As the UAE accelerates efforts to build smart, sustainable cities, BEEAH has launched its first major real estate development, Khalid Bin Sultan City.

In this interview, Khaled Al Huraimel, group CEO and vice chairman, discusses the company’s move into real estate, the foundational values behind the project, and how it aligns with national and regional urban transformation agendas.

What prompted BEEAH’s move into real estate development at this point in its growth journey?

At BEEAH, we’ve always pursued a clear mission: to shape a sustainable future and enhance quality of life for all people. Our journey began in waste management, but our evolution has been shaped by a deeper understanding of what communities need to thrive – clean energy, smart technologies, healthcare infrastructure, and ultimately, environments that enhance quality of life.

Real estate became the natural next step. It’s not just an expansion of our business – it’s a platform that allows us to bring together everything we’ve built across sectors. From circular waste systems and renewable energy to AI–driven infrastructure and people–first urban design, real estate is where our ecosystem can be applied in the most tangible way. That’s what led us to launch Khalid Bin Sultan City: a landmark project that exemplifies our commitment to building people-first, cities of the future.

What is Khalid Bin Sultan City, and what foundational values does BEEAH offer its residents?

Khalid Bin Sultan City is a climate–smart, net–zero ready urban development – master planned by Zaha Hadid Architects and located in Sharjah’s Rodhat Al Sidir district. Envisioned as a city of the future, it will be shaped by four foundational pillars: sustainability, technology, culture, and people.

It will offer 1,500 freehold residential units – villas, townhouses, and apartments – surrounded by green corridors, cultural landmarks, wellness spaces, and smart infrastructure. Anchoring the city is a 1.5–kilometre green spine — a central landscape corridor that supports biodiversity, encourages active living, and connects neighbourhoods through nature.

At its heart is a landmark cultural centre that will host exhibitions, performances, and thought leadership events — creating a cultural anchor for the community. It’s a place where environmental harmony is standard, not aspirational; where daily life is enhanced by technology; and where human connection and wellbeing are built into the design of the built environment.

How will it redefine the real estate market in the region?

Khalid Bin Sultan City is not a traditional real estate development. It’s a blueprint for future cities – regenerative, resilient, and restorative in every sense.

We’re introducing net–zero–ready infrastructure and integrating renewable energy at the neighbourhood scale. Our waste management system is zero–landfill by design, supported by smart segregation infrastructure and integration with BEEAH’s regional waste recovery network. We’re embedding digital twin systems to optimise resource use in real time. And we’re reimagining mobility with EV–ready networks, smart parking, and ride–sharing platforms.

What this means for the market is a new standard – where developments are not only smart or sustainable, but also truly systemic in their thinking. We believe this project will challenge the current model and inspire others to raise their ambitions for what urban development can achieve.

How does BEEAH plan to differentiate its real estate offerings in a competitive regional market?

In a booming real estate market, differentiation must go deeper than architecture or amenities. What sets us apart is the integration of systems – systems that span energy, waste, water, logistics, culture, and community engagement.

We’re drawing on more than a decade of experience in designing and managing high–performance infrastructure. Our HQ in Sharjah, also designed by Zaha Hadid Architects, is already a benchmark for intelligent, low–emission buildings. The Sharjah Creative Quarter and the Jawaher Boston Medical District are further proof points of our ability to deliver visionary projects across different urban typologies.

Khalid Bin Sultan City brings all of these learnings together. It’s not just a city – it’s a living, evolving model for how a city can function in service of its people and its environment.

Sustainability, innovation, and quality of life are described as pillars of your projects. Can you elaborate on how these values will be embedded in upcoming developments?

Sustainability is the foundation – from LEED–aligned construction to circular material flows. We’re powering the city with a combination of solar and waste–to–energy solutions, and integrating on–site water recycling, stormwater management, and resilient drainage systems. Our aim is total landfill independence and a carbon–neutral trajectory.

Innovation comes through our digital layer. Every building, transport node, and utility will feed into a central digital twin – enabling real–time optimisation of energy and resource use. For example, public lighting and cooling systems can adapt to weather, occupancy, and time of day. Residents will have decentralised digital identities, offering seamless access to homes, services, and mobility platforms. AI will enhance everything from logistics to public safety.

Quality of life ties it all together. We’re creating walkable neighbourhoods, shaded green paths, wellness zones, vibrant parks, and cultural venues. No home will be more than a five–minute walk from key services. The entire environment — from greenery to infrastructure — is designed to support physical, emotional, and social wellbeing.

