Make It Happen!                                                                27 March 2026

Dubai real estate reached US$ 13.8 billion in Ramadan 2026, as demand continues to defy conflict, driving 29.7% value growth, with transactions up by 5.6% to 15.20k.

This week, Binghatti Holding confirmed that, despite the current crisis, its construction operations remain uninterrupted and that cancellation rates remain at less than 1.0%, in line with historic trends. It has also manged to achieve weekly sales of over US$ 150 million – little change from previous monthly returns. It does seem that there has been no major distressed selling or price drop, due to the regional conflict. Its current development portfolio currently includes more than 40k units, including Downtown, Business Bay, Jumeirah Village Circle, and Meydan, as well as flagship branded residences, developed in collaboration with luxury partners Bugatti, Mercedes-Benz, and Jacob & Co. The developer added that almost 90% of its units scheduled for handover in 2026 are fully sold.

Despite the current crisis, it appears that the Dubai property market continues to tick over but at a slightly slower pace. This week, a luxury off-plan apartment, located within the Solaya 1, 2, 3 development in Jumeirah 1, has been sold for US$ 23 million. With the apartment encompassing some 11.57k sq ft, its average sq ft price is US$ 1.99k. Earlier in the month, an apartment, located in Jumeirah 2, within the Aman Residences Dubai development, sold for US$ 115 million – becoming the third most expensive apartment ever sold in the emirate. The six-bedroom residence, with eight parking spaces, encompasses 31.2k sq ft, equating to US$ 3.69k per sq ft.

Such transactions show that the upper end of the market is still flourishing and continues to follow the growth trends of 2025. It seems that global high-net-worth individuals are still being attracted by the emirate’s investment environment, regulatory framework and tax advantages. Last year, there was a 40.8% increase in luxury property transactions, to 6.67k, with a 44.8% surge in values to US$ 27.06 billion.

Transaction activity also highlights continued liquidity. In the first seventeen days of the crisis, that is between 28 February and 16 March, Dubai recorded 6,05k residential transactions worth US$ 5.50 billion, with about 63% of that total registered in the off-plan segment. Activity in the ready market remained selective, largely driven by end-users and income-focused investors more interested in rent-ready apartments rather than speculative purchases.

After years of building a real estate portfolio, and a market name in Europe, Futura EDGE  chose Dubai for its next market move; it is set to launch Oak Yard Residences in Jumeirah Village Circle. The developer has operated in Europe, since 2009 and has delivered over three million sq mt of residential and commercial real estate in countries such as the UK, Germany and Spain, since then. Its initial entrée into the local market is a nineteen-floor, one hundred and ninety apartment project, in JVC District 10, slated for completion later this year. It will boast the largest gymnasium in JVC, an outdoor yoga area, both a traditional Finnish and infrared sauna, a swimming pool, BBQ facilities, and over one thousand sq mt of outdoor space. Each unit includes a private terrace, with premium Italian and German interior finishes. Futura EDGE’s next project, located on Dubai Islands, will be launched in May.

Despite the crisis starting on 28 February, the emirate posted a healthy 12.0% Q1 growth in the construction sector, with 10.78k building permits being issued by Dubai Municipality, allied with a marked rise in total built-up area, 48.0% higher on the year, at 3.9 million sq mt; the expansion covered all sectors including residential, commercial, and service-related projects, and reflected continued confidence in the sector. The municipality said it will continue advancing construction frameworks through technology adoption and updated regulations, as Dubai targets long-term population growth and infrastructure expansion.

Tomorrow, 28 March, will see the running of the Dubai World Cup at the Meydan racecourse. This year’s event will feature some one hundred and one horses, from sixteen countries, in nine races, with a total prize money of US$ 30.5 million. The main race, the last on the card, will be the thirtieth running of the Dubai World Cup, sponsored by Emirates Airline, with a US$ 12 million purse. Two horses to watch out for will be number one, Forever Young, and number nine, the Doug Watson trained Top Leader with Pat Dobbs on board.

Any private school that wants to reopen campuses, for in-person learning, before the 03 April deadline, has been advised that it will have to complete a formal request, to the Knowledge and Human Development Authority, with clear justification including what had been done to ensure the safety and wellbeing of students and staff. The Ministry of Education will decide on a case-by-case basis and will study factors such as emergency lockdown frameworks and transport contingencies, before deciding. All private schools will have to provide hybrid learning to support those who wish to continue online classes.

Between 28 February and 18 March, the UAE’s Ministry of Economy and Tourism conducted 8.17k inspections, issued seven hundred and twenty-nine warnings and two hundred and sixteen penalties, with fines ranging from US$ 545 to US$ 54.5k. The inspections, which became more pronounced because of the crisis and the Holy month of Ramadan, were carried out to ensure that traders and sales outlets adhered to consumer protection policies, applied them effectively, and provided a safe and fair shopping environment for all consumers. The various Economic Development Departments utilise electronic price monitoring systems that allow for direct and real-time price tracking. Over this period, the Ministry also received 2.44k consumer complaints, 82% of which related to food price increases.

