If you’ve been dreaming of owning a home in Dubai but weren’t sure where to start, the city just made it easier. A brand-new initiative, launched by the Dubai Land Department (DLD) and the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET), is offering residents a chance to step onto the property ladder with exclusive incentives and support.

Called the First-Time Home Buyer Programme, the initiative is open to all UAE residents aged 18 and above who don’t currently own a freehold home in Dubai. It offers early access to newly launched developments, special prices on homes valued up to Dh5 million, and custom mortgage solutions from leading local banks.

At its core, the programme is designed to make homeownership more accessible and attractive to both Emiratis and expats, encouraging long-term investment and helping residents put down real roots in the city.

Announced during a press conference at DLD, the launch was attended by senior officials, including Majid Al Marri, CEO of the Real Estate Registration Sector at DLD, and Hadi Badri, CEO of the Dubai Economic Development Corporation at DET, along with representatives from top developers and banks.

Here’s what you get as a first-time buyer in Dubai:

• Priority access to upcoming property launches
• Preferential pricing on selected units up to Dh5 million
• Tailored mortgages from banks, including Emirates NBD, Dubai Islamic Bank, Mashreq, and others

Major developers such as Emaar, DAMAC, Nakheel, Azizi, Binghatti, and Meraas are already on board, ensuring a wide selection of properties across the city.

Officials say the programme not only aims to help more residents become homeowners, but also supports Dubai’s long-term economic vision, as part of the Real Estate Strategy 2033 and the D33 Agenda.

“Dubai’s real estate market must reflect the diversity and ambition of its residents,” said Omar Bu Shehab, Director-General of DLD. “This programme opens the door for more people to invest in their futures here.”

Whether you’re a young professional thinking of buying your first apartment or a family looking to make Dubai your permanent base, the First-Time Home Buyer Programme could be your opportunity to finally make that move.

India’s largest steel producer, the Steel Authority of India Limited (SAIL), has opened its first representative office in Dubai, a move expected to deepen economic ties with the UAE and unlock new business opportunities across the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region.

The new office, located at Lake Central in Dubai’s Business Bay, was officially inaugurated by India’s Union Minister for Steel, Heavy Industries and Public Enterprises, HD Kumaraswamy. The launch marks a key step in India’s push to expand the global footprint of its public sector enterprises.

The event was attended by senior dignitaries, including Satish Kumar Sivan, Consul General of India in Dubai; Amarendu Prakash, SAIL’s Chairman and Managing Director; the Joint Secretary of India’s Ministry of Steel; and top officials from MECON, NMDC, and India’s Consulate in Dubai.

“By establishing offices of three major public sector units – SAIL, MECON and NMDC – in the UAE, we are opening a new chapter in bilateral cooperation,” said Minister Kumaraswamy. “This move supports our vision to strengthen CPSEs, backed by the Prime Minister’s strong relationship with the UAE leadership. The region offers tremendous opportunities for Indian manufacturing and steel exports.”

The Dubai office is set to serve as a strategic hub for SAIL, leveraging the city’s status as a gateway to the MENA region. The company currently produces over 20 million tonnes of crude steel annually and is looking to significantly boost exports as part of India’s goal to reach 300 million tonnes of steel production by 2030.

The Central Bank of the UAE (CBUAE) has released limited-edition commemorative gold and silver coins to mark the “Zayed and Rashid” campaign, celebrating the enduring legacy of the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan and Sheikh Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum, the visionary leaders who laid the foundation of the UAE.

This special issuance aims to honour the founding fathers, reinforce national identity, and instill a sense of loyalty and pride in future generations.

Coin Details:

Gold Coin

• Weight: 40 grams
• Diameter: 40 mm
• Obverse: Portrait of Sheikh Zayed and Sheikh Rashid
• Reverse: UAE national emblem with “Central Bank of the UAE” in Arabic and English
• Availability: Exclusively at the Central Bank headquarters in Abu Dhabi

Silver Coin

• Weight: 50 grams
• Diameter: 50 mm
• Obverse: Portrait of the two leaders
• Reverse: UAE national emblem, name of the Central Bank in Arabic and English, and the phrase “Commemorative Coin” in Arabic
• Availability: Online via the Central Bank’s website

Honouring a national legacy

Khaled Mohamed Balama, Governor of the CBUAE, said: “We proudly announce the issuance of these commemorative coins, which embody the meanings of loyalty and belonging to the national legacy left by the founding leaders.

This issuance marks the Zayed and Rashid campaign, aiming to solidify the values of unity and development upon which our nation was founded, and to highlight inspiring milestones in their journeys.”

Balama added that the initiative underscores the Central Bank’s commitment to preserving UAE history and ensuring that the values of the nation’s founders are passed on to future generations.