The successful sale of Ishraq Dubai follows a strong series of exits for DIC

Dubai, United Arab Emirates: 2 October 2011 - One of the UAE's leading private business groups, Dubai-based Almulla Group and Dubai International Capital LLC ('DIC'), the private equity arm of Dubai Holding, today jointly announced that Almulla Group has successfully completed the acquisition of Ishraq Dubai LLC ('Ishraq Dubai') from DIC. Ishraq Dubai was 51% owned by DIC and 49% owned by Ishraq Gulf Real Estate Holding BSC, which in turn is majority owned by DIC.

Ishraq Dubai owns four hotels in Dubai operating under the franchised Holiday Inn Express ('HIEX') brand, located in Dubai Internet City, Al Safa, Jumeirah and at Dubai International Airport Terminal 3. HIEX is InterContinental Hotels' 'limited service' brand, targeting the price-conscious business and leisure travellers seeking quality lodgings at affordable rates. Almulla Group has reiterated its intent as a strategic investor and operator to strengthen the Holiday Inn Express franchise by improving and sustaining the scale of its operations in Dubai.

Mr. Saeed Almulla, Chairman of Almulla Group, said: "We have a long and successful track record of owning and managing major 4 and 5 star hotels across Dubai and the Holiday Inn Express hotels will complement our current portfolio. This acquisition is in line with our strategy to diversify our current hospitality portfolio to include the budget 2 and 3 star hotels category. We already have a relationship with InterContinental Hotels Group and the Holiday Inn Express brand enjoys a strong reputation amongst business travellers in Dubai. Our aim is to ensure continuity and consistency of service delivery and we welcome the staff and professionals of the HIEX hotels to Almulla Group and look forward to working with the current hotel management teams to develop and grow this brand even further."

David Smoot, Chief Executive Officer of Dubai International Capital said: "The sale of Ishraq Dubai is an important achievement as this

represents a strong return from our only 'greenfield' investment, a venture which we launched back in March 2005. The successful sale of Ishraq Dubai follows a strong series of exits that have consolidated our private equity track record in the MENA region. 2011 has seen the profitable sales of our stakes in KEF Holdings in June and Oger Telecom in August, as well as the sale earlier this year of CEGCO and Kingdom Electricity by our investment vehicle Jordan Dubai Capital.  Together these asset sales demonstrate how we have consistently added value to our portfolio businesses and realised maximum value from investments at the right time." 

Maissan Al Maskati, Chairman, Ishraq Gulf Real Estate Holding BSC and Managing Director, Private Equity, Dubai International Capital said: "We have developed the Holiday Inn Express brand in Dubai and it has become synonymous, as it has in other parts of the world, with reliability and quality. We are proud that these hotels have performed well through the market cycle proving the long term viability of the 'limited service' concept in the region. Importantly we have found in the UAE's Almulla Group a very reputed and experienced owner of hospitality assets and one that will be able to drive future value from this well positioned and established hotel portfolio."

Dubai-based Almulla Group has diversified business and investment interests in a range of sectors including hospitality, healthcare, real estate, banking, insurance, travel and luxury goods.  In  the hospitality sector,  Almulla Group currently owns a portfolio of major hotels including the Ritz Carlton Dubai, Sheraton Dubai Creek Hotel & Towers, Crowne Plaza Dubai (Deira), the Ramada Dubai and the Ramada Jumeirah.

Almulla Group was advised on this transaction by Emirates Financial Services (EFS) and engaged leading professional firms for due diligence.

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About Almulla Group:
Dubai-based Almulla Group is a large, diversified private business group with an integrated business portfolio spanning healthcare, hospitality, luxury goods, real estate, and travel & tourism.  These include some of Dubai's most important and high profile brand names like American Hospital Dubai (healthcare), The Ritz Carlton, Crowne Plaza, Sheraton and Ramada (hotels), and Breitling (watches). For further information visit www.almulla.com.

About Dubai International Capital LLC:
Dubai International Capital LLC is a private equity investment company established in 2004 as a wholly owned subsidiary of Dubai Holding.  DIC's private equity portfolio includes market-leading companies in Europe and the Middle East including; Almatis, Doncasters, Mauser, Rivoli and Travelodge.  DIC has also sponsored regional investment vehicles including Jordan Dubai Capital and MENA Infrastructure Fund.  For further information visit www.dubaiic.com.

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© Press Release 2011