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Friday, November 27 - 2009

Dubai Financial Group and Abraaj Capital agree on transaction for 24.62% stake in EFG-Hermes

  • United Arab Emirates: Tuesday, November 20 - 2007 at 07:35
  • PRESS RELEASE

Dubai Financial Group, the financial holding company of Dubai Group (a member of Dubai Holding) and Abraaj Capital have agreed a transaction whereby DFG will acquire 100% of Abraaj Egypt Ltd. and Abraaj SPV 26 Ltd. from Abraaj Capital for a total consideration of approximately $1.1bn.

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  • Arif Naqvi, Executive Vice Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Abraaj Capital.
    Arif Naqvi, Executive Vice Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Abraaj Capital.
The transaction makes DFG, through its offshore subsidiaries, the single largest shareholder in the premier regional investment bank.

H.E. Mohammad Al Gergawi, Chairman of Dubai Holding said: "Through this investment, Dubai has achieved yet another distinctive success in driving its regional footprint in the banking industry. I am excited about the possible synergies that Dubai Group's new partnership with EFG-Hermes will bring to all their stakeholders."

EFG-Hermes is the leading full-service investment bank in the Arab world. Listed in London and Cairo, EFG-Hermes has a market capitalisation in excess of $4bn.

Soud Ba'alawy, Executive Chairman, Dubai Group said the transaction was in line with the group's mandate of investing in leading financial institutions.

"EFG Hermes is recognised as the regional leader in its field and has demonstrated a strong historical growth impetus. Investing in financial sector in high-growth potential markets is our core focus at Dubai Financial Group. We are a long term investor providing active support to managements," said Ba'alawy.

Arif Naqvi, Executive Vice Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Abraaj Capital, said:

"We are proud to have been associated with what we believe is the best investment banking franchise in the region. During the past year and a half we have provided both strategic guidance and financial support during a transformative period fortifying the company in its quest to further consolidate its leading regional position. We are also confident that Dubai Financial, as a specialized investor in financial services, will be a great partner for EFG-Hermes during the next phase of regional growth."


Dubai Financial Group pursues a long term strategy to invest in significant stakes across global and regional institutions. It also focuses on aligning itself with the management to create significant value for all its stakeholders. The group has key stakes in leading regional and global financial institutions such as Marfin Popular Bank, Taib Bank, BankMuscat, Global Investment House and Dubai Bank.

Abraaj Capital is the premier investment firm specializing in private equity investment in the Middle East, North Africa and South Asia (MENASA) region. The management team has brought together some of the most compelling and successful transactions in the history of leveraged acquisitions across the region.

EFG-Hermes has seen impressive regional growth and continued positive financial performance over the last twelve months. It has diversified its services into retail products, while focusing on consistent expansion across the GCC, including Saudi Arabia. Unaffected by the volatility of regional markets, EFG-Hermes has moved into 2007, cementing its position as a premier regional investment bank. Furthermore, EFG owns 28.6% stake in Bank Audi which is one of the best managed banks in the region.
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Notes and media contacts

About Dubai Group
Dubai Group (DG) is the leading diversified financial company of Dubai Holding. Focused on banking, investments and insurance regionally and globally, Dubai Group has offices in Dubai, London, New York, Kuala Lumpur and Hong Kong. Through its subsidiaries and affiliates, Dubai Group has business interests in 16 countries that employ 12,000 individuals. Run by high-calibre industry veterans with proven track records, Dubai Group entities include Dubai Investment Group, Dubai Capital Group, Dubai Financial Group, Dubai Islamic Investment Group and Noor Investment Group. Dubai Group plays a pivotal role for the realisation of Dubai Strategic Plan by leading the development of financial industry.

About Dubai Financial Group
Dubai Financial Group (DFG) is the financial holding company for Dubai Group, a member of Dubai Holding. Its core practice is the identification and acquisition of financial services companies, to build long-term value through state-of-the-art governance. Identifying opportunities across the banking, foreign exchange, brokerage and asset management sectors, DFG will reinforce the Group's position as the principal entity mandated to drive its activities in the regional and international markets. It has significant stakes in regional and global institutions such as Marfin Popular Bank, Thomas Cook India, Taib Bank, BankMuscat and Dubai Bank.

About Abraaj Capital:
With over $4bn of assets currently under management, Abraaj has pioneered institutionalizing private equity practice in the region and is setting trends and benchmarks for others to follow.

Winner of industry awards including 'Middle East Private Equity Firm of the Year' from Private Equity International (2006 & 2007), the Banker Middle East Award for 'Best Private Equities Institution' in 2006 and for 'Outstanding Contribution to Financial Services in the Middle East' in 2007. Arabian Business recently recognized Abraaj among the 50 Most Admired Companies in the GCC. Abraaj is also the first pure private equity firm to be registered by DFSA to operate out of Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC).

Apart from managing seven private equity funds, Abraaj Capital Holdings Limited (ACHL) is extremely well capitalized, with an issued share capital of $1bn. Its 135 professionals come from 27 nationalities and achieve a coverage that spans the MENASA region.

For further information on Dubai Financial Group, please contact:
Maliha Aqeel
JiWin Public Relations
Exclusive Affiliate of Burson-Marsteller in the Middle East
Tel: +971 4 361 3598
Mob: +971 50 633 1976

For further information on Abraaj Capital, please contact:
Nicholas Nesson / Rick Todd / Ghaleb Zeidan
ASDA'A Public Relations
Exclusive Affiliate of Edelman, Middle East & North Africa
Tel: 971-4-3355969
Fax: 971-4-3356080

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