BEEAH has had success across sectors such as environment and healthcare. How will learnings from those industries inform your real estate strategy?

Our expertise across sectors gives us a 360–degree view of how cities operate. In environment, our zero–waste systems — which have helped Sharjah achieve over 90 per cent landfill diversion — are embedded in the city’s infrastructure, including smart bins, digital collection tracking, and decentralised composting hubs.

In energy, we’re applying waste–to–energy and solar innovation at the neighbourhood level, ensuring clean, reliable power with built–in resilience. From healthcare, particularly the Jawaher Boston Medical District, we’ve adopted a design philosophy that centres wellbeing, health access, and biophilic planning.

In technology, ventures like EVOTEQ and re.life have enabled us to build platforms for supply chain management, logistics, recycling, and EV infrastructure — all of which are being adapted to serve residents directly.

With Sharjah as your base, will future projects be concentrated in the UAE or will we see BEEAH real estate ventures regionally and globally?

Our roots are in Sharjah, and we’re proud to contribute to its growth. But the vision we are developing — for net–zero, smart, and human–centric cities — is one that has global relevance.

We see strong opportunities for regional expansion, especially in markets that are prioritising sustainability, infrastructure development, and climate adaptation. Our experience in Saudi Arabia and Egypt, through environmental partnerships, has shown us how our models can be adapted to different geographies. Real estate is a natural extension of this.

That said, we remain focused on execution — ensuring that our first developments deliver both impact and insight. Once that foundation is solid, we will absolutely explore opportunities beyond the UAE.

How do these efforts align with UAE and regional visions for smart and sustainable cities?

Khalid Bin Sultan City is deeply aligned with the UAE’s Net Zero 2050 strategy and Sharjah’s broader urban and environmental agenda. Our masterplan supports climate adaptation, renewable energy targets, AI–driven governance, and improved public health outcomes — all core to the national vision for the future.

More importantly, it offers a live demonstration of how those goals can be achieved through integrated, people–first design. Our hope is that this city, and BEEAH’s wider real estate platform, will serve as a model — not just for building sustainably, but for building meaningfully, with long–term impact and resilience.

Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF) has established a commercial paper (CP) programme, introducing a new short-term financing tool to complement its existing funding instruments.

According to a statement from the sovereign wealth fund, the new program consists of two sub-programmes: a US commercial paper programme and a Euro commercial paper programe, issued through offshore special purpose vehicles.

It has secured the highest possible ratings for commercial paper initiatives — P-1 from Moody’s and F1+ from Fitch.

The CP programme is designed to enhance PIF’s short-term liquidity and cash management flexibility, supporting its dynamic approach to capital raising. “The establishment of our CP programme reflects the continued strength and depth of PIF’s capital-raising strategy; one that is dynamic, resilient, and fit for purpose, aligning funding solutions with our long-term investment priorities,” said Fahad Al-Saif, head of PIF’s Global Capital Finance and Investment Strategy and Economic Insights.

Programme part of PIF’s mid-term strategy

The launch marks the latest step in PIF’s medium-term capital-raising strategy, which includes a diversified mix of bonds, sukuk and loans.

In October 2022, the fund became the first sovereign wealth fund globally to issue a green bond, which included the world’s first century green bond. That milestone was followed by its inaugural sukuk issuance, raising $3.5bn.

PIF holds a long-term issuer rating of Aa3 with a stable outlook from Moody’s, and an A+ rating, also with a stable outlook, from Fitch.

Recognised as one of the world’s most influential institutional investors, PIF plays a central role in enabling the creation of new sectors and economic opportunities globally while driving the transformation of Saudi Arabia’s economy, the fund said in the statement.

Read-New PIF company: Saudi Crown Prince launches HUMAIN

Gold prices fell to a near two-week low on Tuesday as risk appetite improved after US President Donald Trump said Iran and Israel had agreed to a ceasefire, denting demand for safe-haven assets.

Spot gold was down 0.5 per cent to $3,351.47 an ounce, as of 0257 GMT, after hitting its lowest level since June 11 earlier in the session.

Read-Gold gains as Israel-Iran crisis lifts safe-haven appeal

US gold futures slipped 0.9 per cent to $3,365.30.

“It seems like there’s a good bit of geopolitical risk that’s exiting the market here near term after, of course, we have signs of de-escalation between the US and Iran,” said Ilya Spivak, head of global macro at Tastylive.

Trump announced a complete ceasefire between Israel and Iran, potentially ending the 12-day conflict that saw millions flee Tehran and prompted fears of further escalation in the war-torn region.

