Victor Amadala is an award winning business, agriculture and environment journalist with over 500 features in leading local and global publications

As a development journalist, I identify problems and search for solutions - that is the only way a story can make sense....the 'so what journalism ...

BMW X7 now in Kenya, going for Sh28 million

19 Sept 2023  |  The Star  |  English  |  Automotive Market

The 2023 BMW X7, priced at approximately Sh28 million, has been introduced to the Kenyan market by Inchcape Kenya. The luxury vehicle, which features a Twin-power 6-cylinder engine and advanced customization options, is aimed at the affluent segment of the population. The car offers a range of high-end features including a Head-up display, adaptive air suspension, and a flexible zero-interest payment plan for custom orders. Julia Vershinskaya, managing director of Inchcape Kenya, emphasized the vehicle's potential to revolutionize the local car-buying experience.

Tags:

Knight Frank

Informative

Factuality Scale

Esperanza Balaguer is a journalist from Spain based in New York, United States of America. I work as a freelance reporter writing in Spanish about politics, economy, culture and social movements. I arrived to NYC last September to cover the presidential campaign and the elections. I still write ...

Dubai enters the race to sell the world's most expensive house

11 Jan 2024  |  www.expansion.com  |  Spanish  |  Luxury Market

Dubai is aiming to set a new record for the world's most expensive house, challenging cities like New York and Hong Kong. The city's luxury real estate market is booming, driven by favorable economic conditions and an influx of wealthy investors, including Russian millionaires and new cryptocurrency fortunes. High-end properties in areas like Jumeirah Bay and Business Bay are in high demand. Dubai's real estate market saw a significant investment of 1.449 billion euros in the third quarter, with luxury home prices rising by 14%. Three properties in Dubai have entered the list of the world's most expensive homes for 2024, with prices ranging from 186.48 to 187.40 million euros. Despite not yet surpassing the record set by Ken Griffin in 2019, Dubai continues to break its own real estate records, solidifying its status as a hub for luxury living.

Tags:

Knight Frank Robb Report Citadel Provident Estate

Balanced

Factuality Scale

Rebecca Bundhun is a British journalist based in Mumbai, Maharashtra, India. She writes for publications including The International New York Times and The National newspaper, Abu Dhabi. She focuses on business, economics, and social issues in India.

Golfing Becomes a Getaway Theme in India

01 Jul 2016  |  www.nytimes.com  |  English  |  Lifestyle

Umang Bedi, South Asia managing director of Adobe, spends weekends at his golf villa in Kolar, near Bangalore. The villa is part of Zion Hills Golf County, an 18-hole championship golf course development. Golf, once exclusive in India, is gaining popularity, leading to the development of residential properties attached to golf courses. Mudassir Zaidi of Knight Frank India notes the appeal of living in green, serene environments, even for non-golfers.

Tags:

Knight Frank India

Informative

Factuality Scale

Paul Cochrane is a freelance journalist based in Udine, Italy. He lived in Beirut, Lebanon from 2002 to 2019, and in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa from 2019 until 2024.

He has written for over 80 publications worldwide, covering financial crime, business, higher education and skills developments, ...

Saudi Arabia’s mega development projects beckon huge paint sales – but suppliers await coatings tenders

01 Oct 2023  |  Polymers Paint Colour Journal  |  English  |  Paint Industry

The paint markets in Saudi Arabia and the UAE are experiencing a rebound driven by significant investments in real estate and infrastructure projects. Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030 strategy is a major driver, with plans for new cities and substantial investments in various sectors, including a projected US$500bn Neom project. Despite the groundwork, significant paint tenders are yet to be made. The UAE's paint sector is also growing, bolstered by a rebound in real estate activity, particularly in Dubai. Major paint companies like Jotun and Jazeera Paints are expanding their capacities to meet the anticipated demand. Innovative and sustainable technologies are being adopted, with a focus on environmental performance.

Tags:

Knight Frank S&P Global Ratings MEED Projects Allied Market Research Mordor Intelligence

Informative

Factuality Scale

Salim Essaid is an American TV/online presenter/producer specializing in technology, business, energy and innovation. 

From 2018 to 2020 he was the lead reporter on the Euronews feature program Inspire Middle East, covering topics ranging from culture & the arts to business & innovation in ...

