Global receives Euromoney's "Best Equity House" 2006 Award

In an event held last Wednesday at the Four Seasons Hotel, Doha, Qatar, and attended by a number of businessmen, Mr. Simon Brady, Euromoney CEO, presented the award to Mr. Omar M. El-Quqa, Executive Vice President at Global, who expressed the company's deep appreciation for this recognition.

"We have always aimed high and to be the best in what we do, no matter how, where or, when. This award is for all Global staff and clients who believed in the company, its team, our hard work, and commitment to our clients and the capital market," El-Quqa said.

Global EVP affirmed that this coveted award is a culmination of a line of growing achievements and awards the company has built since its foundation in 1998. "The second award will strengthen our leadership position in the market," he added.

Last year, the magazine awarded Global "Best Equity House" in Kuwait. Furthermore, Global received "Real Estate Investment" award in December 2005 in Dubai.

Global EVP thanked the international financial magazine for this distinction, and stressed its significance to Global's staff and clients for receiving the award for the second time.

He pointed that the award puts both an added responsibility on the shoulders of the management and employees, and is looked upon as a push to excel further more and maintain diligence in maintaining investors' satisfaction.

"Our innovative and pioneering investment products, in-depth financial and investment reports and analysis on local and regional companies and economies, plus the drive of each and every member of Global to give their best, are major factors for winning the award."

Among Global's recent achievements, it's introduction of Global Opportunistic Fund with a capital of USD550 million in 2005 to invest in Pre-IPO and IPO. Due to its huge success, the fund was followed early this year by Global Opportunistic Fund II with a USD1 billion capital. Global got listed on the Dubai Financial Market, acquired major shares in a number of successful local and regional companies, managed the listing of a number of companies in Kuwait and Dubai stock exchanges, managed and co-managed the placement of local and regional companies and saw its assets under management cross the USD6 billion mark.

In addition, 2005 was one of Global's best years in expanding investment and geographic opportunities by maintaining a diligent course when implementing its expansion strategy in the region. Global expanded business and market research capabilities earned Euromoney's award for the "Best Equity House in Kuwait" for that year.

Global also received "The Deal of the Year" award from "The Banker" magazine in 2006, for its role as a co-lead manager in the Initial Public Offering (IPO) for Investcom Company late in 2005. Furthermore, Global Distressed Fund ranked "3rd Best Hedge Fund in the World" by Eurekahedge , while Barclay group ranked the same fund "7th Best Hedge Fund in the World", both according to Sharpe Ratio.

In conclusion, Mr. El-Quqa thanked Euromoney magazine for the award and expressed his heartfelt pride in receiving the award. He again stressed Global's commitment towards excellence to deliver financial and investments products and services that go beyond markets' expectations, with a strong commitment to leadership, ethical approach, creativity, and innovation, which led to great results in this past two years being merited and recognized globally by financial international markets.