MANAMA: Dividend Gate Capital (DGC), a Bahrain-based private equity firm, plans to list all its portfolio firms on Bahrain Investment Market (BIM).
The company founders – chief executive Khaled Al Hammadi and managing director Mohamed Khonji – met Bahrain Bourse chief executive Shaikh Khalifa bin Ebrahim Al Khalifa to discuss the possibility of listing of portfolio firms.
DGC acquired businesses include Fareeq Bin Aqool, Hong Kong Restaurant and Tea Lounge, Tikka & Kabab Amin, Gulf International Cooking Academy (GICA), CIMS and Driver Car Care.
The portfolio also includes Shine Beauty Lounge in Saar, Sprii – a Dubai-based e-shopping mall, and the innovative mobile application COFE.
During the meeting, the DGC management expressed its intent to list the businesses on the Bahrain Investment Market this year.
An innovative stock market, BIM is designed specifically to offer the region’s fast-growing companies an alternative cost and time-effective means for raising capital. It also meets global investors’ increasing demand to invest and profit from successful companies in the region, as indicated by a hike in trading volumes in recent years.
Mr Al Hammadi said: “DGC’s underlying entities are expanding rapidly and require capital to finance this growth. We are exploring the possibility of accessing capital markets through public offerings facilitated by the Bahrain Investment Market.
“The potential of our portfolio is massive and we look forward to listing some exciting investment opportunities in the public markets this year,” he stated.
DGC aims to prudently invest and build world-class businesses to generate and deliver consistent annual returns, said the official.
Last week, the firm announced the distribution of more than 50 per cent dividend for the last 16 months.
Mr Al Hammadi said DGC would continue to work alongside established projects, businesses and SMEs on a local and regional level, offering them management support as well as advisory on best industry practices leading to capital growth.
“Our focus has been on projects that are scalable, to ensure their future success is achieved in a sustainable manner.”
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