Maxcorp-led group to develop RM3.2b Pakistan golf city
By ZURINNA RAJA ADAM
March 25 2005
LOCAL group Maxcorp Development Sdn Bhd is leading a consortium of Malaysian companies to design, build and manage the RM3.2 billion Bahria Golf City at Muree Expressway in Islamabad, Pakistan.
Besides Maxcorp, the Malaysian consortium comprises Ranhill Bersekutu Sdn Bhd, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Ranhill Bhd, which will offer its expertise in total engineering solutions, and Akitek Jururancang Malaysia (master planning and design).
Pakistan-based Bahria Town (Pvt) Ltd is the developer of the project while Pakistan-based Mansoor Mazhar and Associates is the architect.
The Malaysian consortium and Bahria Town (Pvt) Ltd signed an agreement on the project in Kuala Lumpur yesterday
The two-year project involves the development of 323.7ha at Murree Expressway. A total of 1,700 bungalows, a hotel, apartments, schools, a hospital, a commercial centre and an 18-hole golf course with a clubhouse will be built there.
Backed by strong house purchasing power in Pakistan, project returns are expected to be between US$10 billion and US$12 billion (US1 = RM3.80).
The project is also said to be the largest private sector initiative in real estate in Pakistan.
Maxcorps chief executive officer Anuar Adam, however, remained tight-lipped when asked on the source of funding for the massive project.
Ranhill Bersekutu and Akitek Jururancang will be paid RM50 million each in professional fees.
The funding is being worked out. It is not a small amount. A lot of legal expertise and framework are being worked out between the Pakistan Government and Maxcorp, he said after the signing.
Anuar said Maxcorp has no plans to float its shares on Bursa Malaysia Bhd for project funding, as it will be self-financed.
Maxcorp has been involved in projects in Pakistan since 1999 and has successfully completed the Royal Palm Golf Course in Lahore. Its current projects include DA Country and Golf Club in Karachi, Jacaranda Club for Defence Housing in Islamabad and Mangla View Resort.
The total investment value for the three projects is RM1 billion.
Meanwhile, Bahria Town chairman Malik Riaz Hussain is inviting more Malaysian companies to undertake development projects in Pakistan.
Bahria Town, which is said to be the single largest developer in Pakistan, has four other projects in the pipeline. They are Bahria Lake City in Lahore; Bahria Margalla City, Bahria University and Bahria Twin Towers in Islamabad. The total project value is about US$35 billion.
Based on our track record and the severe shortage of houses in Pakistan, we are convinced that Bahria Golf City will be a success, Malik said.
In his last property launch, Malik collected US$800 million in the first five hours of the launch, and expects the same for its subsequent development projects.
There is demand for about 700,000 houses a year, but the Government and private sector can only manage to churn out about 300,000. This is why I am so confident, Malik said.