Umm Alqura Company for Development and Construction (UAQ) and Alinma Investment Company announced the successful completion of the launch of the Makkah Real Estate Development Funds with an investment value exceeding SR17 billion. The funds are invested in seven hotel towers and two commercial complexes that will be developed within the King Abdul Aziz Road (KAAR) project in Makkah, which is the most significant developmental and urban development project in the Makkah region. The project includes multiple and varied options including housing and shopping, and provides easy mobility and means of transportation between the project facilities and the central area of the Holy Mosque. YasserAbuateek, CEO of UAQ, expressed his pride in launching the Alinma Makkah Development Funds, saying: "This strategic agreement is the first of several diverse investment activities designed to attract leading investment institutions. It confirms the appeal of investing in KAAR, an attractive destination for long-term investments, as well as the trust of the investment and financing community." He further said "this partnership also sheds light on the strength of Alinma Investment and its success in managing real estate funds, which makes it the ideal partner for implementing the project's development and urban plan. The project aspires to become one of the modern landmarks in Makkah." Abuateek said: "By successfully attracting investments valued at SR17 billion, we will make progress in line with the execution plan for several diverse projects, especially since we have already reached several major milestones, including completion of the pouring and construction of all the concrete blocks for the Makkah Metro tunnels, while In addition we have completed nearly 50percent of the bridges. Currently, we are working on completing all the unprecedented infrastructure projects that followed the demolition phase, which represent a transformation in the investment, development and preparation of the project's lands, making it more attractive for development and creating new choices that help upgrade the quality of life for Makkah visitors and residents." The Acting CEO of Alinma Investment Mazin bin Fawaz Baghdadi praised the agreement, saying: "We are very happy with the success of the Alinma Real Estate Development Funds together with our partner UAQ. This investment, with the large sum of capital, will play a major role in fulfilling the objectives of the finance sector, while our partnership will contribute to increasing the capacity to accommodate pilgrims and visitors through implementing urban developmental projects in the Makkah Region." Baghdadi further said "the Funds' investment objective is to achieve long-term capital growth through the development of the superstructure in various parts of the King Abdulaziz Road project in Makkah, which are: five-star international hotels (Taj Hotel and Kempinski Hotel), four-star hotels (Hilton Embassy), three-star hotels (Hilton Garden Inn), apartments (Kempinski Residence), and two malls." — SG
