Saudi Arabia recorded 93,000 real estate transactions in Q1 2025
Author Archives: Tala Michel Issa
Tala Michel Issa is the Chief Reporter at Arabian Business and Producer/Presenter of the AB Majlis podcast. Her interviews feature global figures including former Nissan Chairman Carlos Ghosn, Mindvalley's Vishen Lakhiani, former US government advisors, and the UAE's most prominent business personalities.
With a focus on business and geopolitics, she tracks how regional developments shape global markets, with particular expertise in wealth migration trends, trade, and economics. Before joining Arabian Business, she worked for Al Arabiya English in Dubai where she delivered authoritative coverage across political affairs, public health challenges, business developments, and breaking news. Her work spans multiple publications, where she has written extensively on topics from British politics to the evolving technology and energy sectors.
Tala holds Master's and Bachelor's degrees in media and journalism from Newcastle University, UK.
For story tips, media inquiries, or more information on the AB Majlis podcast, you can reach out to her on:
Twitter: @talamichelissa
Instagram: @talamichelissa
LinkedIn: Tala Michel Issa
Abu Dhabi
EXCLUSIVE: First flying cars to hit UAE skies in 2027 at $799,000 per vehicle
For residents of Dubai, the flying car could dramatically reduce travel times during peak hours
automotive industry
NIO MENA CEO eyes battery swaps to win over Gulf’s luxury EV market
How Mohammed Maktari is rewiring the Middle East’s EV future
Donald Trump
Gulf nations largely sheltered from Trump’s tariff storm, experts say
This favourable trade balance for the US means Gulf nations avoided being classified among what the White House described as the “worst offenders” that received higher reciprocal tariffs
Donald Trump
WTO, IMF warn of global economic damage from Trump’s tariffs
The IMF plans to share a detailed assessment of the tariffs’ impact later this month
Donald Trump
World leaders condemn Trump’s ‘Liberation Day’ tariffs as diplomatic row deepens
Governments worldwide pledged retaliatory measures against President Trump’s new tariffs, setting the stage for what could become the largest global trade conflict since the aftermath of WWII
Donald Trump
EXPLAINER: How Trump’s ‘reciprocal’ tariffs work and what they mean for global trade
Trump argues that decades of “unfair” trade practices have hollowed out American manufacturing, undermined critical supply chains, and rendered U.S. defence industries dependent on foreign adversaries
Donald Trump
Trump imposes sweeping tariffs in major escalation of global trade war
‘It’s our declaration of economic independence,’ says Trump
Artificial intelligence
‘We welcome competition’: Yango eyes Middle East expansion with super-app strategy to challenge Uber, Careem
The company’s expansion comes amid intensifying competition in the region’s ride-hailing sector
Auction
Dubai expats turn to car auctions for second income with substantial returns up to 50% as UAE market booms
Expats turn side hustles into serious money as daily car auctions boom across the UAE
Automobili Lamborghini
EXCLUSIVE: Lamborghini sees Middle East growth moderate to 1% amid luxury market ‘normalisation’
Lamborghini’s CEO disclosed that 2024 witnessed the first decline in the global high-end luxury market in years, with an estimated 8% slowdown
ceasefire
Explainer: What Putin and Trump agreed on Ukraine’s partial ceasefire – All you need to know
Energy infrastructure protected while fighting continues; Putin demands end to Western aid as Zelenskyy seeks seat at negotiating table
bilateral cooperation
Inside the $1 trillion UAE-US economic relationship
Investments in AI, energy infrastructure and data centres reshape bilateral ties as Sheikh Tahnoun meets Trump during high-level Washington visit
bilateral cooperation
Trump, Sheikh Tahnoon advance UAE-US $1 trillion economic ties in talks on AI, energy investments
US President and UAE National Security Adviser discuss strengthening bilateral ties with focus on technological advancement and economic cooperation
ceasefire
Russia-Ukraine war: Putin agrees to energy infrastructure ceasefire after Trump call
Russian President accepts partial truce halting attacks on energy facilities for 30 days, but refuses to back wider ceasefire proposal
BYD
Elon Musk’s political antics are pushing the Gulf’s EV boom into China’s hands
Trump’s White House photo-op hands final advantage to Chinese brands already dominating the UAE market
