The UAE’s real estate sector recorded strong growth in H1 2026, led by a sharp increase in transactions in Abu Dhabi and higher development activity in Dubai, as foreign and domestic investment continued to flow into the country’s property market, state news agency WAM reported.

Abu Dhabi recorded around Dhs117bn in real estate transactions during the six months to the end of June, an increase of 112 per cent from the same period last year, while transaction volumes rose 61.7 per cent.

Sales accounted for Dhs86.1bn across 16,838 transactions, representing a 163.7 per cent increase, while mortgage transactions totalled Dhs26.7bn.

Foreign direct investment in Abu Dhabi property reached around Dhs13.8bn during the period, up 309 per cent and exceeding the amount recorded for the whole of 2025.

Non-resident foreign investors represented 116 nationalities, while investment zones attracted around Dhs75bn.

Residential unit sales in the emirate reached Dhs70.4bn, according to the Abu Dhabi Real Estate Centre‘s first-half report. Off-plan properties accounted for 89 per cent of residential sales value and 82 per cent of transactions.

Resale prices increased by 20 per cent for apartments and 12 per cent for villas. Abu Dhabi had around 233,000 active residential tenancy contracts, with a combined value of Dhs9.3bn, up 8 per cent year-on-year.

Dubai property market highlights

Dubai also recorded an increase in development activity, completing 104 real estate projects with a total investment value exceeding Dhs111bn during the first half.

That compared with 75 projects worth Dhs73bn in the corresponding period of 2025, representing increases of 38.7 per cent in the number of projects and 52 per cent in investment value.

The number of new real estate units rose by more than 36 per cent to 24,537.

Completed and ready-for-handover construction space increased by more than 23.4 per cent to 1.95 million square metres, from 1.58 million square metres a year earlier.

The cost of land allocated to projects more than doubled to Dhs19.46bn from Dhs8.27bn, an increase of more than 135 per cent. The area of land allocated to completed projects also more than doubled to around one million square metres from 484,000 square metres in the first half of 2025.

Sharjah recorded around Dhs29.5bn in real estate transactions during the first half, an increase of 9.3 per cent, while the number of transactions rose 23.7 per cent to 59,460.

Residential properties accounted for the largest share of sales, with 13,501 transactions, while mortgage transactions reached Dhs7.6bn.

Investors from 121 nationalities participated in Sharjah’s property market. UAE nationals invested around Dhs14.9bn, Arab investors around Dhs5bn and investors of other nationalities around Dhs8.2bn. Eleven new real estate projects were registered during the period.

Ajman recorded 6,815 real estate transactions worth more than Dhs10.8bn, including Dhs7.64bn in trading transactions and Dhs1.88bn in mortgage transactions.

Ras Al Khaimah recorded around Dhs2.89bn in real estate transactions between January and June. Sales totalled Dhs1.353bn across 1,274 transactions, while 463 mortgage transactions were valued at Dhs1.160bn. Property transfers amounted to around Dhs380m.

The first-half figures come as the UAE continues to attract a broader pool of international property investors alongside sustained domestic demand, with new development activity expanding across several emirates.

Read: New UAE PASS integration lets landlords screen tenants in minutes

Saudi Arabia and Syria have signed four agreements and memorandums of understanding covering roads, railways, air transport and postal services as the two countries seek to expand cooperation in transport and logistics, the Saudi Press Agency (SPA) reported.

The agreements were signed during an official visit to Syria by Saudi Minister of Transport and Logistic Services Saleh Al-Jasser, who led a delegation of public and private sector officials, SPA said.

During the visit, Al-Jasser met Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa to review bilateral relations and discuss expanding joint initiatives between the two countries.

Al-Jasser and Syrian Transport Minister Yarob Badr signed two memorandums of understanding covering roads and railways, aimed at strengthening cooperation, conducting technical studies and exchanging expertise.

Saudi Arabia and Syria sign air transport agreement

The two countries also signed an air transport agreement following discussions with Omar Al-Hosari, head of Syria’s General Authority of Civil Aviation and Air Transport, aimed at improving air connectivity.

A separate agreement covering postal services was signed by Al-Jasser and Syrian Minister of Communications and Information Technology Abdulsalam Haykal.

Al-Jasser also met Qutaiba Badawi, head of Syria’s General Authority for Land and Sea Ports, to discuss the development of seaports, logistics zones and dry ports, as well as measures to facilitate the movement of goods, according to SPA.

The agreements establish a framework for cooperation on infrastructure projects, facilitating trade flows and expanding public-private partnerships between Saudi Arabia and Syria, SPA said.

The latest agreements come as Riyadh and Damascus deepen economic and commercial ties, with transport and logistics infrastructure emerging as an area of increased cooperation between the two countries.

Read: Visa completes first live international payment in Syria

Federal government employees in the UAE will receive greater flexibility in their working hours as children return to school, under measures designed to help working parents manage the start of the new academic year.

The Federal Authority for Government Human Resources said employees with children in primary school and above may adjust their arrival or departure times on their child’s first school day. The arrangement is intended to allow parents to take their children to and from school or home.

Read more-UAE back to school 2026: When do schools reopen and what parents need to know?

According to media reports, the flexibility is subject to the procedures followed by each federal government entity and requires approval from the employee’s direct manager. The policy also recognises that school opening dates can vary according to the curriculum followed by individual schools.

