ADCB reported a 22 per cent increase in its third-quarter net profit. Khushnum Bhandari / The National
ADCB reported a 22 per cent increase in its third-quarter net profit. Khushnum Bhandari / The National
ADCB reported a 22 per cent increase in its third-quarter net profit. Khushnum Bhandari / The National
ADCB reported a 22 per cent increase in its third-quarter net profit. Khushnum Bhandari / The National

ADCB to sell 80% stake in Abu Dhabi Commercial Properties and stands to gain $133m


Alkesh Sharma
  • English
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Abu Dhabi Commercial Bank has agreed to divest an 80 per cent stake in Abu Dhabi Commercial Properties (ADCP) to Nine Yards Plus Holding, a subsidiary of Abu Dhabi-based Ethmar International Holding (EIH), the bank said on Thursday.

The UAE’s third-largest lender by assets had last month received a binding offer for a majority stake acquisition in ADCP from Nine Yards Plus.

The transaction values ADCP at Dh591 million ($161 million), ADCB said, adding that it will gain nearly Dh490 million ($133.4 million) subject to closing conditions before the end of December this year.

The bank will retain a 20 per cent stake in ADCP and will continue its partnership through a long-term relationship agreement.

The transaction unlocks “substantial value” for Abu Dhabi Commercial Bank shareholders “while ensuring that ADCP is well positioned to achieve further growth”, Ala’a Eraiqat, group chief executive of ADCB, said.

Established in January 2006, ADCP is the lender’s wholly owned property management services subsidiary, which manages approximately 51,000 units across 1,900 properties.

In 2019, Union National Bank’s Al Wifaq Properties and the real estate division of Al Hilal Bank were integrated into ADCP, enhancing its customer reach and offering a broader portfolio.

“ADCP will complement the ambition of Nine Yards Plus to be at the forefront of shaping future lifestyles in the UAE and wider region,” Ali El Gebely, managing director and group chief executive of EIH, said.

“We look forward to continuing our partnership with ADCB to further develop this platform to create further value and provide premium service to our clients.”

Nine Yards Plus is the real estate vertical of EIH, which operates in the property, energy, technology, alternative investments, hospitality, healthcare, travel and tourism, financial services, automotive and trading sectors.

Barclays Bank acted as the sole financial adviser to ADCB on the transaction, Deloitte advised on sell-side due diligence, and Clifford Chance acted as legal advisers to the lender.

ADCB reported a 22 per cent increase in its third-quarter net profit to Dh1.94 billion. Total net interest income – what banks earn from their lending activities minus the interest they pay to depositors – surged 28.6 per cent to Dh2.65 billion, while net income from Islamic financing and investing products rose 6.2 per cent to Dh531 million.

The bank had grown its assets by 7.8 per cent to nearly Dh537 billion at the end of September.

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Dos

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  • Always ask for the dress code if you don’t know
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  • Wear 100 per cent cotton under the kandura as most fabrics are polyester

Don’ts 

  • Wear hamdania for work, always wear a ghutra and agal 
  • Buy a kandura only based on how it feels; ask questions about the fabric and understand what you are buying
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Timeline

2012-2015

The company offers payments/bribes to win key contracts in the Middle East

May 2017

The UK SFO officially opens investigation into Petrofac’s use of agents, corruption, and potential bribery to secure contracts

September 2021

Petrofac pleads guilty to seven counts of failing to prevent bribery under the UK Bribery Act

October 2021

Court fines Petrofac £77 million for bribery. Former executive receives a two-year suspended sentence 

December 2024

Petrofac enters into comprehensive restructuring to strengthen the financial position of the group

May 2025

The High Court of England and Wales approves the company’s restructuring plan

July 2025

The Court of Appeal issues a judgment challenging parts of the restructuring plan

August 2025

Petrofac issues a business update to execute the restructuring and confirms it will appeal the Court of Appeal decision

October 2025

Petrofac loses a major TenneT offshore wind contract worth €13 billion. Holding company files for administration in the UK. Petrofac delisted from the London Stock Exchange

November 2025

180 Petrofac employees laid off in the UAE

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TEACHERS' PAY - WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW

Pay varies significantly depending on the school, its rating and the curriculum. Here's a rough guide as of January 2021:

- top end schools tend to pay Dh16,000-17,000 a month - plus a monthly housing allowance of up to Dh6,000. These tend to be British curriculum schools rated 'outstanding' or 'very good', followed by American schools

- average salary across curriculums and skill levels is about Dh10,000, recruiters say

- it is becoming more common for schools to provide accommodation, sometimes in an apartment block with other teachers, rather than hand teachers a cash housing allowance

- some strong performing schools have cut back on salaries since the pandemic began, sometimes offering Dh16,000 including the housing allowance, which reflects the slump in rental costs, and sheer demand for jobs

- maths and science teachers are most in demand and some schools will pay up to Dh3,000 more than other teachers in recognition of their technical skills

- at the other end of the market, teachers in some Indian schools, where fees are lower and competition among applicants is intense, can be paid as low as Dh3,000 per month

- in Indian schools, it has also become common for teachers to share residential accommodation, living in a block with colleagues

Updated: December 14, 2023, 3:16 PM