Manipal Academy of Higher Education (MAHE), Dubai has been featured in The National in an article titled “The hidden costs that UAE investors miss when building their portfolios.” The feature explores how UAE investors can often underestimate the true cost of building wealth, particularly when portfolios are heavily concentrated in property, local assets, or investment products with hidden fees.
The article highlights that while the UAE’s zero personal income tax environment, attractive yields, and buoyant property market make it a strong investment destination, investors must remain mindful of costs that can quietly reduce long-term returns. These include property transfer fees, agency commissions, service charges, vacancy risk, transaction costs, custody fees, inactivity charges, foreign exchange spreads, and surrender penalties linked to long-term savings or insurance-based products.
Prof. Praveen Gupta, Professor and Chairperson, Manipal Business School, MAHE Dubai, was quoted in the article, sharing expert insights on portfolio construction and risk management. He noted that many investors allocate a large share of their wealth to a single asset class, often property, which can create concentration and liquidity risks. He also emphasised that a well-diversified portfolio aligned with an investor’s risk appetite remains the foundation of sound investing.
The feature further draws attention to the importance of financial literacy, especially for investors who may be exposed to high-cost, low-return, or illiquid products through aggressive marketing. Prof. Gupta advised investors to conduct thorough due diligence on products, fees, payoffs, and associated costs, adding that disciplined decision-making is essential for sustainable investment success in the UAE.
This media feature reinforces MAHE Dubai’s growing contribution to regional thought leadership through faculty expertise in finance, investment, business, and economic analysis. By engaging with timely conversations on investor behaviour and financial decision-making, MAHE Dubai continues to connect academic knowledge with real-world market developments.
Click here to read more: https://www.thenationalnews.com/business/money/2026/04/24/the-hidden-costs-that-uae-investors-miss-when-building-their-portfolios/
