Etihad Rail will open up new real estate hubs, says expert
Etihad Rail benefits will extend far beyond real estate, creating new corridors for living, trade, and investment across the Emirates, said Firas Al Msaddi, CEO of fäm Properties.
'When we saw Sheikh Mohammed riding the Etihad Rail from Dubai to Fujairah, that wasn't just a symbolic moment - that was the announcement of a new real estate era in the UAE,' said Al Msaddi. 'It represented a once-in-a-generation infrastructure shift that will redefine how value is created, captured, and capitalised across the Emirates," he said.
'We're not just talking about transportation. We're talking about speed, interconnectivity, and productivity, and how all of that compresses space and time. And when you compress space and time, you reduce opportunity cost. That's where the real value is unlocked.
'Etihad Rail isn't just a train, it's a full-scale economic reset for the UAE. It will shift demand patterns, eliminate bottlenecks, and open up new corridors for living, trade, and investment.'
Added Msaddi: 'Each emirate has always had something unique to offer. But until now, the opportunity cost of movement, whether for people, goods, or capital, has been too high.
'Etihad Rail changes that. When you cut travel time from 2 hours to 50 minutes between cities, you don't just save time, you reshape where people choose to live, work, and invest.
'What used to be too far is suddenly next door. Fujairah is no longer the end of the UAE, it's the Eastern gateway. Al Ain becomes a realistic base for remote professionals who can now be in the capital or the coast in under an hour. This creates a complete re-pricing of land value, not based on geography, but based on accessibility.'
Al Msaddi cites the example of Japan's bullet train between Tokyo and Osaka, which transformed cities like Nagoya in just five years. 'Commercial land values rose over 40%, and housing demand surged more than 60%,' he said. 'It wasn't about the train itself, but the economic flow unlocked by faster travel.
'The UAE is applying that same model, but with one major advantage: it's building the world's most advanced, tech-enabled rail system from the ground up, with no legacy constraints.'
Pointing to the impact on logistics, B2B supply chains, and the decentralisation of corporate ecosystems, Al Msaddi says the equation most investors overlook is that faster travel means more meetings and more transactions.
'A salesperson based in Sharjah can now close deals in Abu Dhabi and Dubai without losing six hours to traffic,' he says. 'That boosts output. Multiply that across the commercial class, and you start seeing real GDP impact.'
Al Msaddi says Etihad Rail's impact will see land prices rise in tier-2 cities like Fujairah, Al Dhaid, and Ruwais, because better connectivity will drive real demand.
'Transit-oriented hubs will rise near stations like Sharjah's University City and Sakamkam in Fujairah, with walkable, mixed-use clusters,' he says. 'Second-home markets will shift too. For families in Dubai, weekend beach units in Fujairah become practical when they're under an hour away.
'Those who still price real estate based on maps instead of travel-time analytics will lose money. Those who study station locations the way they used to study masterplans will build generational wealth,' he said.
Copyright 2025 Al Hilal Publishing and Marketing Group Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (Syndigate.info).
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Khaleej Times
30 minutes ago
- Khaleej Times
UAE: Job offer during probation? What the law says about resigning during first 6 months
Are you currently on probation and received another job offer? Or perhaps you've decided to resign and leave the UAE altogether. Before making a move, it's important to understand the regulations that govern resignations during your first months with a company. UAE's Federal Decree-Law No. (33) of 2021 on the Regulation of Employment Relationships and its amendments have defined the specific commitments that employees need to adhere to if they wish to leave their jobs while on probation. According to this law, an employee's probation period cannot exceed six months. Any probationary term longer than that is unlawful. Conditions governing resignation during these six months aim to protect the employer's rights as well as enhancing labour market flexibility, competitiveness, and ease of doing business. The UAE Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MoHRE) has recently shared these regulations explained. Switching jobs inside the country If an employee wishes to move to another job withing the country, they must notify their employer at least one month in advance. Employees can choose between doing this or compensating their employer with an amount equal to their wage for the notice period or the remaining duration. The old employer has the right to demand that the new one compensate them for the costs of recruiting and contracting with the worker. Resigning to leave the UAE If the employee wants to terminate their contract during the probation period in order to leave the country, they must provide the employer with at least 14 days' notice before the intended termination date, or compensate the employer with an amount equal to their full wage for the notice period or the remaining portion of it. Failure to comply with the notice requirement will result in the employee being ineligible for a work permit in the country for one year from the date of departure.
