BIBD Securities Sdn Bhd (BIBDS), a wholly owned subsidiary of Bank Islam Brunei Darussalam (BIBD), proudly announces the launch of the Manulife Shariah Global REIT Fund. This significant milestone marks BIBDS’ first offering of a Real Estate Investment Trust (REIT) fund, reflecting its unwavering commitment to providing a diverse range of Shariah-compliant investment products to its clients.
Present at the launch of the fund were members of BIBD and BIBD Securities Shariah Advisory Body as well as senior management.
The Fund, exclusively distributed by BIBDS, is designed to invest in Shariah-compliant real estate opportunities worldwide. It aims to provide investors in Brunei with diversified sources of long-term income and total return from real estate and infrastructure investments, aligning with the key macro growth trends of the new economy, an ageing population, and moderating economic growth.
Jason Wong, Managing Director of BIBD Securities, expressed his enthusiasm for the new offering: “We are delighted to be the exclusive distribution partner for the Manulife Shariah Global REIT Fund. This partnership underscores our dedication to delivering innovative Shariah-compliant investment solutions that cater to the values and financial goals of our clients. The Fund offers unique opportunities for investors to diversify their portfolios with globally diversified Shariah-compliant real estate assets.”
The launch of this Fund is also in line with BIBDS’ commitment to provide Bruneians with access to diversified and innovative investment products.
The Manulife Shariah Global REIT Fund focuses on three key growth trends: the new economy, characterised by increased demand for specialised and industrial REITs such as data centres, telecommunication cell towers, and logistics warehouses driven by the adoption of digital technologies; the ageing population, which is creating a growing need for healthcare REITs like medical centres and retirement homes; and moderating economic growth, where REITs in industries with pricing power over their products and services due to high demand, such as data centres, industrial, healthcare, and tower REITs, have the potential to perform well.
Over the past 20 years, global REITs have outperformed broader equity markets in various economic environments. Shariah-compliant REITs have delivered higher total returns than their conventional counterparts, thanks in part to Shariah screening requirements that limit companies’ debt-to-equity ratios.
The Fund is suitable for investors seeking investment exposure through a diversified portfolio of Islamic REITs globally, aiming for regular income and potential capital appreciation over the medium to long term, while preferring Shariah-compliant investments.
This new fund joins a diverse range of offerings by BIBDS, such as enhanced liquidity fund, Sukuk fund and equity funds. BIBDS remains committed to expanding its suite of Shariah-compliant investment solutions, providing investors with robust options to achieve their financial goals in accordance with their values.
