Deed, a platform licensed by the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC) and regulated by the Dubai Financial Services Authority (DFSA), has officially launched to the public, allowing global investors to purchase fractional shares in income-generating residential properties in Dubai starting from just Dhs500.

Traditionally, entering Dubai’s real estate market required significant capital, extensive paperwork, and often a physical presence. Deed eliminates these barriers through a fully digital platform. Users can register, verify their identity, and begin investing in curated, professionally managed properties within minutes.

Investors receive monthly rental income based on their ownership share and are entitled to capital gains upon the sale of the property, which are distributed among shareholders. The end-to-end investment journey—from browsing listings to completing a transaction—is entirely online and accessible from anywhere in the world.

Read: Dubai real estate Q2 ’25 sales transactions hit Dhs184.9bn: Property Finder

“Real estate shouldn’t be reserved for the few,” said Bashar Khdair, CEO and co-founder of Deed. “At Deed, we’ve made it simple for anyone to start owning real property in Dubai, from anywhere in the world. Whether you’re looking to grow your income or build long-term wealth, we’ve built a platform that brings the opportunity to your fingertips, fully digital, fully transparent, and fully regulated.”

Dubai’s property market

Whether investing Dhs500 or Dhs50,000, users gain access to Dubai’s dynamic property market without borders or the burden of traditional entry costs. The platform has seen strong interest since its soft launch, with thousands joining the waitlist—highlighting growing demand for accessible, technology-driven investment tools.

Long regarded as a cornerstone of wealth-building, real estate in Dubai remains one of the most attractive markets globally. Deed’s model combines smart technology, regulated infrastructure, and professional property management to open new avenues for investors previously excluded from this asset class.

The Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research in UAE (MoHESR) has announced a new academic calendar structure for the 2025–2026 academic year, following approval from the Education, Human Development and Community Development Council.

The changes will apply to all public and private higher education institutions (HEIs) across the UAE, reflecting a nationwide effort to enhance the higher education landscape.

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The revised calendar introduces unified term dates, including synchronised start and end dates, with holidays aligned closely to the school calendar. According to MoHESR, the goal is to create a more balanced academic environment that supports student wellbeing, fosters family cohesion, and promotes community engagement, a WAM report said.

Flexible structure, aligned with national goals

The academic year will begin on August 25, 2025 and end on July 3, 2026, offering a clearer and more consistent structure across institutions. Major breaks include:

• A four-week winter break from December 8, 2025 to January 4, 2026, with classes resuming on January 5.

• A two-week spring break from March 16 to 29, 2026, with classes resuming on March 30.

These changes are designed to support students by providing regular intervals for rest and recovery during the academic year.

Dr Abdulrahman Al Awar, Minister of Human Resources and Emiratisation and Acting Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research, emphasised that the updated calendar reflects the ministry’s broader commitment to student wellbeing and institutional efficiency.

“This step reflects our ongoing efforts to enhance the efficiency of the higher education system by aligning academic policies with community development goals and student needs,” said Dr Al Awar. “The changes mark a qualitative shift toward a more flexible, balanced system that supports students’ wellbeing, community engagement, and personal growth.”

Institutional flexibility with unified framework

While the calendar is standardized, the ministry is allowing institutions a degree of flexibility. HEIs may adjust holiday start dates by up to one week before or after the designated dates, as long as the total duration remains the same. Additionally, universities can determine the end date of the academic year based on the requirements of summer semesters and the nature of their academic programs.

International branch campuses may align their calendars with those of their home institutions, provided they meet the ministry’s regulatory framework.

The adoption of the new calendar is part of MoHESR’s broader strategy to elevate the quality and accessibility of higher education across the country. It supports the goals of the “Year of Community” initiative by creating conditions for stronger family ties and more engaged student life.

“The unified academic calendar is a key milestone in our national mission to prepare future-ready graduates equipped with the skills and creativity needed in critical sectors,” MoHESR said in a statement.

Emirates Integrated Telecommunications Company (du) reported a 25.1 per cent year-on-year increase in net profit for Q2 2025, reaching Dhs727m, as strong growth across mobile, fixed and ICT services boosted the company’s bottom line.

Revenue rose by 8.6 per cent to Dhs3.9bn, while EBITDA grew by 16.4 per cent to Dhs1.83bn, lifting the earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortisation (EBITDA) margin to 46.8 per cent, up from 43.7 per cent a year earlier.

The company attributed the performance to disciplined cost management and a more favourable product mix, including increased uptake of unlimited data plans.

In light of these results, the board approved an interim cash dividend of Dhs0.24 per share, a 20 per cent increase over last year’s interim payout.

“Our second quarter financial results showcased impressive performance, fuelled by the meticulous execution of our strategy,” said CEO Fahad Al Hassawi. “The solid revenue growth was coupled with strong profitability, translating into a 25.1 per cent increase in net profit.”

du sees solid subscriber growth

The company reported a 10.8 per cent year-on-year increase in mobile subscribers, reaching 9.1m, including 893,000 net additions.

Postpaid subscriptions rose 9.8 per cent to 1.9m, while prepaid customers grew 11.1 per cent to 7.3m.

Fixed-line subscriptions rose 12 per cent year-on-year to 706,000, supported by continued demand for Home Wireless and fibre broadband services.

