
Oman: Shura council approves draft real estate registry law
MUSCAT: The Majlis Ash'shura approved the amendments of the Law of Arbitration in Civil and Commercial Disputes and the draft Real Estate Registry Law and referred them to the State Council, at its tenth regular meeting held under the chairmanship of Khalid bin Hilal al Maawali, Chairman of Majlis Ash'shura, on Tuesday.
The council discussed the amendments to some provisions of the Law of Arbitration in Civil and Commercial Disputes, which was referred by the government.
Dr Ahmed bin Ali al Saadi, Chairman of the Legislative and Legal Committee, explained that the amendments aim to enhance the effectiveness of arbitration procedures to support the Sultanate of Oman's efforts to adopt international best practices in the field of dispute resolution.
The council also discussed the draft real estate registry law referred by the government. Dr Ahmed bin Ali al Saadi, Chairman of the Legislative and Legal Committee, reviewed the committee's report on the draft law, which includes 40 articles distributed across five chapters.
Al Saadi explained that the current real estate registry system no longer keeps pace with the technological boom the Sultanate of Oman has witnessed over the past decades in terms of real estate documentation and registration particularly after the introduction of digital registry systems, electronic title deeds and remote documentation services.
The meeting also approved the vision of the Public Services and Utilities Committee regarding the draft air transport agreement between the Sultanate of Oman and the Kyrgyz Republic, referred by the government.
The council is holding its eleventh regular meeting today (Wednesday), during which the draft civil society institutions law, referred by the government, will be discussed.
The meeting saw the presentation of two urgent statements, the first of which was related to the Ministry of Labour's decision requiring commercial establishments that have completed one year since to employ at least one Omani citizen. The second addressed the failed food security projects and recommended taking decisive decisions to avoid financial waste.
In the statement delivered by Mohammed bin Nasser al Mahrouqi, representative of the Wilayat of Sinaw, regarding the Ministry of Labour's decision, he called for exempting micro and small enterprises from implementing the decision. He also called for supporting medium-sized enterprises financially to enable them to employ national job-seekers.
Mohammed bin Khamis al Hussaini, a representative of the Wilayat of Samayil, delivered an urgent statement regarding the failed food security projects. He recommended decisive decisions to avoid financial waste, noting that some food security companies have turned into a heavy burden on the state's general budget.
2022 © All right reserved for Oman Establishment for Press, Publication and Advertising (OEPPA) 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
6 hours ago
- Khaleej Times
Iran threatens US bases in region if military conflict arises
If nuclear negotiations fail and conflict arises with the United States, Iran will strike American bases in the region, Defence Minister Aziz Nasirzadeh said on Wednesday, days ahead of a planned sixth round of Iran-US nuclear talks. "Some officials on the other side threaten conflict if negotiations don't come to fruition. If a conflict is imposed on us... all US bases are within our reach and we will boldly target them in host countries," Nasirzadeh said during a press conference. US President Donald Trump has repeatedly threatened Iran with bombing if it does not reach a new nuclear deal. The next round of talks is due this week, with Trump saying negotiations would be held on Thursday while Tehran says they will take place on Sunday in Oman. Iran is expected to hand a counter-proposal to a previous US offer for a nuclear deal it rejected, with Trump reacting on Tuesday that Iran is becoming "much more aggressive" in nuclear talks. Nasirzadeh added Tehran recently tested a missile with a two-ton warhead and does not accept limitations. Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei had said in February that Iran should further develop its military, including its missiles.


