s economy is set to shrink 6.4% in 2026 after renewed fighting with Israel hit housing, infrastructure, displacement and tourism, leaving 360,000 people displaced and over 700,000 affected by water damage. Energy Logistics & Build-Out: France and Saudi Arabia plan talks in Paris on expanding oil pipelines to bypass the Strait of Hormuz after conflict reshaped global shipping routes. Iraq Labor & Land Disputes: Protests in Baghdad, Babil and Kirkuk spotlight delayed salaries and demands for permanent jobs, while Iraq’s top court postponed a Nineveh land case tied to residential plot subdivision and building permits. West Bank Real Estate Pressure: A joint Arab-Islamic statement warns the E1 settlement plan could undermine the two-state solution, with analysts saying it’s a test of whether condemnation turns into real pressure. Egypt Industrial Real Estate: Construction has started on a $658m phosphoric acid complex in New Valley, aimed at export via Safaga Port and creating 3,000+ jobs. Oman Coastal Housing: Oman’s fishermen’s villages in Al Wusta are expanding into integrated residential communities near landing sites.