The inside story behind Eiwan Development’s big bet on winning trust with investors

Pakistan’s real estate market is notorious for lack of transparency and trust, which has been accepted as the status quo. In this market, trust has become highly valued and a virtue that even money can’t buy. Seeing the value investors are placing on trust, Eiwan Developments staged a coup last week, by launching a proposition for real estate investors, anchored in trust.

Eiwan has been four decades in the making, through a friendship between three men, which turned into a business partnership. By now you would have heard about the most trusted name in Gwadar, CG(Consultants Group), which is launching an urban development arm called Eiwan Developments. What you might not know is the back story behind this company.

CG is popularly known as the management consultants behind Sangar, which is Gwadar’s most trusted and successful housing project. The journey to earn the trust and confidence of investors in a place like Gwadar hasn’t been an easy one. But then again, the CG team isn’t known for taking on easy challenges.

One of the most dramatic decisions the CG team took was to computerize documentation of land records in Sangar, which is a public sector housing project managed by CG. “It was an impossible task to bring credibility to a housing project and that too for a public housing project in Pakistan,” said Faiz Kidwai, the co-founder of CG Holdings Private Limited. “But then again, someone had to make it possible and digitizing land records was a critical enabler to make that happen.”

“The transition between clerical practices of maintaining records on hand written registers into computerized documentation was indeed quite challenging,” Faiz said. “We were literally grabbing powers out of the hands of some officers, as well as clerks. But the support of leadership, which in this case was DC Gwadar, helped us succeed. Once the system was formed it became easy for all subsequent DCs to continue following the same process.”

The high standards of land governance allows CG to do something quite unique for the Gwadar market. Instead of selling files to investors on land that they can’t locate, CG actually gives allotment letters for specific plots signed by DC Gwadar. This example of land governance has proved that it is always a transparent system that works and brings credibility as well as trust.

“The work that we performed in Gwadar during last three decades made locals and non-localsrealize that we are not like other consultants, builders and developers,” said Aslam Akhund, co-founder of CG Holdings Private Limited.“It was the confidence, trust and sincerity amongst ourselves that came out in our work. People could see and believe that we stood by our commitments.”

“This sincerity translated into a bona fide contribution to local communities in Gwadar,”said CG Holdings Private Limited Co-founder, HafeezHabibi. “Whether it’s supporting the construction of the first ever Government Girls College in Gwadar, setting up libraries across the Makran region or being at the forefront of disaster relief efforts, CG has always sought to build communities with a beating heart,” he added.

“Eiwan is here not just to sell a few plots and fill our pockets,” Faiz said. “Rather we are here to make a difference in the lives of our investors as well as the communities we plan to serve. People in Pakistan deserve a better quality of life. Our citizens pay a very heavy price for the basic amenities they need and yet they don’t get quality. Eiwan will certainly make a difference because it believes in looking beyond ourselves.’

Oshun by Eiwan

Eiwan has begun with a bang by announcing Pakistan’s first beach front, resort style housing project.

Whether you enjoy dolphin spotting from Gwadar’s virgin beaches, hiking through the miraculously carved mountain ranges or catching the best sunset in Asia from your balcony, Oshun by Eiwan is introducing a new lifestyle to Pakistanis.

Situated majestically in the picturesque jewel of Gunz in the booming Gwadar District, Oshun by Eiwan is set to define the art of living in Pakistan. Enjoy your favorite watersport, go fishing deep in the ocean, walk through jungle parks or just enjoy a relaxing meal at one of the many restaurants on the promenade.

Oh, one last thing, in case you were wondering about electricity and water. Eiwan will design a self-sufficient, 24/7 power and water solution, so you can live at your best. Equally important, there’s an investment option crafted for every taste and price range. You can visit www.eiwan.pk for details on how to invest. Last date to ballot for Oshun by Eiwan is April 20th.