Zawya
30 minutes ago
- Zawya
Jawad Developments unveils Hayah Walk Mall in 6th of October City
Hayah Walk: A new mixed-use mall developed by Jawad Developments in the heart of West Cairo Jawad Developments is preparing to launch the second phase of its Hayah Residence project, following the remarkable success of selling out phase one, which included the introduction of Hayah Walk mall—one of the company's most prominent mixed-use developments, strategically located in 6th of October city. The Hayah Walk project lies in the heart of West Cairo, near key roads and highways such as the Central Axis and the Ring Road, and in close proximity to major commercial and educational landmarks like MSA University, Mall of Egypt, and Mall of Arabia. Dr. Adel Abdel Jawad, Chairman of Jawad Developments, stated that Hayah Residence is one of the company's flagship projects in 6th of October City. It reflects the company's commitment to developing integrated residential communities built to global standards, combining luxury with practicality. He said that the compound features a collection of high-end residential units in addition to premium serviced apartments. Dr. Abdel Jawad added that the project is designed to be a fully integrated community that meets all residents' needs, featuring residential areas, a commercial mall hosting top international brands, modern administrative units, and a comprehensive medical complex equipped with the latest clinics and healthcare facilities to provide advanced medical services for both residents and visitors. He noted that Hayah Residence stands as a benchmark for real estate developments that strive to create a fully integrated living environment—seamlessly blending luxury with essential services—aligning with the company's vision to provide genuine added value to Egypt's property market. The company's chairman pointed out that the Hayah Residence project involves a total investment of around EGP 5bn. Spanning over 42,000 sqm, the compound is one of the company's flagship integrated residential developments, crafted to deliver a comprehensive living and investment experience that seamlessly combines luxury with functionality. For his part, Mahmoud Dawoud, Head of Sales at Jawad Developments, stated that Hayah Walk mall offers fully finished commercial units, clinics, and administrative spaces, with prices for administrative units starting at EGP 96,000 per square meter. Flexible payment plans are available for up to 9 years—offered for the first time—to meet the needs of a wide range of investors and entrepreneurs. He explained that the project will be launched in two phases, with the first phase featuring a limited number of units, offering clients an exceptional investment opportunity in a promising location. Dawoud noted that Hayah Walk mall includes a diverse mix of commercial, administrative, and medical units, strategically distributed over three floors: commercial units on the ground floor, medical clinics on the first floor, and administrative offices on the second floor—totaling approximately 150 units. He disclosed that all administrative and medical units will be delivered fully finished and equipped with air conditioning systems, in accordance with the highest global standards in design and execution—ensuring a comprehensive experience that combines quality and excellence within a professional, modern environment. Jawad Developments is also currently working on its flagship project, Val Plaza, a landmark mixed-use development featuring 250 diverse units, including commercial, administrative, and medical spaces. Core construction has been completed, with unit handovers scheduled to begin in 2026, in line with the company's planned timeline. Val Plaza's total investment stands at approximately EGP 1.3bn, with total sales reaching EGP 2bn—reflecting strong client confidence in the company's projects and the market's demand for high-quality developments. The company affirmed that the launch of Hayah Walk marks the beginning of a new phase of expansion and growth, as part of its ambitious strategy to strengthen its presence in Egypt's real estate market and deliver integrated real estate solutions that meet client expectations and align with the state's vision for modern infrastructure and urban communities.
