Gulf Capital, one of the largest and most active alternative investment firms in the Middle East, was named the “Best Investment Company of the Year” at the prestigious Arabian Business Achievement Awards 2012. The Firm received the honour at the gala event organised by Arabian Business Magazine to recognise the very best in Arab business achievements, both on a corporate and individual level. The awards extravaganza witnessed an attendance of eminent business leaders and dignitaries from the UAE, the Gulf and from all over the world, with winners including visionary leader, Dr Charles Elachi, executive director of Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Consolidated Contractors Company (CCC), Emirates Airlines, RAK Bank, Helal Al Marri of Dubai World Trade Centre, amongst others.
The “Investment Company of the Year” Award was presented to Dr Karim El Solh, CEO of Gulf Capital at the ceremony held in Dubai. Receiving the Award, Dr Karim El Solh said: “We are extremely proud to be recognised as the best investment company in the region. This award reflects our achievements and increasing activities in the private equity, credit and mezzanine and real estate arenas.”
The Awards had close to 900 nominations this year, and 15 winners were chosen from a shortlist of 300 entries by an independent panel of judges.
2012 has been a big year for Gulf Capital. The Firm’s status as one the most active investment firms and now the “Best Investment Company” in the region comes on the back of a successful year that witnessed three major acquisitions in the Firm’s private equity division in the Power, Healthcare and Services sectors in the UAE and Jordan. Gulf Capital has also launched a ground-breaking US$ 300 million credit and mezzanine fund which already financed two large transactions in Turkey and the UAE. The Firm’s real estate development arm, Gulf Related- launched in partnership with the Related Companies from the US, also announced this year a 1 billion Saudi Riyal residential development in Riyadh, as well as the development of the first luxury signature retail and F&B destination on Al Maryah Island in Abu Dhabi in partnership with Mubadala.
Dr Karim El Solh concluded: “Gulf Capital has emerged today as the premier regional alternative asset management firm with activities across the alternative asset classes, including private equity, credit and mezzanine and real estate.”
The Arabian Business Achievement Awards is the premier event in the Middle East business calendar where Arab business achievements, both on a corporate and individual level are recognized and awarded. The Arabian Business Achievement Awards have been hosted in Kuwait, Jordan, Saudi Arabia and the UAE.