Two of the UAE's largest property companies are apparently unhappy with their media coverage.
Both Dubai Properties Group and Al Maabar have issued requests for proposals from public relations companies in recent weeks, according to industry sources.
And that means I'm a popular guy. Five different public relations agencies have called to ask me a set list of questions about the companies, hoping to glean some insight.
Most of the interest was in Dubai Properties Group (DPG), the developer behind Dubailand and other iconic projects in the emirate. Three agencies assigned account executives to ask such questions as, "What is your current perception of Dubai Properties Group?" And, "What do you think are the group's biggest challenges?"
The competition for the contract should be fierce. PR agencies around the UAE are desperately scrounging for work. And yet all three agencies shared one attribute--there was no evidence that any of the pr professionals assigned to call had bothered to read the articles The National has published on DPG.
Dubai Properties Group has faced public relations issues with its Remraam development in Dubailand (Jaime Puebla/The National)
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
SPECS
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Profile
Name: Carzaty
Founders: Marwan Chaar and Hassan Jaffar
Launched: 2017
Employees: 22
Based: Dubai and Muscat
Sector: Automobile retail
Funding to date: $5.5 million
Citadel: Honey Bunny first episode
Directors: Raj & DK
Stars: Varun Dhawan, Samantha Ruth Prabhu, Kashvi Majmundar, Kay Kay Menon
Rating: 4/5
Timeline
2012-2015
The company offers payments/bribes to win key contracts in the Middle East
May 2017
The UK SFO officially opens investigation into Petrofac’s use of agents, corruption, and potential bribery to secure contracts
September 2021
Petrofac pleads guilty to seven counts of failing to prevent bribery under the UK Bribery Act
October 2021
Court fines Petrofac £77 million for bribery. Former executive receives a two-year suspended sentence
December 2024
Petrofac enters into comprehensive restructuring to strengthen the financial position of the group
May 2025
The High Court of England and Wales approves the company’s restructuring plan
July 2025
The Court of Appeal issues a judgment challenging parts of the restructuring plan
August 2025
Petrofac issues a business update to execute the restructuring and confirms it will appeal the Court of Appeal decision
October 2025
Petrofac loses a major TenneT offshore wind contract worth €13 billion. Holding company files for administration in the UK. Petrofac delisted from the London Stock Exchange
November 2025
180 Petrofac employees laid off in the UAE
Springsteen: Deliver Me from Nowhere
Director: Scott Cooper
Starring: Jeremy Allen White, Odessa Young, Jeremy Strong
Rating: 4/5