With it achieving its highest-ever ranking in the Global Financial Centres Index (GFCI), climbing to seventh place, Dubai is well on its way to becoming one of the top four global financial centres by 2033, in line with Dubai Economic Agenda D33. This year’s performance is the highest ranking ever achieved by a financial centre in the Middle East, Africa and South Asia (MEASA), with it being the only centre from the region to feature in the global top twenty. Dubai also retained its classification as one of the ten cities in the world to be a global leader for the industry and ranked the number one financial centre expected to become more significant.

The index by London’s Z/Yen Group assessed one hundred and thirty-seven financial centres using one hundred and thirty-five instrumental factors and insights, gathered from more than thirty-four thousand assessments, completed by financial services professionals worldwide. For the first time, industry respondents ranked Dubai in the top fifteen across all of the evaluated sectors. FinTech, Government and Regulatory, Professional Services and Trading advanced into the top five positions with Finance, Investment Management and Insurance in the top 10, with Banking fourteenth.

Having secured a forward US$ 66 million purchase agreement with Dubai Holding Asset Management, Dubai Residential Reit has expanded its income-generating property portfolio, with the acquisition of fifty-six premium villas in the Garden View Villas community. The new four-bedroom semi-detached villas, which will expand the Reit’s income-generating property portfolio, were recently valued at US$ 71 million – an immediate 7.9% unrealised gain. This latest addition complements the existing two hundred and eighty-five units in the Garden View Villas cluster. It is expected that a further two hundred and twenty villas in Jebel Ali Village will be added by the end of Q2 2026. With both locations increasing their portfolio, incremental income is expected to generate up to US$ 22 million.

In January, the Central Bank of the United Arab Emirates saw its gold reserves rise by 13.6% to a new record of US$ 11.73 billion. On an annual basis, the Central Bank’s gold reserves increased by more than 75.1%, as demand deposits came in 0.7% lower, on the month, at US$ 341.96 billion. Savings deposits rose 3.3%, on the month, to US$ 112.69 billion, with time deposits, 1.8% higher, at US$ 323.16 billion

Dubai Aerospace Enterprise Ltd has increased its total revolving credit capacity to US$ 4.0 billion, having just signed agreements for new long-term, unsecured revolving credit facilities worth US$ 2.8 billion – US$ 2.3 billion in conventional funding and US$ 500k in Shari’a-compliant liquidity. The new arrangement replaces an existing March 2031 facility. In June 2025, DAE secured a US$ 300 million, three-year unsecured term loan from the Bank of China to support general corporate purposes. Emirates NBD and First Abu Dhabi Bank acted as Initial Mandated Lead Arranger, Bookrunner, and Coordinator on the conventional facility, while Abu Dhabi Islamic Bank served as Mandated Lead Arranger on the Shari’a-compliant facility.

Surfbase Dubai, pitching itself as the region’s first indoor surf and wellness hub, has now opened its fourth investment round, with a minimum ticket size of US$ 100k.  It is reported that  the total investment required stands at approximately US$ 13.45 million, with funds earmarked for wave pool systems, thermal wellness facilities, construction and pre-launch operations. The venture will see the combination of wave technology with training facilities, fitness, retail, food and beverage, and community-focused experiences – all under one roof – and would be a welcome addition to Dubai’s recreational facilities.

Ansari Financial Services’ shareholders approved its Board’s recommendation to distribute a total cash dividend of US$ 81 million (US$ 0.019 per share), equating to 74% of the Group’s net profit after tax, for the 2025 financial year. The approved dividend includes a final dividend of US$ 40 million for H2, following an equivalent payout for H2 2025.

At its AGM, Emaar shareholders approved a dividend distribution of 100% of capital, amounting to a total of US$ 2.40 billion. Its impressive 2025 financial results saw growth across the board – property sales, 16% higher to a record US$ 21.91 billion, with total revenue, EBITDA and net profit before tax registering US$ 13.51 billion, US$ 6.98 billion and US$ 7.00 billion respectively.

Attended by an 85% quorum at its AGM, Emirates Central Cooling Systems Corporation PJSC (Empower), approved its Board’s proposal to distribute H2 cash dividends of US$ 119 million (US$ 0.0119 per share equivalent to 43.75% of the company’s paid-up capital). The approved dividends will be distributed in accordance with Empower’s dividend distribution policy. Last year, it produced record revenues and net profits of US$ 932 million and US$ 274 million, whilst EBITDA increased to US$ 500 million.

