NCB Capital, Saudi Arabia's largest asset manager, has joined hands with Jeddah-based Sedco Development to launch a residential development fund offering opportunity for capital growth by investing in developing residential units.

The AlAhli Sedco Residential Development Fund, a public close-end Shariah-compliant investment opportunity, provides investors with capital growth by purchasing land plots in Jeddah for development, construction and sale of residential apartments targeting the middle income segment of the population.

Minimum subscription is SR50,000 ($13,325) and the fund aims to have an internal rate of return of 10 per cent per year.

Tariq Linjawi, acting CEO and head of Wealth Management at NCB Capital, said: “Combining NCB Capital’s success in launching and managing real estate funds with Sedco Development’s expertise as one of the most successful real estate developers in the region, the new Fund has been created to address the shortage of reasonably affordable residential accommodation for middle and upper income home buyers.”

“With Jeddah’s continuing rise in population and the declining size of family households, the overall supply of housing units in Jeddah is becoming increasingly inadequate compared to the steeply rising demand. Jeddah’s residential market-wide gap is estimated to be 21,000 units per year.

“Residential projects in the pipeline are not keeping up and through our partnership with Sedco Development we have the opportunity to realize the investment potential of the market shortage,” he added.

Sedco Development has been appointed as the developer of the AlAhli Sedco Residential Development Fund, responsible for managing and conducting the development.

Khalid Jamjoom, CEO of Sedco Development said: “The merging of two major players in the local market provides investors a unique opportunity to participate in a quality product that meets the strong demand for this type of residential property in Jeddah.”

Real estate financing is expected to increase by 60 per cent during 2014-2019 to SR210 billion and the introduction of the mortgage law is expected to further drive demand since, with banks set to offer mortgage finance schemes to home buyers, many young Saudis should be encouraged to shift from renting to home ownership.

“At NCB Capital we are determined to enhance our relationships with clients and provide them with innovative products and suitable investment solutions backed by our extensive knowledge and experience to manage and grow their wealth. We are focused on providing clients with the best investment portfolios designed to cater to their individual needs and investment objectives,” Linjawi concluded. – TradeArabia News Service