DUBAI // Websites of many property developers in Dubai have not been updated to reflect delays or cancellations of projects.
One still prominently displays a press release announcing that the South African golfer Ernie Els had toured an 18-hole golf course bearing his name - in January 2007.
Another shows updates from 2008 that still tout what it calls "significant progress" on a massive man-made island that is little more than a patch of sand off the shores of Deira today.
Rarely are detailed construction updates displayed on the websites.
It is unclear whether the developers and related entities involved in projects that do not fully depict reality on their websites are still taking deposits from investors.
It is also unclear whether Dubai's Real Estate Regulatory Authority (Rera) mandates that stalled and cancelled projects be explained as such on company websites.
Officials at the regulatory body could not be reached for comment.
There is a lag on such regulation in other markets. In Britain, there is a gap in what authorities can regulate online, said Matt Wilson, a spokesman at the Advertising Standards Authority.
However, its remit was scheduled to be extended to cover the marketing content on company websites, such as those of property developers.
This, Mr Wilson said, would allow the ASA to refer companies accused of falsely advertising their products to the Office of Fair Trading.
Such regulation over content on the websites of UAE developers would be welcomed by the thousands of property buyers whose money is still tied up in stalled projects, said Farah Agha, who manages a 1,500-member group of aggrieved property investors in Dubai.
"It would be great if they did this, because it would make our lives a bit easier," she said.
"Unfortunately for people who don't live in Dubai, it becomes a bit of a nightmare trying to find out what's happening with things."
@Email:hnaylor@thenational.ae
Favourite things
Luxury: Enjoys window shopping for high-end bags and jewellery
Discount: She works in luxury retail, but is careful about spending, waits for sales, festivals and only buys on discount
University: The only person in her family to go to college, Jiang secured a bachelor’s degree in business management in China
Masters: Studying part-time for a master’s degree in international business marketing in Dubai
Vacation: Heads back home to see family in China
Community work: Member of the Chinese Business Women’s Association of the UAE to encourage other women entrepreneurs
Our legal consultants
Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.
How to watch Ireland v Pakistan in UAE
When: The one-off Test starts on Friday, May 11
What time: Each day’s play is scheduled to start at 2pm UAE time.
TV: The match will be broadcast on OSN Sports Cricket HD. Subscribers to the channel can also stream the action live on OSN Play.
'Manmarziyaan' (Colour Yellow Productions, Phantom Films)
Director: Anurag Kashyap
Cast: Abhishek Bachchan, Taapsee Pannu, Vicky Kaushal
Rating: 3.5/5
You may remember …
Robbie Keane (Atletico de Kolkata) The Irish striker is, along with his former Spurs teammate Dimitar Berbatov, the headline figure in this season’s ISL, having joined defending champions ATK. His grand entrance after arrival from Major League Soccer in the US will be delayed by three games, though, due to a knee injury.
Dimitar Berbatov (Kerala Blasters) Word has it that Rene Meulensteen, the Kerala manager, plans to deploy his Bulgarian star in central midfield. The idea of Berbatov as an all-action, box-to-box midfielder, might jar with Spurs and Manchester United supporters, who more likely recall an always-languid, often-lazy striker.
Wes Brown (Kerala Blasters) Revived his playing career last season to help out at Blackburn Rovers, where he was also a coach. Since then, the 23-cap England centre back, who is now 38, has been reunited with the former Manchester United assistant coach Meulensteen, after signing for Kerala.
Andre Bikey (Jamshedpur) The Cameroonian defender is onto the 17th club of a career has taken him to Spain, Portugal, Russia, the UK, Greece, and now India. He is still only 32, so there is plenty of time to add to that tally, too. Scored goals against Liverpool and Chelsea during his time with Reading in England.
Emiliano Alfaro (Pune City) The Uruguayan striker has played for Liverpool – the Montevideo one, rather than the better-known side in England – and Lazio in Italy. He was prolific for a season at Al Wasl in the Arabian Gulf League in 2012/13. He returned for one season with Fujairah, whom he left to join Pune.
Which products are to be taxed?
To be taxed:
Flavoured water, long-life fruit juice concentrates, pre-packaged sweetened coffee drinks fall under the ‘sweetened drink’ category
Not taxed
Freshly squeezed fruit juices, ground coffee beans, tea leaves and pre-prepared flavoured milkshakes do not come under the ‘sweetened drink’ band.
Products excluded from the ‘sweetened drink’ category would contain at least 75 per cent milk in a ready-to-drink form or as a milk substitute, baby formula, follow-up formula or baby food, beverages consumed for medicinal use and special dietary needs determined as per GCC Standardisation Organisation rules