Khaleej Times
10 hours ago
- Khaleej Times
Sharjah's realty delivers stellar performance in May
Sharjah's real estate market delivered a stellar performance in May 2025 with a trading value of Dh5.5 billion across 8,415 transactions. This activity, spanning 13.2 million square feet of traded area, underscores the emirate's growing appeal to investors and its strategic evolution into a diversified, sustainable real estate hub, according to data from Sharjah's Real Estate Registration Department. Real estate consultants observed that Sharjah's real estate market exemplifies a maturing sector that balances growth with sustainability. 'The emirate's strategic vision, robust infrastructure, and investor-friendly policies have created a fertile ground for real estate investment,' an analyst said. They noted that against the backdrop of the UAE's dynamic property sector, Sharjah's performance reflects both local resilience and alignment with broader national trends, underscoring its reputation as a prime investment destination. The UAE's real estate market has been on a steady growth trajectory, with the nation's property sector projected to contribute significantly to the non-oil GDP, which reached 73 per cent of the total economy in 2024, as reported by the UAE Central Bank. In particular, Dubai's high-octane luxury market recorded transactions worth Dh97.5 billion in Q1 2025 per the Dubai Land Department. Balancing affordability with ambitious urban development, Sharjah offers a blend of residential, commercial, and industrial opportunities that cater to a diverse investor base. This diversity, coupled with investor-friendly policies, has fueled Sharjah's real estate momentum. The emirate's market is undergoing a transformative shift, moving beyond traditional growth to embrace sustainability and innovation. Government initiatives, including streamlined regulations and investor protections, have bolstered confidence among local and international stakeholders. Flexible legislation has kept pace with market demands, ensuring transparency and legal integrity. Meanwhile, Sharjah's urban expansion, underpinned by modern infrastructure and large-scale projects, has opened new avenues for investment. Areas like Al-Metraq, Muwailih Commercial, and Tilal have emerged as hotspots, reflecting the emirate's ability to attract developers and buyers May 2025, Sharjah's real estate sector recorded 8,415 transactions, with sales transactions totaling 1,574, or 18.7 per cent of the total, signaling strong demand for properties. Mortgage activity further highlighted market confidence, with 381 transactions valued at over Dh1.1 billion, representing 4.5 per cent of all deals. This financing surge reflects trust from both investors and financial institutions in Sharjah's long-term potential. Initial sales contracts numbered 1,486, comprising 17.7 per cent of transactions, while ownership certificates accounted for 43 per cent with 3,619 transactions. Additionally, 1,355 ownership deeds were issued, making up 16.1 per cent of the total, reinforcing Sharjah's reputation for a well-regulated property transactions spanned 134 areas across Sharjah, covering residential, commercial, industrial, and agricultural properties. Of these, 877 transactions involved land, 395 were for units in towers, and 302 were for built-in land deals. Sharjah City dominated with 1,426 sales transactions, led by Al-Metraq, which recorded 354 deals, followed by Muwailih Commercial with 258 and Tilal with 135. In terms of trading value, Muwailih Commercial topped the list at Dh352.2 million, followed by Tilal at Dh263.2 million, Al-Sajaa Industrial at Dh140.9 million, and Al-Metraq at Dh114.9 Sharjah City, the Central Region logged 97 sales transactions, with Industrial 1 leading at 17 deals and Al-Blida recording the highest trading value at Dh13.8 million. In Khor Fakkan, 26 transactions were recorded, with Al-Harai Industrial contributing five deals and Hay Hayawa 4 achieving a trading value of Dh3.6 million. Kalba City saw 24 transactions, with Al-Tarif 5 leading at seven deals and Al Soor 1 posting a trading value of Dh3.5 million. This widespread activity underscores Sharjah's ability to cater to varied investor preferences across its regions. A 2025 report by Property Monitor highlights that Sharjah's affordability, compared to Dubai's average property price of Dh2.1 million, makes it a magnet for middle-income buyers and investors seeking value-driven opportunities. Additionally, Sharjah's focus on cultural and educational hubs, such as University City, enhances its appeal as a holistic lifestyle destination.


