
SAB Invest exits real estate fund for SAR 268 million with 35% ROI, Mohammed Al Habib Real Estate launches Azure's Lamara complex
SAB Invest has successfully divested a fund in its real estate portfolio that includes Azure's Lamara residential complex for SAR 268 million.
In a statement, the company clarified that the asset was acquired in collaboration with Mohammed Al Habib Real Estate Company. This marks the first exit from its real estate portfolio since launching its strategy in 2022, with the portfolio now valued at over SAR 3 billion.
Ali Almansour, Managing Director & CEO at SAB Invest, said: 'This milestone is the culmination of a successful strategic partnership between the two parties, with Mohammed Al Habib Real Estate Company taking full responsibility for the project development and execution. The collaboration resulted in a return on investment (ROI) exceeding 35% in less than two years for the fund's investors — a testament for the efficient management and execution quality.'
Abdullah Al Habib, CEO of Mohammed Al Habib Real Estate Company, commented:
'Our success in the Lamara project is a practical testament to the efficiency of our business model, which is rooted in high-quality execution, strict adherence to timelines, and delivering attractive returns for investors.'
The Lamara project spans a total area of 30,000 square meters and includes 319 residential units - townhouses to apartments. The project was completed and sold in less than two years, ahead of the planned schedule, according to the company's statement.
Osama Alowedi, Chief Investment Officer at SAB Invest, highlighted that since the launch of the local real estate program, the company has invested in several prime real estate assets across Saudi Arabia, with a total asset value surpassing SAR 3 billion.
Waleed Bakarman, Head of Real Estate Investments at SAB Invest, added that the company's real estate portfolio comprises properties with a total leasable area nearing 1,000,000 square meters. This includes approximately 850,000 square meters of mixed-use and residential properties featuring more than 1,500 residential units, along with commercial and logistics assets.
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Arab News
31 minutes ago
- Arab News
PIF's AviLease to acquire up to 77 Airbus jets in expansion drive
RIYADH: Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund-owned AviLease has signed a deal to purchase up to 77 Airbus aircraft, further expanding its next-generation, fuel-efficient fleet to meet rising global demand across passenger and cargo operations. The agreement, announced at the Paris Air Show, includes 55 A320neo Family aircraft and 22 A350F freighters, with deliveries scheduled through 2033, according to a press release. This marks AviLease's first direct order with Airbus. The move aligns with the goals of the Saudi Aviation Strategy, which targets a rise in annual passenger capacity to 330 million and cargo throughput to 4.5 million tonnes by 2030, while enhancing the Kingdom's status as a regional aviation hub. 'This dual order reinforces AviLease's credentials as a leading lessor, and it demonstrates the broad appeal of our products among lessors and their airline customers,' said Benoit de Saint-Exupéry, executive vice president of sales for Airbus Commercial Aircraft. Edward O'Byrne, CEO of AviLease, said: 'We are proud to establish an Airbus order book, strengthening our position as a full-service, investment grade global lessor. The addition of these latest generation aircraft enhances our ability to offer modern, fuel-efficient fleet solutions to our airline partners in Saudi Arabia and around the world.' The A350F freighters were selected following consultations with local stakeholders and will support Saudi Arabia's expanding air cargo requirements. O'Byrne noted that AviLease has secured delivery slots in line with the Kingdom's Vision 2030 goals. 'We thank our local partners and Airbus for the strong long-term partnership we have established and look forward to placing these aircraft across our valued customer base,' he said. The A350F, according to Airbus, offers at least 20 percent lower fuel consumption, improved loading capabilities, and extended range. The new order follows AviLease's purchase of 30 Boeing 737 MAX aircraft in May—its first direct deal with a manufacturer—bringing its total new aircraft orders within two months to 107. 'In less than two months, AviLease has signed two major deals, reflecting its long-term ambition to become a top 10 global player in aircraft leasing and to strengthen its position as a national champion,' said Fahad Al-Saif, chairman of AviLease. As of March 31, AviLease had a portfolio of 200 aircraft leased to 48 airlines around the world. In April, the firm secured a $1.5 billion unsecured revolving credit facility to support its global expansion. The three-year facility attracted commitments from 20 international banks, including eight new lenders from Europe, Asia, and North America. The company holds investment-grade ratings of Baa2 (stable) from Moody's Ratings and BBB (stable) from Fitch Ratings.

