The Dubai skyline. Dubizzle and Bayut have established themselves as significant players in the classified market. Chris Whiteoak / The National
The Dubai skyline. Dubizzle and Bayut have established themselves as significant players in the classified market. Chris Whiteoak / The National
The Dubai skyline. Dubizzle and Bayut have established themselves as significant players in the classified market. Chris Whiteoak / The National
The Dubai skyline. Dubizzle and Bayut have established themselves as significant players in the classified market. Chris Whiteoak / The National

Business

Property

Bayut and dubizzle owner raises $200 million and unveils plans for IPO

EMPG plans to invest significantly in its tech platforms to improve its products

Ian Oxborrow
Ian Oxborrow

October 28, 2022

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The Emerging Markets Property Group, which owns classified portals Bayut and dubizzle in the UAE, has raised $200 million in funding and will now focus on preparing for an initial public offering “in the near future”.

The funding round was led by US-based growth equity fund Affinity Partners, with new funding from KCK, Acacia Partners and several other investors, including Prosus, which maintains its stake, EMPG said.

EMPG operates classified platforms across emerging markets, with a focus on the Mena region and South-East Asia. It is present in more than 50 cities.

While most of the investment is earmarked for the UAE, its largest market, EMPG said it would continue to remain focused on its core markets, which are already cash-flow positive and growing sustainably.

“With this round of investment, EMPG begins a new chapter in its success story,” said chief executive Imran Ali Khan.

“We are on track to double our revenue over the last 24 months while achieving an ebitda [[earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortisation] positive position, and we look forward to continuing this strong growth trajectory.

“With the successful closure of this round, the company’s focus will now turn towards preparing for an IPO in the near future, which has always been part of our larger vision.”

The company, which says it has more than 200 million monthly visitors, plans to invest significantly in its technology platforms to strengthen its product offering.

Citigroup Global Markets Limited (Citi) acted as its exclusive financial adviser and placement agent in the transaction, EMPG said.

In 2020, EMPG and Amsterdam-based OLX Group announced a merger of their businesses in the Mena region and in South Asia to create a company with assets worth Dh3.6 billion.

Dubai-based portals Bayut and dubizzle expanded last year, with 200 more people recruited.

“This strategic expansion in the UAE comes as part of the wider goals of Bayut & dubizzle’s parent company, EMPG, to attract the best professionals from the region,” the two companies said at the time.

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Dubai property prices: where they rose and fell — September 2022

