Singapore, 15 May 2019 – City Developments Limited (CDL) has entered into agreements to invest in Sincere Property Group (Sincere, or 协信远创), an established real estate developer in China. The investment consideration, comprising share subscription and a four-year interest-bearing loan, the allocation of which is subject to adjustments and will be finalised upon completion, amounts to a total of RMB 5.5 billion (approximately S$ 1.1 billion)1.
Subject to various conditions precedent, including further adjustment of Sincere’s onshore shareholding structure and completing or obtaining any required governmental and regulatory reviews and approvals in China, the investment is expected to be fully completed by Q4 2019. Upon completion, CDL will indirectly hold an approximately 24% effective equity stake in Sincere via its offshore investment vehicle, making CDL the second largest shareholder after Sincere's Founder and Chairman, Mr Wu Xu. CDL will have representation on Sincere’s Board at both offshore and onshore levels and have the right to participate in key decision making.
In addition, CDL has entered into an agreement with Sincere to acquire a 70% stake in Shanghai Hongqiao Sincere Centre (Phase 2) (上海虹桥协信中心(二期)) (Hongqiao Property), a prime commercial property in the heart of Shanghai’s Hongqiao Central Business District (CBD), for RMB 1.2 billion (approximately S$247 million), equivalent to about RMB 49,000 per square metre (sqm). Spreading across 11 blocks, the Hongqiao Property has a Gross Floor Area (GFA) of 35,739 sqm comprising offices, serviced apartments, a retail component and a basement car park with 384 lots. This investment is expected to be completed by Q3 2019.
The investments in Sincere and Hongqiao Property will be funded through internal cash resources and credit facilities.
Strategic transformational investment into Sincere
With over 20 years of track record, Sincere is ranked as one of China’s Top 100 Developers by China Real Estate Association (中国房地产业协会) and one of China’s Top 10 Business Park Developers and Operators by Guandian (观点地产). Sincere has a full set of development and asset management capabilities across different sectors, including residential, retail, office, serviced apartment, business park and large-scale mixed-use development. Sincere’s geographical presence in China spans 20 cities including key Tier 1 and Tier 2 cities where it employs over 1,800 professionals.
Sincere has a full spectrum of residential projects ranging from high-end to mass market which include villas as well as low- and high-rise condominiums. It also has more than 15 business parks, which are under development or in operation, with a total GFA over 5 million sqm.
Sincere also owns and operates a substantial portfolio of investment properties in China, including 14 retail malls with a total GFA of about 700,000 sqm, two serviced residences with 536 apartments and five hotels with approximately 1,400 rooms.
Sincere’s contracted sales grew at a compounded annual growth rate of 47% from RMB 9.9 billion (approximately S$2 billion) in 2016 to RMB 21.3 billion (approximately S$4.3 billion) in 2018.
Mr Sherman Kwek, CDL’s Group Chief Executive Officer, said, “Rapid urbanisation, economic growth and rising disposable incomes will continue to drive demand for real estate in China. This transformational deal is CDL’s single largest investment in China to date. It is a rare opportunity to acquire a meaningful stake in an established platform at an attractive valuation. This game-changing initiative will drive CDL’s next phase of growth in this important market.”
“Leveraging Sincere’s development and asset management capabilities, local expertise and wide geographical presence in China, CDL will be able to significantly boost its scale and accelerate its growth in this huge market with a substantial portfolio and pipeline of development projects and investment properties. Sincere’s capabilities in retail, business parks and serviced apartments will also enhance and deepen CDL’s expertise in China. Moreover, there is tremendous potential to develop fund management platforms via Sincere’s existing portfolio and through new acquisitions.”
Mr Wu Xu, Sincere’s Founder and Chairman, said, “Since our founding in 1999, Sincere has built a strong presence and reputation in China. CDL’s investment and support will be instrumental in accelerating Sincere’s growth as we continue to increase our land bank and pipeline of properties with the aim of achieving even stronger sales growth.”
“This strategic partnership also brings together Sincere’s deep local capabilities and CDL’s extensive international expertise. Our combined strengths will not only give our joint venture a distinct advantage in property development and asset management but also open doors to further growth opportunities, such as tapping CDL’s experience and networks to jointly explore fund management initiatives.”