Dubai
EXCLUSIVE: Dubai-based Yango Group launches $20mn fund to back regional tech startups
Tech firm targets 20x returns on early-stage investments in region’s fintech and SaaS startups
Desert Rock
Inside the ‘camouflaged’ Desert Rock Resort: Saudi Red Sea destination draws global tourists at $3,200 per night
Saudi Arabia’s newest ultra-luxury mountain hideaway attracts international visitors off the beaten path with premium rates and invisible architecture
Capital Markets
‘Golden era’ for GCC capital markets as global investors cash in on $2.3 trillion powerhouse
HSBC C-suite and regional exchange leaders reveal market transformation strategy in exclusive Arabian Business interviews
High Net Worth Individuals
Paradise for sale? How to buy a private island in the Maldives for $5 million
Maldives leasehold market attracts Gulf investors in record numbers despite hefty development costs
Donald Trump
Analysis: Trump’s Saudi-brokered Russia-Ukraine ceasefire could leave Zelenskyy with no good options
The Saudi-brokered talks have produced a ceasefire agreement, but analysts warn this reflects Ukraine’s diminishing battlefield leverage rather than progress toward lasting peace
climate change
IMF approves $2.5bn in funding for Egypt, backs climate finance initiative
Fund cites “mixed progress” on reforms as Egypt faces Red Sea disruptions costing $6bn in Suez Canal revenue while struggling with high debt and fiscal challenges
automotive brands
Nissan names Ivan Espinosa as new CEO after failed Honda merger talks
This comes months after Carlos Ghosn told Arabian Business that Japanese executives prefer “weaker companies under their control” – a view seemingly validated by the Honda-Nissan merger collapse
ceasefire
Russia-Ukraine ceasefire: Zelenskyy agrees to halt fighting for 30 days in US-brokered deal
Russia-Ukraine ceasefire proposal emerges from Saudi talks as Zelenskyy accepts Trump plan and awaits Putin decision
Abu Dhabi Investment Group
‘Europe no longer attractive for investment,’ says ADIG CEO as capital flows to UAE
‘Europe has become a less attractive destination for investment,’ says the ADIG chief amid capital flight and geopolitical shifts
Donald Trump
US stocks plunge as Trump’s tariff policies stoke recession fears
Investors are now focused on Wednesday’s inflation report for further clues about the health of the economy
High Net Worth Individuals
EXCLUSIVE: UAE developers pour billions into Maldives as luxury island market heats up
Honeymooners may soon find the Maldives transformed into a lucrative second-home market, thanks to over $3 billion in UAE investments by 2030
economic opportunities
Gulf-Asia corridor: The $578bn economic powerhouse reshaping global investment flows
HSBC top brass and regional leaders share exclusive insights with Arabian Business on the sidelines of the HSBC MENAT Future Forum
Arton Capital
German millionaires flock to UAE as Europe’s political chaos, economic woes bite
Political polarisation in Europe is driving an exodus of German, British and French millionaires to the UAE, says Arton Capital chief
antibiotic medicine
EXCLUSIVE: Pfizer recalls bacteria-fighting antibiotic Zithromax from UAE market
Popular antibiotic that is used to fight STIs, skin and respiratory infections vanishes from pharmacy shelves as Pfizer works to resolve ‘manufacturing’ issue
beauty and skincare
REVIEW: Red light therapy succeeded where 15 years of acne treatments failed
After a 15-year battle with persistent acne, countless medications, and expensive procedures, I’ve finally discovered a solution that has dramatically transformed my skin – the Bon Charge Red Light Therapy Mask
Donald Trump
Internet erupts over Trump-Zelenskyy White House meeting breakdown
When Zelenskyy asked JD Vance if he had ever visited Ukraine, the US VP responded that he had seen videos and accused the Ukrainian president of taking visitors on “propaganda tours”
Blockchain
Analysis: Inside the $1.5bn Bybit hack – ‘The largest digital heist in crypto history’
Data shows that North Korean hackers stole $1.34 billion across 47 incidents last year – a figure now eclipsed by this one breach
Ras Al Khaimah’s casino island could yield property investment returns over 100%, brokers claim
Industry insiders reveal how early investors could double their money at Wynn Al Marjan Island, while analysts assess whether the Middle East’s first casino resort truly offers a ‘once-in-a-lifetime’ opportunity
Citizenship by Investment
US citizens lead global rush for second passports as Malta tops citizenship rankings
