Dubai Investments (DI), the largest investment company listed on the Dubai Financial Market (DFM), has raised the foreign ownership limit in the company from 20 per cent to 35 per cent.

A proposal to this effect was approved at the 18th Annual General Meeting and Extraordinary General Meeting at Dubai Investments House on Wednesday.

The company also approved a proposal to distribute 7pc cash dividend and 7pc bonus shares for the year ending December 31, 2013.

The AGM also re-elected the same Board of Directors for a term of three years. The board includes Sohail Faris Ghanim Al Mazrui, Hussain Mahyoob Sultan Al Junaidy, Khalid Jassim Bin Kalban, Ali Fardan Ali Al Fardan and Mohamed Saif Darwish Al Ketbi.

In his keynote address at the AGM, Al Mazrui spoke about the strong growth achieved by DI in 2013, and the promising outlook for 2014. “Dubai Investments has registered fast-paced growth over the years with a strategic focus across three industry sectors – property, manufacturing & contracting, and investments, and aims to add value to its diversified portfolio through prudent use of capital and sound management skills,” Al Mazrui said.

Around 67pc of DI’s total asset base is in the property sector which positions DI as a major real estate player in the UAE. DI plans to develop its land bank of nearly 25 million sq ft of Gross Floor Area, owned by its subsidiaries Dubai Investments Park Development Co, Dubai Investments Real Estate Company Al Taif Investments and Properties Investments, a joint venture company.

DI’s manufacturing businesses have also witnessed a strong growth thrust across a wide array of manufacturing and processing industries. DI’s investment portfolio of Dh1.06 billion, comprising investment in trading shares, bonds, structured products and other minority investments, have also realized gains over the years, it said.

During 2013, DI’s net revenue was Dh2.8 billion as against Dh2.3 billion (restated) in 2012, an increase of 22pc. Net profit attributable to shareholders was Dh822 million compared to Dh321 million in 2012, an increase of 156pc. Total assets of the group as on December 31, 2013 stood at Dh12.62 billion compared to Dh12.36 billion (restated) at December 31, 2012.

Presenting the future prospects, Al Mazrui said: “The outlook for 2014 is very positive with economic indicators pointing to growth across all sectors, led by an upswing in the real estate sector – particularly in companies engaged in the manufacturing of construction materials, which remains one of our key focus areas at Dubai Investments. We have a strong thrust in developing our real estate portfolio during the year. We are also actively working on certain divestments as well as new acquisitions, which are expected to contribute significant returns to the shareholders.” - TradeArabia News Service