Man, Commercial Bank of Qatar and Qatar Insurance Co launch Man Multi-Strategy bond issue

Man Multi-Strategy Guaranteed (Series Q), which will be available in US$-Class Bonds, targets annualised returns of around 18%1 while aiming to restrict volatility to around 13%1. Man Investment Products is part of Man Group plc, which forms part of the FTSE 100 index of leading shares on the London Stock Exchange.

Antoine Massad, Associate Director and Head of Middle East and Asia at Man Investment Products, said: "Man has had a long-standing and successful relationship with both the Commercial Bank of Qatar and Qatar Insurance Company, going back more than ten years. This joint fund will further strengthen our strategic alliance with both parties and is a step forward in the partnership between our companies."

The Commercial Bank of Qatar has been a leader in the investment market for many years, and has pioneered several successful investment initiatives, being the first Qatari bank to launch its own guaranteed funds. The bank's Personal Financial Service advises customers on all aspects of financial planning.

Qatar Insurance Company is one of the largest insurance companies in the Gulf. "We are delighted to be associated with Man Investment Products in their fund for the Qatar Market. Man's funds have been the best performers in the alternative investment category for a number of years," according to Khalifa Al Subaey, General Manager and Board Member of Qatar Insurance Company.

Andrew Stevens, General Manager of the Commercial Bank of Qatar, said: "Man's products have long been an integral part of our portfolio offerings and we are pleased to see this latest development in our relationship. This is the first investment product that Man has launched specifically for the Qatar market, and we are delighted to be its partner of choice."

Mazin Shakarchi, Deputy General Manager, and Head of Treasury and Investments at Commercial Bank of Qatar, said: "As an institution, we have seen at first hand the benefits of investing with Man. Their track record of producing strong returns regardless of market conditions is extremely impressive. With a minimum investment of $10,000 this latest initiative enables the ordinary investor to participate in the growing alternative investment field, and to benefit from the enhanced returns and stability that such investments can bring to a portfolio."

Barclays Bank plc. will undertake the role of Guarantor for the capital guarantee structure of the bond, and will undertake to return all initial investment capital when the Bonds reach maturity on the 31st March 2012, subject to the terms and conditions of the Guarantees.

The Man Multi-Strategy structure combines a diverse range of strategies, many of which have a low correlation to each other, resulting in an investment capable of producing stable returns whether global markets are falling or rising. Interest in alternative investments has surged in the recent past, as investors have increasingly appreciated the benefits of diversifying into areas where they can profit regardless of the ups and downs of the stockmarket.

Series Q belongs to a family of successful capital guaranteed multi-strategy products offered by Man. The first Man Multi-Strategy product, launched over a year ago, has achieved an annualised return of 22%2 for a volatility of 11.1%2. Notwithstanding the importance of viewing Man products as medium-term investments, the performance of this product is particularly impressive considering the range of upward and downward price moves in capital markets over the period.

Antoine Massad comments: "This multi-strategy approach has already demonstrated its ability to achieve impressive gains combined with relatively low volatility. We are
confident that Series Q will continue the precedent of strong performance set by the previous products in this family."

Man Multi-Strategy Series Q Ltd will be available to investors in Qatar from 2nd of February 2002 to 14th of March 2002. Full details can be obtained by calling CBQ's Personal Financial Services on 4490286, or through the Internet at www.cbq.com.qa.

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