AJMAN // Simple processes, reasonable prices and welcoming locals have given the emirate’s property market a boost, according to homeowners and businesses.
Real estate activity reached a record Dh11 billion in Ajman last year, with activity defined as the buying and selling of land, apartments, towers and villas.
Transactions, deals between two individuals, reached Dh4.5bn last year, up from Dh4bn the previous year.
Palestinian housewife Alia Ebrahim Abed and her husband decided to buy a property last year after living in Ajman for 15 years.
“[Ajman] has less traffic congestion and everything is available, so residents do not need to go to another emirate,” said Ms Abed, who bought a villa in Al Mwaihat 1.
The fact she cannot return to her homeland also pushed the 53-year-old to buy a home in the UAE, as did the ease of being able to buy in Ajman.
“Owning a property here in Ajman is so easy and there are no obstacles. And the citizens treat us [expatriates] in a great way. I have never felt like I’m in a foreign country here,” Ms Abed said.
“Also, the prices are cheaper than other emirates. I asked [about other emirates] before buying and many people who told me the price of their villa said I had bought at a suitable price.”
Majdeldeen Sauboh, 52, is a Palestinian who has owned factories in Ajman for 27 years. He has lived in the UAE for 33 years and said that starting a business in the emirate was simple.
“The ease of possession and doing official papers at government agencies in Ajman has pushed me to open two factories here,” he said.
“My first factory, which opened 27 years ago, has developed in that time because of the growth in the emirate and its infrastructure. In addition, the geographical location of Ajman, which is considered in the middle [of the country] and linked with other emirates, helps businessmen, too.
“I ended up opening a second factory in the emirate two years ago and I have never planned to have a business in another emirate because my whole life is here.”
Mr Sauboh’s first factory produces paper tissues, while the second is an aluminium factory.
Sheikh Abdul Aziz bin Humaid Al Nuaimi, head of the Land and Property Department in Ajman, and chairman of Ajman Real Estate Regulatory Agency, said real estate was booming in the emirate, as investors turned out for a variety of projects.
“The demand on completed buildings in the emirate is growing, thanks to the tireless efforts of the government of Ajman,” he said.
The chairman said that the most popular areas in the emirate were Al Rawda 1 and 2, Al Nuaimia 1 and 2, Al Mwaihat 1 and Industrial Ajman 2.
THREE POSSIBLE REPLACEMENTS
Khalfan Mubarak
The Al Jazira playmaker has for some time been tipped for stardom within UAE football, with Quique Sanchez Flores, his former manager at Al Ahli, once labelling him a “genius”. He was only 17. Now 23, Mubarak has developed into a crafty supplier of chances, evidenced by his seven assists in six league matches this season. Still to display his class at international level, though.
Rayan Yaslam
The Al Ain attacking midfielder has become a regular starter for his club in the past 15 months. Yaslam, 23, is a tidy and intelligent player, technically proficient with an eye for opening up defences. Developed while alongside Abdulrahman in the Al Ain first-team and has progressed well since manager Zoran Mamic’s arrival. However, made his UAE debut only last December.
Ismail Matar
The Al Wahda forward is revered by teammates and a key contributor to the squad. At 35, his best days are behind him, but Matar is incredibly experienced and an example to his colleagues. His ability to cope with tournament football is a concern, though, despite Matar beginning the season well. Not a like-for-like replacement, although the system could be adjusted to suit.
IPL 2018 FINAL
Sunrisers Hyderabad 178-6 (20 ovs)
Chennai Super Kings 181-2 (18.3 ovs)
Chennai win by eight wickets
The five new places of worship
Church of South Indian Parish
St Andrew's Church Mussaffah branch
St Andrew's Church Al Ain branch
St John's Baptist Church, Ruwais
Church of the Virgin Mary and St Paul the Apostle, Ruwais
KILLING OF QASSEM SULEIMANI
GAC GS8 Specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl turbo
Power: 248hp at 5,200rpm
Torque: 400Nm at 1,750-4,000rpm
Transmission: 8-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 9.1L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh149,900
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
'Nightmare Alley'
Director:Guillermo del Toro
Stars:Bradley Cooper, Cate Blanchett, Rooney Mara
Rating: 3/5
COMPANY%20PROFILE
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The specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4-cyl turbo
Power: 247hp at 6,500rpm
Torque: 370Nm from 1,500-3,500rpm
Transmission: 10-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 7.8L/100km
Price: from Dh94,900
On sale: now
Washmen Profile
Date Started: May 2015
Founders: Rami Shaar and Jad Halaoui
Based: Dubai, UAE
Sector: Laundry
Employees: 170
Funding: about $8m
Funders: Addventure, B&Y Partners, Clara Ventures, Cedar Mundi Partners, Henkel Ventures
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%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EDirector%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Matt%20Drummond%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EStars%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EAlyla%20Browne%2C%20Alice%20Parkinson%2C%20Sam%20Everingham%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ERating%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%203%2F5%26nbsp%3B%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
The specs
AT4 Ultimate, as tested
Engine: 6.2-litre V8
Power: 420hp
Torque: 623Nm
Transmission: 10-speed automatic
Price: From Dh330,800 (Elevation: Dh236,400; AT4: Dh286,800; Denali: Dh345,800)
On sale: Now
