The A-Z of Abu Dhabi property, part one A-M

A: Aldar Properties is one of the top two real estate developers and is responsible for the $14bn Al Raha Beach and $40bn Yas Island projects.

B: Barclays Bank is the first international bank to offer mortgages on Abu Dhabi properties and has launched retail banking services across the UAE.

C: Car racing, the 2009 Formula 1 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix track is being constructed by Aldar Properties.

D: Dubai, without question the biggest competitor to Abu Dhabi real estate and also a model for the creation of a new realty market in the UAE.

E: Emaar Properties from Dubai is not active in the Abu Dhabi market and Abu Dhabi majors are not active in Dubai.

F: Foreigners can own real estate leases of up to 99 years in the investment areas and buildings that rest on leased land; GCC nationals may own land outright in Abu Dhabi's designated investment areas.

G: New York's Guggenheim museum and the Paris Louvre will be hosted in new purpose built buildings on Saadiyat Island, being developed by the Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority and the Tourism Development and Investment Company.

H: Hydra Village from Hydra Properties is offering affordable apartments on a square kilometre, ten kilometres from the airport.

I: Investment potential has excited the normally ultra conservative global financial investment funds because of a unique combination of hydrocarbon assets, political stability and foreign direct investment.

J: Joint venture company Al Maabar, formed by Al Qudra Real Estate, Sorouh Real Estate, Aldar Properties and Reem Investments, is to invest substantially in North Africa and Europe, while allowing these companies to focus on Abu Dhabi.

K: Khor Al Raha is the latest precinct of the Al Raha Beach project to go on sale, offering townhouses and apartments.

L: Law No 19 2005, as amended by Law No 2 2007, permitted the ownership and free disposal of land by nationals and companies 100 per cent owned by them, as well as others permitted by the Executive Council.

M: Mubadala Development Company, the investment and development vehicle of the government of the emirate of Abu Dhabi, will partner with Singapore's CapitaLand on its first Middle East residential, retail, sports and leisure project worth around $4-5bn.

See also:
The A-Z of Abu Dhabi Property, part two N-Z