Gulf Finance House

    Gulf Finance House (GFH) is in an exciting situation realizing on its five year strategic plan, building on the strong foundations of the last seven years and leveraging on its eminent position as the leading Islamic investment bank in the region. GFH recently became the first Islamic investment bank in the Middle East to be listed on the London Stock Exchange. The GDR listing is yet another step in GFH’s continuous drive to tap into new markets, provide greater and viable investment opportunities for growth and is a testament to GFH’s record performance over the years, as well as recognition of the growing importance of Islamic finance on global financial markets.

    Established on 16 October 1999 in the Kingdom of Bahrain, GFH derives its strength from its commitment to the Islamic Sharia’a philosophy of wealth management and a well-defined and broad-based portfolio of investments spread across three continents: Asia, Africa and Europe.

    With a paid up capital of US$ 212 million and an authorized capital of US$ 300 million, GFH has positioned itself at the cutting edge of the rapidly expanding international Islamic banking industry.

    During its seven years of operations, GFH has successfully launched projects and investments with an aggregate final value exceeding US$12 billion. This is indeed a significant feat in a short period of time that was made possible by the participation of a broad base of investors from across the GCC. GFH was one of the first GCC banks to focus on private equity investments in companies based in the GCC and other MENA countries. These companies included a pioneering aluminium extrusion company in the GCC, a company specialising in Islamic finance, and a fund created to invest in GCC and MENA technology companies.

    GFH also introduced innovative Sharia’a-compliant structures such as “Investment Notes”, “Financing Notes” and “Participating Rights” that have since found wide acceptance in the market and which have enabled GFH to consolidate its pioneering position among other Islamic and conventional banks. In addition, GFH launched several innovative economic development infrastructure projects that include Bahrain Financial Harbour and Al Areen Development in the Kingdom of Bahrain, Legends in Dubailand (UAE), Royal Metropolis in the Kingdom of Jordan, Energy City Qatar in Doha, Qatar. Recent projects include Gateway to Morocco in the Kingdom of Morocco and Energy City India in Mumbai, India.

    GFH is dedicated to providing its clients with carefully selected investment opportunities that balance risk with robust reward. Since its inception, GFH has provided Islamic investment banking services with an emphasis on regional development, capitalizing on an increasing willingness amongst Islamic investors to back local and regional opportunities. This has resulted in various investments around the region, taking advantage of the many reforms initiated by GCC governments to diversify and liberalise their economies.

    GFH’s achievements and proven track record of the past years have found recognition in a host of local and international awards culminating in “Best Investment Bank" for three years in a row in 2005, 2006 and 2007, awarded by Banker Middle East, “Deals of the Year Award 2007” by The Banker, the “Lipper Fund Award 2007” for GFH's Al Basha'er GCC Equity Fund and “Best Islamic Real Estate Finance House 2005” awarded by Euromoney. GFH has also received the ‘World Islamic Funds Excellence Award 2005” by The World Islamic Funds and “The Outstanding Islamic Financial Institution Award 2005” by the Institute of Islamic Finance Inc. The Chairman of the Bank, Dr. Fuad Al-Omar and the Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Esam Janahi, have both been awarded “Islamic Banker of the Year”.

    GFH has evolved into a bank capable of sustained innovative performance to the highest levels, built on a solidly profitable value preposition and strategically sound platform on which it aims to continue its phenomenal growth and contribution for years to come.

Web site : www.gfhouse.com