Tag Archives: exclusive
UAE investors starting to favour property, study shows
UAE-based investors are increasingly confident about pouring money into local assets and they seem to be focusing more and more on the property sector.The latest Friends Provident International (FPI) Investor Attitudes report showed that people in this part of the world are now more comfortable about making investments domestically than their counterparts in Hong Kong and Singapore.This is a telling discovery, as both of these Asian destinations are viewed as major global investment hubs, and it only emphasises just how well the UAE is performing.According to the FPI report, the index for the UAE has risen dramatically since last year, with the country now boasting a score of 28 – up by 11 points on the fourth quarter of 2012. The indices for Hong Kong and Singapore currently stand at 27 and 25 respectively.The study focuses on wealthier investors in each market and it found that UAE-based traders are shifting away from commodities such as gold in favour of real estate.Matthew Waterfield, FPI's general manager for the Middle East and Africa, said the results back up recent suggestions that consumer confidence in the UAE is on the up.”It is interesting – although not entirely surprising – to see the much improved preference for investing in property, which has been building over the last few editions of the report,” he remarked.”Sentiment towards property investment is a fairly reliable barometer of the level of confidence in the local investment market.”Increased interest in UAE-based property has resulted in a plethora of new projects that were previously shelved during the economic downturn being resurrected in places like Dubai.A recent study by Jones Lang LaSalle emphasised how well the property sector has been performing of late, as the demand for residential and commercial buildings has risen sharply in the past year.For the first time since 2008, all areas of the city's real estate industry are well placed to mount an impressive recovery throughout 2013, so now is the ideal time for investors to swoop in and secure more lucrative assets.Looking for apartments in Dubai? The First Group can help you out Continue reading
Diego Maradona hails ‘wonderful tranquility’ of Dubai
Most people who move to the UAE find that the lifestyle suits them down to the ground – and this is certainly the case for Diego Maradona.The footballing icon relocated to Dubai a couple of years ago, as he took on a managerial role at Pro League club Al Wasl.He has since left this position, but has stayed in the city after being appointed a sporting ambassador.The Argentinean told Arabian news provider Al Ittihad that starting afresh in the Middle East has really helped him to settle down, as his life had been like a “a Formula One [car] going at full throttle” before he moved.”I learnt about calm and spiritual peace from the Emiratis in particular and the Arab people in general,” he was quoted as saying.”I am now experiencing this wonderful tranquillity. Living here among the Arabs has changed a lot of my ideas and beliefs and this has been a very important experience in my life.”His one-year deal with the Dubai Sports Council is due to end in August, but Maradona has indicated that he could well stay in the Gulf.He hailed Dubai as a “brilliant city” and said he has never regretted his decision to move to such a “unique place”.Population statistics confirm that more and more people are moving to Dubai on a permanent basis and this is certainly no surprise.The city has everything that you could possibly want, especially if you have a bit of money to spare.Some of the villas and luxury apartments in places like Dubai Marina need to be seen to be believed and the warm weather is an obvious bonus for people who have grown sick of the freezing cold temperatures in places like the UK.Clearly, it is not just the great Diego Maradona – one of the finest footballers of all time – who is enjoying life in the wonderful surroundings of Dubai. Continue reading
Dubai International ‘is the world’s leading A380 hub’
Dubai International Airport has been officially confirmed as the world's leading hub for A380 aircraft.The double-decker planes have revolutionised air travel and it seems that the UAE has embraced the vessels faster than any other destination across the planet.New schedule figures have shown that 7,259 of the aeroplanes left Dubai's main airport on journeys to 28 different locations in 2012 and all but 88 of these flights were laid on by Emirates Airline.Dubai International beat second-placed Singapore in the rankings and was also ahead of London's Heathrow, Frankfurt and Sydney.Chief executive officer at Dubai Airports Paul Griffiths said the recent expansion of the airport highlights its commitment to housing A380 aircraft. He suggested that the grand unveiling of the new Concourse A was a real signal of intent from Dubai International.”This new facility is purpose built for the aircraft with two-tiered gates facilitating boarding directly from the first and business class lounges,” he remarked.Although other airports, such as Charles de Gaulle in Paris, New York's JFK, Hong Kong International and Los Angeles have all facilitated an impressive number of A380 planes over the past year, Mr Griffiths feels Dubai International will continue to lead the way.”Based on Emirates' order book, the new Qantas A380 operation and our $7.8 billion expansion plan, Dubai International is well placed to continue to hold the top position for A380 operations in 2013 and beyond,” he added.Last month, the aviation hub was officially declared the second-busiest on earth, behind only Heathrow. This was based on passenger numbers from 2012 and the start of 2013.Some 10.6 million people passed through the Middle Eastern airport in the first two months of 2013, which was a 13 per cent improvement on the corresponding period in 2012.This was enough to see Dubai International overtake Charles de Gaulle in the rankings and Mr Griffiths thinks the airport is in a strong position to take the number one spot from Heathrow in a few years' time. Continue reading
