Category Archives: Business

New Regional Fintech Partnership Brings Together Jordan FinTech Academy and MENA FinTech Association

Amman, Jordan – Oct 01 – Reflecting Jordan’s growing role in the regional fintech ecosystem, the Jordan FinTech Academy (Jordan FTA) at the Institute of Banking Studies (IBS) and the MENA Fintech Association (MFTA) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to establish a framework for cooperation, knowledge exchange, professional development, and stronger connections between fintech professionals and institutions in Jordan and across the MENA region.

The MoU was signed on the sidelines of the Jordan FinTech Festival 2026, held on 23–24 September at the King Hussein Bin Talal Convention Centre at the Dead Sea. The festival was organised by the Central Bank of Jordan (CBJ) in partnership with the Association of Banks in Jordan and in cooperation with GIZ, bringing together regulators, financial institutions, fintech companies, investors, and industry experts from Jordan, the region, and international markets.

The signing marks the beginning of a structured collaboration between IBS – Jordan FTA and MFTA focused on capacity building, training, expert and trainer exchanges, curriculum development, research, knowledge sharing, and fintech ecosystem development.

As a next step, the two organisations will work towards developing a series of specialised workshops, training programmes, seminars, and knowledge-sharing initiatives covering areas relevant to the evolving financial technology landscape. These initiatives will draw on MFTA’s regional network of industry practitioners and experts alongside the educational and professional-development capabilities of IBS – Jordan FTA.

The collaboration will also explore joint research and knowledge products, participation in regional and international initiatives, exchange of non-confidential research and market insights, and opportunities to connect financial institutions, fintech companies, entrepreneurs, academics, experts, and other ecosystem stakeholders.

Dr. Riyad Al-Hindawi, Director of the Institute of Banking Studies, said:

“We see this partnership as a bridge for communication and the exchange of knowledge and expertise between Jordan and the fintech ecosystem across the Middle East and North Africa. The rapid development of digital financial services requires partnerships that transcend institutional and geographic boundaries and provide meaningful opportunities for shared learning and benefiting from the diverse experiences across the region.”

He added:

“Through our collaboration with MFTA, we seek to expand access to knowledge for specialists and professionals and create opportunities for joint initiatives that contribute to skills development and foster a culture of innovation. The planned workshops, training programmes and knowledge-sharing activities will help professionals and institutions keep pace with the transformations taking place across the financial sector.”

Nameer Khan, Chairman and Founder of the MENA Fintech Association, said:

“Jordan has built a strong foundation for fintech development, supported by its financial institutions, regulatory ecosystem, and growing pool of technology and fintech talent. Our collaboration with the Jordan FinTech Academy at the Institute of Banking Studies creates a practical bridge between regional industry expertise and professional development.”

He added:

“The value of this MoU will be measured through what we build from it. We look forward to developing a series of workshops, training programmes and knowledge initiatives that bring practitioners, experts and institutions together around the technologies and capabilities shaping the future of financial services. Working alongside institutions such as IBS – Jordan FTA, and within an ecosystem supported by the Central Bank of Jordan, allows us to connect Jordan’s fintech expertise with the wider MENA network in a meaningful and sustained way.”

The partnership builds on the wider efforts of the Central Bank of Jordan to strengthen the country’s fintech ecosystem and support innovation, digital transformation, and financial-sector development. The Central Bank has positioned fintech and innovation as important components of Jordan’s evolving digital financial ecosystem, including through its fintech and innovation initiatives and the Jordan FinTech Festival.

The MoU provides a general framework for cooperation between IBS – Jordan FTA and MFTA. Areas identified in the agreement include capacity building and training; exchange of experts, trainers and speakers; training curriculum development; research and development; knowledge and information exchange; events and knowledge-sharing activities; networking and ecosystem development; and regional and international cooperation.

Specific programmes and activities will be developed and agreed between the parties as the collaboration progresses, allowing both organisations to respond to emerging priorities and opportunities across the fintech sector.

