Shaikh Holdings plans to invest $1.2 billion over the next five years in premier golf and waterfront communities in the UAE.

The first of these landmark developments is a 96 villa community on the Earth golf course in Jumeirah Golf Estates in Dubai. These fully landscaped luxury villas, set amidst lush golf vistas and stunning waterfalls and lakes, will provide a unique resort-lifestyle to its residents. The villas go on sale next month.

Shaikh Holdings is an international real-estate investment and development company.

Shaikh Holdings is a family enterprise with an entrepreneurial heritage in the Middle East, dating back to 1913 in Bahrain. Over the years, the Shaikh family has diversified its interests from its core trading businesses to other areas of activity, said an official spokesman.

Expansion into real estate investments and development has driven Shaikh Holdings to look at both regional and international real estate markets.

The company which holds a significant portfolio of residential, commercial and hospitality real estate, has been a leading institutional investor in the Dubai real estate market since 2002.

Shaikh Holdings' primary Dubai investments have been in such developments as the Palm islands, Emirates Hills, Business Bay, Dubai Waterfront and Jumeirah Golf Estates.

'Since 2002 we have been making substantial investments in projects of each of Dubai's government developers. We strongly believe in His Highness Sheikh Mohammed's vision for Dubai and are proud to be part of building this dream into a reality,' said chairman of Shaikh Holdings Kaiser Shaikh.

Today, Shaikh Holdings' real estate activities in Dubai are primarily focused in three major areas: real estate development, real estate investments and real estate marketing.

'Apart from promoting Dubai as a highly attractive investment destination, we have also played a significant role in communicating the spirit and idea of Dubai and its real estate developments to audiences worldwide,' said CEO of Shaikh Holdings Imran Shaikh.Trade Arabia News Service