United Development Company (UDC) has reported a net profit of QR238mn over revenues of QR912mn for the first half of 2019. The net profit attributable to the equity shareholders was QR225mn and basic earnings per share was QR0.063.
UDC chairman Turki bin Mohamed al-Khater said UDC managed to build on its stable financial results in the first half of 2019 and is actively pursuing development projects across The Pearl-Qatar and Gewan Island.
With the launch of the sale of 10 tower land plots in Floresta Gardens and the fourth sales phase of Al Mutahidah Towers, al-Khater said UDC is well positioned to sustain its positive results, as it gears up to launch the construction works for United School International and the Floresta Gardens, as well as Giardino Village gated residential compounds.
Al-Khater said, “Through offerings that serve the community needs of The Pearl-Qatar, UDC will further bolster the island’s position as an attractive destination for families and business professionals alike.
“In this regard, UDC has named Orbital Education as the operator of United School International in Giardino Village precinct, and tasked Al Darwish Engineering Company to undertake the construction works for the development of the School, in addition to awarding Ramaco Trading & Contracting Company the design and construction works of Floresta Gardens Gated Compound.”
He added: “Our excellent customer service and rich portfolio of projects across The Pearl-Qatar will attract new investors to the Island and enable UDC to sustain its diversified revenue stream.”
UDC president and CEO Ibrahim Jassim al-Othman said UDC is committed to pursue its development activities mainly evidenced by the development of Gewan Island project with an investment value of approximately QR3bn.
According to the development plans, the award of the marine works to UrbaCon Trading & Contracting Company and Promar Marine Contracting Company, and securing the financing arrangement with QNB and Commercial Bank for the development of Gewan Island with a credit ceiling of QR1.25bn have been concluded, al-Othman said.
Al-Othman, who is also member of the board, said the first half of 2019 marked the achievement of several milestones for UDC, both in terms of sales and leasing. UDC’s success in positioning The Pearl-Qatar as an attractive destination for those seeking a lively community to live, work, and do business was again evident in 2019, he noted.
He said: “Our business model has proved its success during challenging times in the regional real estate sector. The residential leasing occupancy rates at The Pearl-Qatar remained steady in the first half of 2019 compared to the same period in 2018.”
Al-Othman said UDC added two prestigious accolades to its list of honours at the ‘Arabian Property Awards 2019-2020’, which included the ‘Best Mixed-Use Development Award’ for The Pearl-Qatar and the ‘Commercial High-Rise Development Award’ for UDC Tower.
In this context, he said UDC will pursue its efforts to enhance The Pearl-Qatar’s position as a local and regional business and tourism destination that features annual events and festivals and a growing number of retail outlets and brands.
Al-Othman added: “UDC continued to provide the necessary public services to the island’s residents and visitors, ratifying a new memorandum of understanding in June 2019 with the Ministry of Interior to promote, ensure, and provide traffic and road safety measurements and traffic services across The Pearl-Qatar. We look forward to a promising future, as we continue to invest in the development of sustainable projects that will reward the shareholders over the long term.”
UDC, the master developer of The Pearl-Qatar and Gewan Islands, is a leading Qatari public shareholding company with a mission to identify and invest in long-term projects contributing to Qatar’s growth and providing good shareholder value.
Established in 1999, the company was first listed on the Qatar Exchange in June 2003. It has a shared capital of QR3.5bn and total assets of approximately QR18bn as of June 30, 2019.
UDC activities cover a multitude of vital investment sectors, including real estate development, property management, infrastructure and utilities, maritime, and hospitality related businesses.