UK - CAPITAL MARKETS - Shariah compliant real estate fund Londoncentralportfolio

londoncentralportfolio.com - Since the onset of market turbulence in October 2007, prime London residential property has outshone the stock market. UK FTSE 100 is down by about 20% whilst London Central prices are 15% above their pre-credit crunch high.

This is projected to continue due to the absence of new supply and an increasing appetite to invest in tangible assets, in a volatile economic and political environment. London Central's performance is notably correlated to the other safe haven investment, gold and is increasingly disconnected from the UK domestic housing market. The foreign investor can also benefit from the continuing weakness of sterling.  (source)

RUSSIA - Barwa Real Estate, Gazprombank announce closing of Russia fund

Doha/ Moscow: Barwa Real Estate Company QSC and Gazprombank OJSC (an affiliate of the world’s largest gas producer and exporter Gazprom) jointly announced yesterday the first closing of the Shariah compliant, Barwa Gazprombank Russia Real Estate Fund. The Fund represents the first collaboration between Barwa and Gazprombank and the two companies will seed the Fund with $75m capital each. The First Investor QSCC (TFI), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Barwa Bank, will contribute $2m into the Fund.