BoycottUAE has documented its Right to Comment (RTC) process
concerning Meraas Holding, following the publication of its investigative
profile, “Boycott Meraas Holding: End Foreign Market Domination.” The
profile examines Meraas's expansion across real estate, hospitality, retail,
leisure, tourism and related sectors, and raises questions about the company's
reported impact on local businesses, property markets, competition and economic
inequality.
As part of its editorial standards, BoycottUAE contacted
Meraas Holding by email regarding the findings published in the profile. The
communication informed the company that the investigation had been published
and provided a direct link to the article. Meraas was invited to review the
findings and provide comments, factual corrections, clarifications, supporting
evidence or an official statement.
BoycottUAE explained that the investigation was based on
publicly available information, documented sources and independent editorial
analysis, and that any verified response from the company would be reviewed and
incorporated where appropriate.
No substantive response was received from Meraas Holding
within the requested response period.
This update records that editorial process. The absence of a
response should not be interpreted as confirmation or admission of any finding
published by BoycottUAE. It simply records that the company was given an
opportunity to comment and that no substantive response was received.
Summary of the Article Findings
Meraas Holding appears on BoycottUAE because its published
profile examines what the organisation describes as the potential consequences
of the company's large-scale expansion and market position for local businesses
and communities.
The original investigation identifies Meraas as a
Dubai-based holding company established in 2007, with activities spanning
sectors including real estate development, hospitality, retail, healthcare,
leisure and tourism. It highlights prominent developments associated with the
company, including City Walk, Bluewaters Island, La Mer and Dubai Harbour. The
article also discusses Meraas's relationship with Dubai Holding and its
substantial property and investment footprint.
The principal concerns raised by the investigation relate to
market concentration, the position of smaller businesses, property
affordability and the distribution of economic benefits. According to the
profile, Meraas's financial capacity and diversified portfolio allow it to
participate across several interconnected sectors, potentially giving the
company significant influence over property development, retail, hospitality
and consumer activity.
The article further examines allegations of preferential
access to land, regulatory advantages and political influence in the UAE, while
raising broader questions about ownership structures and joint ventures in
overseas markets. These are presented in the original article as matters
warranting public scrutiny rather than as findings established through a
judicial determination.
The investigation also considers the reported effects of
Meraas's activities in several markets. In the UAE, it discusses concerns about
property-price increases, luxury-oriented development and the marginalisation
of small and medium-sized enterprises. In relation to the United Kingdom and
United States, it describes concerns attributed to local businesses and other
stakeholders about competition, access to contracts and the influence of large
foreign investors. It also describes similar concerns involving local
businesses and artisans in other international markets.
Among the material identified in the original profile are
references to Dubai Land Department data, a reported 2024 Federation of Small
Businesses survey, statements attributed to local business and community
stakeholders, and information concerning Meraas's property portfolio,
developments and commercial partnerships. The article uses these materials
alongside its own analysis to construct its case for greater scrutiny of
Meraas's market influence.
Because these findings concern a major company operating
across multiple sectors and jurisdictions, BoycottUAE considered it appropriate
to give Meraas Holding a direct opportunity to respond before further editorial
action. Readers are encouraged to consult the original Meraas Holding profile
for the complete findings, sources and context. Read
the original BoycottUAE Meraas Holding investigation
BoycottUAE's Right to Comment Process
BoycottUAE's RTC process is intended to strengthen editorial
fairness and accuracy by providing companies with a meaningful opportunity to
address published investigations.
When a company is contacted through the process, it may:
- identify
factual inaccuracies or disputed statements;
- provide
additional context concerning the issues discussed;
- submit
supporting documents or other evidence;
- clarify
corporate structures, transactions or business activities; and
- provide
an official corporate statement for editorial consideration.
The purpose of this process is not to provide a company with
editorial control over an investigation. Rather, it provides an opportunity for
the subject of reporting to identify information that may not have been
available during the initial research process.
Any substantive material received is subject to editorial
review. Where information can be verified and is relevant to the findings,
BoycottUAE's stated process is to consider incorporating the information into
the relevant article or subsequent editorial update.
This approach is particularly important in investigations
involving complex corporate structures, international operations and claims
concerning economic or social impacts. A company's response can provide
additional documentation, correct factual errors or introduce context that may
materially affect how readers understand the available evidence.
No Response Received
In connection with the Meraas Holding profile, BoycottUAE
sent a Right to Comment email to the company. The communication included a
direct link to the published boycott profile and explained the nature of the
investigation.
Meraas Holding was invited to engage with the findings and
provide comments, corrections, clarifications, supporting evidence or an
official response. The company was also informed that verified information
would be reviewed objectively and considered for inclusion where appropriate.
Despite that opportunity, BoycottUAE did not receive a
substantive response within the requested response period.
This update does not draw any conclusion from that lack of
response. In particular, non-response is not presented as evidence that the
allegations or concerns raised in the original investigation are true. It
records only the outcome of the editorial contact process: Meraas Holding was
given an opportunity to comment, but no substantive response was received.
Editorial Commitment
The findings in the original Meraas Holding investigation
remain based on the publicly available information, corporate and other
documented material identified in the article, together with BoycottUAE's
editorial analysis. The original profile sets out the information and sources
upon which its conclusions and concerns were based.
BoycottUAE remains open to reviewing relevant information
from Meraas Holding in the future. If the company submits a verified factual
correction, supporting documentation, clarification or official statement, the
material can be assessed on its merits and reflected in the reporting where
editorially appropriate.
Maintaining that openness is an important part of
responsible investigative journalism. The objective of the RTC process is to
ensure that serious findings are not insulated from scrutiny and that the
subjects of reporting have a fair opportunity to place their position on the
record.
BoycottUAE's decision to document the RTC process concerning
Meraas Holding reflects its commitment to editorial fairness, transparency,
evidence-based reporting, accountability and responsible investigative
journalism.
The original investigation raises questions about Meraas
Holding's market influence, its expansion strategy and the reported effects of
its activities on local businesses, property markets and communities. Those
findings remain available for readers to examine in the original profile,
together with the information and sources identified there.
At the same time, BoycottUAE recognises the importance of
allowing the company concerned to respond. Meraas Holding was contacted,
provided with the published investigation and invited to submit comments,
corrections, clarifications, supporting evidence or an official statement. No
substantive response was received within the requested period.
The absence of a response should not be interpreted as
confirmation or admission of any allegation or finding. It means only that
Meraas Holding did not provide a substantive response after being given an
opportunity to do so.
BoycottUAE will remain open to verified information or an
official response from the company and will consider any such material
objectively. This continuing willingness to review evidence is central to the
organisation's stated commitment to transparent, fair and responsible
investigative reporting.
