News Bites

Today’s issue will take around 5 minutes to read 😎, unless you read slow then it might take slightly longer.

Real Estate

• Looking to develop land in the UAE? Better save 10-15% of the sales for Emirati brokers AT LEAST! The quota is aimed to assist Emiratis get into the real estate game, which seems to be dominated by foreigners 🏘️

• Rental prices in Dubai are soaringgg 📈 Tight supply is likely one of the driving factors as last year saw an increase of 16.2% in prices for residential villa rents 😱😱😱

• Gen Z’s are having a massive impact on the future of Middle East real estate. The demand for unique experiences within malls and other buildings/public areas is causing developers to be creative in design and implementation - can we have a slide coming out of our hotel room to the pool pls? 😎 ☀️

Economy

• Unlike North America, the Middle East’s economy remains strong despite oil price cuts over the last year. The reason? Green finance is emerging as a strong player for foreign direct investment in the region. 🟢 Yep, the green is bringing more green 💸

• Egypt, you want $8 billion for your economy? Keep that currency floating. This was one of the major IMF stipulations, amongst others, for the loan 🏦

• On the Gulf side, the UAE is crushing growth! UAE’s Central Bank is estimating a 4.2% growth in 2024 and 5.2% in 2025. Good time to be in the UAE! 📈

Arts and Culture

• There’s a Desert Sound Techno Therapy (say that 3 times fast 👀) event happening in the JAX District, Diriyah! Groove or zone out to sounds in the dunes on April 12th 🎵 🏜️

• When in doubt about moon-sighting, KEEP CALM and do NEW MOON YOGA 🧘🏾‍♀️ April 8th at 6 pm; you can glide over to the Four Seasons Bahrain to warrior pose with a stunning cityscape view (you can say we’re over the moon about this 🌚)

• Layali Ramadan is wrapping up April 14th in Abu Dhabi - there are 10 immersive experiences for visitors to check out, including a one-of-a-kind handbag series from Jimmy Choo inspired by the UAE 🤩 👜 P.S. You can peep us at the Benefit Cosmetics Majlis 💅🏿

Technology

• Riyadh Air, a new Saudi airline, is upping its X-factor with AI!! They’re teaming up with Artefact to give passengers high-tech solutions in-flight. Futuristic vibes, 100+ destinations, and mega national aviation goals. We’ll catch you in the air in 2025 🚀 ✈️

• The UAE is getting serious about boosting tech innovation in Africa, starting with investments in AI and digital infrastructure in Kenya. We’re talking data centers and developing big language models— the main aim of the game is connecting private and public companies in the region. Why AI?? Welll, Kenya's IT sector has been booming, growing by 23% each year! #BlessTheGainsDownInAfrica 🌍 💻 ✨

✨ akhbaar Spotlight ✨

This community-driven, culture-immersing, flavor-awakening group was started during Ramadan five years ago in the US by Ayesha Erkin! A small group gathers to experience a specific cuisine— and it’s all about the connections and convos between minority women at the table 💖 (pssst, last month’s Sudanese iftar was open to men too)

It’s expanded from the US to cities worldwide, and now it’s in the UAE under the head of community/growth Roha Daud. We love ourselves some #girlbosses 💪🏾

Follow/like to join their next supper club HERE

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