ABU DHABI // Sawsan Al Ghulifaqi's family warned her that breaking into the real estate sales industry would be challenging.
"They told me 'It's not a normal job, and you may face a lot of barriers'," the Abu Dhabi native said. "They told me it would not be easy."
But Ms Al Ghulifaqi not only made it, she excelled. The only Emirati woman on the sales team on Saadiyat Island for the Tourism Development and Investment Company (TDIC), Ms Al Ghulifaqi is called "the sales star" by colleagues. Plus, in November, she won an award for achieving high sales for her work in showcasing the island's upcoming luxury residential offerings.
Luring potential residents to live on a still-under-construction island development is no easy task, but Ms Al Ghulifaqi said there is nothing else she would rather do.
"I'm not working as a salesperson here," she said. "I am working as a TDIC ambassador, and we're offering an entire experience for tourists, for the public and for residents on Saadiyat.
"We are not creating a usual project. We are selling luxury, high-end and high-quality villas."
Ms Al Ghulifaqi, 28, is the only woman on the four-person sales team at Saadiyat. In an industry dominated by men, Ms Al Ghulifaqi said she is hoping to be a role model for a new generation of Emirati women.
"I am the only Emirati lady in an industry where men prevail, and I hope I can inspire others," she said. "In all industries now, Emirati ladies are passionate about most of the jobs, and we want to challenge the men. We can do anything, actually."
The Saadiyat Island development, valued at Dh91.8 billion, is to eventually be home to an estimated 145,000 residents and is expected to be completed by 2020.
The first phase of the Saadiyat Beach Villas, which includes 345 properties, is to open next year. The three- to six-bedroom villas come in three styles and sizes and are close to beach amenities including the Saadiyat Beach Golf Club and the Monte Carlo Beach Club.
Villas are expected to cost between Dh6.5 million and Dh39m.
Earlier this year, TDIC announced that development on the island was being scaled back, and construction on two of the landmark museums - the Guggenheim Abu Dhabi and the Zayed National Museum - has been delayed.
Still, prospective homeowners come from all over the world to research the location at first hand, and it is Ms Al Ghulifaqi's job to build up the island's fledgling residential population.
"It sort of sells itself," she said. "We're offering a different lifestyle here, a gated community with access to the beach, stunning views and eventually the museums. This community is for people who want to spoil themselves."
Of the Saadiyat team, Ms Al Ghulifaqi has sold the most residential units. Rashid Al Suwaidi, the director of sales and leasing at TDIC, said he expected her to "have a great career as her character is built to be a successful salesperson".
Mr Al Suwaidi said: "She's grown and matured very quickly. She's a professional salesperson who is smart, honest, accountable, and she overachieves the goals set for her."
All of the beach villas in the first phase have been sold, and Ms Ghulifaqi is working on selling the 90 available in Phase 2, in addition to 32 luxury residential villas which are part of the St Regis development.
A graduate of the Higher Colleges of Technology, Ms Al Ghulifaqi is proud of what she has accomplished, but "I am not alone", she said.
"I am part of a family here. My male colleagues are so supportive. We are working as one unit, and we accomplish together."
Nearly two years after Ms Al Ghulifaqi joined the sales team at TDIC, even her family has succumbed to the allure of the island. "I'm so motivated by the project, and I keep inviting them to come over and they're just as interested as anyone," she said.
Handover of the beach villas is expected to begin early next year, with the second phase becoming available in the fourth quarter of 2012.
jthomas@thenational.ae
The National's picks
4.35pm: Tilal Al Khalediah
5.10pm: Continous
5.45pm: Raging Torrent
6.20pm: West Acre
7pm: Flood Zone
7.40pm: Straight No Chaser
8.15pm: Romantic Warrior
8.50pm: Calandogan
9.30pm: Forever Young
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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
The%20specs%20
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In numbers: PKK’s money network in Europe
Germany: PKK collectors typically bring in $18 million in cash a year – amount has trebled since 2010
Revolutionary tax: Investigators say about $2 million a year raised from ‘tax collection’ around Marseille
Extortion: Gunman convicted in 2023 of demanding $10,000 from Kurdish businessman in Stockholm
Drug trade: PKK income claimed by Turkish anti-drugs force in 2024 to be as high as $500 million a year
Denmark: PKK one of two terrorist groups along with Iranian separatists ASMLA to raise “two-digit million amounts”
Contributions: Hundreds of euros expected from typical Kurdish families and thousands from business owners
TV channel: Kurdish Roj TV accounts frozen and went bankrupt after Denmark fined it more than $1 million over PKK links in 2013
The specs
Engine: Four electric motors, one at each wheel
Power: 579hp
Torque: 859Nm
Transmission: Single-speed automatic
Price: From Dh825,900
On sale: Now
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Formula Middle East Calendar (Formula Regional and Formula 4)
Round 1: January 17-19, Yas Marina Circuit – Abu Dhabi
Round 2: January 22-23, Yas Marina Circuit – Abu Dhabi
Round 3: February 7-9, Dubai Autodrome – Dubai
Round 4: February 14-16, Yas Marina Circuit – Abu Dhabi
Round 5: February 25-27, Jeddah Corniche Circuit – Saudi Arabia
Read more about the coronavirus
Scores:
Day 4
England 290 & 346
Sri Lanka 336 & 226-7 (target 301)
Sri Lanka require another 75 runs with three wickets remaining
Our family matters legal consultant
Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.
