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Welkin Gulf Expert Trading L.L.C
Al Garhoud, Dubai, UAE
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People from all over the world live in the United Arab Emirates. The majority of the population are expats. Each person has their own story of adaptation, relocation, and settling into a new life. But what unites us all is the pursuit of stability, a high-quality environment, and a sense of comfort in everyday life. We share personal stories, observe the Emirates and their rhythm, and talk about how life is evolving in this unique region — together with those who call it home.

A blog about life in the UAE: through the eyes of those who made it their home

I always believed that exhibitions were an atavism — a relic of the past.
With the rise of the Internet, there seemed to be no reason to either showcase anything at such events or to attend them. Unless it’s a honey fair or a cheese festival where you can actually taste the products, it all felt a bit outdated.

Turns out I was wrong — everything has its own purpose and meaning.
Last year, we supported a Russian company’s participation in the international exhibition “INTERSEC,” dedicated to innovations and solutions in the field of security. That very event completely changed my perception of exhibitions.
Not touching on the downsides — in my opinion, there’s only one, which is the cost for participants (for visitors, entry is usually free) — everything else comes with a long list of advantages.

The UAE regularly hosts millions of conferences, summits, shopping festivals, high-profile international sports tournaments with major prize pools, and international exhibitions on all sorts of topics.
The most popular venues are definitely in Dubai (DWTC, DEC) and Abu Dhabi (ADNEC), with Sharjah’s Expo Centre being slightly less prominent. Other Emirates also hold events, but they tend to be more local in nature.

Exhibitions gather truly massive audiences. And beyond the casual visitor traffic, they provide real value to every participant — their target audience. Most visitors are somehow connected to the industry the exhibition focuses on or are involved in adjacent fields.

For participants, the goal is of course to promote their products or services, and to gain valuable contacts among potential leads they can follow up with after the event.
And for visitors, it’s a chance to discover something new, see it with their own eyes, touch it, and ask questions directly to the manufacturer or seller.
Typically, each company sends their best people to represent them — specialists who are capable of presenting the product at the highest level and addressing any technical or other questions. That matters.

By the way, one of my personal takeaways from INTERSEC last year was the absolute openness and total absence of political barriers — among organizers, participants, and visitors alike.

Stan Iceman

As in any country, the UAE has its own rules, laws, and peculiarities.
For example, there are different types of property ownership here — LEASEHOLD and FREEHOLD — which may initially seem like a rather odd concept, especially when we're talking not about commercial real estate, but the purchase of an ordinary apartment.
The difference between these forms of ownership affects the buyer’s rights.

Initially, in 2001, the Dubai government granted foreigners the right to own property only under leasehold terms. The law allowing full ownership (freehold) was introduced a year later, and in Abu Dhabi, for example, only relatively recently — in 2019.

LEASEHOLD – ownership by lease
If you purchase property under these terms, you are granted ownership rights for a fixed period of up to 99 years (in rare cases, less). However, you do not own the land the property stands on — the land remains with its original owner.

This form of ownership gives you rights only to the unit itself (for example, an apartment), not the land beneath it.
Such property can be sold or rented, but renting it out requires written consent from the landowner.
Once the lease period ends, ownership of the unit reverts to the landowner.
However, the leaseholder may have the opportunity to renew the lease at the end of the term (though such practices haven’t yet become established), and continue living in the property.
Tenants typically have limited responsibilities for maintenance, as these usually fall on the property owner. Any upgrades, renovations, or even repairs require written approval from the landowner.
The price for leasehold property might be lower (emphasis on “might”). But when reselling, the remaining lease duration will definitely be a factor for the next buyer.

FREEHOLD – full ownership rights
If you purchase property under freehold terms, you gain full ownership of both the property and the land it stands on. You’re free to sell, rent, or live in the property as you wish.

This is absolute ownership — of the apartment and the land beneath it. The Land Department registers the buyer as the legal landowner and issues a title deed confirming full property ownership. Freehold rights are indefinite. For instance, after the owner’s passing, the property can be inherited by their heir.

Buying freehold property gives the owner complete control over the property and the land. Any alterations, reconstructions, or renovations can be carried out at the owner’s discretion, provided they comply with existing construction norms and regulations.

The owner and their heirs can also apply for a UAE residency visa based on such property ownership.

How crucial these ownership conditions are — is ultimately up to the buyer to decide.

Stan Iceman

If you’re a proud owner of an apartment in the UAE and are considering turning it into a source of passive income, it’s worth considering both available options with all the pros and cons of each.

Short-term rental
(from 1 night)

[+] Easy entry and easy exit
Under the terms of the contract with the Property Management Company (PMC), you can notify them that, for example, in a month you intend to stop working with them and manage the apartment independently.

