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New Delhi, May 7 (BNP): Thailand’s evolving strategic and economic orientation is likely to create new opportunities for deeper economic engagement with India, according to a recent analysis by the Observer Research Foundation (ORF).

The report notes that Thailand is gradually recalibrating its external partnerships and economic priorities in response to shifting global geopolitics and changing supply chain dynamics. This transition is expected to open space for stronger regional cooperation, particularly with fast-growing economies like India.

As Bangkok looks to diversify trade links and strengthen its position in global value chains, the study highlights potential areas of collaboration for Indian businesses, including manufacturing, digital services, infrastructure development, and emerging technology sectors.

The ORF analysis suggests that this shift could also support broader regional economic integration, especially within the ASEAN framework, by encouraging more diversified and resilient trade relationships across Asia.

It further observes that ongoing global supply chain reconfiguration is prompting countries in the region to reduce dependence on a narrow set of markets, creating momentum for more balanced and flexible economic partnerships.

Within this context, India is seen as a key partner for Thailand due to its expanding industrial base, large consumer market, and growing capabilities in digital and services-led sectors. The report indicates that deeper cooperation could help enhance investment flows, improve connectivity, and foster greater technological collaboration between the two economies.

Overall, the ORF assessment underscores that Thailand’s strategic recalibration presents a timely window for India to strengthen its economic presence in Southeast Asia and play a more active role in shaping the region’s evolving growth architecture.

 

 

New fäm Properties analysis of more than 1.1 million Dubai Land Department transactions shows clear shift away from short-term investors

Dubai, UAE, May 07: Dubai homeowners are now holding their properties for as long as Londoners and New Yorkers, according to a new study of more than 1.1 million transactions spanning the last 16 years.

It underlines how the city’s real estate sector has evolved to stand alongside the world’s most mature markets, no longer driven by short-term investors.

The analysis of Dubai Land Department transaction data by fäm Properties covers 687,406 primary market transactions between 2012 and 2025, and 425,083 resale market transactions between 2009 and 2025.

Of those, 480,604 primary market homes and 259,615 resale market properties remain with the original buyer, adding up to 740,219 residential properties purchased since 2012 that have never been resold. That represents 69.9% of primary market purchases and 61.1% of resale market transactions over the period.

 

“Buyers focused on flipping properties have been replaced by owners committed to staying in Dubai and holding on to them,” said Firas Al Msaddi, CEO of fäm Properties. “That’s what a market looks like when it matures.”

“Until now, much of the conversation about Dubai’s residential holding behaviour was built around a 2013 framework, but we’ve moved on from there. A buyer who purchased in Dubai in 2014 and is still holding their property today is behaving exactly like the median homeowner in New York or London.”

The new data shows a consistent and strengthening pattern across both market segments. Among primary market buyers, 42% of those who purchased in 2014 are still holding their property eleven years later, rising to 53% among 2017 buyers after eight years and 61% among those who bought in 2022 after three years.

The resale market tells a similar story, with 38% of 2014 buyers still in ownership after eleven years, 53% of 2017 buyers after eight years, and 65% of those who purchased in 2022 still holding after three years.

Those figures mirror ownership patterns in the US, where the typical homeowner now stays for between 11 and 12 years, according to 2025 data from Redfin and the National Association of Realtors. Meanwhile, in the UK, only around 4% of homes change hands in any given year, implying the majority of owners hold for well over a decade.

The new data analysis is drawn from DXBinteract, the market intelligence platform developed by fäm Properties in partnership with the Dubai Land Department records. All figures reflect ownership status as at the end of April 2026.

Al Msaddi links the change in ownership behaviour with a series of structural developments in Dubai’s residential market. The Golden Visa programme, introduced in 2019 and expanded in 2022, established a direct link between property ownership and long-term residency, while regulatory reforms strengthened protections for buyers purchasing off-plan.

While the timing of the Golden Visa rollout and the impact of Covid-19 influenced a slight dip in retention rates, these have risen with each successive group of buyers since 2020.

Significant infrastructure investment over the same period, including new metro connections and the development of major new residential districts such as Dubai South, Dubai Creek Harbour and Dubai Islands, has also extended the range of locations where buyers are willing to commit for the long term.

Primary market – share of buyers still holding, by year of purchase

Year	Years held	Still holding
2014	11	42%
2017	8	53%
2018	7	55%
2019	6	51%
2020	5	53%
2022	3	61%

Resale market – share of buyers still holding, by year of purchase

Year	Years held	Still holding
2014	11	38%
2017	8	53%
2019	6	55%
2022	3	65%

 

Nashik, May 7 (BNP): Maharashtra is preparing for a major development push in Nashik with ₹33,000 crore worth of infrastructure and connectivity projects planned around the upcoming Simhastha Kumbh Mela, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said, adding that the city is set to evolve far beyond its religious identity into a sustained economic growth centre.

Speaking at the closing session of the Kumbh Udyog Sangam and Nashik Investment Summit 2026, he said the scale of investment is designed not only to support the massive congregation expected during the Kumbh but also to leave behind permanent urban and industrial assets.

The Simhastha Kumbh Mela, scheduled from October 31, 2026 to July 24, 2028, is expected to drive large-scale upgrades in transport, civic infrastructure, mobility systems, and urban facilities across the district.

