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Barwa Deputy Chairman Mr. Hitmi Bin Ali Al Hitmi and other board members represented by Chairman & Managing Director Mr. Ghanem Bin Saad Al Saad, welcomed His Excellency, while Mr. Khaled Mubarel Al Delaymi, President of Business Development and other senior managers as well as media representatives accompanied His Excellency. HE visit included Barwa Commercial Avenue, Barwa City, Barwa Housing Program, and Barwa Village while the latest developments in other Barwa projects were discussed.
The best testimony for the company is the strategy planning of Barwa development projects executed both locally and internationally. His Excellency first visited Barwa Commercial Avenue, a luxury commercial development situated in Ain Khaled close to Doha City.
Stretching 8 kilometers in length, Barwa Commercial Avenue offers luxury office space, 600 retail units, galleries, 5,562 parking spaces and 462 luxury one, two & three bedroom homes to meet the needs of young Qatari entrepreneurs and the strict criteria demanded by local, regional and global investors and traders. What distinguishes the project are its large commercial spaces (250 sq m in average) and galleries designed in five distinct architectural designs.
Barwa recently Qatar's largest construction contract of 2009 - QR6.5bn - with German construction company Hochtief for Barwa Commercial Avenue construction to be completed by June 2012.
The Barwa-Hochtief contract comes within the strategic framework that Barwa is following, which aims to establish a business district which embraces all modern business needs and demands, including high class commercial spaces, offices and residential units. It also falls within Barwa's strategy to seek the cooperation, exchange of expertise and building partnerships with leading regional and global companies, hence Hochtief was selected according to its wide experience and global reputation in developing prominent commercial projects
Barwa City, the second stop on His Excellency's Barwa projects field visit, is one of the largest urban developments being executed in Qatar. Stretching over 2.5 million sqm and providing 35,000 residential units, Barwa City will use central cooling plants to provide buildings with cold air, gas and TV channel networks.
Barwa City offers a choice of internal designs to meet tenant needs plus health clubs, commercial centers, parks, playgrounds, multi-use buildings, bank, 250-bed hospital, schools, nurseries and hotel. Barwa City will be executed in two phases, with Phase 1 featuring 6,000 apartments.
The third stop on His Excellency's tour was Barwa Housing Program in Mesaimeer, confirming the state's role in checking the situation of the local community, Qatari's and Expatriates. Since the announcement of Barwa Housing Program, its strategy is to serve middle income families.
Since Barwa is one of the premier companies in serving our society, it launched the company's latest humanitarian project which has received the support of the Qatari society and government institutions, which gave Barwa the necessary boost to finish the project at the beginning of 2009.
Besides meeting Barwa Housing Program tenants, His Excellency's visit highlighted the national duty of companies such as Barwa to offer innovative solutions which contribute in addressing the global challenges whilst enhancing the role and international position of Qatar.
Barwa Housing Program's 1,984 residential units offer tenants an ideal environment boasting green spaces, children playgrounds, gym, playroom, multi-use halls, basketball and tennis courts, and swimming pool as well as commercial shops, nursery, mosque, and shopping center which includes supermarket, pharmacy, laundry, café, and hair saloon.
Each Barwa Housing Program residential unit features ground floor apartments for disabled tenants, along with car parking, internal parks and a 24/7 Call Center to create an integrated modern city with intimate family ambience which reduces the effects of high cost rentals on middle income families.
His Excellency finished his visit at the 400,000 sqm Barwa Village development. Located just 10 kilometers from Doha International Airport on the Al Wakra Highway close to Ras Abu Fontas and just 20 minutes from the center of Doha, Barwa Village is one of the leading housing projects offering residential and commercial solutions to Doha tenants with a priority to Hamad Ben Sohaim area-Mushaireb Phase 1 (A1-B1) in the center of Doha. Barwa Village confirms the commitment of Barwa's Board of Directors to ensure that communities outside Doha have the same life quality as tenants in other urban areas.
