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GFH Partners Acquires $150 Mln Assets in Saudi Arabia, UAE

Huge towers and real estate assets in the Saudi capital, Riyadh. (Getty Images)
Huge towers and real estate assets in the Saudi capital, Riyadh. (Getty Images)
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GFH Partners Acquires $150 Mln Assets in Saudi Arabia, UAE

Huge towers and real estate assets in the Saudi capital, Riyadh. (Getty Images)
Huge towers and real estate assets in the Saudi capital, Riyadh. (Getty Images)

GFH Partners completed the acquisition of a diversified logistics and industrial portfolio worth $150 million in Saudi Arabia and the UAE.

The portfolio comprises income-generating assets and opportunities for real estate development, in the logistics and industrial zones strategically located in Riyadh and Dubai. It encompasses various facilities such as light industrial and cold storage facilities, distribution centers, and warehousing assets. These properties are leased to a mix of international and regional tenants, according to a press release by GFH Partners on Saturday.

The opportunity to invest in Saudi-based logistics is driven by the growth of Saudi Arabia’s non-oil sector GDP which is expected to grow by 5.9% in 2023 and more than 4% in 2023.

Similarly, the UAE’s economy anticipates a 3% growth in 2023 followed by a 4% growth the following year, driven by non-oil sectors as well. The continued strength of Dubai’s position as a logistics hub is driven by continued strong demand for container and trade volumes in the key zones of Jebel Ali, Dubai South, and Dubai Investment Park, the statement read.

Nael Mustafa, Chief Executive Officer of GFH Partners, commented, “We’re pleased to announce the completion of the acquisition of this portfolio of logistics real estate assets in KSA and the UAE. Combining high-quality, income-generating facilities and development opportunities, the acquisition is well-positioned to capture opportunities arising from the current expansion of the GCC logistics sector. Particularly in Saudi Arabia, where the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 is driving the rapid modernization and development of the country’s transportation and logistics industry to diversify its economy and shift its dependency away from the oil industry.”

Mustafa went on to say, “Further to this acquisition, GFH Partners aims to rapidly expand our GCC logistics real estate platform to SAR 1 billion (US$250 million) over the next 12-18 months, building on growth from favorable demographics, positive momentum in capital markets, and government initiatives to bolster their logistics industries, with Saudi Arabia set to become a key global logistics hub.”

Globally, GFH Partners has successfully acquired more than 50 logistics assets in six countries across three continents.

GFH Partners is focused on expanding GFH Financial Group’s global asset management capabilities in the real estate sector and currently manages more than $6 billion of real estate assets as part of the total $18 billion of assets and funds managed by the Group.

In recent years, GFH Partners has transacted over $4 billion in the logistics real estate sector, with units leased to credit-rated tenants, including Amazon, FedEx, DHL, General Mills, and Michelin, among others.

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Saudi Arabia: Rising Demand for Housing Units Drives Property Prices Higher

Residential and commercial real estate in the Saudi capital, Riyadh (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Residential and commercial real estate in the Saudi capital, Riyadh (Asharq Al-Awsat)
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Saudi Arabia: Rising Demand for Housing Units Drives Property Prices Higher

Residential and commercial real estate in the Saudi capital, Riyadh (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Residential and commercial real estate in the Saudi capital, Riyadh (Asharq Al-Awsat)

Real estate experts have attributed the ongoing rise in Saudi Arabia’s property price index, over 16 consecutive quarters, to significant and growing demand for housing units.

This trend is supported by the success of government-backed housing projects in attracting consumer interest, the evolution of financing mechanisms, and flexible credit facilities and subsidized financing programs offered by banks.

Experts predict that property price increases, particularly in major cities, will persist through the upcoming quarters of 2025 if the launch of new housing projects continues. The real estate price index saw a 3.6% year-on-year increase in the fourth quarter of 2024, marking the fastest growth since the first quarter of 2021.

According to the General Authority for Statistics’ quarterly report on property prices for the fourth quarter of 2024, the index was primarily driven by a 3.1% rise in residential property prices, a 5.0% increase in commercial property prices, and a 2.8% rise in agricultural property prices. On a quarterly basis, the property price index rose by 1.6% in the fourth quarter compared to the third quarter, with residential property prices increasing by 1.0%, commercial prices by 2.7%, and agricultural property prices by a significant 9.8%.

In remarks to Asharq Al-Awsat, Khaled Al-Mobid, CEO of Menassat Realty Co., attributed the price surge to heightened demand for housing units and the success of government-subsidized housing projects, which have attracted significant consumer interest. He noted that these factors have boosted property prices, especially in neighborhoods hosting large housing projects such as those in eastern and western Riyadh.

Previously low-priced properties in these suburban areas have experienced sharp price hikes due to increased demand. Al-Mubid believes that if the momentum of housing projects continues in major cities, coupled with strong consumer purchasing power and ongoing growth in the real estate sector, property prices will likely continue to rise through mid-2025, or at the very least, stabilize without declining.

Abdullah Al-Mousa, a real estate expert and marketer, told Asharq Al-Awsat that the sustained rise in property prices is linked to economic and investment growth driven by Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 initiatives.

He pointed out that large-scale investments in infrastructure and city development, particularly in major cities like Riyadh and Jeddah, have boosted demand for real estate.

Mega projects such as Qiddiya and developments in entertainment and hospitality have also increased the value of surrounding areas and attracted interest from buyers and investors.

Al-Mousa highlighted that population growth, combined with government initiatives like the “Sakani” program, rising income levels, and stronger purchasing power, have intensified demand for residential properties. Families are increasingly seeking larger spaces and greater privacy, leading to a shift in demand toward villas and spacious apartments.

The evolution of financing mechanisms, including flexible credit facilities and subsidized loan programs, has improved homeownership accessibility. Al-Mousa noted that lower global interest rates have made borrowing more attractive, accelerating purchasing decisions and increasing activity in the real estate market. The expansion of luxury housing projects and developments targeting middle- and high-income families has further driven competitiveness and property price growth.

Real estate marketer Saqr Al-Zahrani noted that Saudi property prices have shown a marked acceleration in the fourth quarter of 2024. He attributed the rise in the general index to the complex interplay of supply and demand dynamics in the market, supported by Saudi Arabia’s recent economic and structural transformations and the influence of foreign investments.