Bahrain-based Islamic investment bank the Gulf Finance House (GFH), today held its annual general meeting at the Bahrain Financial Harbour’s East Tower, under the leadership of its vice chairman Dr Ahmed Al-Mutawa.

At the AGM, shareholders approved the minutes of the meeting held in March 2012. They discussed and endorsed the annual financial statements and passed a resolution to discharge the members of the board from all liability for the financial year ended December 31, 2012.  The board also agreed to transfer $1 million from the bank’s net profit of 2012 to the statutory reserve.

During the meeting the board approved the corporate governance report and the board of directors’ report which included performance highlights, business reviews, and operational reviews for the financial year ended December 31, 2012.

In addition, the shareholders approved the remaining agenda which included: the re-appointment of the Sharia’a supervisory board; the re-appointment of KPMG as external auditors, and their remuneration; and has also elected four new members to complete the total required number of eight board members. The newly elected members include Dr Khalid Al Khazraji, Bashar Mohammed AlMutawa, Shaikh Mohammed Daij Al Khalifa, and Mohammed Ali Talib.  

“Despite a slow economic recovery throughout the region and wider world, GFH has maintained its growth momentum and remained profitable,” Al-Mutawa said. “In 2012, the bank posted a net profit of $10.03 million which was the result of strong shareholder support, investor loyalty and a dedicated management team committed to seeing through the significant restructuring of debts and income from profitable investments.”

During the year, GFH successfully restructured $45 million remaining debt on the syndicated Wakala facility. In addition, it is in the process of finalising the restructuring of WestLB Murabaha Facility for which the approvals of 32 syndicates have already been obtained and currently under documentation.

Furthermore, the bank has also obtained approval from its sukuk holders to restructure its outstanding debt amounting to $105 million, the statement said. All debts are expected to mature in 2018 and provide a two-year grace period for the principal repayment amount.  

“GFH’s resilience through the tough economic landscape of recent years, and the positive outcome generated for shareholders in 2012, a net profit of $ 10.03 million is a testament to the importance of strong restructuring initiatives undertaken by the bank. With its ambitious growth plans, good governance and efficient management systems in place, I am positive that the bank will underpin our strategy and growth agenda to further strengthen our balance sheet,” Al-Mutawa said.

“Looking forward I am confident that the bank will continue to build on the success of 2012, by growing our revenues, maximising efficiencies and delivering unique investment opportunities that serve as a testimony to GFH’s dedication in creating value for our shareholders and investors.”

Last year, the bank won the ‘Best Islamic Investment Bank in Bahrain in 2012’, at the prestigious CFI.co Awards. – TradeArabia News Service