KUALA LUMPUR, 12 June 2013 – UEM Land Holdings Berhad (“UEM Land” or “the Company”), following its Fifth Annual General Meeting (“5th AGM”) today expressed confidence that the upward growth momentum for 2013 and beyond will continue, based on its commendable 2012 financial performance coupled with the ‘Tipping Point’ realisation of its flagship development, Nusajaya.
For the financial year ended 31 December 2012, UEM Land recorded revenue growth of 14% to RM1.94 billion from RM1.7 billion in the preceding year; while profit after tax and minority interests (“PATAMI”) grew by an impressive 49% from RM301.7 million in 2011 to RM448.4 million in 2012. Furthermore, total sales increased by 12% to RM2.5 billion compared to RM2.2 billion recorded in 2011, with 73% of sales realised in Nusajaya.
Dato’ Wan Abdullah Wan Ibrahim, UEM Land’s Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer commented, “The increase in both revenue and PATAMI for the 2012 financial results are mainly due to increased and better product pricing and construction efficiencies which contributed to higher margins achieved by the Group’s property development activities. In addition, we have seen a higher profit share contribution from the Group’s Horizon Hills joint venture development, almost tripled from 2011 contribution from RM19.7 million to approximately RM60 million.
“The year’s performance reflects UEM Land’s continued commitment in delivering better returns to shareholders as well as confidence by our customers,” Dato’ Wan Abdullah added.
UEM Land’s 5th AGM also marked the Company’s first dividend pay-out since its listing in 2008. As revealed by Dato’ Wan Abdullah, “We are delighted that for the first time since our listing in 2008, we have sought and obtained our shareholders’ approval for the Company’s first and final single tier dividend payment of 3 sen per ordinary share of RM0.50 each for the financial year ended 31 December 2012.”
In 2012, UEM Land delivered its targeted ‘Tipping Point’ for Nusajaya in conjunction with the completion of numerous catalytic projects such as the opening of LEGOLAND® Malaysia, the Puteri Harbour Family Theme Park and Marlborough College; as well as the influx of new high profile investors in Gerbang Nusajaya, kicking off the second wave of catalytic projects to be developed in Nusajaya.
“Having achieved ‘Tipping Point’ in 2012 is a testament that Nusajaya has burst into life and truly taking shape and on course to become the largest fully integrated urban development in Southeast Asia as envisioned more than six years ago.
“We are confident that we will continue to maintain our growth trajectory with the second wave developments including the development planning works for the Integrated Eco- Friendly Tech Park and the Motorsports City in Gerbang Nusajaya, while ensuring Nusajaya’s position as a world-class city of the future is sustained,” said Dato’ Wan Abdullah.
Moving on to 2013, UEM Land expects to launch new residential and commercial properties with a total gross development value (“GDV”) of around RM4 billion including several major projects in Puteri Harbour, Nusajaya such as the new high rise mixed development in Parcel CS1, an eco-friendly up market residential development known as D’Estuary, and Emerald Bay Puteri Harbour, a joint venture with Bandar Raya Developments Berhad. In addition, UEM Land is looking into launching a high-rise mixed development in Mont’Kiara and a mid-market mixed residential development in Bangi, over and above the introduction of new phases of existing projects namely East Ledang, Nusa Bayu and Nusa Idaman in Nusajaya as well as Symphony Hills and Arcoris Mont’Kiara in the Central Region, which are expected to contribute towards the year’s targeted sales of RM3 billion.
As at 31 March 2013, the Company’s unbilled sales stood at RM3.55 billion.
Besides Nusajaya and the Klang Valley, UEM Land is also looking to venture into new markets in and around the country including Penang and Sabah, particularly in Kota Kinabalu to further expand its presence and cement its position as one of the nation’s top property developers.
Notwithstanding UEM Land’s domestic focus and existing presence in Canada, in line with its long term ambition to expand and become a true regional property player, UEM Land is also looking to lay the ground works for potential expansion outside Malaysia and to explore potential development opportunities.