Taking just 15 months to complete construction, the QR1.5bn Barwa Village is considered one of Qatar's giant projects and features residential and commercial units for 13,000 residents with the first tenants moving into their units in October 2009. Barwa Village supports the vision of Barwa and shows clearly the company's commitment to be a major partner in the urban renaissance of Qatar.
Barwa Village carefully balances the needs of tenants and residents in the surrounding area, as well as the various communities living in Qatar. More than 30% of the development is green space and no high-rise buildings are allowed, thereby reducing carbon dioxide emissions and traffic congestion.
The maximum height for residential buildings is Ground Floor, Mezzanine and First Floor, while civil buildings (school, nursery, club, administration building and mosque) are also ground plus two floors. Only the shopping mall, measuring ground plus three floors, will be taller.
As Barwa Village project embraces various service facilities and retail shops as well as shopping mall and school, the planning, operational and occupational strategy aims to make the project an attractive place for families to meet their daily needs. Accordingly, Barwa Village administration has determined the necessary business activities required to ensure the development is self-sufficient with 918 retail units offering clothing and textile stores, footwear, electronics, computers, furniture, medicines and jewelry.
Barwa Village will feature car rental, money exchange and other financial services, advertising and promotional services, travel and tourism, laundry, butchery, hair salon, photography, movie & DVD rental, as well as consultancy and employment services, restaurants, bakery and café. Business facilities will be distributed to serve the objectives of the project and comply with all laws and legislations of the State of Qatar.
Barwa Village's 18 residential low-height compounds (comprised of ground floor, mezzanine and first floor) present 96 studios, 262 one-bedroom apartments, and 100 two-bedroom apartments.
The Barwa Village design integrates facilities to encourage social interaction, provide a healthy lifestyle and enhance relations among the tenants. Among the Barwa Village facilities are a 1,200 sqm health club with swimming pool, international school for 900 students, two-storey nursery, parking, green spaces, parks, playground, neighborhood center, 2-storey mosque accommodating 800 worshippers, medical clinic, 2-storey, 1,400 sqm administrative building, 4,000 sqm shopping center incorporating ground floor parking and hypermarket, commercial shops in the first floor, restaurants and children's games on the 2nd floor.
All Barwa Village residential and commercial units are offered for rent only.
In previous statements to ALWATED magazine, published by Barwa Media one of the subsidiaries of Barwa Real Estate, HE the Prime Minister confirmed that the government is currently employing all of its potential to fully achieve the vision of Qatar 2030 and that the private sector plays an important role in achieving this vision, which involves many challenges that require creative solutions.
The support of the private sector is an integral part of our efforts to achieve this vision and implement Qatar's economic and financial strategy, specifically which aim at the diversification of financial resources of the company.
This support comes from the belief that internal investments are recognized as a good option in light of current global conditions. the best testimony for that are the giant projects which Barwa and Qatari Diar are executing in Qatar such as Lusail, Urjuan, Barwa Financial District and Barwa City.
HE also attended a presentation about other Barwa projects under construction including Barwa Al Sadd, a 202,145 sqm commercial and residential complex now under development on Hamad Bin Sohaim Street. Barwa Al Sadd embraces four commercial towers - one 19-floor and two 22-floor office towers plus 19-floor, 5 Star Hotel offering 228 rooms linked by a 4-floor base featuring offices and commercial shops - and three G+10 residential buildings, G+2 health club and G+1 Services building. Barwa Al Sadd tenants and visitors benefit from 3 level underground parking.
Barwa Al Baraha project is located in the heart of the industrial area.it is an integrated residential project for labors offering various support services facilities. the total area of the built part is 53000 sqm, and it embraces many well planned facilities which serve the administrative buildings and hotel buildings, as well as shopping center, medical center and a movie theatre.
