Cluttons Middles East Private Capital Survey carried out in partnership with YouGov investigated investment trends and behaviour of the GCC’s high net worth individual (HNWI) in order to gain understanding of their global and regional investment intentions for 2016. Member states of the GCC include Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates. The survey was conducted among HNWI who either currently have or intend in the future to make and investment of US$1 million or more in international property.
London which has been a long standing investment destination for Middle Eastern investors, has emerged ahead of New York as the top investment location outside the Middle East for GCC investors in 2016. Singapore came in third place followed by Bangalore in forth (which is no surprise as Indian nationals account for approximately 30% of the UAE’s population).
Residential property remains the favoured investment class with 50% of those surveyed intended to target this investment class, followed by commercial (22%) and 28% are expected to target a mix of both.
The top five reasons that were mentioned for selecting London include – education, safety and good business environment, investment purposes, good infrastructure, leadership and compelling economics, great appreciation of property values and low mortgage rates.