Al Arabiya
an hour ago
- Al Arabiya
Riyadh Air buys 25 Airbus A250-1000 jets at Paris Airshow
Saudi startup Riyadh Air signed a deal at the Paris Airshow on Monday to buy 25 Airbus A350-1000 jets, the plane-maker said. The deal, announced shortly after Saudi leasing company AviLease placed an order for Airbus passenger and freighter jets, also includes purchase rights for another 25 planes, Airbus said. Airbus does not publish catalogue prices but the firm part of the Riyadh Air deal is worth around $4.6 billion after typical airline discounts, according to Cirium Ascend estimates.


Arab News
an hour ago
- Arab News
PIF earns perfect score on Global SWF Index
RIYADH: Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund earned a perfect score in the 2025 Global SWF Index, ranking it among just nine sovereign wealth funds worldwide for top governance, sustainability, and resilience. The report from the sovereign investor benchmarking firm evaluates 200 of the world's largest state-owned investment institutions across 25 indicators. PIF's flawless score this year marks a major milestone in its institutional development, following steady progress from 92 percent in 2023 to 96 percent in 2024. In contrast, the Saudi fund scored just 28 percent in 2020, according to Global SWF data. In 2025, only nine sovereign investors globally achieved a full 100 percent score. Of those, three were based in the Europe–Middle East–Africa region: PIF, Ireland's National Treasury Management Agency, and Nigeria's Sovereign Investment Authority. The Saudi fund led the group within EMEA and was the only Middle Eastern institution to reach a perfect score. The 2024 report described PIF as 'continuing to lead the charge,' highlighting that the fund voluntarily publishes an allocation and impact report as well as a self-assessment aligned with the Santiago Principles — despite not being a member of the International Forum of Sovereign Wealth Funds. PIF's sustainability strategy operates within the Kingdom's broader drive for spending efficiency, a theme highlighted in a March analysis by PwC and Consultancy ME. The report noted that public funds, anchored by institutions like PIF, are now being redirected toward high-impact sectors such as healthcare, tourism, and logistics, as well as artificial intelligence, combining fiscal prudence with strategic vision. Moreover, a Strategy& whitepaper outlined how the nation is investing heavily in its energy transition — targeting approximately $235 billion toward renewables by 2030 and embedding efficiency mandates for state utilities — to support its net-zero ambitions and long-term economic resilience. This alignment of sustainable investment and cost discipline reinforces PIF's role in delivering value-driven transformation in line with Vision 2030. The fund's elevation to the top tier was driven by enhanced climate-risk disclosures, the launch of a dedicated sustainability report, strengthened board oversight, and the implementation of comprehensive business continuity frameworks. These changes helped it secure full marks in all 25 areas of the GSR Scoreboard — 10 for governance, 10 for sustainability, and 5 for resilience. With over $925 billion in assets under management, PIF is a cornerstone of Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030, investing across strategic sectors, including tourism and logistics, as well as AI and renewable energy. Its strong transparency credentials and environmental, social and governance alignment have helped it build trust with global partners and signal its readiness for large-scale cross-border investment. According to the 2024 PIF Effect report, the fund's strategic projects, ranging from green bond issuances to renewable energy infrastructure, have generated a significant impact throughout Saudi Arabia and the world, enhancing local job creation, technology transfer, and environmental outcomes. A February analysis by Consultancy ME underscored how the Kingdom's broader focus on 'spending efficiency is driving growth and building resilience,' with PIF playing a central role by prioritizing cost-effective, high-impact initiatives aligned with Vision 2030 objectives. The full 2025 GSR report will be released on July 1.