There was no immediate comment from Israel. While an Iranian official earlier confirmed that Tehran had agreed to a ceasefire, the country’s foreign minister said there would be no cessation of hostilities unless Israel stopped its attacks.

Global shares rallied, while oil prices slipped to a one-week low after Trump announced the Iran-Israel ceasefire.

Meanwhile, US Federal Reserve Vice Chair for Supervision Michelle Bowman said on Monday that the time to cut interest rates is approaching amid potential risks to the job market.

Investors await testimony by Fed Chair Jerome Powell before the House Financial Services Committee later on Tuesday. Powell has been cautious about signalling near-term easing.

“The bias for gold prices is higher, but we might see a correction in near-term and an uptick in the dollar if Powell convinces markets that they’re not going to cut more than twice this year,” Spivak said.

Gold tends to thrive in a low-interest-rate environment.

Airports and civil aviation authorities across the Gulf region have begun resuming operations following temporary disruptions caused by recent regional tensions. While most airspace restrictions have now been lifted, airlines and airports continue to issue advisories, with some flights still delayed or cancelled due to residual operational impacts.

Dubai Airports resume operations following temporary pause

Dubai Airports announced the full resumption of operations across its facilities after a temporary precautionary halt. Officials emphasized that the safety and wellbeing of travellers and aviation staff remains the top priority.

Although services are back online, Dubai Airports noted that some flight disruptions may continue. Travellers are advised to check directly with their airlines for the most recent flight information, according to an update shared by the Dubai Media Office on its official X account:

Sharjah Airport also urges passenger vigilance

Sharjah International Airport echoed similar sentiments, urging all passengers to confirm flight statuses due to continuing delays and cancellations, particularly those related to earlier airspace closures in the region.

“We strongly encourage passengers to contact their airlines directly to verify the status of their flights before heading to the airport,” stated a message on Sharjah Airport’s official X account.

Qatar reopens airspace, declares aviation safety ensured

In a coordinated effort with relevant authorities, the Qatar Civil Aviation Authority (QCAA) announced the full reopening of Qatari airspace and the resumption of air traffic, a WAM report said.

According to the QCAA, the safe return to normalcy was made possible through strong interagency cooperation. The authority expressed gratitude to all stakeholders involved in ensuring the safety and security of operations in the region, as reported by the Qatar News Agency.

Qatar’s Ministry of Interior: Security situation stable

The Qatari Ministry of Interior assured the public that the internal security situation remains stable and there is no cause for concern.

In a statement released through the Qatar News Agency, the ministry cautioned the public against circulating unverified information or rumours. Citizens and residents were encouraged to rely solely on official sources and to maintain social responsibility in how they share information online.

Airlines across the region issue travel advisories

Emirates Airlines: No diversions, but delays expected

Dubai-based Emirates confirmed that although no flights were diverted, some were rerouted on June 23, 2025, as a precautionary measure.

The airline stated that flights are operating using paths well away from conflict zones. Minor delays are expected due to longer routing and congestion. Passengers are advised to check flight status updates and make use of customer support for rebooking and refunds if necessary.

“Safety and security of our passengers and crew are our absolute priority,” Emirates said in a customer advisory.

Etihad Airways cancels select flights

Etihad Airways reported service disruptions on several regional routes, with specific flight cancellations listed for June 23 and 24. Cancelled routes included destinations such as Doha, Kuwait, Muscat, Riyadh, Bahrain, and Dammam.

The airline also announced a temporary suspension of its flights to Tel Aviv until July 15, 2025. Affected travellers are being offered rebooking and refund options. The airline reiterated its commitment to passenger safety and is working closely with authorities.

Travelers are encouraged to check their flight status using the airline’s online tools or by calling the Etihad Contact Centre.

flydubai suspends flights to multiple destinations

Low-cost carrier flydubai announced it has suspended flights to and from several countries, including Iran, Iraq, Israel, Syria, and St. Petersburg, through at least June 30. Passengers en route to these destinations via Dubai will not be accepted for travel at their origin airports.

Affected travellers are advised to use the airline’s “Manage Booking” portal or contact customer service for rebooking or alternative arrangements.

Oman Air suspends GCC and Cairo flights

Oman Air has temporarily suspended flights to regional cities including Manama, Dubai, Doha, and Kuwait. Additional suspensions are in effect for services to Jeddah, Medina, Riyadh, and Cairo for flights scheduled to depart before 06:00 (UTC) on June 24, 2025.