Fadnavis said the development programme is being structured to ensure that pilgrimage-driven infrastructure also strengthens Nashik’s long-term economic base. Key focus areas include road expansion, ring roads, logistics connectivity, and improved public utilities.

Alongside infrastructure development, the state is positioning Nashik as an emerging industrial destination. At the investment summit, agreements worth ₹13,190 crore were signed with over 300 investors, projected to generate nearly 32,000 jobs.

The Chief Minister said Nashik has already seen strong investment traction, with more than ₹31,900 crore implemented in recent years and overall inflows crossing ₹57,000 crore over the last two years.

He noted that implementation levels remain high, with nearly 77 per cent of signed investment commitments already moving into execution, reflecting growing investor confidence in the region.

Industrial interest is expanding across sectors such as manufacturing, electronics, automobiles, textiles, agriculture-linked services, and logistics. Major industry players, including Mahindra & Mahindra, are among those investing or expanding operations in the region.

Fadnavis also highlighted that Nashik is being developed as part of a broader regional growth corridor, alongside districts like Jalgaon, Dhule, Nandurbar, and Ahilyanagar, to ensure more balanced industrial distribution across Maharashtra.

He said improvements in airport capacity, railway connectivity, and industrial infrastructure are strengthening Nashik’s attractiveness as an investment destination, while dedicated facilitation systems are helping speed up project execution.

Officials said the Kumbh-linked development model is being used as a catalyst to integrate spiritual tourism with economic planning, creating opportunities for hospitality, transport, retail, and small businesses.

With large-scale public investment and rising private participation, Nashik is being positioned as a future-ready urban and industrial hub expected to anchor growth in northern Maharashtra over the next decade.

Mumbai, May 7 (BNP): The Indian rupee weakened in early trade on Thursday, falling by 28 paise to 94.77 against the US dollar as investor sentiment turned cautious following reports of a potential diplomatic breakthrough between the United States and Iran.

The currency came under pressure after markets reacted to news that Washington and Tehran are discussing a 14-point Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) aimed at reducing tensions and restarting negotiations to de-escalate the ongoing geopolitical conflict.

According to market participants, the sudden shift in sentiment led to volatility in currency markets, with traders reassessing risk exposure amid uncertainty over the outcome of the proposed agreement.

The latest developments come at a time when global markets remain highly sensitive to West Asia tensions, particularly their impact on crude oil prices, trade routes, and foreign capital flows.

A softening in risk appetite also contributed to pressure on the rupee, as investors weighed the implications of potential changes in oil supply dynamics and broader geopolitical stability.

Recent market reports indicate that fluctuations in the India–US dollar pair have been closely tied to news flow from the region, with currency movements reacting sharply to both optimism and uncertainty surrounding the peace talks.

Analysts say currency markets are likely to remain volatile in the near term, as participants await clearer signals on whether diplomatic negotiations between the US and Iran progress into a formal agreement.

For now, the rupee continues to trade under pressure, reflecting a cautious global environment where geopolitical developments are playing a dominant role in shaping investor sentiment.

New Delhi, May 07: MMTC-PAMP, India’s only London Bullion Market Association (LBMA) Good Delivery gold and silver refiner, has relaunched its digital gold and silver offering, strengthening the company’s position for investors and customers seeking a convenient, transparent and secure way to invest in the purest gold at 24K, as well as purest silver, both at 999.9+ purity.

Catering to the evolving consumer preferences, particularly among young and first-time investors, who are increasingly adopting digital avenues for gold and silver investment, this digital platform provides all the benefits to consumers, with a value-addition of transparency, 24×7 accessibility, assured purity and an entry point gold and silver investment going as low as Rs 10.

Commenting on the relaunch of the digital offering, Mr. Samit Guha, Managing Director & CEO, MMTC-PAMP said,

“Digital gold and silver is increasingly becoming a preferred mode of purchase in the precious metals industry, particularly among young and first-time investors who value accessibility, flexibility and transparency. With this relaunch, our focus is to maintain the trust of physical gold and silver with the convenience of digital platforms. Every investment is backed by the purest silver and gold, stored in an insured, secured, bank-grade vaults, enabling consumers to participate in precious metals investment with confidence, while retaining the option of liquidity or physical redemption based on their needs.”

MMTC-PAMP’s digital gold and silver service enables customers to invest in precious metals starting as low as Rs 10, where every unit purchased is backed by physical gold and silver of the same amount, which is stored in secured, fully insured, bank-grade vaults. The offering combines ease of access with the assurance of purity and ownership, with holdings maintained in the customer’s name and regularly audited by an independent third-party auditor.

Consumers can buy, sell, gift or redeem their investment seamlessly. The platform allows users to redeem their holdings at the real-time market prices with direct bank transfers or convert their digital balance into physical gold and silver in the form of minted coins and bars. Additionally, digital gold and silver can be purchased directly on MMTC-PAMP’s website or Android app, or through a partner transacting platform like Paytm, Google Pay, PhonePe, among others.

Digital gold and silver continue to gain traction as a preferred investment option due to its flexibility, liquidity and accessibility. It allows a democratic entry to secure financial future with the precious metals’ inherent value as a safe haven asset, eliminates storage concerns, and offers a practical entry point for small-ticket investors.