Nassira Sekkay: Leading the Charge for Female Empowerment in UAE Real Estate

Introduction
Nassira Sekkay is a dynamic force in the UAE’s real estate market, recognized not only for her success as a top agent but also as a passionate champion of female empowerment. Born in Abu Dhabi and having moved to Dubai five years ago, Nassira has made a remarkable transformation in her career. Her journey is a testament to resilience and ambition, evolving from living in a maid’s room to becoming the CEO and founder of Nassira Properties, a prominent real estate agency dedicated to serving clients in the luxury market.

Journey into Real Estate
Nassira’s journey into real estate was fueled by a burning desire to take control of her professional destiny and be her own boss. After settling in Dubai, she identified a significant gap in the market for women-led real estate agencies. Inspired by her own experiences, she launched her agency with the goal of creating an environment where women could thrive in a traditionally male-dominated industry. Her commitment to female empowerment is not just a business strategy; it is the core of her ethos, and she aims to lead a female empire in the UAE, inspiring countless others to follow in her footsteps.

Recognition and Achievements
Nassira gained significant recognition as one of the featured agents in Million Dollar Listing UAE, the first international adaptation of the popular U.S. series. The show, which showcases the lives of top brokers in Dubai and Abu Dhabi, highlights the vibrant real estate landscape of the UAE. It offers viewers a glimpse into the high-stakes world of luxury property transactions and features notable agents such as Ben Bandari, Zay Brown, Rami Wahood, and Riad Gohar. Nassira’s appearance on the show has elevated her profile, enabling her to connect with a broader audience and reinforce her status as a leading agent in the region.

 

The ‘Wonder Woman of Real Estate’
Known as the ‘Wonder Woman of Real Estate,’ Nassira has cultivated a reputation for her fearless approach and unwavering dedication to her career. Her determination and work ethic have led her to specialize in high-demand luxury properties, particularly in District One, an upscale community in Dubai. Here, she has achieved remarkable sales, including four villas totaling AED 80 million in just one month. This impressive feat not only demonstrates her sales prowess but also her ability to navigate the complexities of the luxury market, making her a trusted advisor for clients seeking exceptional properties.

Personal Life and Values
Outside of her professional accomplishments, Nassira embraces an adventurous lifestyle. She often shares her adrenaline-inducing activities on social media, showcasing her passion for adventure and exploration. Whether it’s skydiving, hiking, or engaging in extreme sports, she believes in living life to the fullest. Nassira also values family deeply, expressing immense gratitude for the unwavering support of her siblings, who have been instrumental in her journey. In recognition of her outstanding performance, she was honored with a certificate of achievement for top sales agent by Drive Properties in May 2022, a testament to her commitment and excellence in the field.

 

Future Endeavors
Currently, Nassira is focused on developing her own real estate brokerage, which she envisions as a platform for empowering women in the industry. Her aim is to create an inclusive environment that fosters growth, education, and support for aspiring female agents. By providing mentorship and training, she hopes to equip women with the tools they need to succeed in real estate. Nassira’s story serves as a powerful reminder of the impact of resilience and the importance of female empowerment in the competitive landscape of real estate. She proves that with hard work, ambition, and a commitment to uplifting others, anyone can achieve their dreams and make a significant mark in their industry.

October 2024 Petrol Prices in UAE Drop Significantly, Reflecting Global Market Trends

In October 2024, petrol prices in the UAE have seen a notable decrease. The new rates, effective from October 1, reflect a reduction of 24 fils per litre compared to September’s prices. The updated prices are as follows:

  • Super 98 Petrol: Dh2.66 per litre (down from Dh2.90)
  • Special 95 Petrol: Dh2.54 per litre (down from Dh2.78)
  • E-Plus 91 Petrol: Dh2.47 per litre (down from Dh2.71)
  • Diesel: Dh2.60 per litre (down from Dh2.78)

This decline aligns with a drop in global oil prices, which averaged nearly $73 per barrel in September, down from $78.63 in August. Factors such as increased oil supply and adjustments in Saudi Arabia’s production strategies contributed to this trend​

For motorists, these changes translate into lower costs for filling up their tanks. For example, the total cost for a full tank will decrease by approximately Dh12.24 to Dh17.76, depending on the vehicle type​(

Overall, these adjustments highlight the ongoing fluctuations in the global oil market and the UAE’s commitment to transparent fuel pricing aligned with international trends.

e& UAE Launches AI-Powered Retail Outlet EASE in Dubai Mall

ABU DHABI, 29th September 2024 — e& UAE has unveiled its second AI-powered autonomous retail outlet, EASE, in Dubai Mall. This launch represents a significant milestone in the telecom giant’s digital transformation strategy and customer experience enhancement efforts.