The airline urged passengers to check flight status updates on its website. Oman Air continues to monitor the situation and will announce any further changes, an Oman Observer report said.

Wizz Air warns of ongoing regional disruptions

Budget airline Wizz Air has issued a statement regarding potential delays and disruptions due to regional tensions and airspace closures. The carrier reaffirmed its commitment to passenger safety and noted that affected customers would be contacted directly.

Customers who booked through third-party agents are advised to reach out to them directly for updated information.

Air Arabia monitoring closely, advises caution

Air Arabia confirmed that while some flights may proceed as scheduled, delays are possible due to the dynamic situation in regional airspace. The airline is notifying affected passengers directly via SMS and email.

The airline urged all travellers to monitor their flight status through its official website and stated that safety remains the top priority.

Regional authorities reopen airspace

Bahrain resumes full air traffic operations

The Civil Aviation Affairs department of Bahrain’s Ministry of Transportation and Telecommunications announced the complete reopening of the Kingdom’s airspace. The move comes after temporary suspensions due to security concerns in the region, a Bahrain News Agency report said.

Kuwait reopens skyways after temporary closure

Kuwait’s Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) declared the reopening of the country’s airspace, confirming that air traffic at Kuwait International Airport has resumed.

The reopening was coordinated with both national agencies and regional aviation bodies to ensure safety.

Passengers advised to stay informed and flexible

As the Gulf region’s aviation sector stabilizes, authorities across airports and airlines continue to stress vigilance. Travellers are urged to:

• Check their flight status regularly through official channels.
• Confirm bookings before heading to the airport.
• Update contact information to receive timely notifications.
• Avoid sharing unverified information on social media.

While the situation appears to be moving toward normalcy, authorities warn that operational adjustments may continue in the short term as the region navigates evolving conditions.

As UAE real estate continues its momentum into 2025, new data from UAE-based real estate platform Skyloov reveals the top neighbourhoods capturing attention — and the very different priorities of renters and buyers.

The platform, analysed over 44 million search queries and 540 million property views in Q2 2025, offering one of the clearest windows yet into what’s driving real estate decisions across the UAE.

Here are the key takeaways from the data:

1. Renters are choosing affordability over flash

With rising living costs, particularly in Dubai and Abu Dhabi, affordability has become a top concern for renters.

Convenience and access to amenities are also critical — with professionals, couples, and families searching for communities that balance value with location.

Most searched rental communities:

In Dubai

• International City

• Deira

• Bur Dubai

• Dubai Marina

• Jumeirah Village Circle (JVC)

In Abu Dhabi

• Al Reem Island

• Hamdan Street

• Khalifa City

• Electra Street

• Mohammed Bin Zayed City

These areas offer relatively lower rents while remaining close to schools, retail, transit, and business hubs — making them attractive for cost-conscious residents.

2. Buyers are eyeing investment corridors and future-ready zones

While renters lean toward current convenience, buyers are looking ahead. The most popular search areas for buyers are less saturated, more affordable, and near planned infrastructure — positioning them for capital appreciation and high rental yields.

Most searched buyer communities:

In Dubai

• Dubai Investment Park (DIP)

• Jumeirah Village Triangle (JVT)

• Jumeirah Village Circle (JVC)

In Abu Dhabi

• Khalifa City

• Mohammed Bin Zayed City

In the Northern Emirates:

• Al Nahda (Sharjah)

• Select communities in Ras Al Khaimah

These areas are appealing to investors and end-users seeking long-term value rather than instant convenience.

3. There’s a clear renter–buyer divide in decision-making

Skyloov’s data underscores a growing behavioural divergence: “Renters are prioritising access and affordability, while buyers are strategically looking for growth potential,” said Dr Abdulaziz Albwardi, chairman of the Board at Skyloov.

He added that data-driven platforms are now essential to understanding and responding to this shift: “In a market as dynamic as the UAE, data is no longer a supporting tool — it’s a strategic advantage.”

4. Ras Al Khaimah and Sharjah are emerging hotspots

Ras Al Khaimah and Sharjah’s Al Nahda are rising in buyer interest, signalling broader investor confidence outside traditional centres. The appeal includes lower entry points, infrastructure development, and new lifestyle offerings in these emirates.

5. Data is redefining how people search and decide

With over half a billion property views in one quarter, Skyloov’s platform illustrates just how digital and data-led the UAE real estate market has become.

As renters and buyers alike make sharper, value-conscious decisions, platforms that offer behavioural insights will shape where and how the next wave of real estate growth happens.

Read: Real estate trends in 2025: Dubai developers share insights