The partnership comes at a time of rapid transformation across financial services, with digital payments, artificial intelligence, open finance, digital assets, cybersecurity, and other emerging technologies reshaping the industry. Strengthening access to practical expertise, professional training, and regional knowledge will be increasingly important as Jordan and the wider MENA region develop the capabilities needed to support the next generation of financial innovation.

Odisha Clears INR 22,634-Crore Sovereign AI Infrastructure Project by SentraForge AI

Bhubaneswar, Oct. 1 (UDN): Odisha has approved a proposed ₹22,634-crore sovereign artificial intelligence (AI) infrastructure project by SentraForge AI, marking a major investment in the state’s emerging technology and high-performance computing ecosystem.

The project was cleared by the High-Level Clearance Authority (HLCA) at its 46th meeting, chaired by Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi.

The proposed facility is expected to focus on next-generation AI computing infrastructure, including high-density computing capabilities, advanced AI workloads and applications for enterprises and institutions.

SentraForge AI partners with GVPR Engineers

The project is being developed through a strategic partnership between SentraForge AI and GVPR Engineers Limited. GVPR is expected to serve as the project’s core equity backer, infrastructure co-promoter and key execution partner.

The partnership brings together SentraForge AI’s focus on sovereign AI and computing infrastructure with GVPR’s experience in large-scale infrastructure development.

GVPR’s capabilities include power transmission, high-voltage substations and heavy civil engineering, which are expected to support the development of the proposed AI infrastructure facility.

Focus on sovereign AI computing

The proposed investment comes as demand for high-performance computing infrastructure grows alongside the expansion of India’s AI ecosystem.

The facility is envisioned as an integrated platform capable of supporting advanced AI workloads and institutional and enterprise applications. The project could also strengthen Odisha’s position as a destination for technology-intensive infrastructure investments.

Following the HLCA approval, the project partners are expected to move towards detailed engineering, project mobilisation and execution planning.

Odisha clears ₹2.47 lakh crore investment pipeline

The SentraForge AI proposal was among 27 projects approved at the HLCA’s 46th meeting.

Together, the projects represent proposed investments of approximately ₹2,47,115.70 crore across 15 districts and are expected to have the potential to generate around 50,162 jobs.

The approval of the SentraForge AI project adds a major technology-focused investment to Odisha’s broader industrial and infrastructure pipeline, alongside projects spanning multiple sectors.

Accor Taps Mews as First Partner in New Program to Modernize Hotel Dining

With Mews POS already live in more than 850 Accor properties across 20+ countries, the partnership brings hotel restaurants and bars onto modern, unified technology that connects dining to revenue and guest loyalty

New York, NY –  Wednesday, September 30th 2026- 9:00am EST  – Accor is bringing modern, standardized technology to food & beverage (F&B) across its Premium, Midscale and Economy portfolio, and has welcomed Mews, the operating system for hospitality, as the first partner in its new F&B Technology Program. Mews POS (point-of-sale) is already live across more than 850 Accor properties in 20+ countries.

The program builds on Accor’s successful rationalization of its CRS, PMS, RMS, MICE and payment systems. F&B is a key source of total revenue growth for Accor hotels, and as the group continues to strengthen its dining offer across its Luxury, Lifestyle, Premium, Midscale and Economy portfolios, standardizing the technology behind it is set to unlock greater operational efficiency. Modern POS solutions help properties streamline operations, optimize costs, improve inventory management and gain greater visibility through real-time reporting. The program gives properties a curated panel of preferred solutions to help maximize total revenue and bring dining experiences deeper into Accor’s Loyalty ecosystem.

Property teams gain one system for ordering, menu management, inventory and real-time reporting – cloud-native, mobile-first and quick to go live, backed by an average support response time of under one hour.

