Sharjah sees 25% rise in foreign real estate investment, says Shurooq

Sharjah’s property sector recorded more than 25 per cent increase in foreign investment in the first quarter of 2025, driven by growing interest in freehold ownership, long-term visa options, and strategically located projects such as Ajwan Khorfakkan.

This is according to the Sharjah Investment and Development Authority (Shurooq).

“Sharjah is building a strong momentum for freehold ownership, boosted by Shurooq,” said Yousif Ahmed Al-Mutawa, chief real estate officer at Shurooq. “The Ajwan launch in Khorfakkan reflects the demand for freehold designated projects, where international and regional buyers can invest.”

Official figures support the trend. According to WAM, the total value of real estate deals in Sharjah surged to Dhs13.2 billion in the first quarter of 2025—a sharp 31.9 per cent rise from the Dhs10 billion recorded during the same period last year.

Al-Mutawa noted that Sharjah’s combination of a stable regulatory environment, affordable luxury, and cultural authenticity has strengthened its investment appeal. “Sharjah’s stable regulatory environment, long-term visas, its affordable luxury value proposition, and the increasing global appetite for culturally rich, well-planned destinations adds to its appeal,” he said.

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To build on this momentum, Shurooq is expanding its international outreach and investor engagement strategy. “At Shurooq, we are doubling down on international outreach, strategic partnerships, and high-impact developments that reflect investor priorities – these could be long-term capital appreciation, rental yield, or alignment with ESG principles,” Al-Mutawa said.

The group is currently driving several new developments in Khorfakkan, a coastal city on Sharjah’s eastern seaboard, which is emerging as a new real estate and tourism hotspot. “We’ve seen strong interest in our upcoming project, Ajwan Khorfakkan, where nearly 80 per cent of the units in the first four buildings — Saahil, Al Joon, Mawj, and Ghadeer — have already been sold,” said Al-Mutawa. “Two additional buildings will be launched soon.”

Infrastructure development and government backing are helping unlock the real estate potential of the region. “Infrastructure improvements, growing tourism, and strong government backing for the eastern region are converging to create a compelling investment opportunity,” he said.

Al-Mutawa, who recently assumed his role at Shurooq, said his immediate priority is to align real estate strategy with Sharjah’s broader economic diversification goals. “We’re focusing on three key areas: activating high-potential locations across the emirate such as Khorfakkan, enhancing investor confidence through regulatory clarity and transparency, and developing integrated communities that reflect Sharjah’s cultural identity and commitment to quality of life.”

He added: “Shurooq is helping shape the future of Sharjah’s real estate.”