Investors Set Their Sights on the UAE at the 2025 Middle East Property Investment Forum
BEIJING, Sept. 26, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — The winds of economic change are blowing through global markets, bringing fresh opportunities for investors, particularly those involved in China’s Belt and Road Initiative. Prominent among these opportunities are the vibrant real estate markets in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), as discussed at the 2025 Middle East Property Investment Forum held in Shanghai.
The Forum’s Focus
The forum, hosted by China Real Estate Information Corp, attracted industry leaders and experts, aiming to provide insights for enterprises seeking transformation and market expansion. With an emphasis on the challenges posed by global economic uncertainties, its primary goal was to explore new avenues for property investment, especially for individuals looking overseas to capitalize on emerging markets.
Insights from Experts
Experts such as Luo Changyuan from Fudan University’s School of Economics highlighted the significant transformations in global trade. “The global trade landscape is undergoing profound adjustments, with growing emphasis on regional trade, fair trade, green trade, and secure trade,” he noted. This commentary underlined the strategic alignment between China and Arab nations in areas such as energy, industry, and environmental sustainability.
Jonathan Emery, CEO of Aldar Development, emphasized the increasing interest from Chinese investors in Abu Dhabi. “With bilateral trade now approaching $100 billion, the scope for deeper cooperation is substantial,” he stated, touching on the multifaceted growth in commerce, investment, culture, tourism, and education between the UAE and China.
A Promising Market Landscape
Ding Zuyu, chairman of CRIC, advised that overseas property investments should target regional hub cities, particularly Dubai and Abu Dhabi, which have emerged as financial and economic pivots in the Middle East. He also referenced the ongoing trends of maturing markets like New York and London, suggesting that the UAE is becoming increasingly essential in global real estate investment strategies.
At the forum, CRIC rolled out its 2025 H1 UAE Residential Market Trends Report, the second analytical publication focusing on the UAE property sector this year. This report delves into trade performance, urban planning, and transaction patterns, providing essential insights for global investors.
Robust Market Fundamentals
The report identified three core strengths underpinning the UAE’s property sector: steady economic growth, robust demographic momentum, and favorable policy frameworks. Abu Dhabi has notably witnessed remarkable growth, overtaking Dubai in population numbers in 2024, and experiencing a 30 percent increase in residential transaction values in the first half of 2025.
Conversely, Dubai continues to thrive, recording a staggering 98,726 transactions within the same period, reflecting a 22 percent year-on-year growth. The value of these transactions climbed 40 percent, showcasing the city’s allure as a global real estate destination, particularly known for its luxury property sector.
Connecting Investors and Developers
The forum served not only as a platform for investor insights but also facilitated connections among developers, contractors, and suppliers. Li Lan, general manager of Shanghai Construction Group’s overseas management, emphasized the importance of aligning investments with national strategies and cooperative opportunities.
With a portfolio that includes over 50 ongoing projects under the Belt and Road Initiative, Li encouraged strategic compatibility between Chinese initiatives and the development plans of host countries.
A Growing Demand for Chinese Investments
Emery revealed that Aldar Development has seen a transformative uptick in sales, with overseas buyers, particularly from China, representing 78 percent of its total sales in the UAE as of 2024. He disclosed that purchases by Chinese clients have surged nearly three-fold, exceeding $690 million this year alone.
The factors driving this interest are multifaceted, including the dynamic economic landscape of the UAE, which offers compelling investment opportunities across various sectors.
Observations on Sustainability and Risks
Despite the optimistic outlook, experts urged caution, stressing the importance of monitoring the sustainability of economic and demographic trends in the UAE. Investors should remain vigilant of the geopolitical risks inherent in the broader Middle East.
This sentiment resonates strongly with participants who view both Southeast Asia and the emerging markets of the Middle East as being ripe for investment under the Belt and Road Initiative.
In summary, the 2025 Middle East Property Investment Forum not only highlighted the growing interest of Chinese investors in UAE real estate but also illustrated the ongoing trends and opportunities within a transforming global economic landscape.