[+] Tenant search and handling all issues are the responsibility of the PMC

[+] Flexible and generally higher rental rates compared to long-term leases

[+] You can reserve specific time periods for yourself in advance and use the apartment personally or rent it out to whomever you wish

[+] Unfurnished apartments are not suitable. You’ll need to equip them at your own expense. You can rent out the apartment only if it's furnished and stocked with essential household items (appliances, tableware, microwave, toaster, hair dryer, iron, etc.). The PMC can take care of this setup for you, deducting the costs from your income

[+/-] Utility bills and service charges are handled by the PMC, but the expenses are covered by you. This also applies to cleaning services and the regular purchase of consumables

[+] Monthly settlement with the owner and transparent booking reports

[+] If you wish to sell the apartment, arranging regular viewings for potential buyers is easier

[-] The PMC does not guarantee revenue targets — they can always cite seasonality, low demand, etc.

[-] About ~20% of total revenue goes to booking platforms (Booking, Airbnb, etc.), and another ~20% is taken by the PMC

[-] Minor damages are possible. However, they are usually covered by guest deposits

Long-term rental
(from 1 year)

[+] Initial understanding of expected income. However, even this can sometimes be uncertain

[+] Tenant search is usually the job of the real estate agency, but handling any arising issues is your responsibility

[+] Unfurnished apartments are suitable and, oddly enough, even preferred for long-term rentals. Additional furnishing is generally not required

[+] Utility bills may be assigned to the tenant

[+] A tenant deposit can allow you to refresh the apartment’s condition after the lease ends

[+] You can negotiate annual, semi-annual, or quarterly payment terms

[+] Minor repairs can be covered by the tenant

[-] Less flexible exit
According to the lease agreement, you must notify the tenant 90 days before the lease ends to terminate the contract

Early termination is only possible by mutual agreement

[-] Rent flexibility

Permitted rent increases depend on the initial contract rate and average market prices
Within the first 2 years, you cannot change the rental amount or other contract terms. After that, you can increase the rent no more than once a year, and only at the time of contract renewal

If you decide to raise the rent, you must notify the tenant at least 90 days before the current contract ends
If the tenant disagrees, they must notify you no later than 60 days before the renewal date
If the rent increase notice was sent less than 90 days before the lease ends, the tenant has the right to reject the new rate

To help calculate permissible rent increases, Dubai’s Land Department provides a Rent Increase Calculator on the DLD или в приложении Dubai REST.

[-] You cannot use the apartment personally during the lease term

[-] Service charges (apartment maintenance fees) are your responsibility

[-] If you want to sell the apartment, arranging regular viewings for prospective buyers is more difficult

If the combination of pros and cons isn’t clear to you yet, you might consider starting with short-term rental — given the option to shift toward long-term later on.

Good luck achieving your goals!

Stan Iceman

What are the names of traditional male and female clothing in the UAE, and why are they different in color?

Let’s start with the main point – contrary to a common stereotype, women in the UAE do not wear a "burqa".
The traditional dress for women is called abaya and it is always black.
Men wear the kandura, which is usually white.
A head covering is an essential element in Arab traditional culture.

Black clothing for women doesn’t protect the body from intense sun, and historically it was believed that women should not spend too much time outdoors or in public – they were expected to remain at home, waiting for their husbands and taking care of the family.
Also, during night raids by nomads, women dressed in black could hide more easily, which often saved their lives.

Besides, black is known to have a slimming effect and hides body imperfections better.
Something tells me that this may be the main reason women’s attire is black :)

Men typically wear white kanduras. White symbolizes nobility, purity of intentions, and an impeccable reputation.
During the colder months, kanduras may be beige or sand-colored.
They are worn over an undershirt and lightweight trousers.

Now, let’s go over the terminology:

Women's clothing
Abaya – a loose-fitting dress that women are required to wear in public. Today, even tailored abayas are allowed, and the edges may be embroidered with silver, gold, or pearls.
Niqab – a head covering that includes a thick forehead band and a light veil, leaving only the eyes visible.
Burqa – a mask with slits for the eyes.
Sheila – a scarf that covers only the head, leaving the face completely open.

Men's clothing
Kandura or Dishdasha – a long white robe worn by men. Modern versions include a collar and pockets.
Tarbousha – a decorative string, often seen as a tie-like accessory among city residents.
Ghutra – a headscarf, usually white. In winter, it may be made from thicker fabric with wool. The ends are used to cover the face for protection from sand or cold.
Igal – a thick cord worn on top of the ghutra, traditionally believed to come from the rope Bedouins used to tie camels at night.
Gahfiya – a lace skullcap worn under the ghutra.
Bisht – a cloak or robe sometimes worn over the kandura. It is used on special occasions such as official receptions or weddings. It can be worn by both men and women and is usually made of wool.

Traditional Emirati clothing has remained largely unchanged for centuries, preserving the values and customs of Arab culture.

Stan Iceman

When renting a home in Dubai, as in most places, you’re buying into a certain standard of living — a combination of quality, style, and even lifestyle habits.

Especially if you live in a building that’s at least mid-range, or ideally higher, in a good neighborhood with developed infrastructure.
But what happens if, for one reason or another, you decide to “step out of the market,” lower your budget, and rent something simpler?

What do I mean by “simpler” options:
1 BR – around 50,000 AED per year
2 BR – around 75,000 AED per year
3 BR – around 95,000 AED per year

This type of housing can still be okay. But let’s take a look at what aspects of your once-comfortable lifestyle might say goodbye — either all at once or one by one.