“For our hotels, F&B is a fantastic revenue driver and a powerful engine to drive guest loyalty,” said Jean Noel Lau Keng Lun, Chief Distribution Officer at Accor. “Following the rationalization of our CRS, PMS, RMS, MICE and payment systems, we are now set to streamline our F&B technology stack. As part of this strategy, we are establishing a new F&B Technology Program with a curated panel of preferred solutions available to our properties to help them maximize total revenue and integrate dining experiences deeper into our Loyalty ecosystem. I am pleased to welcome Mews as the first Partner joining this program.”

“No two properties can run exactly the same F&B operation. Brand Dining Concepts perform even better when relevant to local demand and culture, and adapted to the specific context of each property,” added Richard Valtr, Founder of Mews. “Mews POS is built for that reality: quick to deploy and run without dedicated IT supportand adaptable enough to fit both Brand Dining Concept and the local operational situation.  Mews POS differs from standalone POS solutions because it features a world‑class Open API and, like the rest of Mews OS, belongs to an open ecosystem rather than a silo, enabling Accor to connect F&B operations to their broader guest loyalty journey.”

ICSL and DEWI Group Join Hands to Advance Entrepreneurship Development

Streamline Integrated Confederation for Sustainability and Learning (ICSL), operating under IDEAOVATE LAB, and Dynamic Entrepreneurs, Women & Innovators (DEWI) Group have entered into a collaboration agreement to jointly develop and implement entrepreneurship development programmes aimed at strengthening incubation, acceleration, innovation, business growth and market linkages.

The partnership places a strong emphasis on women-centric entrepreneurship, with a focus on creating practical opportunities for aspiring entrepreneurs, women-led enterprises and innovators.

The agreement was signed by Ms. P. Deepika Joshi, Founder & President, ICSL, and Ms. Neelima Vemula, Founder, DEWI Group.

With extensive experience in entrepreneurship development, enterprise building and strategic partnerships, Ms. P. Deepika Joshi brings significant expertise to the collaboration. Under her leadership, ICSL has been engaged in entrepreneurship development and incubation initiatives since 2019 and has built partnerships and collaborations with UN bodies as well as international sustainability and development networks.

The collaboration is designed to leverage the complementary strengths of ICSL and DEWI Group to build a stronger support ecosystem for entrepreneurs. The joint initiatives will focus on mentoring, incubation, capacity building, networking, innovation support and market linkages, helping entrepreneurs progress from the early stages of idea development to enterprise creation and sustainable business growth.

The partnership is expected to create new avenues for entrepreneurs to access knowledge, mentorship, networks and market opportunities while encouraging innovation and enterprise development. Particular attention will be given to strengthening opportunities for women entrepreneurs and innovators, enabling them to develop viable business ideas and build scalable enterprises.

Through the collaboration, ICSL and DEWI Group aim to contribute to a more inclusive and sustainable entrepreneurship ecosystem by connecting entrepreneurial talent with the resources, expertise and networks required to transform ideas into sustainable businesses.

Incredible India Projects Reaffirms Commitment to Customer Interests

Company outlines business operations and approach towards addressing customer concerns

Hyderabad, Sept 30: Incredible India Projects Pvt. Ltd. has reaffirmed its commitment to safeguarding customer interests and addressing customer concerns through responsible and transparent business practices.

The company addressed the media at a press meeting held at the Press Club, Somajiguda, Hyderabad, where it provided details regarding its business operations and the approach being followed to address concerns raised by customers.

Speaking at the media interaction, Ms. Geetha Jaideep, Legal & Corporate Affairs, said that the company continues to engage with its customers and is making efforts to understand and examine their concerns while working towards appropriate resolutions.

The company stated that it remains focused on maintaining transparent communication with customers and handling concerns in a responsible manner.

Incredible India Projects Pvt. Ltd. reiterated that transparency, accountability, responsible business practices, and customer trust remain key priorities in its approach towards its customers.