In addition, the truck parking was launched lately for 4000 trucks. Built on 675.878 sqm, the parking was equipped by the latest technologies including 24\7 security system. The parking is operated by state-of-the-art technology systems to determine the locations and earn the fees.
The parking also embraces all the important serving facilities like restaurants, praying halls, toilets, petrol stations, technical inspection center for trucks, garages. Making the movement in and outside the parking easier, the parking has 8 entrance and 12 exit gates. The parking also includes rental spaces on the short and long term.
Besides a 16000 sqm land was determined for building a petrol station, to serve the parking and the surrounding area, a 4.500 sqm area was specified to build a regular truck inspection center.
Barwa Financial district is located in the heart of Doha's West Bay Central Business District and provides integrated real estate solutions to serve local and international financial institutions. Offering 500,000 sqm of office space and car parking for more than 5000 cars, Barwa Financial District tenants will enjoy facilities including health club, conference center, shopping malls, retail outlets selling international brands and advanced services. Each tower rises between 25 and 36 floors, with the centerpiece a magnificent 52 floor tower set to become one of Doha's prominent landmarks.
Barwa's international portfolio includes projects in many regions around the world, reflecting the investment strategy of Barwa. Nuzul Holding, one of Barwa's prime international investment companies, recently purchased two real estate developments, the 118 serviced apartment hotel Somerset Aljofair in Bahrain and 200 serviced apartment hotel Somerset West Bay on the Doha Corniche.
At the same time, Barwa has entered a strategic partnership with Kempinski Hotels SA, one of the oldest and best known global hotel chains, to develop a series Middle East and North Africa hotels in compliance with Islamic Shariaa.
Since Cairo is a regional real estate center, Barwa's international business development department seized the initiative to build an integrated residential compound extending on 8 million sqm in New Cairo City, one of the upcoming suburbs of the Egyptian capital. The project will include a series of luxury lifestyle villages offering private villas, penthouses, and deluxe apartments supported by hospitals, schools, mosques, parks, public gardens, shopping and health centers.
Since Switzerland is a major economic power and tourism destination, Barwa's international business development made a strategic investment to purchase and develop seven hotels featuring convention centers in the Birkenstock Resort.
As the Turkish real estate market is growing, the international business development sector, in cooperation with its Turkish counterpart, developed a multi-use development in Istanbul city on the beach and near Atatork Airport and the old city, features a 5 star hotel, luxury hotel and residential apartments.
Shard of Glass in London Bridge represents a magnificent addition to Barwa European portfolio. Shard of Glass will be the highest tower in London, in compliance with the company strategy to own a multi-use development in the UK The project will offer fully equipped office spaces and luxury residential apartments, as well as a world renowned hotel, all under one roof.
Upon completion of the project, Shard of Glass will be an important factor to transform this part of London into one of the most attractive areas, In addition to providing thousands of job opportunities to UK residents, many other BARWA projects are distributed throughout Asia, Africa, Europe and the Middle East.
Regarding the economic crisis and Qatar Investment Authority projects, His Excellency, added:
"It is natural that Qatar Investment Authority system makes regular studies from time to time. This is not due to the global economic crisis, but because it is an authority which manages the national wealth of the country, and its main objective is to diversify our income resources. So, the search for new investment opportunities and the study of external markets are one of its main jobs and a major part of our efforts to execute the investment and financial strategy of Qatar, in particular in diversifying the financial resources to new assets and strengthening the economic base of our rapidly growing economy."
Enhancing its local and global role, Barwa had many strategic partnerships with alliances and partners who were carefully chosen to execute all the needs of Barwa's real estate investment plans inside and outside Qatar. For example, Barwa has signed a partnership with SUN Group to access the Indian market, and with GDF Suez Energy and Services in the energy sector.
In cooperation with Qatari Diar, Barwa announced the foundation of Barwa and Qatari Diar Research Institute within the Qatar Science and Technology Park which will focus its work on three specific areas: Knowledge creation in sustainability systems, Research Applications, Services and dissemination of information and sciences.