Nancy 9 (Hassa Beek)
Nancy Ajram
(In2Musica)
COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Rain Management
Year started: 2017
Based: Bahrain
Employees: 100-120
Amount raised: $2.5m from BitMex Ventures and Blockwater. Another $6m raised from MEVP, Coinbase, Vision Ventures, CMT, Jimco and DIFC Fintech Fund
5 of the most-popular Airbnb locations in Dubai
Bobby Grudziecki, chief operating officer of Frank Porter, identifies the five most popular areas in Dubai for those looking to make the most out of their properties and the rates owners can secure:
• Dubai Marina
The Marina and Jumeirah Beach Residence are popular locations, says Mr Grudziecki, due to their closeness to the beach, restaurants and hotels.
Frank Porter’s average Airbnb rent:
One bedroom: Dh482 to Dh739
Two bedroom: Dh627 to Dh960
Three bedroom: Dh721 to Dh1,104
• Downtown
Within walking distance of the Dubai Mall, Burj Khalifa and the famous fountains, this location combines business and leisure. “Sure it’s for tourists,” says Mr Grudziecki. “Though Downtown [still caters to business people] because it’s close to Dubai International Financial Centre."
Frank Porter’s average Airbnb rent:
One bedroom: Dh497 to Dh772
Two bedroom: Dh646 to Dh1,003
Three bedroom: Dh743 to Dh1,154
• City Walk
The rising star of the Dubai property market, this area is lined with pristine sidewalks, boutiques and cafes and close to the new entertainment venue Coca Cola Arena. “Downtown and Marina are pretty much the same prices,” Mr Grudziecki says, “but City Walk is higher.”
Frank Porter’s average Airbnb rent:
One bedroom: Dh524 to Dh809
Two bedroom: Dh682 to Dh1,052
Three bedroom: Dh784 to Dh1,210
• Jumeirah Lake Towers
Dubai Marina’s little brother JLT resides on the other side of Sheikh Zayed road but is still close enough to beachside outlets and attractions. The big selling point for Airbnb renters, however, is that “it’s cheaper than Dubai Marina”, Mr Grudziecki says.
Frank Porter’s average Airbnb rent:
One bedroom: Dh422 to Dh629
Two bedroom: Dh549 to Dh818
Three bedroom: Dh631 to Dh941
• Palm Jumeirah
Palm Jumeirah's proximity to luxury resorts is attractive, especially for big families, says Mr Grudziecki, as Airbnb renters can secure competitive rates on one of the world’s most famous tourist destinations.
Frank Porter’s average Airbnb rent:
One bedroom: Dh503 to Dh770
Two bedroom: Dh654 to Dh1,002
Three bedroom: Dh752 to Dh1,152
MATCH INFO
Fixture: Ukraine v Portugal, Monday, 10.45pm (UAE)
TV: BeIN Sports
A MINECRAFT MOVIE
Director: Jared Hess
Starring: Jack Black, Jennifer Coolidge, Jason Momoa
Rating: 3/5
The specs
Engine: 4-litre twin-turbo V8
Transmission: nine-speed
Power: 542bhp
Torque: 700Nm
Price: Dh848,000
On sale: now
MATCH INFO
Uefa Champions League quarter-final, second leg (first-leg score)
Porto (0) v Liverpool (2), Wednesday, 11pm UAE
Match is on BeIN Sports
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The National Archives, Abu Dhabi
Founded over 50 years ago, the National Archives collects valuable historical material relating to the UAE, and is the oldest and richest archive relating to the Arabian Gulf.
Much of the material can be viewed on line at the Arabian Gulf Digital Archive - https://www.agda.ae/en
NO OTHER LAND
Director: Basel Adra, Yuval Abraham, Rachel Szor, Hamdan Ballal
Stars: Basel Adra, Yuval Abraham
Rating: 3.5/5