VILLA PRICES FROM CBRE: Palm Jumeirah: Dh3,597 per square foot — up 0.2 per cent in September, up 1.9 per cent in August, up 4.6 per cent in July, up 4.9 per cent in June, up 5 per cent a month in May, up 5 per cent in April.
VILLA PRICES FROM CBRE: Palm Jumeirah: Dh3,597 per square foot — up 0.2 per cent in September, up 1.9 per cent in August, up 4.6 per cent in July, up 4.9 per cent in June, up 5 per cent a month in May, up 5 per cent in April.
Emirates Hills: Dh2,255 per square foot — up 3.8 per cent in September, no change in August, up 0.3 per cent in July, up 3.3 per cent in June, up 1.8 per cent in May, up 1.8 per cent in April. Photo: Knight Frank
Emirates Hills: Dh2,255 per square foot — up 3.8 per cent in September, no change in August, up 0.3 per cent in July, up 3.3 per cent in June, up 1.8 per cent in May, up 1.8 per cent in April. Photo: Knight Frank
Jumeirah: Dh2,137 per square foot — up 2.3 per cent in September, down 1.1 per cent in August, up 2.2 per cent in July, up 1.0 per cent in June, up 2.0 per cent in May, up 3.7 per cent in April. Sarah Dea / The National
Jumeirah: Dh2,137 per square foot — up 2.3 per cent in September, down 1.1 per cent in August, up 2.2 per cent in July, up 1.0 per cent in June, up 2.0 per cent in May, up 3.7 per cent in April. Sarah Dea / The National
District One: Dh1,991 per square foot — up 2.4 per cent in September, down 2.1 per cent in August, up 2.2 per cent in July, up 4.1 per cent in June, up 2.3 per cent in May, down 0.9 per cent in April. Satish Kumar / The National
District One: Dh1,991 per square foot — up 2.4 per cent in September, down 2.1 per cent in August, up 2.2 per cent in July, up 4.1 per cent in June, up 2.3 per cent in May, down 0.9 per cent in April. Satish Kumar / The National
Mohammed bin Rashid City: Dh1,661 per square foot — up 0.6 per cent in September, up 1.2 per cent in August, up 3.6 per cent in July, up 4.0 per cent in June, up 0.1 per cent in May, up 0.7 per cent in April.
Mohammed bin Rashid City: Dh1,661 per square foot — up 0.6 per cent in September, up 1.2 per cent in August, up 3.6 per cent in July, up 4.0 per cent in June, up 0.1 per cent in May, up 0.7 per cent in April.
Dubai Hills: Dh1,552 per square foot — up 1.0 per cent in September, up 0.9 per cent in August, down 0.2 per cent in July, up 4.1 per cent in June, up 1.2 per cent in May, up 1.5 per cent in April. Photo: Emaar Malls Management
Dubai Hills: Dh1,552 per square foot — up 1.0 per cent in September, up 0.9 per cent in August, down 0.2 per cent in July, up 4.1 per cent in June, up 1.2 per cent in May, up 1.5 per cent in April. Photo: Emaar Malls Management
The Meadows: Dh1,552 per square foot — up 1.2 per cent in September, up 1.5 per cent in August, up 2.5 per cent in July, up 0.9 per cent in June, up 1.6 per cent in May, down 0.5 per cent in April. Jeffrey E Biteng / The National
The Meadows: Dh1,552 per square foot — up 1.2 per cent in September, up 1.5 per cent in August, up 2.5 per cent in July, up 0.9 per cent in June, up 1.6 per cent in May, down 0.5 per cent in April. Jeffrey E Biteng / The National
The Lakes: Dh1,484 per square foot — down 1.1 per cent in September, up 1.3 per cent in August, up 1.3 per cent in July, up 1.6 per cent in June, up 1.2 per cent in May, up 1.0 per cent in April. Pawan Singh / The National
The Lakes: Dh1,484 per square foot — down 1.1 per cent in September, up 1.3 per cent in August, up 1.3 per cent in July, up 1.6 per cent in June, up 1.2 per cent in May, up 1.0 per cent in April. Pawan Singh / The National
Jumeirah Islands: Dh1,504 per square foot — up 2.9 per cent in September, down 3.7 per cent in August, down 0.1 per cent in July, up 3.6 per cent in June, up 0.9 per cent in May, up 2.5 per cent in April. Photo: Prestige Dubai
Jumeirah Islands: Dh1,504 per square foot — up 2.9 per cent in September, down 3.7 per cent in August, down 0.1 per cent in July, up 3.6 per cent in June, up 0.9 per cent in May, up 2.5 per cent in April. Photo: Prestige Dubai
