Gaw Capital Partners, through its funds under management, and its consortium partners, acquired 29 Hong Kong-based community shopping centers and associated facilities in March 2018 and March 2019.
Gaw Capital Partners officially started to operate over 29 assets and facilities near the public estates and established “People’s Place”. “People” stands for the public and the residents, whereas “Place” here is an allusion to the idiomatic Chinese term for a location of virtue and tradition, as well as a well-governed community; “Place” also connotes the solidarity of the local neighborhood. All in all, “People’s Place” stands for a place rich in sentiments and compassion, bringing strangers together in constructing a vibrant, cozy living environment. People’s Place aspires to transform obsolete commercial facilities into vibrant community hubs by creatively utilizing its space and bringing brand new experiences to residents, tenants and community stakeholders.
In partnership with experienced educators in China, Gaw Capital has invested in the development and operations of Stellart International School of Arts (SISA), an international arts education platform in China. The platform is initially seeded by a commercial site conveniently located in Sanshan New Town in Nanhai, Foshan, which has excellent connectivity nationally via the Guangzhou South Station. The site has a GFA of c.50,000 sqm in total. Operating under the SISA brand and developed by Gaw Capital Partners, the school houses up to 600 full-time high school students in its 6-storey tall academic block and 7-floor dormitory. 
8 November 2024, Shanghai – Real estate private equity firm Gaw Capital Partners, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Expo City Dubai and Lingang Group to study the feasibility of creating, operating and managing the Expo Life Science Park. Hua Yuan, Member of the Standing Committee of the CPC Shanghai Municipal Committee and Vice Mayor of Shanghai, Liu Ping, Deputy Secretary-General of the Shanghai Municipal Government, and He Qing, Director of the Shanghai State-owned Assets Supervision and Administration Commission attended the signing ceremony and jointly witnessed this important moment. Located in Expo City Dubai, the former venue of the 2020 World Expo and a key hub on the 2040 Dubai Urban Master Plan, the Expo Life Science Park is designed to advance Dubai’s life sciences ecosystem.
As part of the MoU, Gaw Capital, together with Expo City Dubai and Lingang Group, will explore the formation of a joint venture to establish a light-asset operations management platform, focusing on streamlined, resource-efficient operations to manage park facilities and provide tailored services for life sciences companies, including comprehensive park management and other value-added services for clients. This model allows for flexibility and scalability, ensuring an agile response to industry needs and technological advancements.
Together, Gaw Capital, Expo City Dubai, and Lingang Group aim to accelerate life sciences research, attract global biotech companies, and establish Dubai as a leading center for medical and pharmaceutical innovation, and create a dynamic international industry alliance that will redefine life science innovation in the region.
Humbert Pang, Managing Principal, Co-chair of Alternative Investments and Head of China of Gaw Capital Partners, said, “Gaw Capital is honored to work with Expo City Dubai and Lingang Group. We are excited to contribute our expertise to this shared vision. With the recent population growth, we are confident in the potential business opportunities in the UAE, particularly in Dubai. Dubai’s strong infrastructure, international community, and advantageous geographic location covering surrounding markets provided robust support for the development of the life sciences and other innovative technology sectors. This collaboration will bring new opportunities and platforms for both local and global players, further fueling growth in Dubai’s evolving innovation and technology sectors.”
Yang Jing, Chief Financial Officer of Lingang Group and Chairwoman of Lingang Overseas, said, “Lingang Group will collaborate with Gaw Capital and Expo City Dubai to jointly advance the development of the Expo Life Science Park in Dubai. By creating an internationally leading life science park ecosystem that integrates research, development, and production, the project aims to provide on-the-ground support to companies within the park to ‘go global’ and expand into the Middle East market. Leveraging our successful experience in managing and operating industrial parks in the US, Europe, and other regions, Lingang Group will provide industry services that comply with commercial standards and local laws for the project. Additionally, the group will cultivate professional talents with an international perspective and expertise in industrial park management and international leasing, thereby enhancing its comprehensive service capabilities for both domestic and international enterprises.”
Manal AlBayat, Chief Engagement Officer of Expo City Dubai, said, “We are delighted to join with Gaw Capital and Lingang Group to work towards our shared ambitions of accelerating meaningful, urgent progress on global challenges. Already home to some of the world’s most innovative companies and organizations, Expo City provides a collaborative, inclusive ecosystem for those who share our vision of a more equitable, prosperous and sustainable future.”
Expo City Dubai is strategically located in the rapidly growing Dubai South, adjacent to Al Maktoum International Airport and anchored by Dubai Exhibition Centre. A new master plan, launched in October, aims to position Expo City Dubai as a significant driver of Dubai’s growth in key sectors, including trade, technology, tourism, and business. A global exemplar of sustainable urban development, Expo City Dubai is an inclusive, innovation-driven, people-centric city of the future committed to maximizing its positive social, environmental, and economic impact.
Various sectors in the Middle East are eager to establish more tangible cooperation with Hong Kong, China and Mainland China at a faster pace, fueled by a shared desire for economic diversification and a deeper understanding of each other’s strengths, developed through increased exchanges in recent years. Strengthening cooperation between Gaw Capital, Lingang Group and Expo City Dubai in providing biomedical infrastructure for UAE will support efforts to forge a comprehensive life sciences ecosystem.
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About Gaw Capital Partners
Gaw Capital Partners is a uniquely positioned private equity fund management company focusing on real estate markets in Asia Pacific and other high barrier-to-entry markets globally.
Specializing in adding strategic value to under-utilized real estate through redesign and repositioning, Gaw Capital runs an integrated business model with its own in-house asset management operating platforms in commercial, hospitality, property development, logistics, IDC and Education. The firm’s investments span the entire spectrum of real estate sectors, including residential development, offices, retail malls, serviced apartments, hotels, logistics warehouses and IDC projects.
Gaw Capital has raised seven commingled funds targeting the APAC region since 2005. The firm also manages value-add/opportunistic funds in the US, a Pan-Asia hospitality fund, a European hospitality fund, a Growth Equity Fund and it also provides services for credit investments and separate account direct investments globally.
Gaw Capital has raised equity of US$22.8 billion since 2005 with assets of US$35.2 billion under management as of Q2 2024.