1. Introduction
Despite the unfavourable economic climate WDP again successfully continued its ongoing investment programme in the first half of 2009. In addition, several new acquisitions were completed at the start of this year. For instance, following a sale and rent back operation with the logistics division of DHL*, WDP became the largest lessor for this company in Belgium.
A successful capital increase in June** enabled the basis for further portfolio growth to be strengthened. The EUR 73.6 million raised will be utilised to reduce the debt position in the short term, and to finance new projects in Belgium and abroad. A first project has already been launched: the construction of a state-of-the-art property of 13,000 m2 for the food group Ter Beke in Nijmegen (Netherlands).
The overall occupancy rate of the portfolio held up well in the first half-year. It was at 97.2% at the end of June, only slightly down from the historically high occupancy rate of 99% at 31 December 2008.
* See press release of 31 March 2009 or consult the website www.wdp.be
** See press release of 26 June 2009 or consult the website www.wdp.be