Metro
Proximity to the metro is a major factor directly affecting rent prices. If you lower your “bar,” the metro might slip out of reach.

Outdoor space
In my opinion, this is the biggest loss — the complete lack of a courtyard or even a basic shared outdoor area (you’ll need to hold your child’s hand at all times).
Most buildings have neither courtyards nor simple playgrounds. Often the building is surrounded by a narrow strip of tiles, and beyond that — just sand.

Internal infrastructure
Not all economy-class buildings have their own private pool or gym. And if they do, the condition may leave much to be desired.
You’ll also likely lose the clubhouse, lobby, and spacious elevators.

Centralized air conditioning
Not all buildings have central AC systems — many have individual units, with outdoor compressors on balconies and indoor units in rooms. Ventilation systems may also need maintenance.

Podium areas
Beautiful rooftop spaces with greenery, BBQ zones, bike lanes, benches, and playgrounds — these are often not included.

Parking
Parking will likely be outdoor, though still covered. Guest parking? Most likely none. Where your guests will park is a mystery.

Concierge, security
There will probably be no concierge. Sometimes a security guard doubles as both, but often there’s neither — just an empty desk.

View from the window
You may lose scenic views and panoramic windows — budget buildings often have standard-sized windows.
A view that doesn’t face another building might already be a win.

Clean facades
Where facade cleaning is needed, it may go neglected for years.

What won’t change, fortunately, is safety — and the smiles of your neighbors.
It seems those things don’t always depend on housing quality.

Stan Iceman

“Listing” refers to online advertisements of real estate properties on web platforms.
RERA — Dubai’s Real Estate Regulatory Agency — has introduced new listing rules aimed at combating fraudulent advertising.

Typically, people search for rentals or properties to buy using online aggregators, with the most popular platforms being Propertyfinder, Bayut and Dubbizle.

Until recently, these platforms were flooded with false or outdated listings — complete with attractive photos and descriptions of properties that were already sold, rented out, or in some cases never even existed.

Real estate agencies used this tactic to attract clients (the main goal was to get the client to call — then offer them whatever was available).
Clients, having responded to a specific listing, were shown somewhat similar options instead.
Both sides wasted time, but eventually, something would work out.

The changes initiated by RERA are aimed at eliminating the advertising of non-existent real estate properties.

The main innovation is the requirement for a so-called Form A — an advertising permit jointly issued by the real estate agency and the property owner. This form must now accompany every listing.

RERA’s requirements dictate that every online advertisement must include accurate information about the property, its features, and its price.
This approach is designed to protect consumer interests and, in my opinion, save a lot of time.

The Dubai Land Department has instructed real estate agencies to immediately remove any listings from websites that are no longer available for sale or rent — within one week.

Previously, searching for real estate online reminded me of trying to reserve a specific hotel room on Booking, only to receive a reply with a “slightly more expensive but almost just as good” alternative in the hotel next door.
It always required an enormous amount of time and led to completely unnecessary interactions with agents.

I can't say what impact these changes will have on the real estate market overall, but as a client, I’ll definitely feel more comfortable knowing that the photo, price, and description I see online reflect a real, available property.

Stan Iceman

Anyone living in Dubai is well aware of what DEWA (Dubai Electricity & Water Authority) is — a government organization and the sole provider of electricity and water connections and supply. Think of it like Moscow’s Mosenergosbyt.

If you live in Dubai, rent an apartment or an office, or own property, and don’t want to live without water and electricity — you’ll need to go through DEWA. Or, if you’re in Sharjah, it’s the equivalent organization, SEWA.

For one of our clients, I needed to open a service account — essentially to connect the premises to utilities (electricity and water).
I spent several days trying to do this remotely through the DEWA website. I filled in some client details, lease contract numbers, and other required information.

However, I couldn’t manage to open the service contract online. Maybe I was doing something wrong — the system kept throwing up endless errors and insisted I restart the process.

Eventually, I gave up. Frustrated and on edge, I typed “DEWA” into Google Maps and headed to the first DEWA center I could find — in search of justice, so to speak, offline.

I was mentally prepared to sit through a long wait, clutching a ticket number, picturing another half-day wasted on what should be a basic task, and still not understanding why it had to be like this.
But as soon as I stepped into the “DEWA Future Customer Happiness Centre,” I started to melt.

The small, modern waiting area had just 3 or 4 visitors. The atmosphere was cozy and serene — comparable to waiting for a private business jet in an airport’s VIP lounge.
Only women were working there, all dressed in traditional Emirati clothing, and all holding iPads. Laptops and sleek gadgets were scattered around for public use if needed. And — no waiting tickets whatsoever!

I hadn’t even finished stepping in when one of the staff members literally swept me off my feet, sat me down, told me not to worry, and opened the much-needed account in about 15 seconds.

I felt a bit awkward — all the female staff were working standing up, while the clients lounged in plush chairs.
I think my entire visit to DEWA, including the deposit payment, lasted no more than 5 minutes.
I walked out in a daze, forgetting to even ask what I had done wrong in the first place — absolutely fantastic service!

Stan Iceman