Dubai South, the largest single-urban master development focusing on aviation, logistics and real estate, ended 2021 on a high note by recording several outstanding achievements across its different divisions, which includes attracting new clients and companies, the selling out of projects, signing top-level partnerships and launching unique projects.

The total number of companies now operating out of Dubai South reached 4,600, attracting more than 700 new companies. Moreover, the total number of people working out of Dubai South will reach 20,848 individuals by the end of 2021.

Master developer Dubai South Properties handed over almost all its units at The Pulse, an urban mixed-use development comprising 1,400 apartments and 240 townhouses, and thanks to the project’s success, the company launched The Pulse Villas, with the first and second phase has already sold out.

Following the inauguration of Expo 2020 Dubai, and based on popular demand, The Pulse Beachfront was launched, and the company succeeded in selling out phases one and two to interested investors, with the final phase due to launch in Q1 2022.

The Residential District Villa Plots (Baiti) was also launched, and the company also sold out all the plots on sale. The Pulse community development was launched in phases and continues to grow rapidly, attracting end-users and new buyers due to its unique features, strategic location and the company’s track record in delivering on its promises.

The Residential District currently boasts a population of over 25,000 residents, who are enjoying the unique lifestyle and amenities that it offers. Moreover, Sakany, Dubai South’s first leasehold staff accommodation that emphasises resident welfare has an occupancy rate of 99 per cent.

The company also launched another project, The Avenue, a limited number of commercial freehold plots that can be purchased on a payment plan and developed by investors for commercial use.

As a result of the optimum services and business solutions it offers to customers, the Business Park at Dubai South recorded outstanding numbers in 2021 compared to 2020 by leasing 243,805 square feet of space, and retaining 85 per cent of the companies there.

As the destination where the Expo is being held, the Dubai South master-development has been garnering all the attention. But, away from the Expo, the ‘city-within-a-city’ has been doing well on other counts too.

For one, it has created more residential options to choose in Dubai, by delivering 1,400 apartments and 240 townhouses at its ‘The Pulse’ community. “Following the inauguration of Expo 2020 Dubai, and based on popular demand, The Pulse Beachfront was launched, and the company succeeded in selling out phases one and two, with the final phase due to launch in Q1-2022,” Dubai South said in a statement. Plots sold to build villas were also sold out.

The Residential District within Dubai South now hosts 25,000 people, while the first purpose-built staff accommodation facility there has 99 per cent occupancy.

The number of companies now operating out of Dubai South has reached 4,600, taking in more than 700 new companies last year. The number of people working out of the mega-development totalled 20,848 by end of last year.

Dubai South, which is a sum of many parts, saw the Mohammed Bin Rashid Aerospace Hub come up with the Dubai Helipark, a dedicated helicopter centre and the largest of its kind. It accommodates eight helicopters to facilitate transport between business centres and tourist destinations across the UAE. Phase one is now operational, and the second phase will be completed later in the year.

Customs declarations: Customs declarations on Fridays in January 2022 skyrocketed 180 per cent to 315,000 from 112,600 in January 2021, thanks to the changes in the UAE’s work pattern.

It takes a few minutes for a customs declaration to be completed through the in-house developed Smart Workspace. The platform also enables clients complete their customs transactions anywhere, anytime through the smart channels.

“We received very positive responses from our clients after moving weekend to Saturday and Sunday, a step that helps the UAE to better align its working week with foreign markets,” said Majid Al Ali, Director of Customs Declarations Department. “Clients can complete their customs declarations online, and this has considerably expedited and facilitated the process, especially during the height of the pandemic.

I expect the number of customs declarations will continue to rise in the coming period due to the opening of new trade routes following Dubai bold strategy, which aims to hit the two trillion dirham milestone in trade in the coming few years.”

WAM