The DFM opened the week on Monday 23 March on 5,550 points, and having gained one hundred and twenty-four points (2.3%), the previous week, shed thirty-nine points (0.7%), to close the shortened week on 5,511 points, by 27 March 2026. Emaar Properties, US$ 0.21 higher the previous week, gained US$ 0.04 to close on US$ 3.30 by the end of the week. DEWA, Emirates NBD, DIB and DFM started the previous week on US$ 0.73, US$ 7.51, US$ 2.00 and US$ 0.39, and closed on 27 March at US$ 0.72, US$ 7.52, US$ 2.05 and US$ 0.38. On 27 March, trading was at one hundred and eighty-four million shares, with a value of US$ one hundred and ninety-two million, compared to five hundred and thirty-nine million shares, with a value of US$ six hundred and sixty million on 18 March.

By 27 March 2026, Brent, US$ 43.63 (63.7%) higher the previous five weeks, gained US$ 1.98, (1.8%), to close on US$ 114.11. Gold, US$ 679 (13.1%) lower the previous three weeks, shed US$ 2 (0%), to end the week’s trading at US$ 4,502 on 27 March. Silver was trading at US$ 69.94 – US$ 1.91 (1.8%) higher on the week.

Following the release of stockpiled oil earlier in the month, which impacted 20% of overall stocks, the International Energy Agency continues to consult with Asian and European governments on whether to repeat the exercise “if necessary” due to the Iran war. Its Executive Director Fatih Birol, noted, on Monday, that “if it is necessary, of course, we will do it. We look at the conditions, we will analyse, assess the markets and discuss with our member countries”. He added that “a stock release will help to comfort the markets, but this is not the solution. It will only help to reduce the pain in the economy”. This crisis has taken eleven million bpd from global supply and is probably why the IEA’s Executive Director commented that it was worse than the two oil shocks of the 1970s put together and that “the single most important solution to this problem is opening the Hormuz Strait”.

In 2024, X Corp, the parent company of Elon Musk’s X filed a lawsuit against a group of advertisers and major companies, including the likes of food giants Unilever and Mars, renewable energy firm Orsted and the World Federation of Advertisers, for illegally boycotting his media platform. The lawsuit claimed the group of advertisers had acted against their own economic self-interest to conspire against the platform – saying this violated US antitrust laws designed to promote fair competition between companies. Yesterday, 26 March, a US District Judge said the company had failed to show it had suffered any harm under federal competition laws and duly dismissed the case. Elon Musk had acquired Twitter, (X’s former name), in 2022 and within the first twelve months, advertising revenue had fallen by more than 50%, as some firms paused or reduced their promotions on the site.

The Bank of Korea posted that its 2025 net income surged 104% on the year, mainly attributable to increased gains from foreign currency assets, a weaker Korean currency and higher securities prices, as its net income posted a record US$ 10.19 billion – well above the previous 2021 record of US$ 5.22 billion.

The first two months of the year saw China’s industrial profits grow at a faster pace on the year. China’s industrial enterprises, with an annual revenue of at least US$ 2.89 million, witnessed their total profits jumping 15.2% to US$ 147.57 billion – supported by the strengthening of equipment manufacturing and high-tech sectors; last year, industrial profits only nudged 0.6% higher, which included a 5.3% hike in December alone.

Monday saw the greenback nudging higher, as the market saw latest developments curbing risk appetite whilst raising demand for safe-haven assets, with the dollar climbing on Monday, as escalating retaliatory threats in the ME conflict curbed risk appetite and lifted demand for safe-haven assets. The Ozie dollar took a hit when equities were sold off across Asia, as did Japan, where it was reported that the government was ready to take action to counter foreign-exchange volatility, as the yen edged lower. By the start of the week, the euro, yen, AUD and sterling were all trading lower by 0.16% to US$ 1.1552, 0.14% to US$ 159.45, 0.43% to US$ 1.6993 and 0.06% to 1.3331. There is a feeling that the AUD could take the biggest hit if the markets price a US tightening cycle, with the USD surging, compared to most other currencies.

Following the US President’s weekend announcement of a halt to strikes on Iranian power plants, early Monday trading resulted in oil prices falling by as much as 13%. The previous week had witnessed volatile trading which continued into the current week, with the main focus being on the Strait of Hormuz and whether it can be reopened safely to shipping. Many are already aware that, in normal circumstances, it is used to transport 20% of the global energy supply. However, it should be noted this part of the world is also a vital conduit for products such as fertilisers and helium.