Monaco and the UAE achieved perfect scores for tax benefits in the residence program rankings, while EU member states dominated in visa-free travel access
geopolitics
Saudi Arabia hosts Russia-US talks on Ukraine peace plan
Zelenskyy cancels planned Saudi visit as Ukraine demands security pledges, European leaders seek guarantees
divorce
UAE law changes: New rules on marriage, divorce, child custody – All you need to know
Sweeping changes extend child custody to 18 years, reduce divorce waiting periods, and give women more autonomy in marriage decisions – Here’s everything you need to know
Burj Khalifa
EXCLUSIVE: Dubai’s highest office space draws global fund interest at $12.2 million
The same building recently listed the world’s highest residential property, dubbed “Sky Palace,” for $51 million
Red Sea
Saudi Arabia’s Red Sea Residences draw early buyers at $1.5mn starting price
The pre-sales success of the multi-billion riyal development on Shura Island signals strong appetite from wealthy Gulf investors for Saudi Arabia’s emerging luxury tourism destinations
BNPL
Tabby hits $3.3 billion valuation as it eyes IPO within 18 months after $160M raise
Buy now, pay later provider prepares for listing as transaction volumes hit $10 billion annually
Dubai
New Dubai smart index puts pressure on landlords ‘to improve maintenance and overall quality’: Experts
Real estate experts warn that smaller landlords might face significant challenges under the new system
Boutique Group
Saudi’s Boutique Group plans to triple luxury palace hotel portfolio, eyes global expansion
The company could also be looking to explore opportunities to export its palace-to-hotel conversion expertise to other markets
Boutique Group
EXCLUSIVE: Saudi’s Red Palace hotel hits 60% construction milestone, says Boutique Group CEO
Since 2022, Boutique Group has been tasked with transforming historic Saudi palaces into ultra-luxury hotels
M&A activity
Gulf sovereign wealth funds drive $36bn+ mega-deal boom as UAE, Saudi buck global M&A slowdown
Saudi Arabia’s PIF and UAE sovereign funds, including Mubadala and ADIA, have been central to this growth
High Net Worth Individuals
Middle-class Britons join wealth exodus to UAE amid UK economic uncertainty
The migration wave comes as Britain grapples with multiple challenges, including the planned abolition of non-dom tax status and broader economic uncertainty
Abraham Accords
Analysis: Early days of Trump 2.0 signal major Middle East policy shift to transactional diplomacy
Experts weigh prospects for Trump’s deal-making approach as allies grapple with controversial Gaza plans and Iran stance
AI adoption
Analysis: DeepSeek’s $6 million AI breakthrough is a ‘Sputnik moment’ for American tech
The breakthrough suggests U.S. sanctions may have accelerated China’s push for technological self-reliance, rather than containing its advancement, experts say
Blockchain
UAE’s crypto regulation offers model for others as new report reveals rising extremist funding in Europe: Experts
A new report suggests that Europe’s crypto extremism problem is growing faster than anyone expected
Burj Khalifa
EXCLUSIVE: World’s highest home hits Dubai real estate market at $51mn
The listing comes as Dubai’s property market experiences strong growth, particularly in the ultra-luxury segment
Careem
EXCLUSIVE: Careem Pay launches fee-free remittance service, undercuts traditional exchanges
The move comes as conventional exchange houses increased their fees by 15% last year
branded real estate
IN PICTURES: First look at Elie Saab’s uber-luxury $600mn Maldives resort project
Fashion house partners with Dubai’s Samana for ultra-luxury water villas and apartments with nightly rates up to $8,000
diplomacy
Analysis: How Trump Secretary of State pick Marco Rubio will shake up Middle East relations
Rubio faces a complex set of immediate challenges, including implementing the Gaza ceasefire deal, managing escalating tensions with Iran, and attempting to revive the Abraham Accords, experts say
Dubizzle
UAE IPOs 2025: What market conditions would need to exist for Dubizzle and Etihad Airways to go public?
Strong investor appetite meets cautious market conditions as UAE prepares for potential landmark listings
branded real estate
EXCLUSIVE: Dubai’s Samana Developers targets ultra-wealthy with $600mn Elie Saab Maldives hideaway
Nightly rates to hit $8,000 at Elie Saab’s first Maldives resort, as Dubai developer launches $2.3 million pool apartments with invite-only beach villas launching for sale soon