Zawya
an hour ago
- Zawya
Salama announces robust H1 2025 performance driven by profitability and equity growth
Improved equity position at AED 351.84 million in first half of 2025, rising 5.2% from December 2024 Dubai – Salama (DFM: "SALAMA"), a leading regional Takaful provider, today announced its interim consolidated financial results for the six-month period ended June 30, 2025. The Company reported a positive profit in the first six months of 2025 and continued strengthening of its balance sheet, driven by a significant rebound in profitability during the second quarter of 2025. Net profit for the period stands at AED 8.25 million, demonstrating continued profitability and positive operational momentum, driven by AED 7.86 million profit in Q2 2025, a substantial increase from AED 2.95 million in Q2 2024. Takaful revenue was recorded at AED 515.36 million in the first six months of 2025, compared to AED 528.59 million in the same period in 2024. Total Equity increased by 5.2 percent to AED 351.84 million as of June 30, 2025, from AED 334.38 million as of December 31, 2024, driven by profit generation and a reduction in accumulated losses to AED 440.68 million by June 30, 2025 from AED 443.86 million by the end of 2024. Bank balances and cash significantly improved to AED 214.44 million from AED 148.77 million at year-end 2024, reflecting robust cash management. Takaful service expenses saw a significant reduction, aligning with the Company's commitment to operational efficiency. Total comprehensive income further improved to AED 19.57 million, compared to a loss of AED 19.7 million in the same period in 2024, reflecting improving economic conditions in key markets and positive foreign currency adjustments at the subsidiary level. H.E. Fahad AlQassim, Chairman of Salama, stated: 'Salama has demonstrated improved equity, enhanced liquidity and better solvency in the first six months of 2025, underscored by significant quarter-on-quarter increase in performance. As we continue to strengthen our balance sheet, we remain focused on our ongoing efforts in streamlining Salama's next phase of growth. At Salama our initiatives are centred on building a more resilient foundation that enhances development of the economy, empowers our customers and delivers meaningful impact to society, aligning with the UAE's progressive vision.' Mohamed Ali Bouabane, Group Chief Executive Officer at Salama, said: 'We are pleased to report a strong performance in the second quarter of 2025 for Salama, which has significantly contributed to our overall profitability for the first half of the year. Our strategic focus on operational efficiency and prudent financial management is yielding positive results, underpinned by the substantial increase in our cash reserves and continue to strengthen of our equity base. We remain committed to delivering excellence in customer-centric products, innovating our Takaful offerings, and upholding our promise to policyholders and shareholders. The positive momentum positions us well for the remainder of the year as we continue to navigate the market with agility, disciplined underwriting, digital innovation, and strategic foresight to further solidify Salama's position as a regional Takaful leader.' As one of the world's largest and longest-established Takaful providers, Salama is committed to increasing access to Shariah-compliant insurance solutions in the region to create enduring value for customers. Recently, the Company collaborated with to increase life insurance penetration in the UAE over digital channels. Salama's long-term issuer credit and insurer financial strength rating was affirmed at 'BBB-' by S&P Global Ratings with a Developing outlook. -Ends- Press Contact Salama Karen S. Randhawa, Head of Marketing and Communications About Salama Islamic Arab Insurance Company Salama Islamic Arab Insurance Company (Salama) is one of the world's largest and longest-established Shariah-compliant Takaful solutions providers listed on the Dubai Financial Market, with paid-up capital of AED 939 million. Since its incorporation in 1979, Salama has been a pioneer in the Takaful industry, having won many industry awards and accolades. Salama's stability and success can be attributed to its customer-centric approach that keeps its customers and partners at the heart of the business, while staying committed to its Takaful principles. The company is recognised for providing the most competitive and diverse range of family, motor, general and health Takaful solutions that meet the ever-changing demand of its individual and corporate customers in the UAE and, through its extensive network of subsidiaries and associates, in Egypt and Algeria. As the preferred Takaful provider for its partners and customers, Salama remains committed to shaping tomorrows, together.
