Mohamed Alabbar Reveals Why Emaar & UAE Outperform the UK and US

Mohamed Alabbar, the founder of Emaar Properties, shares rare insights into leadership, real estate growth, global investment, and why the UAE has become one of the most successful business environments in the world.

In a wide-ranging discussion, Alabbar explains how positive leadership, long-term vision, and pro-business policies allowed Emaar to grow into a global real estate powerhouse, while many Western markets struggle with regulation, instability, and short-term decision-making.

Why the UAE Is Winning the Global Real Estate Race

According to Alabbar, success in the UAE is not accidental. It is the result of:

• Consistent leadership
• Fast decision-making
• Clear regulations
• A growth-focused mindset

Unlike Europe and parts of the US, where excessive regulations delay development for years, the UAE enables developers to act quickly and efficiently. Alabbar explains that in cities like Berlin or California, housing shortages persist due to bureaucracy, while Dubai continues to scale aggressively and sustainably.

Emaar’s Growth Philosophy

Alabbar emphasizes that brand value and authenticity are the foundation of long-term success. At Emaar:

• Growth is managed carefully to protect reputation
• Costs are constantly optimized, even during high-profit cycles
• Short-term hype is avoided in favor of sustainable expansion

He also highlights that going public was one of the hardest decisions in his career, forcing extreme discipline and transparency but ultimately strengthening Emaar’s resilience and governance.

Lessons from Failure: The US Market and Global Expansion

Emaar’s early expansion into the US resulted in heavy losses, a $1.2 billion setback. However, Alabbar views failure as a necessary part of growth. He stresses that:

• Failure builds experience
• Resilience defines real entrepreneurs
• Long-term investors must accept cycles

Today, Emaar is back in the US with a stronger, more disciplined strategy, while expanding across Eastern Europe, the Middle East, and Asia.

AI and the Future of Real Estate Development

One of the most forward-looking moments in the discussion is Alabbar’s view on AI and automation. He reveals that:

• AI already replaces entire departments
• Construction is shifting toward robot-built buildings
• Productivity increases when unnecessary meetings and bureaucracy are removed

Emaar is actively exploring robotic construction technology capable of building high-rise structures in record time, a clear signal of where the future of real estate is heading.

Why Egypt Remains a Strategic Market for Emaar

Alabbar speaks with clear affection about Egypt, highlighting:

• The strength and warmth of the Egyptian people
• The North Coast as a key lifestyle and investment destination
• Egypt’s long-term potential despite global uncertainty

This reinforces why Emaar Egypt projects continue to attract strong demand from both local and international buyers.

The Core Message: Leadership Is Everything

Across politics, cities, companies, and personal careers, Alabbar returns to one central idea:

Success is always a reflection of leadership.

Countries, businesses, and brands rise or fall based on:

• Who is making decisions
• Whether vision is long-term
• How adaptable they are to change

This philosophy explains not only Emaar’s success but also why the UAE continues to outperform many traditional global economies.