GFH wins Euromoney Best Real Estate Finance Award

The Bank's Chief Executive Officer and Board Member, Mr Esam Janahi, has also been honoured with `Outstanding Contribution to the Real Estate Industry' award.

Euromoney said the awards have been instituted to honour notable contributions by institutions to the development of conventional and Shari'a-compliant financial sector focused infrastructure development.

GFH is at the forefront of regional infrastructure development, from conception to raising financing. The Bank coordinates investments and development of the projects it originates in a seamless manner, and this dedication has attracted enthusiastic interest from the regional investor community.

Presenting the awards, Mr. Neil Osborn, Publisher and Managing Director of Euromoney, said: "GFH's contribution to the development of the financial sector in the Kingdom of Bahrain and the Middle East has been unique. In the last six years since its inception, GFH has offered various ground-breaking Shari'a-compliant investment instruments tracking the real estate markets of the Kingdom of Bahrain, the region and Europe. We believe that this has contributed to the overall expansion of Shari'a-compliant investments in the region and across global markets.

"Gulf Finance House has taken pioneering steps to develop the infrastructure industry in the region. GFH has conceived various infrastructure development projects that are unique and significant in their appeal by attracting local, regional and international investments into the region," he added.

GFH has developed and offered a wide range of Islamic investment instruments with focus on opening up real estate and infrastructure markets to our Islamic investors. These include Aqar in Bahrain, Gulf Atlantic series in the UK and France, and Al Andalus House in Spain.

GFH is the founding partner and promoter of the US$1.3 billion Bahrain Financial Harbour (BFH), which seeks to bring together the financial institutions within the Kingdom of Bahrain all in one location, hence providing better agencies and facilities. Other projects include the US$750 million Al Areen Development in Bahrain, the US$3.8 billion Legends within Dubailand in the UAE, the US$1billion Royal Metropolis in the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, and Energy City - Qatar.

Commenting on the Euromoney awards, Mr. Abdulrahman Al Jasmi, Deputy Chief Executive Officer of GFH, said: "It is an honour and privilege for GFH to win these prestigious awards, and they will encourage us further to enhance the Bank's contribution to the Islamic infrastructure-focused financial sector."

"GFH has been able to make a significant contribution to the regional real estate and infrastructure sectors due to team work, commitment and creativity by the top management in conceiving real estate opportunities that maximise investor returns for our clients. These awards will encourage us to continue to add value to our real estate and infrastructure development offerings," he added.

GFH has a full-fledged in-house Real Estate Development division comprising experts in the sector headed by Mr. Stephen Rothel as its Executive Director. The division offers end-to-end solutions from conception, to construction, delivery and placement.

Further commenting on the awards, Mr. Rothel said: "We are thrilled to be recognised as a leader in project infrastructure development. GFH already has a strong and visible presence in the infrastructure sector in various regional markets and the award will encourage us further to continue our aggressive expansion."

"Real estate and infrastructure are two key components of the economic growth of the region and GFH is committed to leveraging the potential of this sector to maximise returns to Islamic investors and shareholders," he added.

As well as arranging capital and coordinating development, GFH is involved in a variety of investments through private equity and venture capital across various economic sectors, including infrastructure.