Saudi Arabia real estate market set to grow significantly over next years, says Jones Lang LaSalle

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The report The Gulf's Powerhouse - Saudi Arabia's Real Estate Market published today, as part of the Global Foresight Series, highlights the breadth of the investment opportunity across the Residential, Office and Hotel sectors in Saudi Arabia. The real estate markets are being driven by a combination of a large and growing economy and strong demographic fundamentals. The Saudi economy is by far the largest in the region and is well positioned to outperform others in the region in the face of the current global economic downturn.

One of the main drivers of both the economy and the real estate market is the size and rapid growth in population. Saudi Arabia has been the world's fastest growing large country in terms of population over the past 10 years. As a result, Saudi has a very young demographic profile, with around 45% of the population currently aged below 20 years. This young age profile and the rapid rate of urbanisation (growth of the major cities) have been the major demographic factors driving the real estate market.

Saudi Arabia has the largest real estate market in the GCC, with more commercial (office, retail and residential) floor space than all of the other GCC countries combined. The current stock of commercial space is planned to increase by more than 60% by 2012 with the residential sector also poised for significant growth. The key areas of growth are:

• The Residential market is suffering a major housing shortage, running currently at over 500,000 units and expected to double by 2012. Residential sales prices are currently considerably below other GCC markets and the introduction of a new mortgage law may transform the market bringing with it increases in supply, quality of construction and transparency. These factors should ensure that growth is sustainable, with strong internal demand.

• The Office sector - is also positive with current rental growth rates in Riyadh and Jeddah remaining ahead of the majority of other GCC economic centers. There is strong potential for new high rise developments in CBD locations and significant proposed supply particularly in non-CBD office parks.

• The Hotel Sector - Saudi Arabia is uniquely positioned to benefit from the forecast growth in religious tourism over the next few years. Coupled with an increase in business travel, this has led to a shortage in quality hotel room supply. The outlook for the hotel sector is extremely positive with strong growth in ADR's and revenue per room and an increase in market interest from international hotel operators.

Additionally, across all asset classes there is a drive from local quality to international quality.

The report forms part of Jones Lang LaSalle's, World Winning Cities Research programme. This programme covers emerging cities in Asia, Central, Eastern Europe and Latin America as well as the Middle East and examines the rapid changes that are occurring in the geography of real estate, with new opportunities are now emerging in cities that have not traditionally been on the radar screen of the real estate sector.

This report looks beyond short term market movements at the more fundamental longer term trends that are impacting the real estate market.

The findings of the report highlight the sheer breadth and depth of the opportunity in Saudi Arabia and Jones Lang LaSalle is delighted to also announce that it is to launch offices in both Riyadh and Jeddah today.

John Harris, Head of KSA operations for Jones Lang LaSalle, commented:

'I am thrilled to confirm the opening of our first Saudi Arabia offices. We believe the opportunity for our business in the Kingdom is vast, with the KSA economy enjoying a higher degree of internal self sufficiency with a sizeable domestic market, less dependence on global capital or international workforce. KSA also enjoys low levels of debt in both public and private sectors and 25% of global oil reserves.'

He continues, 'These favorable economic conditions are matched by positive demographic drivers. KSA is the world's fastest growing large country with a current population in excess of 25 million, 40% higher than the combined population of rest of the GCC. In addition, almost 50% of the total population is below 20 years old and the country is also one of the world's fastest urbanizing countries.'

Saudi Arabia is the region's largest economy with a nominal GDP of $608bn, over 20% greater than the total combined GDP of the other GCC countries. The country has delivered five years of continued economic growth, with GDP increasing by an average of 15% per annum since 2002. Saudi Arabia remains the focal point for foreign direct investment in the GCC, receiving over $17.5bn in 2007.

These combined factors, when placed in the context of strong domestic demand, relative economic insulation and structural and legislative reforms offer a investment opportunity distinct from both the other GCC states and other Emerging Markets.

The opening marks the further expansion of the company operations in the MENA region, where JLL is the pre-eminent real estate investment advisor, having worked in 25 countries, on projects worth $200bn and on transactions in excess of $1.2bn. The company has advised on projects in excess of $50bn in KSA in the last 2 years.

Abdollah Al-Faadhel, Director of KSA Branch said, 'Given the size of the market, the current economic status and the demographics in place we expect to see a substantial increase in demand for advisory services in the KSA, as investors look for opportunities in the Region with minimal exposure to the global financial conditions.'