Khaleej Times
10 hours ago
- Khaleej Times
Dubai realty defies global trends, eyes 300,000 new housing units by 2028
Dubai's residential real estate market continues to defy global trends, posting sustained growth in both sales volumes and values as the emirate retains its status as a leading destination for property investment. With 73,000 new homes slated for delivery by 2025 and an ambitious target of 300,000 units by the end of 2028, Dubai is undergoing one of the most significant residential expansions in its history, according to consultancy Cavendish Maxwell. Despite a slight quarter-on-quarter decline, the market remains firmly on an upward trajectory. In the first quarter of 2025, the city recorded 42,000 property sales transactions valued at Dh114.4 billion. While this marks a 10 per cent drop compared to the last quarter of 2024, it represents a striking 23 per cent increase from the same period in the previous year. Cavendish Maxwell's Director and Head of Residential Valuation, Ronan Arthur, noted that while prices began the year on a softer note, they are now stabilising. The average quarterly price increase stood at 2.8 per cent, down slightly from the 4 per cent average of 2023 and 2024, signaling a maturing market. Almost 95 new projects were launched in the first quarter of 2025, bringing an anticipated 29,000 residential units to the market. About 9,300 of these units were completed during the same period — the second-highest quarterly figure in two years. Apartments accounted for nearly 80 per cent of the completions, with villas and townhouses making up the rest. Jumeirah Village Circle (JVC) led all areas in both completions and transactions, adding 4,330 units and recording 3,330 apartment sales. Off-plan sales dominated activity, contributing Dh77.5 billion from 29,000 deals — roughly 70 per cent of all transactions and a 32 per cent increase year-on-year. The secondary market also showed resilience, with 13,200 transactions representing a 6.6 per cent annual rise. Apartments made up 75 per cent of total deals, though demand for larger homes is also increasing. Townhouses and villas represented 17 and 7 per cent of sales respectively, reflecting buyers' growing interest in more spacious living. Luxury properties saw a notable upswing as well, with 590 homes sold at prices above Dh20 million, up from 480 in the same period last year. A majority — 67 per cent — of these high-end sales were off-plan, indicating a strong appetite for new developments among affluent investors. By March 2025, the average property price had reached Dh1,535 per square foot, a 16 per cent year-on-year increase. V. Sivaprasad, chairman of Condor Developers, the prime property market continues to record steady surge in demand. 'The rise in the influx of wealthy buyers to Dubai continues to propel the luxury residential sector, defying general regional trends. Dubai's residential property market continues to flourish, driven by strong investor sentiment, a diversified demand base, and strategic planning. As the city evolves, developers and investors alike will need to navigate a more mature and dynamic landscape — one that increasingly rewards timely execution, smart planning, and long-term vision,' said Sivaprasad. Rental dynamics, however, are showing signs of moderation. Annual rent growth stood at 14.4 per cent, but only one per cent on a quarterly basis — the slowest pace in two years. This could be a result of the growing supply of new units and the implementation of the Dubai Smart Rental Index, which is expected to bring more transparency and structure to pricing. Average rental yields remain attractive: 7.3 per cent for apartments and five per cent for villas and townhouses. Some areas, such as Dubai Investments Park, International City, and Downtown Jebel Ali, are offering yields as high as 10.3 per cent for apartments, while Industrial City leads the villa segment at 6 per cent. Market optimism was further bolstered by record-breaking activity in May 2025. According to fäm Properties, Dubai saw property sales worth Dh66.8 billion during the month — a 49.9 per cent increase compared to May 2024. With 18,693 transactions, it became the second-highest month on record for volume. In contrast, May 2020 saw only Dh2.3 billion from 1,400 deals. This dramatic rise underscores the emirate's evolution into a global investment hub, fueled by economic stability and sustained interest from high-net-worth individuals. Despite concerns raised by some analysts over a potential 15 per cent price correction, industry leaders remain confident. fäm Properties CEO Firas Al Msaddi dismissed the fears, stating that the market is not headed for a downturn but merely entering a phase of more measured growth. With over 360,000 residential units in the pipeline for the next five years but only a fraction nearing completion, demand appears well positioned to absorb incoming supply.