IWG’s Rise of the Z-Suite: AI is accelerating the next generation of business leaders

Mumbai, 30 September: AI is accelerating the rise of a new generation of Gen Z business leaders, changing how organisations identify, develop and promote future leadership according to new research from International Workplace Group (IWG), the world’s largest platform for work with brands including Spaces and Regus.

IWG’s Z-Suite Report: How a New Generation is Evolving the Boardroom reveals that established business leaders increasingly see AI as accelerating leadership capability rather than simply improving productivity. 82% said that AI is fast-tracking younger leaders – demonstrating how AI can quickly help people build influence, expertise and strategic advantage at work.

As digital fluency becomes a key commercial benefit, four in five (80%) senior leaders believe their younger employees are reaching leadership positions earlier than previous generations, while 92% say they would be likely to appoint a Gen Z candidate to a senior leadership role to embrace the skills that younger generations bring to the C-Suite.

This reflects a broader shift in business. AI is no longer simply changing how work gets done; it is changing how organisations identify, develop and promote future leaders. The findings carry particular weight in India, leadership ambition among younger professionals is already exceptionally high. Deloitte’s 2026 Gen Z and Millennial Survey found that 96% of Gen Z respondents in India are interested in pursuing senior leadership roles, significantly higher than the global Gen Z average of 76%.[1]

Microsoft’s 2026 Work Trend Index, released in India earlier this month, found that 32% of Indian AI users are using AI agents to redesign multi-step work. That is twice the global average of 16% and the highest share across the ten markets surveyed. 78% of Indian respondents said AI allows them to do work that was not possible a year ago, compared with 58% globally, and 44% reported that their leadership is aligned on AI, against 26% worldwide.

AI – the Gen Z business advantage 

The IWG research suggests AI is helping younger leaders build confidence, expertise and decision-making far earlier in their careers than previous generations. 

95% of those aged 21-29 believe they are likely to hold a senior leadership role by age 30, with four in five (80%) young leaders saying AI is giving them knowledge they would previously have needed years of experience to gain, while 79% say AI tools help them perform tasks beyond their current seniority.

India’s youngest professionals are already highly active users of AI at work. Deloitte’s 2026 India findings show that 93% of Gen Z respondents use AI in their day-to-day work, while 85% are confident in applying AI in their roles. This high level of adoption and confidence suggests that AI is increasingly becoming part of the toolkit through which younger employees build expertise, solve problems and take on responsibilities earlier in their careers. 

Technology accelerates progression 

Gen Z leaders also say technology is helping them build skills, expertise and influence faster than previous generations. As AI becomes embedded across organisations, digital fluency is increasingly becoming a business advantage, helping younger leaders develop expertise and confidence more quickly. 

78% say AI has increased their confidence in taking on leadership responsibilities, while 79% believe it helps them contribute more strategically. 86% believe they are progressing faster than previous generations. Earlier IWG research on India’s Gen Z found that 65% of Gen Z respondents would be less likely to pursue entrepreneurship or multiple careers if they had to commute long distances every day.        

Christian Schmitz, CEO of International Workplace Group, said: “The organisations that succeed over the coming years will be those that recognise leadership potential earlier and create environments where talented people can develop quickly. AI is accelerating capability, but businesses also need the right culture, opportunities and leadership to help people reach their full potential.

“This isn’t simply about promoting younger leaders sooner. It is about giving people the tools, flexibility and support to make better decisions, adapt faster and create more value for customers.

“The findings reinforce that AI is changing not only how businesses operate, but also how they identify, develop and promote the next generation of leaders.”

Saya Group Leases 55,000 Sq. Ft. to Leading Fitness, Gaming, F&B and Lifestyle Brands at Saya Piazza, Jaypee Wish town, Noida

New Delhi / NCR, 30 Sept, 2026: Saya Group’s premium high-street development Saya Piazza, located opposite the Golf Course in Jaypee Wish Town, Sector 131, Noida, has recorded significant leasing momentum with leading fitness, gaming, food & beverage and lifestyle brands taking up approximately 55,000 sq. ft. of space.

