AST Telecomm LLC is the first recipient of du's franchise license for local entrepreneurs

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The company's first-of-its-kind franchise scheme - in partnership with the Hamdan Bin Mohammed Bin Rashid Programme nurtures local talent

Dubai, UAE, 27 June 2010: Demonstrating its commitment to nurturing young local talent, dudu has awarded its first franchise license to an UAE-based company AST Telecomm LLC, owned by two Emirati entrepreneurs and brothers, Ali Sulaiman Al-Taher and Shahin Sulaiman Al-Taher. This is the very first achievement of dudu's partnership with the Hamdan Bin Mohammed Bin Rashid Programme for Young Business Leaders - part of Mohammed Bin Rashid Establishment for SME Development (MBRE).

The franchise agreement was signed between Farid Faraidooni, Chief Commercial Officer, dudu, and the entrepreneur Ali Sulaiman Al-Taher, CEO of AST Telecomm LLC, in the presence of His Excellency Abdul Baset Al Janahi, CEO, Mohammed bin Rashid Establishment for SME Development.

dudu has announced a dedicated E-mail address where people can apply for a franchise opportunity by writing to franchising@dudu.ae.

"Speaking on the occasion", Farid Faraidooni, Chief Commercial Officer, dudu, said: "We are pleased to award our very first franchise license to AST Telecomm LLC, in partnership with the Hamdan Bin Mohammed Bin Rashid Programme, confident in our belief that this greenfield company will prove to be a great success in the future. This first-of-its-kind franchise scheme is in-line with our Emiratisation strategy, giving local entrepreneurs the chance to develop our country's SME business sector, thereby enabling them to contribute to the UAE's economy.

AST Telecomm LLC will start its first franchise operation at Dragon Mart, where the entrepreneurs will sell dudu products and services through their dudu outlet. The brothers applied for the franchise opportunity through the Hamdan Bin Mohammed Bin Rashid Programme for Young Business Leaders - part of Mohammed Bin Rashid Establishment (MBRE) for SME Development and plan to open further outlets across the UAE through partnership with other entrepreneurs.

dudu is franchising 18 out of its existing 35 shops and five new franchise outlets (including the franchised shop in Dragon Mart) in 2010, which will bring the total number of dudu shops to 40 by the end of 2010. Riding on growing market demand for its products and services, dudu has consistently expanded its retail presence ever since it commenced commercial operations in February 2007 with nine outlets, now numbering 35 dudu Shops, located in strategic locations and covering the entire UAE.

"We are pleased to be a part of this scheme, in partnership with dudu, which comes in-line with our commitment to affiliate with different organisations in Dubai to strengthen the participation of UAE nationals in the business sector. This project is a great way of helping small and medium businesses to develop and grow," said Abdul Baset Al Janahi, CEO, Mohammed bin Rashid Establishment for SME Development.

Al Janahi Added:"This move today will encourage other entities to come and benefit from this initiative and we have already received overwhelming response from different companies. Our role today goes beyond financing as we provide SMEs with consultation in order to strengthen their businesses."

Ali Sulaiman Al Taher is an entrepreneur with more than 20 years of professional experience in some of the largest companies in the region including, his last position was Manager Products and Services Development at THURAYA Satellite before venturing on his own in 2003. He has worked in the past with major telecom vendors such as Siemens, Alcatel, Ericsson, Motorola, Boeing and Hughes Network Systems.

"The dudu franchise initiative is a bold, courageous and timely move that reflects dudu's brand image and corporate values. It demonstrates dudu's commitment towards a more liberal telecom sector and has come at a time when the market needs it the most". "We are honoured to have been awarded this early bird opportunity through the Hamdan Bin Mohamed Bin Rashid program. A programme we have found committed to helping young entrepreneurs overcome almost any obstacle and reach their goals safely. We encourage everyone to join the programme and make use of their facilities and support. My advice to every entrepreneur is that this is a low hanging fruit; grab it while it is there. We will be more than happy to share our expertise and maybe a piece of the fruit with you." said Ali Sulaiman Al-Taher, entrepreneur and CEO of AST Telecomm LLC.

As part of the franchise project, dudu will give support to its selected franchisees by providing them with training and marketing collateral, as well as suggesting suitable locations to set up their retail outlets. The company's support plan aims to assist local entrepreneurs in establishing their businesses, while also ensuring dudu customer relations are maintained at the highest standards.

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About du
dudu, the integrated telecom service provider in the UAE, launched mobile telecommunication services in February 2007 across the UAE, in addition to internet and pay TV services that dudu provides in some of the free zones of Dubai. Call Select, dudu's nationwide fixed line services for voice telephony, was launched in July 2007. By the end of 2008, over 3 million people in the UAE chose to become dudu customers.

Among dudu's many firsts is its historic Number Booking Campaign for both individuals and business, Pay by the Second billing system, Mobile TV, Mobile Payments, first of its kind 'WoW' recharge card (which offers customers the choice between more credit, more time and now 'more international' recharge option with additional credit on international calls) and Self Care.

For business customers, dudu business offers include Closed Business User Group and preferred International Destinations. dudu Broadcast Services division brings scalable media technology platforms and telecommunication solutions to the broadcast community through its world class teleport (Samacom) and Master Control Room (MCR) facilities.

dudu products and services for consumers and business are available through dudu's retail network, currently numbering 33 dudu shops located in strategic locations across the UAE, more than 3000 authorized dealers Or through dudu e-shop, accessible at http://www.dudu.ae/en/where-to-buy/eshop.html. dudu shops are a one stop shop for mobile service, carrier select and the payment of the service bills.

dudu is 39.5 percent owned by the UAE Federal Government, 19.75 percent by Mubadala Development Company, 19.5 percent by Emirates Communications & Technology Company LLC and the remaining stake by public shareholders. It is listed on the Dubai Financial Market (DFM) and trades under the name dudu.

Awards to date

• dudu presented with an award for Best Middle Eastern Local Currency Deal 2008 by UK's EuroWeek

• dudu won two prestigious awards at UAE Web Awards 2008. dudu e-shop portal won the best strategic online portal award in the e-commerce category and dudu media club website won the bronze award in the media and press category.

• dudu corporate brand launch campaign awarded a Cristal MENA award in 2008

• dudu declared 'Best Brand' at Telecoms World Awards Middle East 2007 for innovative branding and outstanding brand success

• Second place in the New Brand Launch category at the GMR Effectiveness in Marketing Awards 2007

• Silver Award for the best website in the ICT category at the UAE Web Awards 2007

• dudu WoW TV Commercial awarded amongst the best 50 TV commercials in mobile telecom category in the world for 2007

For further information, please contact:
Saugat Chatterjee
Public Relations Manager, Channels Communications
Brand & Communications
du
Mobile: +971 55 9367045
Email: dudu.ae">saugat.chatterjee@dudu.ae

Mayssam Hamadeh
Manning, Selvage & Lee
Tel: +971 4 3676 324
Mobile: +971 55 495 6484
Fax: +971 4 367 2615
Email: mayssam.hamadeh@dubai.mslpr.com

© Press Release 2010