GFH Real Estate — GCC's Premier Islamic Finance-Led Property Investment Platform

| Attribute | Detail | |---|---| | Developer / Investment Group | GFH Real Estate (GFH Financial Group) | | Headquarters | Manama, Bahrain; offices in Dubai, UAE | | Parent | GFH Financial Group B.S.C. — Bahrain Bourse listed | | Business Model | Sharia-compliant real estate investment, development, and management | | Market Focus | GCC, MENA, UK, US, and global real estate | | Regulatory Status | Central Bank of Bahrain regulated; RERA/DLD approved (UAE) | | Asset Classes | Residential, commercial, industrial, logistics, hospitality | | Investment Vehicle | Sharia-compliant funds, direct investment, REITs |

GFH Real Estate — Islamic Finance Meets Global Property Investment

GFH Real Estate is the property investment and development arm of GFH Financial Group — one of the GCC's leading Islamic financial institutions listed on the Bahrain Bourse. GFH Financial Group has been a cornerstone of Islamic finance in the Gulf for over two decades, managing assets across banking, investment, and real estate with strict adherence to Sharia principles that prohibit riba (interest) and require all returns to be generated through genuine economic activity rather than speculative finance.

GFH Real Estate channels this Islamic finance expertise into a sophisticated global real estate platform that spans residential communities in the UAE and GCC, commercial office assets in key financial centres, logistics and industrial facilities serving e-commerce and supply chain demand, and hospitality assets in leisure and pilgrimage destinations. The group's real estate AUM has grown significantly as GCC sovereign wealth funds, family offices, and high-net-worth individuals increasingly seek Sharia-compliant alternatives to conventional real estate funds.

For UAE buyers and investors, GFH Real Estate represents a specific value proposition: institutional-grade real estate investment access within a fully Sharia-compliant framework — without the compromises in return quality or asset selection that inferior Sharia-compliant vehicles sometimes impose.

Business Lines

GCC Residential Development GFH Real Estate develops master-planned residential communities across the GCC — mixed-income communities with integrated retail, healthcare, education, and mosque facilities that serve the full lifecycle needs of resident families. UAE projects have included developments in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and Bahrain's emerging residential corridors.

Commercial Real Estate The group manages a commercial real estate portfolio spanning Grade A office buildings, logistics facilities, and industrial parks across the GCC and international markets. Commercial assets provide stable, long-duration income streams consistent with Sharia-compliant Ijara lease structures.

Hospitality and Leisure GFH's hospitality portfolio targets both leisure tourism destinations and pilgrimage-linked real estate — hotels and serviced apartments in Makkah and Madinah that serve the millions of annual Umrah and Hajj pilgrims, providing both exceptional Islamic duty fulfillment credentials and robust rental demand certainty.

International Real Estate (USA / UK) GFH Real Estate has extended its platform globally — US residential and commercial acquisitions, UK real estate portfolios — providing GCC investors with USD and GBP-denominated Sharia-compliant real estate exposure as currency diversification.

The Sharia-Compliant Investment Framework

All GFH Real Estate investments are structured under three primary Sharia-compliant frameworks:

Musharakah (Joint Partnership) Investor and manager contribute capital jointly; profits and losses shared according to pre-agreed ratios. No guaranteed returns — returns are generated through genuine property income and appreciation.

Ijara (Islamic Lease) Property is acquired and leased to tenants under Ijara contracts. Rent represents the genuine use value of the asset, not interest. Ijara structures are used for both tenant leases and Sharia-compliant mortgage financing for buyers.

Murabaha (Cost-Plus Sale) Used in property purchase financing — the bank purchases the asset and sells it to the buyer at an agreed mark-up, paid over time. No interest element; profit is the legitimate mark-up on a genuine trade transaction.

These structures have been approved by GFH's independent Sharia Supervisory Board, composed of globally recognised Islamic scholars, ensuring complete compliance with AAOIFI (Accounting and Auditing Organisation for Islamic Financial Institutions) standards.

UAE Real Estate Focus

GFH Real Estate's UAE activity reflects the emirate's status as the GCC's most liquid and internationally connected real estate market:

Dubai Residential Development Residential projects in Dubai's freehold zones targeting GCC national buyers — Bahraini, Saudi, Kuwaiti, Qatari, and Omani families building portfolio diversification and UAE residency through Golden Visa qualification. Unit design reflects GCC family living preferences: generous three-bedroom and four-bedroom configurations, prayer rooms, dedicated guest suites, and majlis-style living rooms.

