Etisalat and Emirates Post celebrate 30 years Of achievement

This launch follows World Telecommunication Day, and a series of studies that place the UAE as one of the world's most competitive economies and Etisalat as one of the leading telecommunications providers in the Arab World.

Abdulla Al Daboos, Director General of Emirates Post, said, "Etisalat is one of the most prominent and important companies in the region. It has played a pioneering role in laying a strong foundation for advanced telecommunications in the UAE. Emirates Post is pleased to salute this great organization through these special stamps."

The stamps, issued in four denominations (Dh. 1, Dhs. 3, Dhs. 3.50 and Dhs. 4), are available at all post offices in the UAE. In addition, First Day Covers priced at Dhs. 12.50 are available at the philatelic counters in Karama, Deira and Abu Dhabi post offices.

At the end of 2006, the UAE was ranked by the UNCTAD and Erasmus University amongst the world's leading destinations for foreign investment. In February 2007, INSEAD , one of the world's most prestigious business schools, in collaboration with the International Telecommunications Union and other leading industry groups, ranked the UAE amongst the fourteen most innovative economies in the world. Most recently, the World Economic Forum, in its 'Global Information Technology Report 2006-07', ranked the UAE as the highest-ranking Arab nation in terms of 'Networked Readiness'.

Etisalat was founded in 1976 and since then has investing in infrastructure providing fixed-line telephony, fixed and wireless secure Internet access and mobile coverage to the country. Last year the company restructured to form three organizations, including International Investment, Etisalat UAE and Etisalat Services.

Today Etisalat provides mobile voice coverage to 100% of the UAE and 3.5G high-speed data connectivity to 97% of the country. It also provides Internet access to over 60% of the UAE population and services 5.8 million mobile customers including 1 million active users of 3.5G and 3G data services.

In 2007, its first Etisalat branded subsidiary was launched outside of the UAE. Etisalat Misr began operations in May, and is the first of two Etisalat companies to be launched this year. Etisalat Afghanistan will begin operations later this year. Etisalat's expertise and reputation for innovation and excellence has led to the company signing management contracts and obtaining significant stakes in telecommunications operators in fourteen countries across the Middle East and Africa. Today the company provides television, telephone and internet connectivity to a market in excess of 32 million customers.

Since the formation of Etisalat Services in 2006, Etisalat's subsidiary companies, E-Marine and EDCH have successfully obtained licenses to operate as private companies. Other organizations such as Ebtikar, e-Facilities Management, e-Real Estate and Etisalat Academy and Yellow Pages also continue to perform well, bringing Etisalat's culture and experience across its international countries of operation and to other leading companies around the world.

Etisalat's latest awards include Best Overall Telecommunications Provider and Best Customer Service in the Middle East and Africa. Middle East Magazine has ranked it as the largest in the UAE and fourth largest in the Middle East in terms of capitalization and revenues and the Financial Times continues to rank Etisalat amongst the leading 500 companies in the world.