Kuwait Financial Centre (Markaz) has announced that the Al Nada Tower, a key residential building owned by its real estate fund, has achieved LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Gold certification - a widely used global rating system for green buildings, focusing on improving operational performance and reducing environmental impact.

The Markaz Real Estate Fund (MREF) received the key certification  in the first quarter under the LEED v4.1 Operations and Maintenance: Existing Buildings rating system, making it the first residential tower in Kuwait to receive the certification, the company said in a statement.

LEED is a widely used global rating system for green buildings, focusing on improving operational performance and reducing environmental impact.

Markaz pointed out that the certification forms part of its broader strategy to strengthen sustainability and operational frameworks across its real estate portfolio, in line with international standards.

The certification follows an independent assessment process evaluating operational performance, resource efficiency, indoor environmental quality and maintenance practices.

Al Nada Tower is owned by Markaz Real Estate Fund (MREF), a shariah-compliant, income-generating open-ended fund. Since its inception in 2002 through December 2025, the fund has delivered an internal rate of return of 7.7%, targeting monthly distributions equivalent to an annualised return of 4 to 5%, it stated.

According to Markaz, the key certification reflects its approach to integrating sustainability into asset management and operational practices, with a focus on enhancing efficiency, reducing costs and supporting long-term asset value.

"Al Nada Tower’s LEED Gold certification represents tangible evidence of how sustainability is embedded within our long-term investment strategy," remarked Abdullatif W. Al-Nusif, the Managing Director - Wealth Management and Business Development - at Markaz.

"This achievement reflects Markaz’s disciplined approach to asset management, supported by measurable operational efficiency, stronger asset resilience, lower operating costs, and the delivery of sustainable environmental and financial value," he stated.

"It also reinforces the tower’s position in the residential market and sets a benchmark that can serve as a foundation for developing the rest of our portfolio in line with global best practices," he added.

Milad A. Elia, the Executive Vice President for real estate investment in the Middle East and North Africa, said the certification strengthens the firm’s position as a responsible real estate investor and supports portfolio resilience and investor confidence.

"This achievement also contributes to enhancing the quality and resilience of the real estate portfolio, reinforcing investor confidence, and improving the residential environment through greater operational efficiency and higher living standards aligned with internationally recognized benchmarks," he added.-TradeArabia News Service