Segment performance

• Mobile revenues climbed 7.7 per cent to Dhs1.7bn, reflecting growth in customer base and marketing campaigns.
• Fixed revenues rose 10.1 per cent to Dhs1.1bn, driven by higher adoption in consumer and SME segments.
• Other revenues increased by 8.8 per cent to Dhs1.1bn, supported by handset sales, ICT revenues and inbound roaming.

Strategic progress

During the quarter, du launched the UAE’s first sovereign hyperscale cloud platform, the National Hypercloud, and advanced its hyperscale data centre deployment in partnership with Microsoft.

The company also rolled out 5G Advanced and expanded fibre coverage.

“We are enabling sovereign hyperscale cloud and AI services from UAE-based data centres, empowering a smarter, more connected future for the Emirates,” said chairman Malek Al Malek.

Capex and cash flow

Capital expenditure increased by 23.1 per cent to Dhs545m, reflecting investments in digital infrastructure and data centres.

Operating free cash flow rose 13.8 per cent to Dhs1.28bn.

Capital intensity rose to 14 per cent from 12.3 per cent in Q2 2024.

The company reaffirmed its 2025 full-year guidance, with revenue expected to grow 6 to 8 per cent and EBITDA margin targeted between 45 to 47 per cent.

The guidance was upgraded based on strong results and sustained growth momentum.

A high-level Saudi investment delegation, led by Minister of Investment Eng. Khalid Al-Falih, has concluded a multi-day visit to Syria aimed at strengthening economic ties and driving long-term cooperation across key sectors.

The visit, which included a series of meetings with Syrian officials, culminated in the Syrian-Saudi Investment Forum, held under the patronage of Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa. Several ministers and senior officials from both nations participated in the event.

During the forum, 47 Saudi-Syrian investment agreements were signed, with a total value of nearly $6.4bn (SAR24bn). The deals span a wide array of sectors, including real estate, infrastructure, finance, communications and IT, energy, industry, tourism, trade, investment, and healthcare.

On the sidelines of the forum, a ministerial session brought together Eng. Al-Falih, Syrian Minister of Economy and Industry Dr. Mohammad Nidal Al-Shaar, Minister of Tourism Mazen Al-Salhani, and Saudi-Syrian Business Council and ACWA Power chairman Mohammad Abunayyan. Discussions focused on revitalising economic ties and Saudi Arabia’s support for Syria’s post-conflict reconstruction.

The session also underscored the commitment of Saudi Arabia, under the leadership of King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, to enabling Syria’s recovery through investments and partnerships.

Projects

Several notable projects were announced during the forum. Al-Badia Cement Company unveiled plans to invest over $200mto expand its grinding, packaging, and power generation capacities, aiming to boost annual output to more than 5 million tons. The company also expressed interest in partnering with the Syrian government to enhance state-owned cement operations and ensure market stability.

Minister Al-Falih also met with various Syrian ministers to explore additional avenues of cooperation supporting comprehensive development.

Read: DP World signs $800m deal to redevelop Syria’s Port of Tartus

As part of the visit, the delegation conducted field visits to existing and planned Saudi projects in Syria. Al-Falih laid the foundation stone for the Al-Fayhaa Cement Factory, a project worth approximately $27m (SAR100m), which will have an annual capacity of 150,000 tonnes. The project is expected to enhance local content and drive knowledge transfer.

Another major development is the Al-Jawhara Commercial Tower in Damascus, a Saudi-Syrian initiative with a built-up area of 25,000 square meters and an estimated investment of over $100m (SAR375m). The mixed-use tower will feature office spaces, retail outlets, and hotel units, further contributing to Syria’s urban and economic redevelopment.

Dubai Land Department (DLD) has signed a memorandum of cooperation with Masdar City to allow companies operating within its free zones to own land and property in Dubai under the freehold ownership system, the two parties announced on Thursday.

The agreement is part of broader efforts by the DLD to enhance the competitiveness of Dubai’s real estate sector, attract new investors.

“Enabling companies registered in free zones to own property in the emirate aligns with our vision of building a more open investment environment,” said Majid Al Marri, CEO of the Real Estate Registration Sector at DLD. “This strategic step diversifies the investor base and stimulates new investment flows that contribute to market growth and sustainability.”

Clear regulatory framework

Under the agreement, the DLD and Masdar City will establish a regulatory framework defining eligibility criteria, as well as the legal and administrative procedures for property ownership.

The collaboration will streamline processes between the DLD and the Free Zone Authority and implement a digital system for application submission, document verification, and tracking.

The initiative will also include support services to help companies navigate legal and registration requirements, promoting transparency and ease of doing business.

“By simplifying property registration processes for companies within Masdar City’s free zones, we are enabling them to expand their operations seamlessly,” said Ahmed Baghoum, CEO of Masdar City. “This partnership reinforces Masdar City’s role as a global hub for innovation and investment.”

DLD-Masdar City to boost business integration

The cooperation aims to leverage Dubai’s position as a major investment destination by expanding property access to a broader range of businesses, particularly those in innovation and sustainability sectors based in Masdar City.

The move is also expected to support companies’ expansion plans by offering direct access to one of the region’s most dynamic property markets, further integrating the UAE’s real estate and business ecosystems.

DLD has recently taken multiple steps to modernise and open up its real estate market, including digitisation efforts and collaborations aimed at attracting long-term investors and enhancing market flexibility.

Read: Masdar City’s Mohamed Al Breiki on its net-zero journey