The Gulf Business Business Breakfast Briefing: Real Estate Edition, held on 20 February 2025 at The Westin Mina Seyahi in Dubai, brought together top industry leaders, investors, and stakeholders to discuss the evolving UAE real estate market.
Under the theme “Breaking Ground: The UAE Real Estate Outlook,” the event provided valuable insights into the future of the property sector across Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, and Ras Al Khaimah.
The briefing featured three dynamic panel discussions, keynotes from industry leaders, and the prestigious Game Changers Awards. Attendees explored critical market trends, policy shifts, and emerging opportunities shaping the UAE’s property landscape.
Gulf Business would like to thank its partners who made this special event possible: Alef Group, IRTH Group, ANAX Developments, Century Financial, GROHE, and Samana Developers.
You can view all the photos of the event by clicking to view this gallery here.
If you missed the event, you can catch up on all the action by watching the videos posted below.
Panel 1: Will Dubai’s Property Boom Continue?
Dubai’s real estate sector has experienced an unprecedented boom, driven by strong foreign investment, regulatory reforms, and luxury developments. But with global economic uncertainties, fluctuating interest rates, and increasing supply, is the growth sustainable?
This panel, moderated by Taimur Khan, Head of Research MEA at JLL, examined key factors influencing Dubai’s real estate trajectory over the next five to ten years. Discussions covered the sustainability of the boom, the impact of golden visas on demand, and whether the surge in off-plan sales signals healthy growth or an overheating market.
Speakers:
- Fibha Ahmed, Vice President of Property Sales, Bayut
- Ravi Bhirani, MD, Anax Developments
- Stefan Schmied, Leader IMEA, LIXIL International
- Dounia Fadi, Managing Director, eXP Dubai
Panel 2: The New Growth Hubs – Ras Al Khaimah, Abu Dhabi & Sharjah
While Dubai remains the UAE’s real estate leader, other emirates are stepping up as investment destinations. Ras Al Khaimah’s Al Marjan Island, Abu Dhabi’s government-backed mega-projects, and Sharjah’s focus on sustainable luxury housing are reshaping the landscape.
Moderated by Gareth van Zyl, Group Editor, Gulf Business, the discussion compared these emerging hubs, exploring investment potential, ROI, and government incentives.
Speakers:
- Issa Ataya, CEO, Alef Group
- Andrew Thomson, Partner, Head of Real Estate, Hotels & Leisure, Al Tamimi & Company
- Fouad Bekkar, CEO, Coralytics
Panel 3: UAE’s Property Market 2025 – The Next Big Moves
As the UAE real estate sector matures, increased transparency, homeownership trends, and regulatory shifts are shaping its next phase of growth. The expansion of freehold areas, the evolution of RERA’s regulatory role, and improved data access are transforming the market.
Moderated by Anand Menon, CEO, LION EDGE Consultancy, this panel explored the future of homeownership, investment hotspots, and the balance between supply and demand.
Speakers:
- Daniel Hadi, CEO Middle East, Engel & Völkers
- Louis Harding, CEO, Better Homes UAE
- Osman Celiker, Managing Director, IRTH Group
- Imran Farooq, CEO of Samana Developers
Game Changers Awards & Full Event Recap
The event concluded with the Game Changers Awards, recognising individuals and organisations shaping the future of UAE real estate. Winners were honoured for their contributions to innovation, sustainability, and market growth.
For those who missed the live event, you can also watch the full event recording here:
Stay tuned for more Gulf Business industry briefings, offering unparalleled access to expert insights and networking opportunities.
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