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Monday, November 9 - 2009

Kuwait National Airways announces listing on Kuwait Stock Exchange

Kuwait National Airways (KNA) announces its listing on the Kuwait Stock Exchange today, which was managed by KIPCO Asset Management Company (KAMCO) as the Listing Advisor.

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  • Wataniya Airways Chairman & Managing Director Abdul Salam Al Bahar.
    Wataniya Airways Chairman & Managing Director Abdul Salam Al Bahar.
The company will be traded under the ticker "KNA" with the completion of the listing in 2008 on target for KNA as per management's expectations, ahead of the planned commencement of flight operations for its flagship subsidiary, Wataniya Airways, in January 2009.

KNA, which was established in 2005, is the parent company of Wataniya Airways, the region's newest commercial full service luxury airline. KNA is also the majority shareholder in United Projects Group (UPAC) - a real estate, construction and aviation support company, and Royal Aviation Company Kuwait - which manages the new high standard private air terminal at Kuwait International Airport.

KNA has an authorized and fully paid-up capital of KD50m, distributed over 500 million shares with a par value of 100 kuwaiti fils each following its initial public offering in 2006 that was jointly managed by KAMCO and Burgan Bank. The shareholding structure of the company comprises of a 30% group of strategic investors and 70% smaller investors.

"We are delighted to have been able to complete the listing in 2008 and thereby achieve another planned milestone for KNA, demonstrating the continued successful growth and development of our thriving aviation company,"


said Mr. Abdulsalam Al Bahar, Chairman & Managing Director of KNA.

"Moreover, having KAMCO as the Listing Advisor for our listing gave us the confidence that the project would be executed efficiently and effectively following their successful management of the Company's initial public offering in 2006, in spite of recent turbulences experienced on the Kuwait Stock Exchange."

KNA officially launched the new name and brand identity of its flagship premium airline - Wataniya Airways - in May 2008. Supported by the Kuwait Government's license for a unique premium Kuwaiti airline, Wataniya Airways has been designed as a distinctive short haul airline targeting the Kuwaiti market. The service will offer luxury, comfort and convenient point to point scheduling from Kuwait's prestigious Royal Terminal to regional locations, commencing with flights to Dubai from early 2009.

Wataniya Airways will be using a fleet of luxury Airbus A320 aircraft with the lowest seat density of any similar scheduled aircraft in the world and the first in the region to provide cutting edge technology. Wataniya Airways' guests will receive unparalleled choice for in-flight entertainment and special facilities, appealing to both leisure and business guests.

"We were pleased to have been appointed to bring this project to fruition and use our extensive market experience to achieve a very successful listing on the Kuwait Stock Exchange for KNA," added Mr. Saudoun Ali, CEO for KAMCO. "Moreover, we believe that KNA will be on added value to the KSE due to the positive prospects of its industry in addition to its professional and experienced management," Mr. Ali added.
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Notes and media contacts

Kuwait National Airways
Kuwait National Airways is now a publicly listed company that currently comprises three key business operations:

Wataniya Airways - Wataniya Airways is a new full service luxury airline that will commence operations in 2009 offering a unique service with point to point connections from Kuwait to destinations across the Middle East. Geared to the specific demands and needs of Kuwaiti nationals, it will fly modern A320 aircraft with 122 seats providing the most comfort, space and legroom of any scheduled airline using this aircraft in the world. Under the KW designation, Wataniya Airways will travel from the Royal Terminal in Kuwait to destinations across the Middle East.

UPAC - United Projects Company for Aviation Services (UPAC) specializes in building, operating and investing in BOT projects, real estate development, construction management and aviation support services. The company's prime activity is the Kuwait International Airport mall and car park and it is undertaking a number of new projects including the Discovery Center Mall.

Royal Aviation - A unique private air terminal in a new purpose built building at Kuwait International Airport that provides fast check-in, luxury lounges and bespoke services for individual travelers and the providers of private aviation services in Kuwait.

About KAMCO:
KAMCO is a premier investment company that provides innovative and performance driven financial solutions for its clients since 1998. A KIPCO Group investment banking subsidiary, KAMCO has assets of KD2.28bn under management or control, a portfolio of some 825 companies and individuals, and about 150 employees throughout its operations.

KAMCO has been publicly listed on the Kuwait Stock Exchange since 2003 and provides its clients with easy access to local and international capital markets, as well as a comprehensive selection of financial services.

KAMCO focuses on asset management (including brokerage services, tailored portfolio management, forward trading, IPOs, local and international fund management etc.) and financial services comprising the full range of corporate finance advisory services (including mergers and acquisitions, underwriting, private placements, strategy development and strategic planning, project and investment evaluation and consulting as well as private equity.)

KAMCO has one of the region's leading corporate finance and investment banking advisors, as measured by transactions completed, achievements to date, breadth of client relationships and its extensive experience and knowledge. KAMCO Corporate Finance has an extensive track record of successfully completed assignments that have fully met client requirements and expectations. In the period from July 2001 to 30 September 2008, KAMCO Corporate Finance has completed over 62 Corporate Finance transactions with an aggregate value of KD2.44bn (around $8.86bn).

For further information:
Mohamed Salhab
Hill & Knowlton
Tel: (+965) 2331 770
Mobile: (+965) 9029647

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