
Abu Dhabi real estate gears up for massive growth
Abu Dhabi real estate gears up for massive growth
Abu
Dhabi has been witnessing huge investor interest ever since Sheikh
Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the President of the UAE and the Ruler of
Abu Dhabi, issued the new Real Estate Law for the emirate in 2005. The
capital as well as the richest emirate of the UAE, Abu Dhabi now allows
the non-UAE nationals as well as foreign investors to invest in
leasehold property. However, the leases are available either on a 50 or
99 year basis and currently relate to property rather than land. This
implies that the non-nationals can presently invest only in apartments. |
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Abu Dhabi Government has drawn the development plan for the city - ‘Plan Abu Dhabi 2030: Urban Structure Framework Plan’ for the next quarter of a century. The plan aims to strengthen the ongoing advancement of Abu Dhabi to emerge as a global capital city. According to the plan, Abu Dhabi’s population is projected to grow to over 3 million people by 2030. The plan provides for an array of affordable housing options for the residents. It also specifies the land uses, building heights and transport plans for the city through 10 individual policy statements.
Studies show that Abu Dhabi 's population growth has averaged 7.3% annually in the last 4 years. I n the coming 6 years, i.e., by 2013, the population of Abu Dhabi will touch 1.3 million and grow to over 3 million people by 2030 . This suggests that there will be ever increasing demand for more residential and commercial spaces in the city. The demand for other infrastructure facilities directly related population growth such as commercial spaces, retail spaces, industries, hospitals and schools would also grow.
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Expected growth of Abu Dhabi Population (Approx. figures)*
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Expected growth in demand for Residential Units (Approx. figures)*
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Current demand for residential property across all section of Abu Dhabi’s demographic gamut has exceeded available supply. The rents have surged 22% while property prices have increased 18% in the second half of 2007. According to s ome estimates, the shortage of houses in the emirate is as high as 50,000 for 2008. At present, the residential projects worth more than Dh200 billion are under way in Abu Dhabi. The volume of construction activity in Abu Dhabi is expected to outpace Dubai within 4 years. There will be demand between 225,000 and 250,000 of new housing units in next 10 years . This building boom will allow the population of the city to double within a decade.
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Expected growth in demand for Offices (Approx. figures)* |
Expected growth of Industrial Sector (Approx. figures)* |
The growth in hospitality industry due to increase in leisure and business tourist is also another prime reasons of the realty boom in Abu Dhabi. The city plans to be a world leader in outstanding meetings, incentives, conferences and exhibitions (MICE) venue. In 2005, Abu Dhabi introduced an extensive investment programme to promote the emirate as a tourist destination. Abu Dhabi is targeting a tourist inflow of 3 million per annum over the next decade. In addition, occupancy rate in hotels in Abu Dhabi have touched 90%. The new hotels will add 21,000 rooms in the next 6 years from the current 10,000 of which 45% will be 5-star category
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Expected growth in number of Hotel Rooms (Approx. figures)*
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Expected growth in Tourist Inflow (Approx. figures)* |
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Abu Dhabi Growth Chart (2007-2030)**
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The two leading drivers of the UAE economy, the real estate and construction sectors, are predicted to deliver compound annual growth rates of 24.4% and 29.6% respectively by 2010. These two sectors are also expected to contribute around 23% of the country’s combined economic value by 2010 compared to 16% in 2006. The construction sector has contributed over AED 40 billion to Abu Dhabi’s GDP in 2007 while the real estate sector is expected to attract AED 1 trillion investments in the long-term.
Abu Dhabi offers one of the most favorable outlooks in the region for real estate investors. The rents are expected to further escalate, while capital values will be supported by high and rising demand. Therefore, it can be safely concluded that the real estate boom in Abu Dhabi is here to stay.
*Source: Gowealthy Research Team
**Data Source: Abu Dhabi Government





