Mohamed El-Taher, Chairperson of Saudi Egyptian Developers (SED), affirmed that Egypt’s real estate market continues to offer promising opportunities for new investments. He noted that SED has adopted a new investment approach aligned with the government’s evolving vision, providing developers with greater support and removing obstacles in areas such as materials procurement and administrative procedures, strengthening the sector’s resilience.
El-Taher emphasized that challenges in the Arab world create opportunities for innovative real estate projects. With traditional markets in Europe and the US yielding lower returns, investors are increasingly turning to the Middle East and Africa. He highlighted the growing importance of real estate funds as a tool to boost returns while easing governments’ financing burdens.
SED, in partnership with Egypt’s New Urban Communities Authority, is preparing to launch a joint Egyptian-Saudi real estate fund, consolidating resources and expertise. El-Taher noted Egypt’s extensive experience in project management and integrated urban lifestyles, which can be shared with regional and international developers. He also highlighted Saudi Arabia’s growing ability to attract foreign and Gulf capital, especially following reforms permitting foreign ownership. He suggested a balanced exchange where Egyptian developers participate in Saudi projects while Saudi investors channel funds into Egypt’s North Coast and Red Sea developments.
Bassel Al-Serafy, CEO of Adeer International, stressed that real estate funds provide critical financing and reduce developer burdens. He noted that Egyptian funds remain primarily investment-focused, and regulatory reforms—particularly tax law adjustments—could enable broader use in project financing. Dollar-denominated funds also present opportunities for attracting foreign investment. Al-Serafy highlighted technology and sustainability as drivers of transparency and investor confidence, noting Egypt’s digital transformation enhances global access to market information.
Mohammad Algrnas, Executive Director at Saudi Arabia’s REGA, described real estate development as a cornerstone of Vision 2030. He outlined REGA’s efforts to regulate the sector, enhance legislation, and provide investment opportunities, noting that the off-plan sales system has licensed projects valued at over SAR 500bn. Initiatives like the White Land Program and land price regulation aim to balance supply and demand and improve market efficiency, while joint ownership systems expand transparency and governance.
Mohammad Baydoun, Senior VP at DAMAC, emphasized the importance of portfolio diversification for investors. He highlighted Dubai’s urban diversity and multiple thriving city centers as creating sustainable opportunities, while DAMAC leverages prime locations and delivers architecturally distinctive projects, resulting in record sales and strong returns for investors.
