Aldar Properties, Abu Dhabi’s biggest property developer, is developing a Dh8 billion ($2.18 billion) residential community north-east of Yas Island to boost the stock of integrated and sustainable residential communities in the UAE capital.
Being developed in partnership with the Abu Dhabi Housing Authority (ADHA), Balghaiylam, as the project is known, will further enhance the well-being of citizens and reflect the economic and cultural growth taking place in Abu Dhabi, Aldar said on Tuesday in a filing to the Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange, where its shares are traded.
Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Executive Council, inaugurated the project, which is expected to be completed by 2026, the developer said.
When completed, the development will offer 1,743 high-quality ready-built homes and access to a range of facilities in the community.
The project is in line with the government’s plan to leverage public-private partnerships and provide Emiratis with suitable housing within property projects by approved developers. Citizens who have been pre-approved by ADHA can use their loan to buy three to six-bedroom villas with a variety of architectural designs and interior layouts, according to their needs and finances, Aldar said.
ADHA will provide the developer with a list of eligible citizens to review the available villas, and then complete the purchase process, it added.
“Providing citizens with a good quality of life and meeting their housing needs is a top priority for Abu Dhabi’s leadership,” said Mohammed Al Shorafa, chairman of the Department of Municipalities and Transport and chairman of ADHA.
“To ensure more housing benefits and options that meet Emirati families’ needs and aspirations, Abu Dhabi Housing Authority is launching new housing projects in partnership with the private sector.”
ADHA’s tie-up with Aldar is aimed at increasing home ownership among Emiratis and “reduce delays in obtaining adequate housing”, he added.
In June, more than 1,800 Emiratis were granted housing loans worth a total of Dh3.1 billion by the Abu Dhabi government.
The second housing package of 2023, which coincided with Eid Al Adha celebrations, gives loans to 1,807 citizens.
Sheikh Khaled ordered the payment of the loans under the directives of President Sheikh Mohamed.
Sheikh Khaled reviewed the design features of the Balghaiylam project, which includes schools, mosques, retail and food and beverage outlets, sports centres, community gardens, playgrounds and parks, as well as an equestrian centre, providing citizens with access to amenities in the integrated community.
The Crown Prince was accompanied by Mohamed Al Mubarak, chairman of the Department of Culture and Tourism and chairman of Aldar Properties; Saif Ghobash, secretary general of Abu Dhabi Executive Council; Hamad Al Muhairi, director general of ADHA and Talal Al Dhiyebi, group chief executive of Aldar.
“As a strategic partner of the Abu Dhabi government, we are committed to leveraging our extensive expertise and industry knowledge to build sustainable and integrated communities where UAE nationals want to live," Mr Al Mubarak said.
"Our aim is to contribute to the success of this ambitious plan by meeting the needs of citizens, providing stability for their families, and ultimately fostering happy and healthy communities.”
Aldar is at the heart of Abu Dhabi’s efforts to develop the emirate’s property sector and central to the governments efforts to boost home ownership among Emiratis.
The developer behind several iconic projects in the emirate is also a central plank to Abu Dhabi's efforts to diversify its economy away from hydrocarbons.
Aldar has launched several projects and has teamed up with investors including Mubadala Investment Company, Abu Dhabi’s sovereign investment arm, to acquire and develop projects to meet the rising demand of properties in the emirate across assets classes.
The developer plans to launch a dozen new projects this year amid the property market recovery and will continue to look for acquisitions to boost its portfolio, Jonathan Emery, chief executive of Aldar Development, told The National in an interview in January.
Major developments announced by Aldar in the past year include Yas Gate, Saadiyat Lagoons, the Grove District on Saadiyat Island and Louvre Abu Dhabi Residences.
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Essentials
The flights
Emirates, Etihad and Malaysia Airlines all fly direct from the UAE to Kuala Lumpur and on to Penang from about Dh2,300 return, including taxes.
Where to stay
In Kuala Lumpur, Element is a recently opened, futuristic hotel high up in a Norman Foster-designed skyscraper. Rooms cost from Dh400 per night, including taxes. Hotel Stripes, also in KL, is a great value design hotel, with an infinity rooftop pool. Rooms cost from Dh310, including taxes.
In Penang, Ren i Tang is a boutique b&b in what was once an ancient Chinese Medicine Hall in the centre of Little India. Rooms cost from Dh220, including taxes.
23 Love Lane in Penang is a luxury boutique heritage hotel in a converted mansion, with private tropical gardens. Rooms cost from Dh400, including taxes.
In Langkawi, Temple Tree is a unique architectural villa hotel consisting of antique houses from all across Malaysia. Rooms cost from Dh350, including taxes.
Labour dispute
The insured employee may still file an ILOE claim even if a labour dispute is ongoing post termination, but the insurer may suspend or reject payment, until the courts resolve the dispute, especially if the reason for termination is contested. The outcome of the labour court proceedings can directly affect eligibility.
- Abdullah Ishnaneh, Partner, BSA Law
MATCH INFO
England 2
Cahill (3'), Kane (39')
Nigeria 1
Iwobi (47')
Mubalada World Tennis Championship 2018 schedule
Thursday December 27
Men's quarter-finals
Kevin Anderson v Hyeon Chung 4pm
Dominic Thiem v Karen Khachanov 6pm
Women's exhibition
Serena Williams v Venus Williams 8pm
Friday December 28
5th place play-off 3pm
Men's semi-finals
Rafael Nadal v Anderson/Chung 5pm
Novak Djokovic v Thiem/Khachanov 7pm
Saturday December 29
3rd place play-off 5pm
Men's final 7pm
Key facilities
- Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
- Premier League-standard football pitch
- 400m Olympic running track
- NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
- 600-seat auditorium
- Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
- An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
- Specialist robotics and science laboratories
- AR and VR-enabled learning centres
- Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
Day 5, Abu Dhabi Test: At a glance
Moment of the day When Dilruwan Perera dismissed Yasir Shah to end Pakistan’s limp resistance, the Sri Lankans charged around the field with the fevered delirium of a side not used to winning. Trouble was, they had not. The delivery was deemed a no ball. Sri Lanka had a nervy wait, but it was merely a stay of execution for the beleaguered hosts.