The EASE concept utilizes cutting-edge artificial intelligence, machine learning, smart shelves, and robotics to create a frictionless shopping experience. This initiative signifies a major step forward in e&’s vision of digitally empowering societies by seamlessly integrating AI and technology for an intuitive and personalized shopping journey.

Located on the second floor of Dubai Mall, the new store builds on the success of the initial EASE outlet in Al Kifaf, featuring advanced innovations such as:

  • FastPass and visitor line activation via biometrics or the e& UAE app
  • Smart gates and dispensing machines
  • Trade-in ATM machines for device exchanges against Smiles points
  • Self-assisted stations for scheduling deliveries
  • Support for Apple Pay and Samsung Pay through the e& UAE app

Customers can explore products, pre-authorize payments, and complete purchases without staff assistance. The store offers a comprehensive range of mobile and fixed-line products, accessories, handsets, and trade-ins.

The new store in Dubai Mall enhances the EASE experience with even more advanced features. After shopping, customers can use a self-service checkout and exit at their convenience. The introduction of facial recognition for the visitor line purchase journey adds to the efficiency.

e& UAE views EASE as a cornerstone of its customer experience strategy. As the company drives digitalization, EASE represents a major milestone in the transformation journey.

The initiative aligns with evolving consumer demands for personalized experiences and sustainable practices. AI enables real-time personalization and integrates physical and digital retail, optimizing operations for sustainability.

Additionally, the Trade-in machine not only fosters customer loyalty but also promotes environmental sustainability by reducing electronic waste.

e& UAE’s commitment to customer experience extends beyond EASE stores. Customer experience (CX) is seen as a holistic journey encompassing every aspect of the brand. While specific expansion plans for EASE were not disclosed, the concept remains integral to e&’s overall strategy.

UAE Strengthens Measures to Combat Financial Crime

ABU DHABI, 29th September 2024 (WAM) — The United Arab Emirates is ramping up its initiatives to tackle money laundering and enhance financial integrity, implementing effective measures that align with international best practices. This ongoing commitment aims to solidify the UAE’s global standing in the fight against financial crimes.

As part of its strategy, the UAE is enhancing its position as a competitive economic hub by upholding the highest standards of integrity and transparency in financial oversight. The government has enacted robust legal measures to strengthen its regulatory framework and combat financial crime.

A key focus of the UAE’s efforts is to establish a sustainable national system that effectively addresses emerging risks in money laundering. The reclassification of certain Financial Action Task Force (FATF) recommendations underscores the UAE’s progress in maintaining quality financial operations and safeguarding the global financial system.

The UAE continues to collaborate closely with the FATF and international partners to mitigate the risks associated with financial crimes. The country aims to emerge as a global leader in this domain through the implementation of its National Strategy and Action Plan 2024–2027.

Recent efforts have yielded positive results in global risk rankings. According to the London Stock Exchange Group’s Country Risk Classification, the UAE’s risk level has been rated as “medium,” with its overall score improving to 5.86, a 13-place increase in its global position. Additionally, the UAE has made strides in the Basel AML Index, with its FATF category score improving from 5.77 to 4.96 and its overall score rising from 5.74 to 5.43.

Dubai Positioned as Global Hub in $7.3 Trillion Digital Creative Economy

A new study by Dubai Design District (d3) and Dubai Media City, in partnership with Monstarlab, values the global digital creative economy at AED27 trillion ($7.3 trillion), highlighting Dubai’s role as a key player in this rapidly growing sector. The “Digital Creative Economy 2024” white paper outlines opportunities driven by emerging technologies such as AI, Web3, and virtual reality, while showcasing Dubai’s ambitions to lead in the global creative landscape.

The study, based on feedback from over 20 industry leaders and surveys from 400 design and media professionals, emphasizes the significant growth of the digital creative economy, which is expected to grow 11% annually and reach its full potential by 2030. Dubai ranks first globally for Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) in cultural and creative industries, further solidifying its role as a global capital for creative innovation.

Industry leaders, including Majed Al Suwaidi of Dubai Media City and Khadija Al Bastaki of d3, highlighted the critical role of strategic support and advanced technologies in shaping the future of the creative sector, positioning Dubai to foster next-generation creative talent and innovation.

As AI and emerging technologies reshape content creation, Dubai’s continued investment in infrastructure, innovation, and pro-business policies is setting the stage for future global leadership in the creative economy.