Dubai ranks first in luxury home sales in second quarter: report

01 Sept 2023  |  Al-Monitor: Independent, trusted coverage of the Middle East  |  English  |  Luxury Market

Dubai led the global market in luxury home sales in the second quarter of 2023, with sales of $10 million-plus homes reaching $1.5 billion. Despite a 13% decline in super-prime estate sales across 12 key international markets compared to the same period last year, Dubai's market remained robust. The total value of luxury residential sales in these markets dropped to just under $30 billion over the past 12 months, significantly lower than the $40.7 billion recorded in 2021 but still well above pre-pandemic levels.

Tags:

Knight Frank

Informative

Factuality Scale

Heba Hashem is a seasoned freelance journalist with over 15 years of experience in the media industry, adept in both Arabic and English. Based between Dubai, UAE, and Niagara Falls, Canada, she has honed her skills in a variety of sectors, including real estate, logistics, retail, finance, and ...

Justin Heifetz is a freelance journalist in France with more than a decade of experience in reporting, writing and editing.

Based out of Marseille, he covers news and social affairs with a focus on immigration, crime and human rights.

His work can be found in VICE, CNN, Anthony Bourdain: ...

Hong Kong Has No Space Left for the Dead

23 Oct 2017  |  www.vice.com  |  English  |  Funeral Industry

Hong Kong faces a severe shortage of space for housing the dead, leading many families to seek burial options in Mainland China. The high demand for columbarium spaces, coupled with restrictive government policies and cultural beliefs, exacerbates the issue. New licensing laws threaten to close many private funeral businesses, further limiting options. The government promotes 'green burials' as a solution, but this conflicts with traditional practices. The situation highlights broader administrative challenges and cultural tensions in Hong Kong.

Tags:

Knight Frank Hong Kong government Food and Environmental Hygiene Department

Balanced

Factuality Scale

Center-Left

Political View

Eva Levesque is a journalist and producer based in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.

Dubai Tourism The new visa under consideration aims to encourage tourism between GCC states for non-citizen residents

27 Sept 2023  |  AGBI  |  English  |  Hospitality Industry

The UAE's minister of economy, Abdullah bin Touq al Marri, announced at the Future Hospitality Summit in Abu Dhabi plans for a new GCC visa to facilitate travel for non-citizen residents within the GCC states. This initiative is part of a broader strategy to boost local and regional tourism and diversify economies away from oil and gas. The tourism and hospitality sector in the GCC has seen a significant post-COVID recovery, with a 47% increase in its contribution to GDP in 2023. The UAE aims to double its GDP by 2030, with tourism playing a key role. Saudi Arabia is also making substantial investments in tourism as part of its Vision 2030. The Saudi Public Investment Fund has established Asfar, a tourism investment company, to drive the industry. With nearly $2 trillion in hospitality and residential projects under development in the Middle East, there is a potential risk of oversupply, but al Marri views the competition as beneficial for growth.

Tags:

Knight Frank GCC (Gulf Cooperation Council) Future Hospitality Summit Saudi Public Investment Fund

I am a freelance journalist and Chinese-to-English translator based in Hong Kong, specialising in lifestyle, culture/identity, F&B and travel content.

Previously freelance features producer at CNN International (digital) and staff writer at now-defunct HK Magazine.

Are hotel residences the answer for crazy rich Asians searching for their next super-luxe stays?

20 Sept 2023  |  www.tatlerasia.com  |  English  |  Hospitality

Uluwatu Estate, the first property in Asia listed under Mandarin Oriental Exclusive Homes, exemplifies the growing trend of branded luxury private residences. These residences offer high levels of privacy, personalized services, and quality assurance from renowned brands. The concept, which includes various types of branded residences, has seen significant growth, particularly in Asia Pacific. Key players like Mandarin Oriental, Rosewood Hotel Group, Aman Resorts, and Four Seasons are expanding their portfolios to cater to the increasing demand for luxury and convenience among affluent travelers. The trend is driven by a shift in lifestyle preferences post-Covid, with more people seeking secluded, well-serviced living spaces in resort destinations.

Tags:

Knight Frank Savills

Balanced

Factuality Scale

Valentina Magri is a freelance journalist based in Milano, MI, Italia.
She covers business, economics, finance, labor and career issues.

