In a recent interview, Saeed Mohammed Al Qatami, CEO of Deyaar Development, emphasized the importance of initial public offerings (IPOs) for developers, highlighting their positive impact on the economy. He argued that more developers should consider going public, as it fosters transparency and governance within the real estate sector. With Dubai experiencing a resurgence in IPO activity, Al Qatami detailed how such movements not only enhance market dynamics but also contribute to long-term stability.
The Long-Term Benefits of Going Public
Deyaar Development first entered the public market in 2007, setting a precedent for Dubai’s property sector. Al Qatami noted that being a publicly listed company necessitates adherence to rigorous governance and operational processes. “When you are a publicly listed company, you must adapt to a different culture, with a lot of governance and processes that ensure decisions are made carefully,” he explained. This structured approach is not merely bureaucratic; it positively influences the company’s longevity and market standing.
Stability Through Governance
Reflecting on Deyaar’s pioneering experience, Al Qatami remarked that going public has cemented the company’s management discipline. “If you adopt proper governance and ensure the company is managed with the right procedures, it provides long-term stability,” he stated. The benefits of this strategy are clear: minimizing potential mistakes and promoting informed decision-making foster a robust organizational culture. Al Qatami’s insights strongly support the belief that more developers should IPO, ultimately creating a mature market landscape.
Encouraging Market Participation
According to Al Qatami, the recent wave of IPOs and Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) in Dubai signifies a broader initiative by local authorities to enhance market participation and diversify the economy. “The government’s vision has been very active in the last two years, encouraging more companies to become listed,” he elaborated. This supportive framework leads to greater economic inclusivity, as individuals, investors, and institutions become stakeholders in the investment ecosystem. With more developers going public, the overall vitality of the economy is bolstered.
Positive Momentum in Capital Markets
Dubai’s latest listing, Dubai Residential REIT, was met with overwhelming enthusiasm, being 26 times oversubscribed and witnessing a significant surge of 13.6 percent on its debut day in May 2025. This kind of investor confidence illustrates that more developers should IPO to remain competitive in a thriving marketplace. Al Qatami remarked, “The UAE’s IPO momentum shows that investors have strong confidence in our economy. For real estate especially, going public creates a more mature and stable market.”
In conjunction with this optimistic trajectory, Deyaar recently reported a 24 percent increase in net profit, reaching AED 406.4 million for the first nine months of 2025, alongside a remarkable 39 percent rise in revenue to AED 1.45 billion, underscoring the firm’s successful property development efforts. The growing momentum in Dubai’s IPO landscape clearly suggests a promising future where more developers should IPO, further enhancing stability and inviting investment.