Stat of the day – 5 Pakistan have lost all 10 wickets on the fifth day of a Test five times since the start of 2016. It is an alarming departure for a side who had apparently erased regular collapses from their resume. “The only thing I can say, it’s not a mitigating excuse at all, but that’s a young batting line up, obviously trying to find their way,” said Mickey Arthur, Pakistan’s coach.
The verdict Test matches in the UAE are known for speeding up on the last two days, but this was extreme. The first two innings of this Test took 11 sessions to complete. The remaining two were done in less than four. The nature of Pakistan’s capitulation at the end showed just how difficult the transition is going to be in the post Misbah-ul-Haq era.
Infiniti QX80 specs
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If you go...
Fly from Dubai or Abu Dhabi to Chiang Mai in Thailand, via Bangkok, before taking a five-hour bus ride across the Laos border to Huay Xai. The land border crossing at Huay Xai is a well-trodden route, meaning entry is swift, though travellers should be aware of visa requirements for both countries.
Flights from Dubai start at Dh4,000 return with Emirates, while Etihad flights from Abu Dhabi start at Dh2,000. Local buses can be booked in Chiang Mai from around Dh50
UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE FIXTURES
All kick-off times 10.45pm UAE ( 4 GMT) unless stated
Tuesday
Sevilla v Maribor
Spartak Moscow v Liverpool
Manchester City v Shakhtar Donetsk
Napoli v Feyenoord
Besiktas v RB Leipzig
Monaco v Porto
Apoel Nicosia v Tottenham Hotspur
Borussia Dortmund v Real Madrid
Wednesday
Basel v Benfica
CSKA Moscow Manchester United
Paris Saint-Germain v Bayern Munich
Anderlecht v Celtic
Qarabag v Roma (8pm)
Atletico Madrid v Chelsea
Juventus v Olympiakos
Sporting Lisbon v Barcelona
How much sugar is in chocolate Easter eggs?
- The 169g Crunchie egg has 15.9g of sugar per 25g serving, working out at around 107g of sugar per egg
- The 190g Maltesers Teasers egg contains 58g of sugar per 100g for the egg and 19.6g of sugar in each of the two Teasers bars that come with it
- The 188g Smarties egg has 113g of sugar per egg and 22.8g in the tube of Smarties it contains
- The Milky Bar white chocolate Egg Hunt Pack contains eight eggs at 7.7g of sugar per egg
- The Cadbury Creme Egg contains 26g of sugar per 40g egg
How has net migration to UK changed?
The figure was broadly flat immediately before the Covid-19 pandemic, standing at 216,000 in the year to June 2018 and 224,000 in the year to June 2019.
It then dropped to an estimated 111,000 in the year to June 2020 when restrictions introduced during the pandemic limited travel and movement.
The total rose to 254,000 in the year to June 2021, followed by steep jumps to 634,000 in the year to June 2022 and 906,000 in the year to June 2023.
The latest available figure of 728,000 for the 12 months to June 2024 suggests levels are starting to decrease.
hall of shame
SUNDERLAND 2002-03
No one has ended a Premier League season quite like Sunderland. They lost each of their final 15 games, taking no points after January. They ended up with 19 in total, sacking managers Peter Reid and Howard Wilkinson and losing 3-1 to Charlton when they scored three own goals in eight minutes.
SUNDERLAND 2005-06
Until Derby came along, Sunderland’s total of 15 points was the Premier League’s record low. They made it until May and their final home game before winning at the Stadium of Light while they lost a joint record 29 of their 38 league games.
HUDDERSFIELD 2018-19
Joined Derby as the only team to be relegated in March. No striker scored until January, while only two players got more assists than goalkeeper Jonas Lossl. The mid-season appointment Jan Siewert was to end his time as Huddersfield manager with a 5.3 per cent win rate.
ASTON VILLA 2015-16
Perhaps the most inexplicably bad season, considering they signed Idrissa Gueye and Adama Traore and still only got 17 points. Villa won their first league game, but none of the next 19. They ended an abominable campaign by taking one point from the last 39 available.
FULHAM 2018-19
Terrible in different ways. Fulham’s total of 26 points is not among the lowest ever but they contrived to get relegated after spending over £100 million (Dh457m) in the transfer market. Much of it went on defenders but they only kept two clean sheets in their first 33 games.
LA LIGA: Sporting Gijon, 13 points in 1997-98.
BUNDESLIGA: Tasmania Berlin, 10 points in 1965-66
UPI facts
More than 2.2 million Indian tourists arrived in UAE in 2023
More than 3.5 million Indians reside in UAE
Indian tourists can make purchases in UAE using rupee accounts in India through QR-code-based UPI real-time payment systems
Indian residents in UAE can use their non-resident NRO and NRE accounts held in Indian banks linked to a UAE mobile number for UPI transactions
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
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England Test squad
Joe Root (captain), Moeen Ali, James Anderson, Jonny Bairstow (wicketkeeper), Stuart Broad, Jos Buttler, Alastair Cook, Sam Curran, Keaton Jennings, Dawid Malan, Jamie Porter, Adil Rashid, Ben Stokes.
Our family matters legal consultant
Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.
