Since its inception in 1994, Investment Dar pursued specialization, selectivity, unique innovation and an on-going quest for development. From a single company with a capital not exceeding KD 15.8 million and providing consumer finance to becoming one of the leading Islamic financial companies in the region to being listed on the Kuwait Stock Exchange and attaining a capital exceeding KD 51 million, Investment Dar has come a long way. Today, Investment Dar has a working capital in excess of KD 500 million and enjoys a clear vision and strategy for a promising future. Under its umbrella are an integrated group of independent financial companies and establishments active in diverse economic sectors that include involvement in major financial activities such as finance, real estate, and investment.

From a financial establishment operating on a local level, Investment Dar has transformed into a regional financial establishment accredited with top international credit ratings. One leading international credit rating agencies upped Investment Dar’s credit rating from BB- in 2001 to BBB+ in 2005, a grand addition to the ISO9001 certification achieved in 1999, another first for an Islamic financial company in Kuwait.

Investment Dar is a member of several international and Arabic bodies, such as Accounts Review for Islamic Financial Establishments, Islamic Financial Establishments and Banks General Congress and many other accredited regional and international associations.

Over the years, Investment Dar has achieved enormous success that contributed towards building trust amongst its shareholders and customers while strengthening their confidence in the company’s performance and future.

Investment Dar is a Kuwaiti shareholding company founded on 22 Oct 1994 with a declared capital of KD 22.752 million. The company’s success is built on a three-tier long-term strategy focused on clear vision and prudent policies. The first phase of the strategy saw Investment Dar engaged in all facets of consumer finance. In the second phase, Investment Dar developed its real estate investments and diversified its product offering. The third phase witnessed the restructuring of Investment Dar and the transformation of all its investment sectors into independent companies, as well as the establishment of new companies and the acquisition of companies engaged in various economic sectors. It was during this phase that Investment Dar was listed on the Kuwait Stock Exchange. Regional growth and expansion in addition to formation of strategic alliances and mergers with other leading companies for execution of major projects was a prominent highlight of this phase.

Following is a timeline of its activities and achievements since incorporation.

On 27 August 1995, Investment Dar formally commenced business activities with investments in compliance with Islamic Shariah principles. From the very beginning, it lay down the following set of objectives to be achieved:

To grant credit facilities to consumers in accordance with Islamic rules and Shariah.

To perform financial transactions, financial brokerage and trade in securities according to Islamic laws and Shariah.

To incorporate and manage investment funds and portfolios, develop clients’ cash supply and conduct research and study related to capital investment according to Islamic Shariah.

To mobilize resources in order to adopt Ijara Finance, develop collective methods of Ijara and invest in all aspects of Ijara.

To incorporate and participate in the incorporation of specialized companies in the economical, industrial, real estate and trade sectors.

Investment Dar chose the consumer financing business regardless of several difficulties and obstacles in the field including unavailability of experts. It went on to become the first Islamic investment company in the GCC specialized in consumer finance in accordance with Islamic rules and Shariah.

To achieve further innovation and distinction in its chosen field, Investment Dar developed Islamic tools, adopted Islamic formulas and presented several investment contracts that were neither applied nor used before. The company was greatly praised for its pioneering initiatives and received a positive response from government bodies, private sector companies and investors alike, which in turn generated several investment contracts, increased investment portfolio and cash supply management activities thereby consolidating Investment Dar’s position as the leading regional Islamic finance company.

As a result of excellent planning and thorough understanding of market dynamics and clients’ aspirations, Investment Dar was able to play a leading role in the investment and finance business, all the while earning its clients’ respect and appreciation for providing distinguished service.

In October 1995, Investment Dar began selling new cars on cash and installment basis, and by 1996 its car sales business witnessed significant growth and expansion – cars were being sold from offices and individual offices.

In 1997, Investment Dar diversified its scope of financing activity to include financing the purchase of furniture, electric appliances and construction materials such as cement, iron, blocks, readymix, central air-conditioning, elevators, etc.

Early 1999 and 2000 witnessed a strategic change in the company’s activities that included expanding, updating and developing its products and services. Easy Commerce and Manazel projects, a specialized product in finance and real estate trade were launched to finance co-operative suppliers and to address housing problems in Kuwait respectively. Both these new products were introduced in alliance with a major real estate company and some other distinctive engineering and construction consultancy offices. During this period, several investment portfolios were developed including Al-Ijara offering ownership and conclusion for cars, equipment and housing flats and units. Several new departments specialized in providing trade finance to different institutions; companies and authorities were also established. Investment Dar was listed on the Kuwait Stock Exchange on 27 April 1999 and despite the shaky situation of the stock market, owing to the Gulf War, Investment Dar’s shares showed balance and price stability. However, the most prominent activity in 1999 was the foundation of First Finance Company in Qatar, which was considered the leader of Islamic finance in this Gulf state. Investment Dar was entrusted with this company’s management since it had effectively participated in its incorporation.

2002 saw the development of a new activity – specialization in direct investment and portfolio fund management. The year concluded with the launch of Al Dar Real Estate Fund, which marked the completion of a significant milestone for the company’s finance services, namely integrating the investment and retail activity with that of investment management. 2002 also saw Investment Dar’s share trade average 527 million shares with a cash exchange value that exceeded KD 121 million and an average turnover of 216.3% thereby strengthening investors’ faith in the company.

Confident in the nature and volume of the credit portfolio of its consumer and retail finance companies, which represented a huge percentage of the company’s total assets, Investment Dar focused its attention on payment collection. Payment collection was accorded top priority as it had a direct impact on the company’s returns, profits and success. The company developed strategic relations with banks that were judged in terms of style and approach, and considered worthy of emulation by other finance companies and local financial institutions. Furthermore, Investment Dar also developed an innovative collection tool that enormously speeded the payment collection process.

Despite numerous obligations and involvement in various plans, Investment Dar never disregarded the importance of caring for its employees. Acknowledging that its staff is its real assets and the means of its growth and success, Investment Dar secured all possible means to perfect their performance and develop their skills by deploying top-of-the-line technology to cope with the latest advances in the market.

Focused efforts and single-minded commitment at all levels, with particular emphasis on its clients, helped Investment Dar achieve the ISO 9001 International Quality Standards Certificate, becoming the first Islamic company to obtain such a prestigious international certification in appreciation of its activities.

In continuance of its top performance, Investment Dar was accorded advanced credit ratings by Capital Intelligence, one of the world’s leading Credit Rating Agency – grade A4 for short-term and grade BBB+ for long term. This advanced rating elevated the company to the ranks of several other prominent Arab and local banks. All along Investment Dar continued to adopt conservative credit and supervisory systems in compliance with the rules of Central Bank of Kuwait and in close contact with financial supervisory and religious authorities and bodies.

Investment Dar was one of the first Islamic organizations to entrust its in-house auditing to a world leading auditing firm of independent auditors, a move designed to improve transparency.