Amanat Holdings, a leading healthcare and education investment company in the GCC, has acquired a majority stake of 69.3 per cent in the Royal Hospital for Women in Bahrain for Dh141.7 million ($38.5 million).

The acquisition is in line with Amanat’s investment criteria to acquire high quality assets where it can generate long-term sustainable value, a company statement said.

It takes Amanat’s total investments in leading assets to Dh2 billion, composed of three education assets, three healthcare assets and one social infrastructure asset representing 46 per cent, 35 per cent and 19 per cent of its total invested capital respectively.

The Royal Hospital for Women will be a medical centre of excellence specializing in the needs of women and children with a wide range of clinical services, including obstetrics, assisted conception, pre-natal and post-natal care and gynaecology. The Royal Hospital for Women will also include an emergency monitoring unit and the only Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (“NICU”) among Bahrain’s private hospitals.

Hamad Abdulla Alshamsi, chairman of Amanat, said: “We are excited about this acquisition and its growth potential, underpinned by the favourable macroeconomic environment, the improved healthcare coverage in the Kingdom of Bahrain, the increase of private healthcare coverage and the unique and specialized service offering of the Royal Hospital for Women.

This marks our seventh investment in total and our third healthcare investment since the establishment of Amanat. It reinforces our commitment to the region and our strategy to acquire majority or significant minority stakes in an aim to play a more active and collaborative role in our portfolio companies. We have aligned ourselves with very strong strategic partners and look forward to working together to drive growth and create a legacy with the hospital.”

Dr Shamsheer Vayalil, vice chairman and managing director of Amanat, said: “The acquisition of a majority stake in the Royal Hospital for Women in Bahrain marks another significant milestone for Amanat in the successful deployment of its paid-up capital.”

“Following its launch, the Royal Hospital for Women in Bahrain is poised to operate as a world-class hospital with a vision to provide an exceptional patient experience and superior clinical care for women and children.

“We look forward to supporting the hospital in its delivery of trusted and valued care to patients and believe that given our expertise we are in a strong position to lead a wealth of initiatives and play an active role in driving the success of this story along with the other strategic partners. This investment opportunity is expected to deliver superior returns and grow rapidly, particularly in its earlier years of operations,” he added.

Building on the firm’s strengths, Amanat is focused on investment opportunities in the healthcare and education sectors in the GCC and beyond. Amanat’s strategy is to play an active role through acquiring significant minority or majority stakes in market leaders with the aim of delivering greater value for its shareholders and portfolio companies alike.

With the completion of this investment, Amanat’s total deployment has reached 79 per cent of its Dh2.5 billion paid-up capital in leading businesses.

Amanat’s other investments include Middlesex University Dubai, Abu Dhabi University Holding Company, Taaleem Holdings, North London Collegiate School, International Medical Company (IMC) and Sukoon International Holding CJSC. – TradeArabia News Service