The latest leasing includes Gold Gym and Viking Gaming which together have taken up more than 33,900 sq. ft., while Brewhouse, Domino’s, ShreeJee and Looks Salon, among other brands, have leased an additional approximately 20,000 sq. ft.

The addition of these brands is expected to strengthen Saya Piazza’s positioning as a premium lifestyle, entertainment and high-street destination for the affluent residential catchment of Jaypee Wish Town and surrounding areas.

Gold’s Gym, one of India’s leading fitness chain, Gold Gym has been present in India since 2002 and has 150+ active clubs across the country. Its presence will add a large-format premium fitness destination to the project.

Viking Gaming, bringing a large-format gaming and entertainment offering to Saya Piazza. The brand is expected to add a strong experiential element to the development and complement its dining, retail and lifestyle offerings.

Other brands that have recently taken space at the development include Brewhouse – Brewery, which has leased 7,402 sq. ft., along with Domino’s, ShreeJee and Looks Salon, among others.

Strategically located opposite the Golf Course in Jaypee Wish Town, Sector 131, Noida, Saya Piazza is positioned to serve the growing HNI and affluent residential community in and around the area.

One of the project’s key differentiators is its 360-foot frontage, offering high visibility and accessibility for retailers and customers.

Spread across approximately 2 lakh sq. ft., Saya Piazza has been designed as an integrated destination combining premium retail, dining, entertainment and lifestyle offerings. More than 50,000 sq. ft. is dedicated to dining, food courts and entertainment, while approximately 1.5 lakh sq. ft. comprises premium retail space.

The development will house nearly 350 shops and is planned to feature a curated mix of 100+ international & national retail brands, premium clubs, fine-dining restaurants and lifestyle services under one roof.

With the addition of large-format brands across fitness and entertainment, along with established F&B and lifestyle operators, Saya Piazza is shaping up as an all-day destination for shopping, dining, fitness, entertainment and leisure.

The diverse tenant mix is designed to create multiple consumer touchpoints throughout the day — from fitness and gaming to dining, shopping and personal care.

The combination of established retail brands and experiential offerings is also expected to enhance the attractiveness of Saya Piazza for both consumers and retailers, while creating a vibrant commercial ecosystem for the surrounding residential catchment.

Mr. Vikas Bhasin, Managing Director, Saya Group, said: “Leasing momentum at Saya Piazza reflects the strong potential of its location and our vision to create a differentiated lifestyle destination for Jaypee Wish Town and surrounding Noida catchment. The addition of brands such as Gold’s Gym and Viking, along with established F&B and lifestyle operators, strengthens the overall ecosystem. We are focused on bringing together the right mix of retail, dining, entertainment and lifestyle experiences to make Saya Piazza a destination rather than just a shopping centre.”

With further leasing activity underway, Saya Group expects Saya Piazza to emerge as one of the prominent high-street retail and lifestyle destinations in the Noida market.

From Maldives to the World: THE OZEN COLLECTION Takes Centre Stage at the 33rd World Travel Awards

OZEN RESERVE BOLIFUSHI and OZEN LIFE MAADHOO earn top honours at the 33^rd World Travel Awards, reaffirming their positions as leaders in luxury hospitality 

Maldives, Sept 30 – In a world where true luxury is measured by the moments that linger, THE OZEN COLLECTION has once again proven its mastery. The brand claimed top honours at the 33rd World Travel Awards, cementing its position as a global leader in luxury hospitality. From the turquoise waters of the Maldives to the world stage, its commitment to refined elegance, personalised service, and sustainable innovation was celebrated by industry peers and discerning travellers alike.