Abu Dhabi Commercial and Logistics Abu Dhabi's expanding industrial and logistics sectors — driven by KIZAD (Khalifa Industrial Zone Abu Dhabi), e-commerce growth, and Etihad's hub expansion — provide compelling commercial real estate investment opportunities structured under Sharia-compliant Ijara lease arrangements.

Quality Standards

GFH Real Estate applies institutional investment grade standards to all development activity:

Structural: Independent structural peer review; 50-year design life; marine-grade concrete for Gulf coastal exposure Waterproofing: Crystalline additive + membrane systems; 25-year waterproofing guarantee MEP: District cooling where available; BMS energy monitoring; FTTH connectivity Interior (Residential — Standard): 800×800mm porcelain; bespoke kitchen; integrated appliances; smart entry Interior (Residential — Premium): Natural stone throughout; Italian kitchen joinery; Miele appliances; Crestron smart home; freestanding bath Sustainability: LEED Silver / Estidama Pearl 2 minimum; EV charging at 50%+ bays; solar PV

Investment Performance

| Asset Class | GFH Target Yield | GCC Market Range | |---|---|---| | UAE Residential | 6.5–9.0% | 5.5–8.0% | | GCC Commercial (Grade A) | 7.5–10.5% | 6.5–9.5% | | Logistics / Industrial | 8.0–12.0% | 7.0–11.0% | | Pilgrimage Hospitality | 8.0–14.0% | 7.0–12.0% |

Drive Times — Dubai / Abu Dhabi Context

| Destination | Drive Time | |---|---| | DIFC / Gate Village | 10–20 min from core Dubai | | Dubai International Airport | 15–30 min | | Abu Dhabi City Centre | 10–15 min from Abu Dhabi sites | | Abu Dhabi International Airport | 25–35 min | | Makkah (from Jeddah hub) | 1–2 hours by road | | Bahrain (Manama HQ) | 2 hrs by air from Dubai |

GFH Real Estate — Investor Benefits

For GCC National Investors:

• Fully Sharia-compliant structure — no riba, no prohibited activities
• UAE Golden Visa qualification for AED 2M+ property purchases
• Arabic-language investment documentation and service
• GCC-culturally aligned unit design (prayer rooms, guest suites, majlis)
• Currency options: AED (USD-pegged), USD, GBP across international portfolio

For Islamic Finance Institutions:

• AAOIFI-compliant structures suitable for Islamic bank treasury and investment portfolio allocation
• Independent Sharia Supervisory Board oversight and fatwa documentation
• Institutional governance: Bahrain Bourse-listed parent, Central Bank of Bahrain regulated

For International Investors Seeking Ethical Real Estate:

• Sharia-compliant real estate aligns with broader ESG and ethical investment mandates
• Prohibition on riba and speculation creates inherently less-leveraged, more stable portfolio structures
• Asset-backed returns only — no phantom financial instruments

FAQ — GFH Real Estate

Q: Is GFH Real Estate regulated? A: Yes — GFH Financial Group is regulated by the Central Bank of Bahrain. UAE activities are subject to RERA and DLD oversight. All real estate funds are independently audited.

Q: What is the minimum investment size? A: Direct property purchase starts from the applicable project unit pricing (typically AED 800K+). Fund participation minimum varies by vehicle — contact GFH's investor relations for current offerings.

Q: Does GFH offer Sharia-compliant mortgage financing? A: GFH coordinates with Islamic banks offering Murabaha and Ijara financing products. Partner institutions include Emirates Islamic, Abu Dhabi Islamic Bank, Al Baraka Banking Group, and Kuwait Finance House.

Q: Is GFH Real Estate active outside the GCC? A: Yes — GFH Real Estate manages a global portfolio spanning US, UK, and international real estate assets, providing currency diversification for GCC-based investors.

Q: How can I access GFH Real Estate's investment opportunities? A: Through GFH's investor relations team (Manama HQ and Dubai office), approved financial advisors, or direct property purchase from GFH's UAE development portfolio.

GFH Real Estate — where Islamic finance principles meet institutional real estate excellence. For GCC investors seeking Sharia-compliant property exposure with genuine institutional rigour, global reach, and culturally aligned service, GFH Real Estate's platform delivers returns and values that conventional property investment simply cannot match.