Jumeirah Golf Estates: Dh1,498 per square foot — up 4.6 per cent in September, down 1.4 per cent in August, up 4.4 per cent in July, down 1.1 per cent in June, up 3.6 per cent in May, up 4.6 per cent in April. Pawan Singh / The National
Jumeirah Golf Estates: Dh1,498 per square foot — up 4.6 per cent in September, down 1.4 per cent in August, up 4.4 per cent in July, down 1.1 per cent in June, up 3.6 per cent in May, up 4.6 per cent in April. Pawan Singh / The National
The Springs: Dh1,155 per square foot — up 1.0 per cent in September, down 0.4 per cent, up 3.9 per cent in July, up 0.8 per cent in June, up 1.8 per cent in May, up 2.1 per cent in April. Photo: Better Homes
The Springs: Dh1,155 per square foot — up 1.0 per cent in September, down 0.4 per cent, up 3.9 per cent in July, up 0.8 per cent in June, up 1.8 per cent in May, up 2.1 per cent in April. Photo: Better Homes
Arabian Ranches: Dh1,220 per square foot — up 1.4 per cent in September, up 0.8 per cent in August, down 2.5 per cent in July, up 1.7 per cent in June, up 0.7 per cent in May, up 3.7 per cent in April. Pawan Singh / The National
Arabian Ranches: Dh1,220 per square foot — up 1.4 per cent in September, up 0.8 per cent in August, down 2.5 per cent in July, up 1.7 per cent in June, up 0.7 per cent in May, up 3.7 per cent in April. Pawan Singh / The National
Meydan City: Dh1,189 per square foot — up 0.4 per cent in September, up 0.6 per cent in August, down 0.4 per cent in July, up 1.3 per cent in June, up 0.9 per cent in May, up 0.9 per cent in April.
Meydan City: Dh1,189 per square foot — up 0.4 per cent in September, up 0.6 per cent in August, down 0.4 per cent in July, up 1.3 per cent in June, up 0.9 per cent in May, up 0.9 per cent in April.
Al Barari: Dh1,274 per square foot — up 2.9 per cent in September, up 2.2 per cent in August, up 3.5 per cent in July, up 3.0 per cent in June, down 0.7 per cent in May, up 4.9 per cent in April. Photo: Luxhabitat
Al Barari: Dh1,274 per square foot — up 2.9 per cent in September, up 2.2 per cent in August, up 3.5 per cent in July, up 3.0 per cent in June, down 0.7 per cent in May, up 4.9 per cent in April. Photo: Luxhabitat
Jumeirah Park: Dh1,128 per square foot — down 1.9 per cent in September, up 0.4 per cent in August, up 0.4 per cent in July, up 3.8 per cent in June, up 0.2 per cent in May, up 0.8 per cent in April. Pawan Singh / The National
Jumeirah Park: Dh1,128 per square foot — down 1.9 per cent in September, up 0.4 per cent in August, up 0.4 per cent in July, up 3.8 per cent in June, up 0.2 per cent in May, up 0.8 per cent in April. Pawan Singh / The National
Victory Heights: Dh1,093 per square foot — down 0.9 per cent in September, down 1.3 per cent in August, down 0.3 per cent in July, up 1.4 per cent in June, up 3.7 per cent in May, down 2.2 per cent in April. Photo: Luxhabitat
Victory Heights: Dh1,093 per square foot — down 0.9 per cent in September, down 1.3 per cent in August, down 0.3 per cent in July, up 1.4 per cent in June, up 3.7 per cent in May, down 2.2 per cent in April. Photo: Luxhabitat
Mudon: Dh1,021 per square foot — up 2.1 per cent in September, down 2.6 per cent in August, up 0.9 per cent in July, up 1.4 per cent in June, down 0.5 per cent in May, up 2.7 per cent in April. Satish Kumar / The National
Mudon: Dh1,021 per square foot — up 2.1 per cent in September, down 2.6 per cent in August, up 0.9 per cent in July, up 1.4 per cent in June, down 0.5 per cent in May, up 2.7 per cent in April. Satish Kumar / The National
Jumeirah Village Triangle: Dh1,003 per square foot — up 0.4 per cent in September, up 0.7 per cent in August, down 0.1 per cent in July, up 3.7 per cent in June, down 0.2 per cent in May, up 2.3 per cent in April. Pawan Singh / The National
Jumeirah Village Triangle: Dh1,003 per square foot — up 0.4 per cent in September, up 0.7 per cent in August, down 0.1 per cent in July, up 3.7 per cent in June, down 0.2 per cent in May, up 2.3 per cent in April. Pawan Singh / The National
Sustainable City: Dh970 per square foot — up 0.5 per cent in September, down 0.7 per cent in August, up 0.7 per cent in July, up 2.6 per cent in June, down 0.8 per cent in May, up 0.6 per cent in April. Antonie Robertson / The National