Rossi (Cherry Bay Capital): “Here’s how UHNWI invest”

01 Aug 2022  |  Wall Street Italia  |  Italian  |  Private Equity

The global population of Ultra High Net Worth Individuals (UHNWI) is projected to increase by 14% by 2026, with Italy seeing significant growth. Mattia Rossi, co-founder of Cherry Bay Capital Group, discusses the characteristics and investment strategies of UHNWI, emphasizing their shift towards private equity and real assets. Italian UHNWI are traditionally risk-averse but are increasingly investing in private assets, particularly within Italy. Key concerns for UHNWI include inflation, global geopolitics, and market valuations. Cherry Bay Capital Group supports UHNWI with wealth advisory and investment opportunities, evolving into a 'family merchant house' to leverage market opportunities.

Tags:

The Knight Frank Istat Capgemini

Balanced

Factuality Scale

Francis Ontomwa is a journalist based in Nairobi, Kenya. Francis is an experienced bilingual investigative journalist and senior broadcast journalist with over a decade of leadership in international broadcasting. As a launch producer for BBC's current affairs show Kenya Connects, I successfully ...

Tussle between upmarket hotel owner and creditor

21 Aug 2024  |  www.standardmedia.co.ke  |  English  |  Real Estate

Cape Holdings Limited, the owner of a hotel and office complex in Nairobi, is seeking a court order to prevent Synergy Industrial Credit Limited from interfering with its property. The dispute stems from a failed 2010 deal where Synergy was to purchase an office block for Ksh 703 million. After the deal fell through, arbitration awarded Synergy Ksh 1.66 billion, which has since grown to Ksh 5.4 billion. Cape Holdings argues that Synergy's interest is limited to a single office block and not the entire property. The case has been contested in various courts, with rulings favoring Synergy.

Tags:

Knight Frank Cape Holdings Limited Synergy Industrial Credit Limited

Informative

Factuality Scale

Dorothy Otieno is a journalist based in Nairobi, Kenya.

How mortgages have shut doors on many Kenyans dream of owning a home

07 Oct 2019  |  Nation  |  English  |  Affordable Housing

The article discusses the challenges many Kenyans face in owning homes, focusing on the mortgage market and the government's affordable housing program. Despite President Kenyatta's pledge to construct 500,000 new houses, the high cost of mortgages and the limited number of Kenyans who can afford them remain significant barriers. The article provides detailed statistics on the mortgage market, housing affordability, and the current housing gap, highlighting the financial strain on households and the slow progress in the affordable housing initiative.

Tags:

Knight Frank Central Bank of Kenya Kenya National Bureau of Statistics World Bank

Balanced

Factuality Scale

Andrew Rosenbaum is a journalist specialising in business, finance, banking, insurance, reinsurance, asset allocation, wealth management, software and telecommunications based in Larnaca, Cyprus.

Investing in real estate starts to make sense again

18 Jul 2021  |  Cyprus Mail  |  English  |  Global Economy

The global real estate market is experiencing a boom, with Cyprus witnessing a 43% increase in real estate contracts in June compared to the previous year. The pandemic initially caused a downturn in investments, but with low interest rates and economic recovery, markets from the US to Europe are seeing significant price increases. Germany, Portugal, Sweden, and the Netherlands are among the countries with notable market activity. However, concerns are rising about the widening gap between the 'haves' and 'have-nots,' particularly affecting young people's ability to access the property ladder.

Tags:

Knight Frank JLL Oxford Economics Acadata Hamptons International Strand Kapitalforvaltning AB HSBC

Informative

Factuality Scale

I am a luxury lifestyle journalist with experience writing for multiple publications over print and online. My main passion is watches but I also write about men's fashion, property, grooming and travel.

How to start a valuable art collection

25 Mar 2019  |  The Gentleman's Journal  |  English  |  Investment

The article provides guidance on starting an art collection, emphasizing the current growth in the art market and its potential as a stable investment. Jean-David Malat, a prominent figure in London's art scene, offers tips such as following one's instincts, consulting experts, considering galleries over auctions, diversifying the collection, and investing in emerging artists. He also stresses the importance of displaying art for enjoyment. Notable artists like Santiago Parra and Li Tianbing are recommended for new collectors.

Tags:

Knight Frank PAMM Museum JD Malat Gallery

Balanced

Factuality Scale

I am a freelance journalist based in Dublin, Ireland, who has been published in the Irish Times, the Guardian, the Sunday Independent, the Sunday Business Post, the Irish Daily Mail and Confetti Magazine. Predominantly, I work in features journalism across a variety of areas including news features,...