Flexibility for nursery and kindergarten parents

Employees with children attending nurseries or kindergartens can benefit from flexible arrival and departure times during the first week of the academic year.

The arrangement will be based on the starting date of the relevant nursery or kindergarten and will also be governed by the employee’s workplace procedures and approval requirements.

The measures form part of the UAE Cabinet-approved Back to School Policy, which has been circulated to ministries and federal government entities to support employees as families adjust to the new academic year.

Support for school-related commitments

The policy also allows federal entities to establish internal procedures for employees who need to attend important events at their children’s schools.

These include parent-teacher meetings, graduation ceremonies, school events and other activities. Employees may be granted authorised absence for such occasions, subject to the rules established by their federal entity.

Any flexibility or authorised absence must be managed without disrupting government operations or service delivery and must remain in line with federal government human resources legislation.

Policy aims to support working parents

The arrangements were introduced under the UAE’s Flexible Work Policy and have been in place since 2024.

The initiative is designed to give government employees greater flexibility in balancing work and family responsibilities while maintaining business continuity and public services.

The Federal Authority for Government Human Resources said it would continue supporting federal entities in implementing the policy.

The Telecommunications and Digital Government Regulatory Authority (TDRA) has granted Starlink Satellite Communications LLC a 10-year General Space Services License, authorising the company to establish, operate and manage a public satellite communications network and provide broadband satellite internet services in the UAE.

The license marks an important milestone in the UAE’s regulatory framework for satellite communications, adding a space-based layer to the country’s digital infrastructure and complementing existing terrestrial fibre-optic and 5G networks, a WAM report said.

The move is expected to diversify internet access options, enhance the resilience and continuity of the national network, and support critical sectors including maritime and aviation transport, energy, logistics and emergency response.

License opens services to businesses and government

The license reflects TDRA’s flexible and forward-looking approach to regulation, supporting the adoption of emerging technologies while expanding connectivity choices and promoting competition.

Read more: Starlink rolls out satellite internet offering in UAE with plans from Dhs230

Its scope extends beyond individual consumers to businesses and government entities, as well as satellite connectivity services for the maritime and aviation sectors, in accordance with the UAE’s approved regulatory and technical frameworks.

Majed Sultan Al Mesmar, director-general of TDRA, said, “This license represents a significant addition to the UAE’s telecommunications sector and reflects the country’s commitment to adopting advanced technologies and fostering a flexible regulatory environment that supports innovation and investment.”

“The introduction of advanced satellite internet services will expand connectivity options, enhance network resilience and business continuity, and support the UAE’s ambition to strengthen its position as a regional and global hub for telecommunications and the digital economy,” he added.

Al Mesmar said TDRA remains committed to ensuring that emerging technologies deliver tangible benefits to customers while supporting service quality and sector competitiveness.

Security and consumer protection remain key

The licensed services will remain subject to the UAE’s approved regulatory and technical frameworks, including requirements covering security, information infrastructure protection, service quality, reliability and continuity, consumer rights and data privacy.

The license is also subject to spectrum-use regulations and technical coordination with relevant authorities.

TDRA said these requirements are an essential part of licensing decisions of this nature. Its regulatory approach aims to balance access to advanced technologies with a robust framework that safeguards network security, consumer rights and the continuity of telecommunications services.

The license is expected to support the UAE’s digital transformation, strengthen connectivity solutions for vital sectors and areas requiring additional options, and enhance the country’s readiness to respond to emergencies and crises in line with its national strategies.

Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) will open a 5-kilometre expansion of Emirates Road on August 30, adding two new lanes for traffic travelling from Sharjah towards Wadi Al Amardi Area.

The improvement is part of RTA’s ongoing efforts to enhance Dubai’s road network and improve its operational efficiency through long-term traffic solutions designed to support smoother mobility between Dubai and the Northern Emirates, a WAM report said.

Read more: Back-to-school traffic in Dubai: RTA completes major road upgrades at six locations

The project reflects RTA’s strategic vision of developing Dubai’s key road corridors through proactive planning informed by traffic studies and aligned with population and urban growth.

Capacity to rise to 16,000 vehicles an hour

The expansion aims to improve road network efficiency and provide a safe and sustainable mobility system that keeps pace with the continued increase in daily travel between Sharjah and Dubai, while also meeting future growth requirements.

As part of the traffic solutions on Emirates Road, the number of lanes will increase from six to eight, raising the road’s capacity from 12,000 to 16,000 vehicles per hour.

The expansion is expected to enhance traffic capacity and efficiency while reducing journey times by up to 25% during peak hours, giving road users a smoother and more efficient travel experience.

Key corridor linking Dubai and Northern Emirates

Emirates Road is one of the UAE’s key strategic traffic corridors, linking Dubai with the Northern Emirates and carrying high volumes of private vehicles and trucks.

The road serves more than 240,000 vehicles daily in both directions and connects Dubai with several major roads, residential communities, and industrial and logistics areas. This makes it a vital artery supporting mobility and economic activity across the emirates.

In recent years, Emirates Road has undergone several development projects and traffic improvements, including the opening of a new access point to Al Awir 1 and its connection to the road, traffic solutions at several locations along the corridor, improvements to entry and exit points, and enhanced connectivity with Al Amardi Street and surrounding development areas.

According to RTA, these improvements are designed to enhance quality of life while reinforcing Dubai’s position as a leader in delivering seamless and sustainable mobility.