Sustainable City: Dh970 per square foot — up 0.5 per cent in September, down 0.7 per cent in August, up 0.7 per cent in July, up 2.6 per cent in June, down 0.8 per cent in May, up 0.6 per cent in April. Antonie Robertson / The National
Town Square: Dh811 per square foot — up 0.4 per cent in September, up 0.6 per cent in August, up 0.6 per cent in July, down 0.8 per cent in June, down 1.0 per cent in May, up 1.4 per cent in April. Satish Kumar / The National
Town Square: Dh811 per square foot — up 0.4 per cent in September, up 0.6 per cent in August, up 0.6 per cent in July, down 0.8 per cent in June, down 1.0 per cent in May, up 1.4 per cent in April. Satish Kumar / The National
Living Legends: Dh860 per square foot — down 1.9 per cent in September, up 2.6 per cent in August, up 0.7 per cent in July, up 4.0 per cent in June, up 1.2 per cent in May. Pawan Singh / The National
Living Legends: Dh860 per square foot — down 1.9 per cent in September, up 2.6 per cent in August, up 0.7 per cent in July, up 4.0 per cent in June, up 1.2 per cent in May. Pawan Singh / The National
Jumeirah Village Circle: Dh612 per square foot — down 1.3 per cent in September, down 1.4 per cent in August, up 3.3 per cent in July, down 1.6 per cent in June, up 0.8 per cent in May, up 1.3 per cent in April. Antonie Robertson / The National
Jumeirah Village Circle: Dh612 per square foot — down 1.3 per cent in September, down 1.4 per cent in August, up 3.3 per cent in July, down 1.6 per cent in June, up 0.8 per cent in May, up 1.3 per cent in April. Antonie Robertson / The National
Falconcity of Wonders: Dh749 per square foot — down 2.0 per cent in September, up 4.8 per cent in August, up 0.7 per cent in July, flat in June, down 2.5 per cent in May, up 1.6 per cent in April. Sarah Dea / The National
Falconcity of Wonders: Dh749 per square foot — down 2.0 per cent in September, up 4.8 per cent in August, up 0.7 per cent in July, flat in June, down 2.5 per cent in May, up 1.6 per cent in April. Sarah Dea / The National
Damac Hills 2: Dh602 per square foot — down 0.4 per cent in September, down 0.5 per cent in August, down 0.4 per cent in July, down 1.6 per cent in June, up 1.0 per cent in May, up 1.3 per cent in April. Photo: Allsopp & Allsopp
Damac Hills 2: Dh602 per square foot — down 0.4 per cent in September, down 0.5 per cent in August, down 0.4 per cent in July, down 1.6 per cent in June, up 1.0 per cent in May, up 1.3 per cent in April. Photo: Allsopp & Allsopp
Dubai works towards better air quality by 2021

Dubai is on a mission to record good air quality for 90 per cent of the year – up from 86 per cent annually today – by 2021.

The municipality plans to have seven mobile air-monitoring stations by 2020 to capture more accurate data in hourly and daily trends of pollution.

These will be on the Palm Jumeirah, Al Qusais, Muhaisnah, Rashidiyah, Al Wasl, Al Quoz and Dubai Investment Park.

“It will allow real-time responding for emergency cases,” said Khaldoon Al Daraji, first environment safety officer at the municipality.

“We’re in a good position except for the cases that are out of our hands, such as sandstorms.

“Sandstorms are our main concern because the UAE is just a receiver.

“The hotspots are Iran, Saudi Arabia and southern Iraq, but we’re working hard with the region to reduce the cycle of sandstorm generation.”

Mr Al Daraji said monitoring as it stood covered 47 per cent of Dubai.

There are 12 fixed stations in the emirate, but Dubai also receives information from monitors belonging to other entities.

“There are 25 stations in total,” Mr Al Daraji said.

“We added new technology and equipment used for the first time for the detection of heavy metals.

“A hundred parameters can be detected but we want to expand it to make sure that the data captured can allow a baseline study in some areas to ensure they are well positioned.”

Updated: October 28, 2022, 8:24 AM
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