On Dubai debut
With India’s real estate sector witnessing increased interest from global investors, Chennai-based Casagrand is instead turning its attention to the Arabian Gulf, more specifically, the UAE.
The real estate company’s Founder & Managing Director, Arun MN, sat down with Middle East News 247 in Dubai on July 23, 2025, to discuss the firm’s plans to enter the Dubai property market, what they expect from the region, and the challenges that come with such a move.
In this exclusive interview, Arun shared why Dubai’s regulatory clarity and international appeal were key drivers for Casagrand’s first global foray and how the company intends to position itself in the UAE real estate market amid intense local and global competition.
Watch the video here:
Casagrand, founded in 2003, has developed over 40 million square feet across southern India, delivering residential and plotted development projects to more than 40,000 customers. It has a significant presence in Chennai, Bengaluru, Coimbatore and Hyderabad.
The company has confirmed it will develop a premium residential project at Dubai Islands, marking its first venture in the UAE.
When asked what drew the company to the UAE market, Arun said the professionalism and structure of the sector stood out immediately. He observed that Dubai’s real estate environment is more refined and advanced than that of many global markets.
Meeting challenges
He explained that entering such a market would allow the company to “challenge itself, learn from more developed systems, and grow in terms of both capability and scale”. He admitted the firm might have entered too late, acknowledging that market conditions had been even more favourable a few years earlier.
In response to a question about the competitive landscape in the UAE, which includes both established local developers and other Indian firms, Arun said Casagrand had been studying the market closely.
He stated that the company had benchmarked over 100 developments in Dubai to understand pricing, amenities, maintenance, and specifications. He added that this “data-driven approach” helped them align with local standards while incorporating creativity into their design and planning.
He argued that the firm’s strategy is focused on delivering value through efficient pricing, suggesting that Casagrand’s internal margin expectations were lower than the industry average. He claimed this could help them offer slightly more competitive prices than existing players in the UAE market.
Asked for his view on the current state of the Dubai property sector, Arun said the city had positioned itself as a global investment hub, particularly in the real estate sector. He noted that international demand was strong, with buyers from around the world wanting exposure to Dubai’s growth.
He praised the transparency and structure of the market, saying that the regulatory environment made it relatively easy for new players to enter and operate, especially when compared to India, where he described the process as more bureaucratic and restrictive.
Conducive Dubai
Arun said Dubai’s openness to foreign developers and its efficient ecosystem made it attractive for companies with a strong focus and clearly defined competencies. He also acknowledged the flexibility of the market, referencing the growing number of property transactions now being executed using digital assets such as cryptocurrency.
Speaking about Indian investors, who make up a significant portion of property buyers in Dubai, Arun said most were focused on price and value. He told Indian buyers typically wanted the best product at the lowest possible price, a pattern consistent with consumer behaviour in the Indian market.
Arun said Casagrand aimed to keep prices within reach while complying with Dubai’s standards and regulations.
He also commented that Indian developers might offer an additional layer of comfort to Indian buyers. However, he acknowledged that major UAE-based developers tended to operate with a neutral and professional approach. He believed this shared cultural familiarity could still influence buyer preferences, at least among some segments.
Asked what challenges Casagrand expected as it launches operations in the UAE, Arun pointed to two primary concerns.
First, he noted that the scale of investment required to build at volume in Dubai was significantly higher than in India.
Second, as a new entrant, the company would need time to understand the local market’s dynamics fully. He admitted there was a learning curve and that some mistakes were likely as the firm adjusted to a new environment. He added that they would proceed cautiously and invest time in gaining local knowledge.
He concluded by stating that the company was under no illusion about the “level of competition” or the “sophistication of buyers in Dubai”. He noted that the move was both a strategic and educational decision for Casagrand and that they were prepared for a long-term commitment in the region.
As Casagrand begins its entry into the UAE real estate market, the firm will be judged not only on its ability to deliver competitively priced housing but also on how well it adapts to an environment where regulatory compliance, innovation, and customer trust are essential.
Whether the Indian market experience will translate into success in the Gulf remains to be seen. However, the company’s cautious yet research-driven approach indicates a clear intention to play a long game in Dubai’s evolving property landscape.
Hero image: Arun MN, Founder and Managing Director of Casagrand, delivers a keynote at an event held in Dubai on July 23, 2025, to announce the company’s debut in the UAE. Credit: Arnold Pinto