Blaming a decline in its Fortnite on-line game, Epic Games posted that it would be laying off more than 1k employees; chief executive Tim Sweeney said that, since the start of 2025, the company had been “spending significantly more than we’re making” and needed to “make major cuts to keep the company funded”. He thought that the staff reduction, along with savings of a further US$ 500k across other cost centres, would put the company “in a more stable place”. Furthermore, he added it was also facing both industry-wide challenges such as slowed growth, weakened spending and increased competition for user engagement from other media.

The Indian cabinet has approved a US$ 3.06 billion investment plan in the country’s aviation ecosystem in a bid to boost regional connectivity; this includes plans to develop one hundred new airports, and two hundred heliports, over the next decade to 2036. The programme is known as Ude Desh ka Aam Nagrik (UDAN), or “Let the common citizen of the country fly”. Over the past ten years, the UDAN programme has added six hundred and sixty-three new routes, ninety-five new airports, and an extra 16.2 million passengers; this will deepen regional connectivity and introduce flying to millions of Indians, living in remote and regional areas. The country has become the fastest-growing global aviation market and is hoping that if this trend continues it will inevitably result in job creation and economic growth.

The Australian government has had to introduce emergency measures to double penalties for fuel price gouging, as global supply disruptions in the ME theatre triggered fuel shortages in some rural regions. With the country having to import 84% of its petrol, it was obvious that it would be negatively impacted by the current economic crisis which has seen energy prices surge in recent days. The Albanese government does not seem to agree with the current status quo, with panic buying, doubling demand for fuel in some areas, – and this despite government assurances that the market is well supplied. The proposed Treasury Laws Amendment Bill 2026 would impose fines of up to US$ 69.62 million for false or misleading conduct and cartel behaviour. The legislation follows an investigation by Australia’s competition regulator last week into alleged anti-competitive conduct by major fuel suppliers, including Ampol, BP, Mobil Oil Australia, and Viva Energy, which operates Shell and Liberty fuel stations. Earlier in the week, reports indicated that some one hundred service stations, across Victoria state, ran out of petrol and that in New South Wales, Australia’s most populous state, one hundred and sixty-five stations were without diesel and almost three hundred lacked at least one type of gasoline. Regulators have confirmed that petrol and diesel will be released from domestic reserves and that gasoline and diesel quality standards would be temporarily loosened to increase supply.

On Tuesday, and following eight years of discussions, the twenty-seven nation EU bloc and Australia finally signed a trade agreement, with Europe keen to find fresh export markets, now that fractures are appearing with their traditional trading partners including the US, China and the UK. The EU’s move to new markets had earlier been highlighted by previous agreements signed with India, (January 2026), and Indonesia, (September 2025). The latest agreement will result in the removal of over 99% of tariffs, (valued at US$ 1.16 billion) on EU goods exported to Australia. It will also lower tariffs on imports of critical minerals. The European Commission expects the deal to help increase its total exports to Australia by up to 33%, over the next decade to 2036.

Last year, EU firms exported to Australia US$ 42.93 billion of goods, and US$ 32.49 billion of services in 2023. In 2024, the EU was Australia’s third-largest bilateral trading partner and also its sixth-largest export destination, with the EU also being Australia’s second-largest source of foreign investment. When it comes to services, the EU will gain more access for telecoms and financial services, and in agriculture, Australian tariffs will drop to zero for wine, sparkling wine, fruit and vegetables and chocolates from day one and for cheeses over three years. The EU will open two tariff rate quotas of a total of 30.6k tons, for beef, with about 55% of the volume to enter duty-free.

The OECD’s latest forecast brings bad news for the G20 major economies, with the UK economy a stand-out disappointment. (The G20 includes the EU plus nineteen other countries, collectively accounting for 85% of the world’s economic output). The global organisation has downgraded growth forecasts for many of the world’s biggest economies due to the ME conflict. Previously, the Organisation of Economic Co-operation and Development had forecast UK growth at 1.2% before paring it back to 0.7% with their latest report. UK inflation is also predicted to be higher than expected, at 4.0%, (up from 2.8%), in line with other G20 nations. Among G7 countries, (US, UK, Canada, France, Germany, Italy and Japan), only the US is predicted to have higher inflation than the UK in the forecast, while only Italy is expected to see weaker growth. 

It warned that a prolonged conflict would not only trigger “significant energy shortages” globally, but also if the sharp rise in fertiliser prices is sustained, crop yields will be impacted, and food prices will soar next year. It is difficult not to disagree with those analysts that if energy prices remain abnormally high, for a relatively long period of time, there will be the inevitable fuel inflation, a significant slowdown in growth and little chance of rate cuts in 2026. However, UK citizens will be able to sleep soundly at night following the Chancellor commenting that the Iran war would affect the UK, but “in an uncertain world we have the right economic plan”. Following several disastrous ‘plans’ and so many U-turns, there is hope that Rachel Reeves is right this time. We await to see whether she can Make It Happen!