A relatively new vehicle in the Middle East, real estate investment trusts are performing well and continuing to expand.

1. REITs Continue to Gain
Traction throughout
the Middle East
Dr. Ehsan Bayat

2. REITs Continue to Gain Traction
throughout the Middle East
 While real estate investment trusts (REITs) have served as popular investment
vehicles in the United States and Europe for more than a decade, they have taken
longer to come to the Middle East. One of the reasons that REITs have not received
the same interest in these countries is that the tax efficiency they provide means
much less, because taxes throughout the Middle East have historically been fairly
low. However, this state of affairs is changing quickly as countries face falling oil
prices and seek to diversify their income. These changes have been accompanied
by the creation of multiple REITs in the region.
 Countries throughout the Middle East have the strong regulatory framework
necessary for REITs, including Qatar, Bahrain, the United Arab Emirates, and Saudi
Arabia. In addition, plans have already been made in Oman to create a framework
that supports REITs. In Dubai, investors can choose between Emirates NBD REIT
(ENBD REIT) and Emirates REIT, which are listed on NASDAQ Dubai. Abu Dhabi has
two private entities, The Residential REIT and The Logistics REIT, which are both
registered with the Abu Dhabi Global Market. Saudi Arabia has also recently
become involved with the REIT market as a means of diversifying income for the
country.

3. Why REITs Appeal to Middle Eastern
Investors
 The tax benefits of REITs are becoming more relevant for Middle Eastern investors as property taxes
in several countries increase, but several other traits of REITs are also considered attractive. One of
the major benefits is liquidity. Since REITs function much like investments in the stock market, they
let investors take advantage of growing real estate markets while keeping their investments much
more liquid than with direct purchases of property. The other major benefit that REITs provide
Middle Eastern investors is flexibility and diversification. With an REIT, individuals can invest across
several different asset classes at once instead of developing their own portfolio of assets.
 So far in the Middle East, there are no restrictions on the assets classes in which REITs can invest, so
there are REITs that target very specific markets, such as student housing, warehousing, and
industrial space. Virtually any space that generates an income can be included in an REIT. Investors
can choose to invest in an REIT that focuses on one asset class, such as The Residential REIT, or one
that spreads investments across several different classes, such as ENBD REIT. As time goes on, new
REITs with assets in the hotel sector, the retail sector, and other parts of the real estate market will
likely be established.
 Some REITs are taking a very creative approach to portfolio development. For example, ENBD REIT
has been involved with a project to construct the South View School in the Remraam community of
Dubai. The school will accommodate as many as 1,800 students, from the FS1 level through 12th
grade. According to a recent announcement from project leaders, the school is on track to open its
doors before the start of the 2018-2019 academic year.

4. Shariah Compliance for Middle Eastern
REITs
 Another feature of REITs that could attract investors from the Middle East is the fact that REITs can be
adjusted to comply with Shariah law. Real estate is a very popular asset in Islamic finance, making this an
important feature. The first Shariah-compliant REITs began operating in Malaysia in 2006. Since then, others
have launched in Malaysia and Singapore, and now the Middle East.
 Currently, both of the REITs listed on NASDAQ Dubai are Shariah-compliant, but the number of options will
likely increase as demand for liquid, Shariah-compliant instruments grows. Notably, Emirates REIT recently
announced that it will likely begin issuing sukuk certificates, or Islamic bonds, in the coming year due to a
dramatic jump in the trust’s third-quarter net income. Profits in this quarter increased by more than 175
percent to USD $31.6 million, largely due to growth in rental income in Dubai.
 Earlier this year, Abu Dhabi Financial Group announced plans for the flotation of a Dh 3 billion Shariah-
compliant REIT, which the organization expected to execute before the end of the year. However, the
organization recently announced that it would postpone the launch to the first half of 2018 due to
regulatory issues. The so-called Etihad REIT was set up using a seed portfolio consisting of 10 properties
across the UAE. The portfolio was developed in collaboration with Eshraq Properties, a major developer in
Abu Dhabi.
 The Etihad REIT delay stems from listing issues. The trust would become the first REIT based in the Abu
Dhabi Global Market financial free zone to be listed in the UAE. The regulatory processes involved with this
listing are taking longer than initially expected. Representatives from the Abu Dhabi Financial Group
reported that the REIT already contains $700 million of income-producing assets and will see dividends by
the end of the year, despite not being listed.