Emaar Properties records first half 2008 net profits of Dhs3.315bn

Net profits in the second quarter (April to June) of the year grew 7% over second quarter 2007 net profit of Dhs1.558bn ($0.424bn) and is similar to the first quarter 2008 profits.

Revenue for the first six months of the year is at same level as half-year 2007 revenue of Dhs8.203bn ($2.233bn). The revenue for second-quarter 2008 (April to June) is Dhs4.240bn ($1.154bn), 7% more than the first-quarter 2008 revenue of Dhs3.961bn ($1.078bn).

Earnings per Share (EPS) for the first six months of the year is Dhs0.54 with the annualized EPS for 2008 being Dhs1.08.

Mr Mohamed Ali Alabbar, Chairman, Emaar Properties, said:

'Globally, the first-half of 2008 was marked by recessionary trends and mounting inflation. For a property developer of Emaar's geographic outreach, this period also meant greater exposure to the market challenges of rising prices and reduced consumer spending. However, Emaar's results for the six months prove the robustness of our long-term strategic Vision 2010 to focus our growth efforts in the emerging markets of the region and Asia.'

'Emaar, as part of our commitment earlier to our stakeholders, remained focused on long-term revenue and profits and resorted to sale of developed properties rather than land sales. This has earned excellent results across and also positions us well to further build our development portfolio and extract long-term value for our shareholders. Markets like India, Morocco, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Syria and Turkey not only yielded strong domestic sales but also attracted sizeable international sales - especially at roadshows held in Dubai,' he said.

Mr Alabbar explained that one of the core areas of Emaar's growth in the first half of 2008 was in further strengthening its diverse business portfolio. While Emaar Malls Group recorded overwhelming retailer response for The Dubai Mall, set to open later this year, Emaar Hospitality Group unveiled 'The Address Hotels & Resorts', Emaar's own five star premium hotel brand. Emaar Healthcare Group joined hands with Methodist International in the US to open hospitals in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region and Turkey, and Emaar Education announced plans to launch a Hospitality Training Institute, and expanded its geographic reach to Saudi Arabia.

Mr Alabbar said that Emaar's growth strategies reiterate the commitment of the company to its stakeholders in enhancing value generation. 'We are on the road to achieving our Vision 2010 to become one of the most valuable companies in the world. This has been made possible for Emaar, which is a little over ten years old, due to the trust of our shareholders in us. In the coming months, Emaar will continue its focus on its existing markets and further strengthening our new businesses.'

Robust domestic performance

Emaar's UAE projects continued to contribute strongly to first-half 2008 revenues with the company's launch of new residential and commercial space in Downtown Burj Dubai and Asmaran gaining overwhelming investor response. Emaar had unveiled several architecturally elegant towers including M Burj Dubai, Stand Point, Burj Place and The Mansion, among others, in the mega-project in Dubai - all of which were very successful.

Adding to the lifestyle appeal of Downtown Burj Dubai, Emaar also unveiled a water-fountain on Burj Dubai Lake with a total development value of Dhs800m ($218m). The water, light and music spectacle is poised to be one of the city's major tourist attractions expected to draw over 10 million visitors annually.

In the second quarter of 2008, Emaar posted record sales of Dhs8.9bn ($2.42bn) in the UAE including Dhs2.4bn ($0.65bn) relating to Asmaran, the JV with Bawadi LLC - an increase of 59% over first-quarter 2008 sale of Dhs5.6bn ($1.525bn).

Impressive international inroads

A high-point in the first-half of 2008 for Emaar was its expansion to China with the signing of a MoU with Shanghai China-News Enterprise Development Limited, a Chinese government entity and subsidiary of the People's Daily Shanghai branch. Emaar also consolidated its presence in South East Asia with the opening of its office in Indonesia and signed a joint venture with Bali Tourism Development Corporation to develop the Lombok Island Project - a mixed-use undertaking. Emaar also launched sale of its projects in Saudi Arabia, Turkey, Morocco, Syria and India in the first-half of 2008 in Dubai - all gaining strong investor response.

King Abdullah Economic City, the flagship project of Emaar's Saudi Arabian venture Emaar, The Economic City, emerged as a preferred foreign investment destination in the first-half of 2008. The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah bin AbdulAziz Al Saud endorsed the progress of the mega-project during his visit to KAEC in June. He also unveiled several new initiatives - including the Plastics Valley in the Industrial Zone, Healthcare City, Media City, Science Research Complex, Environment Protection Centre, the Cadre Technical City for human resources development, the Thunderbird University and Colombia University.

'Emaar has consolidated its reputation in all its key markets of bringing in a new lifestyle choice for residents,' said Mr Alabbar. 'However, more importantly, we have proved ourselves as a partner in the progress of the 36 active markets where we are based, by creating job opportunities, strengthening the growth of ancillary industries and bringing in a new dynamic to the property sector. This will continue to be our legacy.'