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Long-term island real estate developments, US housing expansions, and persistent global gas supply disruptions lead Middle Eastern corporate headlines. Eagle Hills founder Mohamed Alabbar revealed plans to expand the Maldives beyond seasonal tourism by building long-stay residential districts. In international property markets, Dubai’s Sobha Realty committed $600 million to construct 700 homes in Texas as part of a US market expansion. Meanwhile, state-owned QatarEnergy extended its force majeure on liquefied natural gas shipments through November as transport delays across the Strait of Hormuz continue.

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Mohamed Alabbar Details Long-Term Residential Master Plan in the Maldives

🔹 What Is It About 

Eagle Hills founder Mohamed Alabbar outlined new operational details for the firm's $12 billion mixed-use development in the Maldives. Designed to extend visitor stays from short holidays to multi-month residencies, the waterfront project integrates branded homes, international resorts, dining districts, and child-centric recreational spaces. Alabbar emphasized that the Maldivian government entrusted Eagle Hills with the largest foreign direct investment in the country's history.

• Designing Long-Stay Districts: The master plan builds residential communities tailored for extended visits and wealthy retirees.

• Combining Mixed Amenities: Development phases integrate private homes, hospitality, retail, and education facilities.

• Managing Historic Investment: The $12 billion commitment represents the largest foreign investment in the Maldives.

🔹 Why It Matters 

Shifting the Maldives from a short-term resort destination toward a long-stay residential hub allows developers to tap into demand from Gulf, European, and Asian buyers. Securing steady housing revenue diversifies the island nation's economy beyond seasonal tourism cycles. Constructing large-scale residential districts creates 40,000 regional jobs while generating recurring tax revenues for local public accounts.

• Diversifying Island Revenues: Building permanent housing creates long-term tax streams for the Maldivian government.

• Expanding Regional Job Markets: Construction and property operations will create 15,000 permanent local positions.

🔹 What’s Next 

Eagle Hills engineering teams will advance site preparation across the 5.2 million square meter island near capital Male. Marketing divisions will launch pre-sales for initial residential units targeting buyers across the Gulf and Europe.

• Advancing Site Infrastructure: Engineering leads will coordinate initial land layouts and utility installations.

• Opening International Pre-Sales: Sales teams will begin reservation campaigns across primary Gulf and European markets.

Sobha Realty Launches $600M US Housing Push in Dallas-Fort Worth

🔹 What Is It About 

Dubai developer Sobha Realty committed $600 million to build 700 single-family homes across 105 hectares in Celina and Frisco, Texas. Vipin Das, chief executive of Sobha Realty US, confirmed the firm secured its first development loans from Bank7 and CCB to fund early construction phases. Sales for the first 34 homes in Celina will begin next year, with prices ranging from $1 million to $1.5 million.

• Acquiring Land Holdings: Sobha acquired 64 hectares in Celina and 40 hectares in Frisco within the North Dallas growth corridor.

• Securing Bank Debt: The developer secured initial construction loans from local lenders Bank7 and CCB.

• Targeting Corporate Movers: Housing phases cater to expanding corporate campuses, including Goldman Sachs and AT&T.

🔹 Why It Matters 

Expanding into North Texas allows Gulf developers to deploy equity into fast-growing US metropolitan housing markets. Corporate relocations by financial and technology firms into North Dallas create steady demand for larger single-family homes. Raising local debt alongside corporate equity establishes a financing model for Gulf builders establishing a national presence in the US.

🔹 What’s Next

Sobha Realty US will begin site grading across its Celina holdings ahead of opening home sales. Executive teams will evaluate additional land acquisitions in Houston, Austin, Nashville, Phoenix, and Florida.

QatarEnergy Extends LNG Force Majeure Through November Amid Hormuz Delays

🔹 What Is It About 

State-owned QatarEnergy extended force majeure notices on liquefied natural gas exports to Asian and European buyers through November. Importers in Pakistan, Bangladesh, India, and Italy were notified that scheduled cargo cancellations will continue as shipping through the Strait of Hormuz remains constrained. Production at the Ras Laffan export terminal remains at reduced operating capacity.

🔹 Why It Matters 

Sustained export reductions from Qatar restrict global natural gas supplies ahead of the Northern Hemisphere winter heating season. Extended shipping disruptions through the Strait of Hormuz force utility buyers to purchase replacement spot cargoes at elevated market rates. Running export facilities at reduced capacity limits government revenue generation for state energy accounts.

• Tightening Winter Supplies: Extended delivery halts reduce natural gas inventories across European and Asian energy grids.

• Raising Procurement Costs: Utility buyers must pay higher spot prices to replace canceled long-term contract shipments.

🔹 What’s Next 

QatarEnergy operational leads will issue monthly updates to contract holders regarding export schedules. Utility managers in Europe and Asia will continue sourcing alternative LNG cargoes from alternative global suppliers.

Content, Connections, Deals: DICM 2026 Opens Registration

The Dubai International Content Market (DICM) returns to the iconic Madinat Jumeirah on 10–11 November 2026, bringing together the region's largest gathering of content and entertainment professionals. Named the Best Annual Media Industry Event in MENA, DICM is the go-to marketplace for buying, selling, co-producing and distributing content across TV, film, streaming and digital platforms.

Expect 100+ exhibiting companies, over 1,000 media executives from 55+ countries, and access to the Content Business Hub — DICM's matchmaking platform that lets buyers and sellers pre-schedule meetings up to six weeks before doors open. Whether you're scouting new IP, seeking co-production partners, or expanding into the fast-growing Middle East and Africa markets, DICM delivers the connections and deal-flow to make it happen.

Registration is now open. Secure your spot at one of MENA's pivotal media industry events.

👨‍💻From Smashi Business’ Desk

• UAE Billionaire Al Habtoor Mourns Passing of HH Sheikh Ahmed bin Rashid Al Maktoum

• Yara Alnamlah’s Moonglaze Hits Sephora Billboards Ahead of Saudi National Day

• Dubai based The Giving Movement CEO Rania Masri El Khatib has spoken out after Macklemore was removed from Ed Sheeran’s US tour following his support for Palestine.

• ‘Stop Sexualizing the Gym’: Squatwolf Founder Slams Sydney Sweeney’s Controversial Ad

🔍In other news…

• Dubai’s Global Village Overtakes Disney as World’s Most Visited Theme Park

• India’s Biggest Payments App PhonePe Enters the UAE

• Wall Street Firms Push Back Against Saudi Arabia’s Regional Headquarters Rules

• UAE Listed MAIR Group to Acquire 70% Stake in Espressolab Owner Eslab

🦄 World of Startups

• Tabby, Saudi-based BNPL, raised $233M in a Series F equity round at a $6.5B valuation.

• OCTA, USA-based accounting platform, raised $3.5M in a seed funding round led by Middle East Venture Partners (MEVP) and joined by Wa'ed Ventures, Plug and Play, and A-typical Ventures, Sukna Ventures and Sadu Capital.

• Rize, Saudi-based residential rental platform, secured a $50M (SAR 187.5M) asset-backed Murabaha facility from Jadwa Investment.

• Bekia, Egypt-based recycling technology startup, raised $765K in a seed funding round led by Madica, joined by Catalyst Fund and Jambaar Capital.

• Lendo, Saudi-based Shariah-compliant debt crowdfunding marketplace, secured a commitment of up to $200M (SAR 750M) from Quantic Financial Solutions GmbH, Austria-based asset management fund.

• Saudi Arabian building materials platform BRKZ has secured $31 million in new funding.

• Saudi digital payments company Barq has raised $329.5 million in a Series A round, valuing the fintech at $1.85 billion.

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