Emaar Properties records first quarter 2007 profits of AED 1.721 billion

The revenue for the first three months of the year was AED 3.904 billion (US$ 1.063 billion). Reiterating the strength of the Dubai property market, revenue for the first quarter of the year increased by 74 per cent from AED 2.239 billion (US$ 0.610 billion) in the first quarter of 2006.

Annualized Earnings per Share (EPS) for the period is AED 1.13 compared to the actual EPS of AED 1.06 for the year 2006.

"Year 2007 began on an upbeat mode for all businesses in the country with the UAE Vice President and Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum announcing the Dubai Strategic Plan, which sets the direction of growth of the economy," said Mr Mohamed Ali Alabbar, Chairman, Emaar Properties. "Inspired by his vision, Emaar has strengthened its two-pronged growth strategy of geographic expansion and business segmentation."

He added:

"As a first step in this direction, we have taken full control of our Egyptian operations and ventured into new markets. In another significant growth initiative, Emaar has also joined hands with Dubai Holding for a land-for-share deal, which will drive growth in the home market of Dubai. The details of the deal including the legal and regulatory clearance and structure are currently being finalized and will be declared soon."

Emaar's first quarter performance is marked by robust domestic sales for its new launches at Downtown Burj Dubai, including new commercial space within The Old Town Island and Burj Dubai Square. Investor response to the sale of villas within Umm Al Quwain Marina is on the up trend.

The company also unveiled its revamped equity structure at the Annual General Meeting. "We are committed to adding value to our shareholders, and with our new equity structure, we will convert our six new business segments - malls, education, healthcare, industry, finance and hospitality & leisure - and our international entities as stand-alone profit centres that converge to the central group, Emaar PJSC," said Mr Alabbar.

He added: "There has been significant growth in our ongoing projects. Burj Dubai, on course to becoming the world's tallest building, has scaled 120 levels and is the tallest structure in the Middle East and North Africa. The Dubai Mall, one of the largest shopping and entertainment destinations in the world, has added on new anchor tenants, including Galeries Lafayette - France's leading fashion house, which will open the largest of its kind department store in the UAE within the mall.

"We have also launched new residential projects in Downtown Burj Dubai, Arabian Ranches and Umm Al Quwain Marina, which have gained overwhelming investor response," said Mr Alabbar. "The property management services are now being undertaken by the UK-based Hamptons, which Emaar acquired last year, and we have stronger international interest in the Dubai property sector."

Highlighting Emaar's presence internationally, the company participated in at MIPIM, Cannes, the world's largest real estate expo, and received commendable international investor response. Work on Emaar's various projects in Saudi Arabia, India, Pakistan, Morocco, Syria, Jordan and Turkey is moving ahead on schedule.

"Emaar is also pioneering new initiatives in the property sector. For example, King Abdullah Economic City in Saudi Arabia, the largest private sector development in the region, is being developed as the world's first Smart City. Emaar also started on-line registration for KAEC's Industrial Zone, which continues to receive strong investor response," said Mr Alabbar.

Mr Alabbar added: "Currently the UAE property development activity contributes more than 90 per cent to both our revenues and profits. Along with our UAE property developments, our other entities are also growing rapidly and should contribute more to profits as well as accelerate our rate of growth in 2008. We are also pressing ahead with plans to take public some of our international entities to crystallize value to our shareholders."

"As at 31 March 2007, the market value of our shares held in Emaar, The Economic City are worth AED 4.5 billion (US$ 1.22 billion) as compared to our initial investment of AED 2.5 billion (US$ 0.68 billion). We are currently in the process of examining the timing for the listing of Emaar MGF(1) India which we expect will add significant value to our shareholders," said Mr Alabbar.

Emaar also reiterated its commitment to quality and service excellence by winning the Dubai Quality Award, which complements the company's ISO9001:2000 quality certification. Putting communities first, Emaar also hosted the annual Emaar International Art Symposium and showcased the company's Emiratisation initiatives at the Careers UAE expo with numerous UAE nationals and professionals registering for job opportunities in the company.