OZEN RESERVE BOLIFUSHI was awarded ‘Maldives’ Leading Luxury Hotel Villa’ for the fourth consecutive year, a remarkable achievement that underscores the resort’s unwavering dedication to ultra-luxury hospitality. The crown jewel of the resort, the Royal RESERVE, spans 3,000 square metres and features a private beach, sprawling pool, personal spa treatment room with dedicated therapists, and lavishly appointed living spaces. Guests enjoy exclusive privileges including 24-hour private butler service, a personal chef, and direct lagoon access with panoramic Indian Ocean views. The signature RESERVE Experience™ ensures every desire is anticipated and fulfilled with discreet precision.

“This extraordinary recognition celebrates our passionate pursuit of crafting unforgettable journeys,” says General Manager Abnash Kumar. “To be honoured for four consecutive years fills us with immense joy and strengthens our commitment to perfecting the art of meaningful luxury.”

OZEN LIFE MAADHOO was honoured with ‘Indian Ocean’s Leading Villa Resort’ for the second time, having previously won the same category in 2024. The resort’s acclaimed INDULGENCE™ Plan continues to set the standard for comprehensive luxury, offering guests unlimited access to gourmet dining across seven restaurants, premium beverages, curated excursions, and signature spa journeys, all seamlessly included. The iconic underwater restaurant M6m, the first of its kind in the South Malé Atoll, provides a breathtaking setting for unforgettable dining experiences.

“This award is a testament to the dedication of our entire team,” shares General Manager Mei P. Pun. “Every aspect of OZEN LIFE MAADHOO is designed to offer a genuine connection to the beauty and culture of the Maldives.”

These latest accolades add to an impressive collection of recent honours. Both resorts were named among the top ten percent of hotels worldwide in the Tripadvisor Travellers’ Choice Awards 2025, with OZEN LIFE MAADHOO securing a coveted place in the ‘Best of the Best’ category, reserved for the top one percent of hospitality providers globally. The collection also earned JOINT GOLD for ‘Best All-Inclusive Hotel for Families’ at the inaugural Junior Travel Awards 2026. OZEN RESERVE BOLIFUSHI’s ELE|NA Elements of Nature Spa was nominated as Maldives’ Best Wellness Retreat at the World Spa Awards 2025, while OZEN LIFE MAADHOO’s sustainability leadership has been validated by three consecutive years of Green Globe Certification.

 As THE OZEN COLLECTION continues to expand its award-winning hospitality beyond the Maldives, with upcoming properties in India including OZEN MANSION KOLKATA, OZEN VILLAS JAIPUR, and OZEN PRIVADO GOA, these recognitions reaffirm the brand’s position at the forefront of luxury hospitality, where refined elegance meets genuine connection and environmental responsibility.

Discover award-winning luxury at THE OZEN COLLECTION. Whether you seek the profound privacy of OZEN RESERVE BOLIFUSHI or the vibrant energy of OZEN LIFE MAADHOO, your perfect island story awaits.

Xyper Launches New Rewards Model for the Global Creator Economy

Xyper Points brings creator campaigns, community contributions, referrals, and advertiser acquisition into a single rewards framework

Dubai, United Arab Emirates, Sept 30 – Xyper, the on-chain creator marketing marketplace connecting advertisers with creators to run and reward social content campaigns, has introduced Xyper Points, a new program that expands how participation across its marketplace is recognized and rewarded.

On Xyper, advertisers fund campaigns around the content and distribution they want, while creators participate in those campaigns by producing eligible social content. Xyper Points builds on that model by recognizing a wider range of activity around the marketplace, including community contributions, referrals, and bringing new creators and advertisers onto the platform.

The program launches as the global creator economy continues to expand, with the market projected to reach $1.35 trillion by 2033. Xyper’s new model looks beyond content creation alone to recognize the wider network of participants involved in bringing creator campaigns to market and helping them grow.

Creators and community members can earn Points through eligible campaign activity, original content, verified quests, and referrals. Existing Protocol XP will also be incorporated into the same Points balance, giving users a single place to track eligible activity and progress across the platform. Points will also be redeemable for XYPER tokens in the future, with further details to be announced.

