Investment Corporation of Dubai records Dhs121.1b revenues in H1

The Board of the Investment Corporation of Dubai (ICD), chaired by Sheikh Hamdan Bin Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, Chairman of The Executive Council of Dubai, Chairman of ICD, and in the presence of Sheikh Maktoum Bin Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Deputy Ruler of Dubai and Vice-Chairman of ICD, approved ICD’s consolidated financial results for the six months ended 30 June 2022.

The ICD generated record revenues of Dhs121.1 billion and record net profits of Dhs14.8 billion during H1 2022, dwarfing last year’s first-half earnings. All business segments of ICD, the principal investment arm of the Government of Dubai, contributed to this outstanding achievement.

Sheikh Hamdan Bin Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum attributed the exceptional performance to the vision and encouragement of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, to make Dubai one of the primary champions of global economic growth.

Sheikh Hamdan said: “The 61% growth in ICD’s revenues and a more than ten times increase in its profits during the first half of 2022, despite the global economic slowdown and uncertainty worldwide, reflects the resilience and robustness of Dubai’s economy and the prudence of its fiscal policies. The exceptional results are a manifestation of Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid’s vision to ensure that Dubai remains at the forefront of championing global economic recovery.”

Sheikh Hamdan added: “We are proud to record ICD’s best-ever financial performance during the first half of a year, underscoring Dubai’s position as one of the world’s most dynamic, resilient, and future-ready cities. By embracing change and innovation, Dubai offers an exceptional and exemplary model to emulate for shaping the new world economic paradigm. We will continue to foster innovation, especially in future-focused sectors, while driving efficiency and implementing confidence-boosting measures in our traditional economic pillars to set new benchmarks and enhance Dubai’s global competitiveness and status as the world’s premier business and investment hub.”

Spectacular Performance: The ICD’s first-half revenues reached a record Dhs121.1 billion, a 61% increase compared to the same period last year. The Group, mandated with the management of the Government of Dubai’s portfolio of commercial companies and investments, witnessed a significant surge in travel and tourism activities, reflected in the growth in Transportation and Other segments, while its Oil & Gas revenues received a sizeable boost on the back of substantially higher international oil prices.

The Group reported record first-half net profits of Dhs14.8 billion, up more than ten times over the same period last year, with Transportation returning to profitability in a significant turnaround, Oil & Gas improving its profits by 190%, and the Other segment increasing by 129% buoyed by record earnings from aluminium production and strong fundamentals in the real estate and hospitality sectors.

The results attributable to the equity holder were net profits of Dhs12.2 billion.

ICD’s assets resumed their growth and reached a record Dhs1.136 trillion on the back of a much higher level of activity overall. The Group’s liabilities were up marginally to Dhs887.5 billion, while borrowings and lease liabilities slightly declined. The Group’s share of equity increased by 4.8% to Dhs199.8 billion.

Mohammed Ibrahim Al Shaibani, Managing Director, Investment Corporation of Dubai, said: “ICD’s record revenues, earnings and assets for the first half of 2022 are an impressive achievement as the expansion of our businesses accelerated despite the global economic slowdown. Benefiting from favourable local and regional economic momentum, our companies redeployed operational capacity whilst maintaining a strong discipline on costs. Despite the challenging global economic outlook, ICD maintains a strong balance sheet, is confident of the growth potential of its businesses and will remain cautious and selective in how it deploys new capital whilst exploring new investment opportunities.”

Investment Corporation of Dubai (ICD) is the principal investment arm of the Government of Dubai. It was established in May 2006 by decree (11) of 2006 and mandated with the consolidation and management of the Government of Dubai’s portfolio of commercial companies and investments. ICD was also assigned the provision of strategic oversight to portfolio companies through the development and implementation of effective corporate governance policies, and sound investment strategies. ICD is focused on maximizing stakeholder value for the long-term benefit of the Emirate.

ICD’s portfolio comprises some of Dubai’s most recognised companies, and represents a cross-section of vital economic sectors that the Government of Dubai has deemed strategic for the continued development and growth of the Emirate. The sectors include financial services, transportation, energy and industry, real estate and construction, hospitality and leisure, retail, and other holdings. In addition, ICD has embarked on a disciplined and sustainable strategy of global investments, which are synergistic with its existing portfolio, to extend Dubai’s presence and expertise into international markets.