08 Apr, 2019Emirates REIT celebrates 5th anniversary of listing on Nasdaq Dubai

• First REIT to launch and list on Nasdaq Dubai in the UAE

Emirates REIT, the world’s largest Sharia’a-compliant Real Estate Investment Trust, today celebrated the 5 anniversary of the listing of its shares on Nasdaq Dubai.

Abdullah Al Hamli and Sylvain Vieujot, Chairman and CEO respectively of Equitativa Dubai, the manager of Emirates REIT, rang the market-opening bell at the region’s international exchange to mark the five-year milestone. Also present to mark the occasion were key shareholders and board members, government officials, and members of the senior management.

Emirates REIT became the first Real Estate Investment Trust (REIT) in the Gulf region to list its shares on April 8, 2014. Established in the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC), Emirates REIT grew to become the largest Sharia’a compliant REIT in the world. It was also the first REIT from the MENA Region to access the international Sukuk market and obtain a credit rating, when it introduced its first landmark USD 400 million Sukuk on 6 December 2017.

Sylvain Vieujot, CEO of Equitativa Dubai, commented at the ceremony: "Since IPO, Emirates REIT has distributed USD 122.84 million of dividends (USD 0.41 per share) and provides a simple and efficient way to invest in Real Estate and get exposure to a diversified portfolio of prime assets with stable and growing cash flows. Equitativa is thrilled to celebrate the 5anniversary of Emirates REIT going public by ringing the opening bell at Nasdaq Dubai. Emirates REIT has come a long way since its launch, becoming the largest Sharia’a compliant REIT in the world."

Hamed Ali, Chief Executive of Nasdaq Dubai, said: "We are delighted to host the successful listing of Emirates REIT, starting with its pioneering IPO and continuing during the company’s development over the past five years. The listing reflects the versatile role played by the UAE’s capital markets, by enabling investors to gain access to the real estate sector without directly owning property. We will continue to support Emirates REIT’s development by providing an effective platform for its engagement with regional and international investors."

Independently managed by Equitativa Group, Emirates REIT offers regional and international retail and institutional investors stable, long-term, and income-yielding investments that provide portfolio diversification as well as sector diversification.

Multiple Award winning REIT and Manager:

Emirates REIT and its manager, Equitativa has won many industry awards including: "Best Investment Fund" and "Best Real Estate Finance Company" awards, The "Deal of the Year" award from Islamic Finance News (IFN) and the "Sukuk of the Year - Middle East" from Banker Middle East, both for Emirates REIT’s December 2017 Sukuk issuance. Emirates REIT was also awarded "Best REIT in the GCC" by Arabian Business magazine and Equitativa received the award of "Best REIT Manager in MENA" by Banker Middle East - to name a few.