Abu Dhabi to get a unique waterfront community, Yas Point

📍Yas Island

The state developer, Aldar, has announced a $1.6 billion project.

Across 600,000m²:

▫️5* Hotel
▫️Beach and 700m Promenade
▫️1,600 Branded Residences
▫️International School

One of the project's features is a 60,000m² park that will lead to the sea.

The community will be located next to the Sphere Abu Dhabi arena and Disneyland.

Pedestrian and cycle paths will connect the new area with neighbouring residential communities.

#real_estate_abu_dhabi

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The UAE's educational system has entered the global TOP 20 list.

The QS World Future Skills Index 2027 measures how well higher education systems prepare graduates with the skills required for future jobs.

The country has ranked:

☑️1st in the Region
☑️17th Globally

Over the past year, the UAE climbed 12 positions, scoring 86.5 out of 100 overall.

The report's authors particularly highlighted the UAE's progress in AI and digitalisation.

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The UAE's non‑oil trade has achieved a historic milestone.

In H1 2026, the volume reached $527 billion.

❗️This is a year‑on‑year growth of 13%

Key trading partners:

1️⃣China
2️⃣Switzerland
3️⃣India

Leading commodities:

☑️Gold
☑️Telecoms Sector
☑️Cars and Diamonds

#news_uae

Sources: The National, Khaleej Times

Aldar Properties has launched a mega community worth $27 billion

📍Saadiyat Island

The Marsa Al Saadiyat project will extend across 8km of waterfront.

▫️Area: 6.4 million m²
▫️Population: 58,000 people

The residential development will include mansions, villas, apartments, and branded residences.

A cluster of hillside homes rising 22m is also planned.

Features:

☑️6km of Beaches
☑️Clinics and Schools
☑️Abu Dhabi's Largest Marina
☑️Promenade with Luxury Hotels
☑️Underground Etihad Rail Station
☑️186km of Walking and Cycling Paths

The Dar Al Funoon Abu Dhabi art centre will also be built here, and the Louvre Abu Dhabi museum will be located within walking distance.

❗️This is the final phase of the island's masterplan

#real_estate_abu_dhabi

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In January – June 2026, Dubai issued 2 million residency visas

➤ According to the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs (GDRFA).

In H1 2026, the following were issued:

▫️66,000 Golden Visas
▫️1.9 Million Residency Permits
▫️5 Million Entry Permits

#life_dubai

Sources: Gulf News, Khaleej Times

10 Facts About the World's Largest Performing Fountain

1️⃣Set on a man-made lake at the foot of Burj Khalifa in Downtown Dubai, this is an unforgettable spectacle.

2️⃣The developer, Emaar, announced the fountain's construction in June 2008.

3️⃣The project is by California-based WET Design, the firm behind the musical fountain in front of the Bellagio hotel in Las Vegas.

4️⃣Construction cost – $218 million. The name was chosen through a competition.

5️⃣It opened on May 8, 2009, together with the opening ceremony of Dubai Mall.

6️⃣The fountain is 275m long. This is longer than two football fields. It consists of five circles of different diameters and two arcs.

7️⃣Inside, there are 'water robots' – jets that shoot water under pressure. Moving nozzles create a 'water dance' effect.

8️⃣Water jets reach heights of 150m – equivalent to a 50-storey building. When the fountain is running, up to 83 tonnes of water are in the air at any given second.

9️⃣6,600 lights and 25 colour projectors create 1,000+ shades of water. The fountain's light beams can be seen within a 32km radius.

🔟The fountain performs a variety of songs in different languages: from Sama Dubai in honour of Sheikh Mohammed to global hits.

The show is free

☑️Daytime:
Saturday – Thursday: 1:00 pm – 1:30 pm
Friday: 2:00 pm – 2:30 pm

☑️Evening:
Daily, every 30 mins: 6:00 pm – 11:00 pm

Additionally

▫️Lake boat ride
5:45 pm – 11:30 pm

Last boat departs 30 mins before closing.
Tickets: from $20

▫️The Dubai Fountain Boardwalk
10:00 am – 11:30 pm

A 272m floating platform lets you watch the show from just 9m away
Tickets: from $7

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High-quality articles about the UAE's real estate every week. Read 10 facts about Burj Khalifa

Total real estate transaction value in the UAE capital reached $31.86 billion in January – June 2026

➤ According to the Abu Dhabi Real Estate Centre (ADREC).

Compared to H1 2025:

☑️Total Value ↑ by 112%
☑️Total Volume ↑ by 62%

In H1 2026, the following were concluded:

▫️16,838 Sales Transactions ➤ $23.4 Billion
▫️8,876 Mortgage Deals ➤ $7.3 Billion

Compared to H1 2025 in Abu Dhabi:

☑️28 Real Estate Projects Were Registered, ↑ by 16%
☑️2,000+ Brokerage Licences Were Issued, ↑ by 34%

Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) in the capital's property reached $3.7 billion.

❗️This represents a 309% year-on-year increase

#real_estate_abu_dhabi

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Wadi Wurayah National Park has been inscribed on UNESCO's World Heritage List.

📍Fujairah

This is one of the UAE's most important natural landscapes:

▫️Freshwater Ecosystem of the Peninsula
▫️Habitat for 1,000+ Species of Animals and Plants
▫️Exposure of Ophiolite Rock Formations, Offering Key to Understanding Earth's Ancient History

#news_uae

Sources: Economy Middle East, Gulf News