IslamicFinance.de

The First Investor (TFI), the investment banking arm of Qatar’s Barwa Bank, is looking for investments in Turkey, in sectors ranging from real estate to food, its acting chief executive Yousef Al Obaidan said. TFI has not specified a budget for Turkey, although its existing holdings in the Gulf region average around $100-$150 million per investment, Al Obaidan said. Individual investments in Turkey could exceed that, he said. The bank, which is also involved in private equity and asset management, is particularly interested in Turkey’s real estate, healthcare, education and food and beverage industries, Al Obaidan said. TFI is already active in Turkey, where Kiler, a REIT, mandated it in December for the sale of the Istanbul Sapphire shopping center and residence.

The Board of Directors of The First Investor (TFI), Barwa Bank Group’s 100 percent owned investment banking subsidiary, has appointed Yousef Ali Al Obaidan as the Acting Chief Executive Officer of TFI. Since joining TFI in 2007, Yousef has spearheaded the company’s Investment Banking activities. He has gathered experience leading investment banking initiatives targeting investment opportunities through originating and successfully overseeing the establishment of several projects and companies in Qatar. Yousef graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Finance and a Master of Arts in Integrated Marketing & Communications from the California State University.

Barwa Bank’s investment banking division, The First Investor (TFI) and Investra Investments have announced the first two property acquisitions of their UK joint venture fund. The fund invests in income-generating property in the distribution, logistics and light-industrial sector of the UK, targeting net quarterly dividends of 7%-9% per annum and capital appreciation over three years. Both TFI and Investra have seeded the fund with approximately QR56mn capital from their respective balance sheets. TFI and Investra have put together an institutional grade investment programme in collaboration with Pelham Associates as well as internationally renowned lawyers, tax advisors and administrators to deliver best in class governance, investment management and risk management. TFI and Investra will be continuing their investment programme in the UK distribution, logistics and light-industrial sector until Q1, 2014.

The First Investor GCC Equity Opportunities Fund is name of a new 100% Shariah compliant investment scheme, launched by the Barwa Bank. The bank's first Shariah compliant fund will be managed by the investment subsidiary of the bank. The fund's investment goal is to achieve long-term capital growth based on investments in a diversified portfolio of equities that are listed on exchanges of the Gulf Co-operation Council countries. According to the head of Asset Management it is possible to achieve more than 12% growth a year, as their selections have consistently outperformed the market.

Barwa is studying acquisition of a number of financial and investment companies in Qatar, under the umbrella of Barwa Bank, including "The First Finance", "The First Investor" and "The First for Renting" companies.