"Global" join hands with 5th Gulf Excellence Forum 2006

Global is keen to sponsor the 5th Gulf Excellence Forum 2006 due to its belief in the numerous captivating success stories in the gulf region that require a proper venue to highlight it. Bringing these success stories together allows experiences to be exchanged and shared, in addition to recognize the accomplishments these companies have made in the GCC region.

The 5th edition of the Gulf Excellence Forum 2006, aims to consolidate the economic approach between the business entrepreneurs in this fast developing region. The Forum's objectives will also focus on successful businesses and the exchange of their rich business experiences. Gulf Excellence Forum 2006 also aims at setting best practice standards for Gulf businesses and to recognize the achievements of model organizations in the region, especially in regards to organizational performance excellence through the Gulf Excellence Award Program. Finally, it will promote the Spirit of inquiry and learning in order to encourage development. At Global, we believe in the importance of recognizing businesses achievements and stride to grow and develop themselves. Attaining this kind of appreciation has a tremendous positive affect on the employees within these businesses.

Taking its cue from the resounding success of the 4th Gulf Excellence Forum held in 2005 at Kingdom of Bahrain, the 5th Gulf Excellence Forum organized by Gulf Excellence Consulting Co. shall be held in association with the Qatar Chamber of Commerce & Industry, under the patronage and attendance of Crown Prince of State of Qatar, His Highness Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad Al-Thani , on 1st and 2nd of May 2006 at Ritz Carlton Hotel, Doha , Qatar .

Global's participation in this event stems also from its deep interest in the Qatari market and its investment potential. Global has already established First Qatar Real Estate Development Company and has released a number of in-depth research reports and technical analysis on companies listed on the Doha Securities Market (DSM), in addition to DSM Index.

Gulf Excellence Consulting Company is a closed shareholding company specializing in Financial and Management Consultancy. Gulfexcel strives to bring about excellence in performance among companies in the Gulf region and aim to deliver innovative ideas for new business projects and provide 'end to end' solutions with standards suiting the locale. The genesis of Gulfexcel is from the Gulf Excellence Forum which is focused on organizational performance development. It has evolved into a foundation of the economic and intellectual convergence of enterprising businessmen and women in the Gulf region.

Global Investment House "Global" is a full-fledged investment company incorporated in 1998, and falls under the regulation of the Central Bank of Kuwait. Its underlying foundation is to meet the high expectations of local and international clients, and to enhance the investment service industry in Kuwait and the region. Today, Global stock lists on the Kuwait Stock Exchange, Bahrain Stock Exchange, and Dubai Financial Market.

Global plays an important role in promoting investment opportunities in the Arabian Gulf Peninsula to investors through expert financial engineering. It provides investors with a diverse scope of international and national investment opportunities, and facilitates those investments by providing clients with services that target their individual needs, and exceed their expectations.

Global has accomplished much since the company's inception, and has been vigorous in developing the capital markets. Global's Assets Under Management reached KD1.8 billion (USD6.2 billion) on December 31 2005. Global has acted as a lead manager for Bonds & Islamic Finance deals, in addition to acting as a listing advisor for various companies. Within investment banking deals, Global has raised over KD 340 million (US $1.2 billion) in capital for several start-up companies, as of June 30, 2005. The company is also very active in managing an array of investment funds, accommodating to the different needs of our divergent client base.

Thus, Global's achievements have been recognized on local, regional, and international levels and have been recently awarded:

• "Best Equity House in Kuwait" Award, Euromoney magazine, May 2005,
• "Real Estate Investment" Award, Euromoney magazine, December 2005,
• "Best Company in Kuwait", Gulf Excellence, 2005,
• "Most Influential Businesspeople in the Middle East" (awarded to our CEO), Newsweek, 2005,
• "Business Women of the Year" (awarded to our CEO), Arabian Business Magazine, 2005,
• Global Distressed Fund: "Among the Best 10 Funds in the World", Barclay Group, 2005,
• Global Umbrella Fund-Asia/Japan: "Best Hedge Fund Managers in Asia/2005", Eurekahedge, 2005,
• Global Distressed Fund: "3rd Best Hedge Fund in the World", Eurekahedge, 2005,
• Global Distressed Fund: "7th Best Hedge Fund in the World", Barclay Group, March 2005,
• Global AlDurra Islamic Fund; "Best Islamic Fund in Kuwait", comparison study January 2006,
• "The Deal of the Year" Award, The Banker magazine, February 2006.

As a further means of extending its services to the community, Global produces on a regular basis in-depth research reports. Global targets equity research, market reports, country reports, economic reports, market indices and weekly updates all of which span throughout the Gulf region.

Global always trusts that it will meet its clients' financial demands and inquisitions, if not go beyond them. Whether it is financial instruments or just mere information, Global continuously offers products and services that will cater to the expectations of its clients.