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Emaar's Dubai property sales jump 25% to Dh18 billion

Dubai - Emaar Properties 2017 net profit jumped to Dh5.7 billion as against Dh5.23 billion in the previous year, an increase of nearly nine per cent.
It recorded a net operating profit of Dh5.704 billion ($1.553 billion) during full-year (January to December) 2017, a growth of 16 per cent over the 2016 net operating profit of Dh4.917 billion ($1.339 billion). Total revenue for 2017 increased by 21 per cent to Dh18.812 billion ($5.122 billion), over 2016 revenue of Dh15.540 billion ($4.231 billion). 
In 2017, Emaar successfully listed its UAE build-to-sell property development business, Emaar Development, by selling its 20 per cent stake through IPO and raised Dh4.824 billion ($1.313 billion) and also announced Dh4 billion ($1.089 billion) of exceptional dividend from the proceeds of the IPO.  
Emaar Development, majority-owned by Emaar Properties, reported total revenue of Dh8.863 billion ($2.413 billion), a growth of 28 per cent compared to Dh6.899 billion ($1.878 billion) in 2016. The Company also achieved record sales of Dh18.03 billion ($4.91 billion) in 2017, an increase of 25 per cent over 2016 sales of Dh14.4 billion ($3.92 billion). Emaar Development now has a sales backlog of around Dh41 billion ($11 billion) as of December 31, 2017, highlighting the robust fundamentals of the company with more than 24,000 residential units to be delivered over the coming years. 
Underpinning the success of Emaar's business segmentation, its shopping malls, hospitality and leisure and entertainment businesses together accounted revenue of Dh6.351 billion ($1.729 billion) representing 34 per cent of the total revenue of 2017, 6 per cent higher than 2016 revenue of Dh5.976 billion ($1.627 billion).  
Revenue from Emaar's international development operations was Dh3.603 billion ($981 million) during 2017, a growth of 35 per cent over 2016 revenue of Dh2.665 billion ($726 million); global operations now account for 19 per cent of Emaar's total revenue.  
During the fourth quarter (October to December) 2017, Emaar Properties recorded a revenue of Dh5.360 billion ($1.459 billion), 21 per cent higher than Q4 2016 revenue of Dh4.437 billion ($1.208 billion). Emaar recorded a net operating profit of Dh1.357 billion ($369 million) during the same period, 5 per cent higher than the net operating profit earned during fourth quarter 2016.
Mohamed Alabbar, Chairman of Emaar Properties, said that the company's strategic growth initiatives, underlined by the Emaar Development IPO as well as the expansion of its shopping malls and hospitality business, highlight Emaar's commitment to long-term value creation for its stakeholders.  
"The growth of our businesses in 2017, across all markets, reflects the success of our focus on delivering high quality lifestyle choices. Setting benchmarks in design, build quality and the choice of amenities, our property developments are sought-after by investors while our malls business is setting retail trends by serving as retail and leisure destinations of choice. Emaar's hospitality and leisure operations have also gained further traction through geographic expansion and the creation of innovative experiences," said Alabbar.  
He added: "With our significant sales backlog and a robust development pipeline in the UAE and in high-growth international markets, we will continue to deliver on our founding objective of 'shaping the future.' In this journey, we derive our inspiration and guidance from the vision of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, UAE Vice President & Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, and remain committed to the transformational growth of our nation as a global business, leisure and investment hub."
Creating prime property assets
A driver of the company's growth, Emaar's property development business achieved new milestones in project delivery during 2017. To date, the company has handed over 45,900 residential units in Dubai and global markets since 2002, with over 34,800 units delivered in UAE alone.  
In 2017, Emaar rolled out many new residential launches in Dubai Creek Harbour, Dubai Hills Estate, Emaar South, Arabian Ranches II and Downtown Dubai, all of them reporting strong investor response. 
Continuing its track-record of on-schedule project management, Emaar has made significant progress in the construction of Dubai Creek Tower, the new global icon that will create a new skyline for the nation.
Retail and hospitality landscape
Emaar Malls, the shopping malls and retail business majority-owned by Emaar Properties, recorded 2017 revenue of Dh3.629 billion ($988 million), a growth of 12 per cent over 2016 revenue of Dh3.227 billion ($879 million). Together, the malls and retail centres of Emaar Malls welcomed 130 million visitors in 2017, 4 per cent higher than the visitor turnout of 125 million during 2016.  
The Dubai Mall, the flagship retail and leisure destination of Emaar Malls, welcomed 80 million visitors in 2017, similar to visitors it has welcomed annually since 2014. The Dubai Mall Fashion Avenue Expansion and the new Springs Village are set to open this year. In addition to the planned high-end retail district in Dubai Creek Harbour and the ongoing expansion of The Dubai Mall, Emaar announced the Dubai Hills Mall in Dubai Hills Estate. Emaar has also expanded its retail and leisure footprint in international market by opening of Emaar Square mall in Turkey in 2017.  
Emaar's hospitality & leisure, commercial leasing and entertainment businesses recorded revenue of Dh2.722 billion ($741 million) in the 2017.  
With three hotel brands - Address Hotels + Resorts, Vida Hotels and Resorts and Rove Hotels (joint venture with Meraas) - Emaar's hospitality business recorded an average occupancy of 79 per cent, higher than Dubai's industry average. Emaar Hospitality Group opened three new hotels in 2017 - Address Boulevard in Downtown Dubai, Rove Healthcare City and Rove Trade Centre - and will mark several new openings in the coming years. The Group now has a number of upcoming hotel projects in the UAE and other international markets including Saudi Arabia, Turkey, Egypt, Bahrain and The Maldives.
-waheedabbas@khaleejtimes.com