Ithmaar Bank and the Government of Kazakhstan ready to launch $1bn CIS Regional Energy Fund

The Fund, which is expected to have a term of ten years, will target Kazakhstan's and the Commonwealth of Independent States' (CIS) burgeoning requirement for investment in the energy, energy-related and energy-intensive sectors, and is expected to act as the catalyst for capital investment of up to $10bn.

Ithmaar Bank CEO & Member of the Board, Michael P. Lee and Kazyna Chairman, Arman Dunayev announced the Fund today at a signing ceremony held in Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt, on the occasion of the World Economic Forum (WEF) on the Middle East.

Ithmaar Bank Chairman, Khalid Abdulla-Janahi is one of the Forum's five distinguished Co-Chairs, and one of only two selected from among the Arab world.

"Ithmaar Bank's vision to become the premier financial services group, operating globally from the Middle East, has seen us explore avenues for growth in emerging markets the world over. Our partnership with Kazyna marks our entry into the CIS countries, where the abundance of natural energy resources in the Caspian Basin is driving foreign direct investment into the developing economies of Kazakhstan and many of its neighbouring countries," said Ithmaar Bank CEO & Member of the Board, Michael P. Lee.

Kazakhstan's political and social stability, skilled workforce and bright economic outlook enhance the country's favourable investment climate. With reserves of 39.6 million barrels of oil, Kazakhstan currently holds 3.3 per cent of the world's proven oil resources.

"To further their lead in the energy sector, the Government of Kazakhstan, embarking on an ambitious plan to double oil production and triple natural gas output by 2015, is equally determined to stimulate the upgrade and expansion of the country's power generation and transmission capacity. Kazakhstan's neighbours and other countries in the CIS are following suit. The Ithmaar Kazyna CIS Energy Fund offers regional investors the opportunity to participate in the tremendous growth the CIS energy sector is currently experiencing," added Lee.

The economy of Kazakhstan grew by 8.5 per cent last year; with the country experiencing an annual economic growth of between eight and ten percent year on year since 2001. The investment portfolio of Kazyna, the investment arm of the Government of Kazakhstan, increased five times, from $1.2bn as of January 2005 to $5.2bn as of July 2007.

"Many of the CIS countries are at a crucial juncture in their development, as they prepare for greater integration into the global economy. Support from the private sector will be essential in maintaining this momentum," said Kazyna Chairman, Arman Dunayev.

"Ithmaar Bank's impressive portfolio of achievements and proven track record will add enormous value to the fund, which is set to deliver positive returns to investors across the region," Dunayev concluded.

Earlier this month, Ithmaar Bank, which is listed on the Bahrain and Kuwait Stock Exchanges, reported that its net profit for the first quarter of 2008 had surged 91 per cent to a record $59.3m. The Bank's subsidiaries and associates span the Middle East, Asia Pacific, Europe and North Africa.

Ithmaar Bank's flagship subsidiary, Shamil Bank, a leading Islamic bank, recently launched successful real estate funds in Turkey and Central and Eastern Europe. Members of the Private Equity Group at Ithmaar Bank have played leading roles in the successful $730 million Islamic Development Bank Infrastructure Fund, the pioneering private equity fund for investment in infrastructure, including energy, projects in the IDB Member Countries.