Property expert – network transforms economic landscape, boosting connectivity and demand in emerging markets greatly.
A UAE property expert believes the benefits brought by Etihad Rail will extend far beyond the real estate market, opening up new corridors for living, trade, and investment across the Emirates.
Firas Al Msaddi, CEO of fäm Properties, asserts that the Etihad Rail network will reshape the UAE’s economic landscape by improving connectivity, reducing travel times, and creating genuine demand in emerging markets.
“When we saw Sheikh Mohammed riding the Etihad Rail from Dubai to Fujairah, that wasn’t just a symbolic gesture; it marked the beginning of a new era for real estate in the UAE,” said Firas. “It was the announcement of a once-in-a-generation infrastructure shift that will redefine how value is created, captured, and capitalized on across the Emirates.”
“We’re not just talking about transportation; we’re talking about speed, interconnectivity, and productivity, and how all of that compresses space and time. When you compress space and time, you reduce opportunity cost—and that’s where real value is unlocked.”
Etihad Rail isn’t just a train; it’s a comprehensive economic reset for the UAE
“Etihad Rail isn’t just a train; it’s a comprehensive economic reset for the UAE. It will alter demand patterns, eliminate bottlenecks, and open up new opportunities for living, trade, and investment.”
Firas continued, “Each emirate has always had something unique to offer. But until now, the cost of movement—whether for people, goods, or capital—has been too high.”
“Etihad Rail changes that. When you cut the travel time from two hours to just 50 minutes between cities, you’re not just saving time, you’re reshaping where people choose to live, work, and invest.”
“What was once considered too far is now suddenly next door. Fujairah is no longer at the edge of the UAE; it’s the Eastern gateway. Al Ain becomes a viable base for remote professionals, who can now be in the capital or along the coast in less than an hour. This will lead to a complete revaluation of land prices, based not on geography, but on accessibility.”
Commercial land prices increased by more than 40%
Firas points to the example of Japan’s bullet train system between Tokyo and Osaka, which transformed cities like Nagoya in just five years. “Commercial land prices increased by more than 40%, and housing demand surged by over 60%,” he explained. “It wasn’t just about the train itself; it was about the economic flow unlocked by faster travel.”
“The UAE is adopting that same model, but with one significant advantage: it’s building the world’s most advanced, tech-enabled rail system from scratch, with no legacy constraints.”
Firas highlights the impact on logistics, B2B supply chains, and the decentralization of corporate ecosystems. He explains that most investors overlook a key equation: faster travel means more meetings and transactions.
“A salesperson based in Sharjah can now close deals in Abu Dhabi and Dubai without losing six hours to traffic,” he said. “This boosts productivity. Multiply that across the business sector, and you begin to see a tangible impact on GDP.”
Firas predicts that Etihad Rail’s effects will drive up land prices in tier-2 cities like Fujairah, Al Dhaid, and Ruwais, as better connectivity leads to real demand.
“Transit-oriented hubs will emerge near stations like Sharjah’s University City and Sakamkam in Fujairah, featuring walkable, mixed-use developments,” he said. “Second-home markets will also shift. For families in Dubai, weekend beach homes in Fujairah will become much more practical with travel times under an hour.”
“Those who continue to value real estate based on maps instead of travel-time analytics will miss out on opportunities. Those who focus on station locations the way they used to study masterplans will build generational wealth.”
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