Barwa and Qatari Diar Research Institute aims to engage in research related to the development of basic knowledge and processes in urban construction. Among the studies and subjects on which the institute will focus are the study of building data energy, where it will seek to collect data related to building energy to set the ground for fact-based and benchmarking studies leading to further advanced studies.
The institute will also study building design and analysis tools to develop computing standards that promote performance analysis, as well as software comparison and applicability to the local environment. The institute will also deal with building technologies and material research related to a desert climate and low-energy construction solutions.
Barwa and Qatari Diar Research Institute will engage in research-based consultancy services for existing and new buildings, as well as testing which will include Computational simulations throughout the lifecycle of the building in addition to providing advice on optimal systems integration.
Barwa and Qatari Diar Research Institute will provide educational opportunities for professionals to introduce them to state of the art concepts and models in the field through teaching and research partnership, engaging students and faculty from Qatar Foundation & Qatar University and other regional universities in collaborative research and training.
Barwa and Qatari Diar Research Institute will achieve various strategic goals which will focus on the deployment and expansion of QSAS and associated standards (in Qatar) and development of a comprehensive Regional Sustainability Assessment System for GCC & the Middle.
Barwa and Qatari Diar Research Institute will focus on applying policies in areas such as material ratings, emissions capping, waste disposal, water resource management, urban planning, transportation, underground networks and services. Barwa and Qatari Diar Research Institute will enhance development opportunities in areas such as recycling and renewable material and product manufacturing.
Barwa Real Estate was established with a capital of QR2bn, and is listed on the Doha Securities Market. Barwa was founded to accomplish a sustainable urban renaissance of Qatar, reflecting not only the latest technology but also the cultural heritage of the Qatari people, making Qatar a major destination for investors from around the world.
Considering Qatar as the point of beginning not the point of end, the company looks for broader visions to achieve giant urban development projects, accompanied by great awareness and care of our shareholder's interests and to accomplish the best revenues for them, along with serving the local communities in which we live and work.
Barwa's strong performance and huge achievements were a result of the strategic investment adopted by the company and its regional and global partnerships. This is why Barwa has diversified its activities to cover other business sectors other than real estate. Barwa operates, manages, rents its own developments or other developments owned by its partners locally and globally.
In addition, the company produces building materials, and manages investment portfolios and estate funds as well as other banking services, health and educational activities aimed at serving Qatari society.
The company is careful to combine international expertise with a national workforce. In this regard, Barwa works to develop its human resources as a priority, thus resulting in many achievements and accomplishments since the establishment of the company.
Demonstrating the company's loyalty to our communities, Barwa holds one thing more important than anything - people. Barwa works hard to create a suitable environment for the communities it works within, to create a balance between life and work.
Although Barwa is first and foremost a real estate company, we look further than that. Before we are builders and developers and estate managers, we are a company which is committed to Qatar and its people. Barwa is as dedicated to its social responsibility as it is to earning profit to its shareholders.
According to this, the company held the responsibility of supporting the Qatari society on the social, economical, educational and cultural level. To accomplish this commitment, the company developed more comprehensive program in this field.
Besides developing projects such as Barwa Housing Program and Barwa Al Baraha, the company made many financial contributions to charity, education, cultural and sporting activities. In addition, Barwa has sponsored many conferences, lectures, and initiatives which support the real estate sector enhancing the position of Qatar in the region and the world.
Highlighting the company's growing international prominence, Barwa won 'Best Real Estate Company working in compliance with Islamic Shariaa' at the International Estate Financial Forum 2008 in London. Barwa Al Khor/Urjuan development also received the Best Real Estate Project in Qatar award and Hasad Barwa was awarded the 'Innovation and Creativity Award' for its Arkiya Farm project in the 12th Gulf Engineers Forum in 2008.
Posted by Rana Mesbah
