al khaliji acquires BLC Bank (France) S.A.

About al khaliji:

al khaliji was incorporated in Doha in January 2007 with an aim to become a regional GCC bank offering conventional and Islamic banking services. Since incorporation al khaliji completed its IPO and listing on the Doha Securities Market and raised QR7.2bn of authorised capital, recruited 394 staff, successfully launched all four of its business lines (Corporate & Institutional Banking, Treasury & Debt Capital Markets, Premium / Business and Retail Banking). It also announced a commercial agreement to purchase the UAE assets of BLC (France) S.A. and opened an office in the Dubai International Financial Centre.

al khaliji key milestones - Since our incorporation in January last year, al khaliji has passed many key milestones on its journey towards delivering what we call "next generation banking" to our customers. Our fresh approach to banking informs everything we do, from communicating important financial information to our shareholders, listening to our customers and how we talk to and treat our fellow colleagues.

Highlights so far include:

2008:
• óóóQ3 (394 staff) - we opened our first full service branch on C-Ring Road. We arranged two regional deals worth over $6.6bn contributing $100 for Dubai World and $70m for Orascom Telecom Iraq Corp
• Q2 (317 staff) - we launched our retail banking operations in Qatar and opened "al khaliji Q-Post Centre" in West Bay. We also received a license from the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC) to operate in the UAE for non banking activities. In the same quarter we received the approval to open Islamic banking branches in Qatar and we are joint lead manager for Dhs600m Sukuk issue for Almana Group
• Q1 (260 staff) - we announced our Q1 2008 Interim Condensed Financial Statements and contributed $75m as one of the mandated lead arrangers in $700m financing deal for Barwa Real Estate Company.

2007
• Q4 (241 staff) - we launched our Corporate and Institutional Banking business ahead of schedule with key corporate deals including major loans for Q-Tel, Dubai World and Barwa. We participated in the Qatari Capital Markets Day at the London Stock Exchange
• Q3 (137 staff) - our shares began trading on the Doha Securities Market. We entered negotiations to purchase the UAE assets of BLC Bank (France) S.A.
• Q2 (61 staff) - our QR1.2bn Initial Public Offering introduced a new, quick, transparent and fair process for allocating shares attracting 86,547 investors
• Q1 (2 staff) - our head office in West bay, Doha was established and we launched our QR2.88bn private equity placement.

Press Contacts:

Maitha Al-Qader
Principal
Corporate Affairs
al khaliji
Asia Street 60, West Bay
P.O. Box 28000, Doha, Qatar
Tel: +974 494 0645
Fax: +974 499 6020

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