Aldar sets up Dh20b investment firm
New Abu Dhabi company plans to tap sukuk market
Aldar Properties yesterday announced the creation of a new subsidiary investment company with Dh20 billion worth of assets.
The new company, Aldar Investments, is being created to increase operational efficiencies between the two companies. It is also expected to raise capital via sukuk (Islamic bonds). There are also plans for an Initial Public Offering.
Incorporated at Abu Dhabi’s international financial centre, Abu Dhabi Global Market, Aldar Investments takes ownership of some high revenue generating assets including Yas Mall, Aldar headquarters and The Gate Towers and Arc, and over 2,400 hotel keys, predominantly on Yas Island.
“Aldar Investments allows us to accelerate growth opportunities and unlock value for shareholders,” said Talal Al Dhiyebi, Chief Executive Officer of Aldar while speaking at the launch of the new firm.
“It is the latest of a series of initiatives that demonstrates Aldar’s leading role in Abu Dhabi’s real estate industry and builds on significant milestones including the strategic partnership with Emaar and acquisition of assets from TDIC (Tourism Development and Investment Company).”
Aldar Properties announced yesterday that it is creating a new subsidiary by transferring Dh20 billion worth of assets to attain better efficiencies and raise capital.
The Abu Dhabi-listed company has set up a new subsidiary called Aldar Investments, the company’s top executives said at the launch.
Aldar Properties has transferred some of its recurring revenue assets such as Yas Mall, Aldar Headquarters and The Gate Towers & Arc, and over 2,400 hotel keys, predominantly on Yas Island into the new subsidiary. The assets cover 5,000 residential units and over 500,000 square metres of prime retail and commercial space.
The development follows the recent Abu Dhabi Executive Council decree, extending full onshore real estate ownership rights to Aldar Properties and its subsidiaries in Abu Dhabi.
“Aldar Investments allows us to accelerate growth opportunities and unlock value for shareholders,” said Talal Al Dhiyebi, CEO of Aldar.
“It is the latest of a series of initiatives that demonstrates Aldar’s leading role in Abu Dhabi’s real estate industry and builds on significant milestones including the strategic partnership with Emaar and acquisition of assets from TDIC (Tourism Development and Investment Company).”
“We believe Abu Dhabi’s real estate industry offers a compelling investment case, bolstered by a strong macroeconomic backdrop, commitment to growth and attractive real estate yields,” he added.
Incorporated at Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM), the financial free zone of the emirate, ■ Aldar Investments will actively assess opportunities to expand its asset base beyond traditional real estate asset classes.
The new company also plans to tap the sukuk market with a new issuance in the short term.
Aldar Investments has already secured a Baa1 rating by Moody’s — the highest rating for a non-government corporate in the region and one notch above Aldar Properties.
‘Logical next step’
Speaking to reporters at the launch of the new company in Abu Dhabi, Greg Fewer, chief financial officer of Aldar Properties, said their current existing debt amounting to Dh6 billion, will be transferred to Aldar Investments.
When asked whether the firm has plans to take the new subsidiary into public, Fewer said it could happen in the future. “There are no plans to do an IPO today but the flexibility is absolutely there to do an IPO in future.”
Elaborating further on the launch of the new company, he said this is a natural and logical next step in the evolution of Aldar as the firm’s portfolio of recurring revenue assets and also the market has matured.
“We’ve seen reforms and laws coming so our market is much more predictable and investible. Our logical next step is to legally reorganise our assets along focused lines that allow us to raise capital, independent of Aldar Properties but in concert with the assets now that are focused in the entity.”
“We have a management team that is focused only on the assets. We have a capital structure that is focused only on these assets. With that focus, you get a more efficient operating platform, lower costs and higher growth opportunity.”
Analysts have reacted positively to the latest development.
Ehsan Khoman, head of MENA Research and Strategy at MUFG Bank Ltd, Dubai said the newly formed entity will have the ability to raise capital independently, which will strengthen its capital efficiencies and bolster organic growth.
“Aldar Investments’ firm positioning in the Abu Dhabi realty market, in conjunction with its diversified product mix across a multifaceted set of asset classes, such as in the residential, commercial and the retail space, bodes well for the entity’s prospects going forward,” he told Gulf News.
We believe Abu Dhabi’s real estate industry offers a compelling investment case, bolstered by a strong macroeconomic backdrop.”
Talal Al Dhiyebi | CEO of Aldar