Moody's Expands to Larger Premises in Dubai's DIFC

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DIFCDIFC - Dubai, September 07, 2010 -- Moody's Investors Service has today announced that its Dubai-based regional office, Moody's Middle East Limited, has moved to permanent and larger premises within the Gate District of the Dubai International Financial CentreDubai International Financial Centre (DIFCDIFC) in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. Moody's Middle East Limited was first established in the DIFCDIFC in April 2007. The move will allow Moody's to implement its near- and medium-term expansion plans which are aimed at enhancing its ability to serve financial market participants in the region.

"The move reflects Moody's continued commitment to its customers in the Middle East," said Jehad El-Nakla, who has been the General Manager of Moody's Middle East Ltd. since November 2007. "As the global economy gradually emerges out of recession, Middle Eastern market participants have started to return to the global capital markets in order to address their financing needs. Moody's is therefore anticipating a revival in regional demand for ratings and intends to meet this demand with greater
analytical resources on the ground." Moody's has so far assigned more than 170 public ratings in the region.

"Overall, our DIFCDIFC-based office continues to provide a good base from which to address regional demands for in-depth, globally comparable credit analysis and ratings," stated Frederic Drevon, Head of Moody's Europe, Middle East & Africa.

RECOGNITION OF MOODY'S WORK IN THE MIDDLE EAST

Over the past few years, Moody's has received several regionally specific awards in recognition of its successful work in the Middle East.

For two consecutive years, Moody's has been voted "Best Islamic Rating Agency" -- that is, best rating agency for Islamic finance -- by the readers of Islamic Finance News in the publication's annual polls
conducted at the end of 2008 and 2009. The award confirms Moody's expertise in Islamic Finance and recognises Moody's superior ratings coverage of Islamic financial institutions and Sukuk transactions.

Moreover, in 2008, Moody's was also voted "Best Rating Agency in the Middle East" by the readers of EuroWeek magazine.

Moody's continued involvement in regional developments in the capital market is further underlined by its membership of the UAE-based Gulf Bond & Sukuk Association (GBSA). Further afield, Moody's is also an
observer member of the Islamic Financial Services Board (IFSB), an international standard-setting organisation based in Malaysia.

For more information about Moody's activities in the Middle East, please refer to www.MoodysMiddleEast.com.


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About Moody's Investors Service
Moody's Investors Service is a leading provider of credit ratings, research and risk analysis. Moody's commitment and expertise contributes to transparent and integrated financial markets. The firm's ratings and analysis track debt covering more than 110 sovereign nations, 12,000 corporate issuers, 25,000 public finance issuers, and 106,000 structured finance obligations. Moody's Investors Service is a subsidiary of Moody's Corporation (NYSE: MCO), which reported revenue of $1.8 billion in 2009, employs approximately 4,100 people worldwde and maintains a presence in 26 countries. Further information is available at www.moodys.com

For more information, please contact:
Maya (Abdulrahim) Penrose

EMEA Rating Communications

Moody's Investors Service

Tel: +44 20 7772 5459
+44 20 7772 5459
E-mail: maya.penrose@moodys.com

DIFCDIFC - Dubai
Jehad el-Nakla
General Manager
Moody's Middle East Ltd.
Moody's Middle East Ltd.
Telephone: +971-44-01-9536
+971-44-01-9536

London
Frederic Drevon
MD - Regional Head EMEA
Europe, Middle East & Africa
Moody's Investors Service Ltd.
JOURNALISTS: 44 20 7772 5456
44 20 7772 5456
SUBSCRIBERS: 44 20 7772 5454
44 20 7772 5454

Moody's Middle East Limited
Gate Village 4, Level 3
P.O. Box 113355
DIFCDIFC - Dubai
UAE

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