Watch: Conversations shaping GCC Real Estate
The GCC’s real estate sector is entering a new phase of growth, shaped by shifting capital strategies, sustainability commitments, and evolving financing models. In this interview round-up, senior industry leaders share their perspectives on what is driving the transformation and how investors are adapting.
Zain Qureshi, Global Head of Real Estate Finance and Advisory at Mashreq, highlights how diversified funding sources, stable economic conditions, and investor-friendly regulations are attracting local and international players. From Saudi Arabia’s $940bn pipeline of projects to the UAE’s $453bn in developments, real estate has become a cornerstone of economic diversification.
Daniele Vecchi, Executive Director of Corporate Finance at Aldar Properties, explains how capital stacking is reshaping financing by balancing equity, debt, and hybrid instruments. His insights reveal the importance of legal frameworks, sustainable structures, and innovative tools such as hybrid bonds.
Meanwhile, Oliver Hogg, CEO of Arzan Investment Management, outlines the growing role of private debt as an alternative to bank financing, citing its flexibility and ability to unlock stalled projects. And Rohit Srivastava of Brookfield Asset Management explores how REITs are opening new avenues for both retail and institutional investors.
Together, these voices paint a picture of a sector evolving rapidly—and built on increasingly sophisticated financial foundations.
