Saturday, 20 December 2014

ADIB refinances Baniyas Investment & Development Co. for AED1 billion

Abu Dhabi Islamic Bank (ADIB), an Islamic financial services group, has finalised a AED1 billion finance facility to Baniyas Investment & Development Company (BIDC), the investment arm of Bani Yas Sports Club. 

The transaction is to refinance BIDC’s existing conventional financing that was secured against the construction of Bawabat Al Sharq Mall, as well as part of the residential apartments and villas that were constructed in Phase 1 of BIDC’s Bawabat Al Sharq Development in Abu Dhabi.

The agreement was signed at ADIB’s Headquarters by Arif Usmani, Global Head of Wholesale Banking at ADIB; and, Subhi Benkhadra, CEO of BIDC.
“This facility demonstrates ADIB’s growing ability to finance large scale projects which play a major role in the economic development of the UAE. The deal is one of many we have closed this year that are directly related to the expansion and development of Abu Dhabi. We expect this part of our business to continue to grow significantly,” said Usmani. "ADIB’s track record of financing local and regional corporates is helping us to extend our reach both in the UAE and beyond.”

Subhi Benkhadra, CEO of BIDC, said: “We are very pleased to partner with ADIB, whose innovative structuring and execution expertise has facilitated the special financing needs of BIDC. Their efforts proved that ADIB is the ideal partner for us and we look forward to building on our relationship with them to support BIDC in the future.”

Founded in 2005, Baniyas Investment & Development Company (BID), a majority owned subsidiary of the Baniyas Sports Club, has been an active contributor to the dynamic transformation of Abu Dhabi, moving forward without forgetting the emirate’s rich culture and heritage. As the investment and development arm of the Baniyas Sports Club, the company’s core competencies are in investment, development and management of real estate projects.

Bawabat Al Sharq is a mixed-use community development which represents the first of several pioneering projects by Baniyas Investment and Development Company.