“Creator marketing has traditionally focused on rewarding the person producing the content, but there are many more people contributing to whether a campaign or marketplace actually grows. Someone might introduce an advertiser, bring a new creator into the ecosystem, or help another participant get started. We wanted the reward structure to better reflect that. Xyper Points gives us one framework for recognizing those different contributions rather than treating them as separate activities.” said Philipp Eryushev, CEO of Xyper.

Xyper is also extending participation to the advertiser side of its marketplace through a structured business development pathway. Participants can access leads and outreach materials to approach prospective advertisers and earn partner rewards when advertisers they bring to Xyper fund qualifying campaigns. More experienced partners can also recruit and train other participants and develop teams of their own.

Under Xyper’s current partner fee structure, up to 50% of protocol fee revenue from partner-attributed campaigns can go to the Biz Dev partner. Xyper’s protocol fee represents 10% of gross campaign funding, with 5% of gross campaign funding available to be divided between the partner reward and any advertiser discount. For example, a qualifying campaign with $20,000 in gross funding could generate up to $1,000 for the referring Biz Dev partner where no advertiser discount is applied. Actual partner rewards depend on the applicable campaign and program terms.

To make participation easier to follow, Xyper Points includes a dedicated dashboard where users can see their Points balance and breakdown, mission requirements, verification status, and activity history. Published reward rules and visible requirements provide greater clarity around which activities qualify and how progress is recorded. The program is also designed to maintain continuity over time. While Xyper Points may operate across individual seasons, users’ overall Points balances will not reset between seasons, allowing eligible activity to accumulate within the same framework.

With Xyper Points, Xyper is expanding the economic participation around creator marketing campaigns beyond the creators producing the content. By recognizing the community members who contribute, the partners who bring advertisers onto the marketplace, and the participants who help expand its network, Xyper is building a broader model for how value created across the creator economy can be recognized and rewarded.

Developers hold off-plan pricing steady while sales volumes and absorption rates adjust

Only 6% of projects have cut rates by 5% or more since February as pricing decides how quickly projects sell out

Dubai, UAE, Sept 30: Dubai’s developers have largely held their off-plan prices steady through 2026 in the face of adjustments in sales volumes and absorption rates, according to a new market analysis by fäm Properties.

 Of 717 off-plan projects launched since July 2023 with sufficient registered sales to measure their performance, just 44, or 6%, have reduced prices by 5% or more since the end of February. Only 28 projects, or 4%, are currently selling below their original launch price.

 In a market which has displayed strong resilience despite geopolitical developments of the last few months, the first price reductions recorded in the analysis occurred in June 2026 or later, with project pricing being influenced by local area conditions.

 Among 574 projects launched since 2025, the median project, priced 4.2% above the median price for its area, sold 73.8% of its units. By comparison, projects priced 20% or more above their area’s median price old a median of 60% of their units.

 “Pricing is beginning to decide how quickly projects sell out,” said Firas Al Msaddi, Founder and CEO of fäm Properties. “Developers have generally been reluctant to reduce their headline prices, so where a project is positioned against comparable properties is having a greater bearing on its sales performance.”

 While registered developer apartment sales during the first eight months of 2026 totalled 62,147, down 6% from the same period of 2025, the change was not evenly distributed across apartment types.

 Studio sales in fact increased 26% to 21,728, while one-bedroom sales declined 18%, two-bedroom sales fell 16% and three-bedroom sales decreased 13%.

 Dubai South was a major contributor to the increase in studio transactions, with sales rising 185% to 11,147 during the first eight months of the year.

 “The data indicates that the adjustment in the market has been more evident in sales volumes and absorption than in widespread reductions to launch prices,” said Al Msaddi. “More than nine out of ten projects in the analysis have retained their launch pricing.

 “The relationship between pricing and absorption is particularly relevant as developers compete across an increasingly broad range of projects and locations. Projects priced closer to prevailing market levels are recording higher median sales absorption than those carrying a substantial premium over their local market.”