Page 24 - UNION PROPERTIES PR REPORT - MARCH 2025

3/13/25, 10:17 AM Dubai Investments eyes replicating its successful business model
“The story of Dubai Investments Park is unique because it did not cost the company much,” explains Kalban. “We borrowed
Dh100 million from Dubai Investments and created Dubai Investments Park, and we gave Dh85 million back in two years’
time with the remaining Dh15 million serving as paid-up capital. Today Dubai Investments Park is 100 per cent leased out.”

Dubai Investment Park’s success encouraged Dubai Investments to create its property arm, Dubai Investment Real Estate
(DIR) in 2006. As the UAE property sector grew and the rules of engagement changed, DIR ventured further out of Dubai
Investments Park and started building mixed-use developments in Mirdif Hills in Dubai and Danah Bay in Ras Al Khaimah,
its most ambitious project to date.

Although real estate makes up the lion’s share of Dubai Investments’ portfolio, the company is free to tap into the potential
that exists in any field without any restraints thanks to its mandate. “It just depends on how creative and innovative we can
be,” says Kalban. “We can be a real estate company; we can be in healthcare, education or financial investments. We can be
whatever we want to be.
“What we bring to the market is new ideas, know-how, technology and expertise. Most of what we have done has never

existed in the country and hardly existed in the region.”

Healthy growth and returns
This creativity and innovation, combined with a diversified portfolio built through a scientific approach to investment, have

ensured that Dubai Investments remains profitable.
“Since Dubai Investments was established, we went through three or four crises. But we sailed very smoothly compared to
others,” says Kalban. “We never failed in our duty; the company never made a loss, and we kept paying dividend, even during
the financial crisis of 2008-09 and beyond.”

With a successful strategy driving growth and returns for investors, Kalban sees no need for change. “There are challenges,
but the company was able to absorb the challenges and move forward,” he says.
If anything, he’s eager to replicate the successes he’s overseen at Dubai Investments.
“Government heads and companies come and see what we have done and they want to replicate not only Dubai Investments
Park but also something similar to Dubai Investments in their home ground, countries, or different emirates because they think

it will create opportunities,” he explains. “This is something that we have been engaged with in the past six months.”
As Kalban casts his eye over Dubai Investments’ 30-year journey, he’s confident that the company will rack up the
achievements of the past three decades within the next 10 years. “We have learnt from the past. If we have made a mistake

along the way, that's now knowledge. With that knowledge, we will transform the company, by creating new companies,
expanding the existing companies and concepts, or going to the financial market to list some of the companies.”
In fact, consultants have already evaluated Dubai Investments’ 36 companies and pegged their worth at Dh20 billion. “This
Dh20 billion will become Dh35 billion in five years’ time because I can see the pipeline, and I see where we have been
successful,” says Kalban.

With five companies ready to go public, Kalban is bidding his time, as the value of the companies keeps climbing up.
Meanwhile, Dubai Investments shareholders remain happy and content. From 22,000 in 1995, the number has come down to
16,000 today, with people consolidating their shares over the years. “Most of them, if not all, have stayed with us because they
like what we do,” says Kalban. “They say: ‘We gave you around Dh2 billion. You gave us back Dh11 billion over the past 15

years; that’s more than 10 per cent return year-on-year. And we still have the value of the shares with us. So why would we
sell?’
“When somebody comes and tells you that, you feel proud of what you have done, and you are proud of your people who
have helped you create that. Thirty years ago, this company wasn’t there; today it’s a successful company, with strong

https://gulfnews.com/business/dubai-investments-eyes-replicating-its-successful-business-model-1.500058296 3/4