Why is Dubai still booming while global real estate slows? And is Saudi Arabia’s transformation—from home ownership to hospitality—actually sustainable?

In this episode, we speak once again with Faisal Durrani, Partner & Head of Research at Knight Frank Middle East, to unpack what’s really driving the Gulf’s property cycle.

We discuss affordability, foreign ownership, migration trends, rental pressures, hospitality demand, and the rise of Abu Dhabi and Ras Al Khaimah.

Reports mentioned:
Destination Saudi 2024 – https://www.knightfrank.com.sa/en/destinationsaudi

The Saudi Report 2025 – https://www.knightfrank.com.sa/en/thesaudireport

Destination Dubai 2025 – https://www.knightfrank.ae/destinationdubai

Related reading:
Financial Times – “The lingering wealth gap in Saudi Arabia”
http://www.ft.com/cms/23ac98f8-c65f-4c44-992f-e3e1182fddbd.html?FTCamp=engage/CAPI/website/Channel_muckrack//B2B

Previous episode with Faisal:
EP. 32 — UAE & Saudi Real Estate Insights
https://majlisandmarkets.buzzsprout.com/1907033/episodes/15612124-episode-32-building-trends-uae-saudi-real-estate-insights

Listen & watch:
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@MajlisMarketspod

RSS feed: https://majlisandmarkets.buzzsprout.com/1907033

Follow Majlis & Markets:
LinkedIn – https://lnkd.in/eXKNRVcF
Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/majlismarkets
X (Twitter) – https://x.com/MajlisMarkets
TikTok – https://www.tiktok.com/@majlis.markets

In our 75th episode, we’re joined once again by Abdul Kadir Hussain, Head of Fixed Income Asset Management at Arqaam Capital, to unpack the transformation reshaping GCC bonds and sukuk.

From Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030-driven borrowing and UAE corporate issuance, to Kuwait’s market comeback and the future of AAOIFI sukuk standards, we explore how the region’s fixed income landscape is evolving and what it means for investors, policymakers, and global markets.

Revisit our last episode with Abdul Kadir-https://majlisandmarkets.buzzsprout.com/1907033/episodes/15556209-episode-30-inside-the-gulf-bonds-bonanza

🎧 Find us on your favourite podcast platform or listen here:
👉 https://majlisandmarkets.buzzsprout.com/1907033

📺 Watch more Majlis & Markets episodes:
👉 https://www.youtube.com/@MajlisMarketspod

📱 Follow Majlis & Markets for more insights on Islamic & global markets:

• LinkedIn → https://lnkd.in/eXKNRVcF
• Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/majlismarkets
• X (Twitter) → https://x.com/MajlisMarkets
• TikTok → https://www.tiktok.com/@majlis.markets

In this episode, we welcome back Issam Altawari to unpack Kuwait’s political and economic crossroads.

We explore Kuwait’s unique political dynamics, the challenges of reform and the country’s efforts to diversify beyond oil.

From parliamentary deadlock to infrastructure and tourism projects, citizenship issues, and the role of the sovereign wealth fund, the conversation dives deep into what’s holding Kuwait back and what could unlock its potential.

We also discuss Kuwait’s geopolitical positioning, relations with the US, and its approach to climate change and ESG, as well as the urgent need to create a business-friendly environment to attract FDI.

🔗 Connect with Issam

🐦 Twitter/X → https://x.com/AltawariIssam
💼 LinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/in/issam2009/

📢 Follow Majlis & Markets for more

▶️ YouTube → https://www.youtube.com/@MajlisMarketspod
🎧 RSS Feed → https://majlisandmarkets.buzzsprout.com/
🐦 Twitter/X → https://x.com/MajlisMarkets
📸 Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/majlismarkets/
💼 LinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/company/majlisandmarkets
🎵 TikTok → https://www.tiktok.com/@majlis.markets

👉 For the latest updates, insights, and exclusive content, follow us across platforms and subscribe to Majlis & Markets wherever you get your podcasts.