Against a backdrop of global economic fluctuations, the United Arab Emirates continues to demonstrate remarkable market resilience.
This enduring strength was highlighted by a 98 per cent property collection rate and an AED 180 billion sales backlog announced by Emaar Properties during the ninth Sharjah Investment Forum (SIF 2026). Held in October at the Al Jawaher Reception and Convention Centre, and organised by the Sharjah FDI Office in collaboration with the UAE Ministry of Investment, the event operated under the theme ‘Building Adaptive Economies’.
Speaking in the presence of Her Highness Sheikha Bodour bint Sultan Al Qasimi, Chairperson of the Sharjah Investment and Development Authority (Shurooq), Mohamed Alabbar, Founder of Emaar, provided these figures as compelling evidence of sustained investor confidence in the region's stability.
Navigating Shifts with Robust Fundamentals
Despite temporary regional headwinds, the underlying metrics of the UAE's property and retail sectors remain highly robust. Emaar’s performance data highlights several critical success indicators:
Sustained Collections: Emaar has maintained a 98 per cent collection rate, mirroring its performance from the previous year.
Stable Sales Volume: The developer consistently sells approximately 4,000 units on a monthly basis.
Recovering Cancellations: While cancellations briefly doubled to roughly 1,200 amid changing regional situations, they have since normalised to fewer than 600.
Hospitality Surge: Activity within the group’s hospitality sector is operating more than 60 per cent above previous levels.
Retail Consistency: Millions of shoppers on the noon e-commerce platform have continued purchasing without hesitation.
During a fireside chat moderated by radio host and entrepreneur Kris Fade, Alabbar noted the significance of these figures.
"We are still collecting exactly like before. That shows you customer confidence," he stated. He further attributed this steadfast performance to the broader national environment: "We live in an incredible country, with great substance and great leadership. The future looks much better."
Shifting Investment Priorities: Safety Over Tax
As global uncertainty rises, traditional financial incentives are no longer the primary driver for capital allocation. Alabbar identified the UAE's exceptional quality of life, personal security, and education systems as critical advantages.
Investors are increasingly prioritising a stable environment. "Forget about tax. People are moving to countries where life and education are safe," he remarked. He contrasted this secure environment with the instability of major markets, pointing to the United States' debt burden of approximately AED 146.9 trillion.
Acknowledging the reality of frequent global disruptions, he emphasised the necessity of maintaining operational confidence. "History shows a major disaster such as war, famine, earthquake, flood or disease roughly every two years and four months. Earlier Covid was a big surprise, and then the air war was shocking. None of us had gone through this before," he explained. "We are in an unstable world, but that should not stop us."
Agile Leadership and the AI Imperative
To thrive globally, business leaders must abandon rigid frameworks in favour of responsive strategies. "You need to adjust every three months. Five-year budgets should be indicative," he advised.
Furthermore, he championed the integration of artificial intelligence (AI), highlighting 'prompting' as essential for enhancing executive decision-making. "Those who adapt to AI will be faster, smarter and cheaper. Educate yourself, stay with it and try different things."
A Legacy of Quality and Talent
When evaluating Emaar’s enduring market dominance, Alabbar was unequivocal about refusing to compromise on product standards. "I don't give discounts. We give quality," he asserted. "The only sustainable thing in life is your name, your family name and your country's name."
He credited his international success across 20 countries to talent acquisition and equitable compensation. "The key to everything in life is amazing people. I learnt late to search for the best people and reward them fairly," he confessed. Asked how he wishes to be remembered, he concluded: "I hope I was able to contribute to a beautiful society, and give hope that tomorrow is a better day."
Emaar’s 98% collections prove UAE economic resilience
Held in October at the Al Jawaher Reception and Convention Centre, and organised by the Sharjah FDI Office in collaboration with the UAE Ministry of Investment, the event operated under the theme ‘Building Adaptive Economies’.
