New facility will help fund the Firm's rapid growth across the Gulf region

Abu Dhabi, 4 February 2015 - Gulf Capital, one of the most active and diversified alternative asset managers in the Gulf region, announced today that it has successfully closed an AED 850 million syndicated revolving credit facility lead arranged by two of the leading banks in the UAE, Abu Dhabi Commercial Bank as Initial Mandated Lead Arranger and First Gulf Bank PJSC as Mandated Lead Arranger. The new six-year facility will help fund Gulf Capital's growing pipeline of investments across its various business units, including Private Equity, Credit and Mezzanine and Real Estate. The announcement comes shortly after the successful closing of the Company's third and largest private equity fund to date- GC Equity Partners III-which, at US$ 750 million, is the largest private equity fund raised in the Middle East over the last three years.

Dr Karim El Solh, Chief Executive Officer of Gulf Capital, said: "We are very pleased to be signing this landmark facility with Abu Dhabi Commercial Bank and First Gulf Bank PJSC and growing our partnership with them. Gulf Capital is entering 2015 extremely well-funded both at the corporate and fund levels and is evaluating numerous investment and growth opportunities across the region. We believe there is a unique window today to secure attractive investments at reasonable valuations in high growth sectors across the GCC."

He added: "Gulf Capital is continuously assessing its funding options in the regional capital markets, be it on the debt or equity side. In the current low interest rate environment

and increasing bank liquidity, the Firm took a view that it would be more advantageous to fund its growth through a debt facility rather than through the equity capital markets. This record size revolver credit facility allows Gulf Capital to reduce its borrowing costs, optimise its capital structure and continue financing its investments across all of its asset classes. We are privileged to be in a strong financial position today and to be one of the best funded regional investment companies, both at the corporate and fund levels."

Mr Colin Fraser, Executive Vice President and Head of Wholesale Banking at ADCB, said: "We are delighted to continue to support the growth of Gulf Capital by arranging this financing for them. The new facility reinforces the strong relationship and partnership that ADCB has enjoyed with the company since its inception in 2006. The revolver facility is well structured to suit the liquidity requirements of the company and clearly enhances our partnership and our commitment to assisting the Company in its ongoing development."

Mr Simon Penney, Head of Wholesale and International Banking at FGB, said: "This new facility further strengthens our successful business relationship with Gulf Capital, as well as its portfolio companies, and we're committed to supporting the company in its future growth plans."

Mr. Steve Perry, Head of Debt Markets and Syndications at FGB, said: "We are very pleased to act as Mandated Lead Arranger for this important facility for Gulf Capital and we look forward to continuing to provide flexible and innovative financing solutions to the Company going forward."

Mr Christopher Foll, Chief Financial Officer of Gulf Capital said: "We thank both banks for their continued support with this new and substantial facility. Gulf Capital remains one of the best capitalised investment firms in the region, and this increased line of credit will further enhance the Company's ability to meet its investment commitments in the medium term and grow its franchise across the region."

About Gulf Capital
Gulf Capital is a leading alternative asset manager focused on the Gulf region, investing across several asset classes including Private Equity, Credit and Mezzanine and Real Estate. The Company currently manages over $3.3 billion of assets across 7 funds and investment vehicles. Gulf Capital's mission is to grow capital and build value with world-class expertise and best practices to generate sustainable superior performance for all stakeholders. Gulf Capital invests its own capital alongside its fund investors' capital in all of the funds it launches. In Private Equity, Gulf Capital is focused on acquiring strategic stakes in highly profitable and rapidly growing companies within a select number of fast-growing industries in the GCC region and through deep operational and financial improvements, on accelerating and enhancing their profitability and size. Gulf Capital was awarded the "Best Private Equity Firm in the Middle East" Award by Banker Middle East Magazine in 2011, 2012, 2013 and 2014. The Firm is actively involved in real estate development through Gulf Related, its joint venture with the Related Companies, a leading private real estate developer in the United States. Gulf Related is focused on pursuing marquee large-scale mixed-use and residential real estate development opportunities in the UAE and Saudi Arabia. Gulf Capital also launched a Credit and Mezzanine Business, Gulf Credit Partners, to meet the financing needs of fast-growing companies and to provide acquisition finance across the Middle East. With its private equity, real estate and credit initiatives, Gulf Capital is today one of the largest and most diversified alternative investment managers in the Middle East. For more information about Gulf Capital PJSC, please visit Gulf Capital's website at www.gulfcapital.com.

About ADCB
ADCB was formed in 1985 and as at 31 December 2014 employed over 4,000 people from 65 nationalities, serving over 580,000 retail customers and approximately 49,000 corporate and SME clients in 50 branches, 4 pay offices and 2 branches in India, 1 branch in Jersey and a representative office in London.  As at 31 December 2014, ADCB's total assets were AED 204 bn. ADCB is a full-service commercial bank which offers a wide range of products and services such as retail banking, wealth management, private banking, corporate banking, commercial banking, cash management, investment banking, corporate finance, foreign exchange, interest rate and currency derivatives and Islamic products, project finance and property management services. ADCB is owned 59.3% by the Government of Abu Dhabi (Abu Dhabi Investment Council - 58.08% and an Abu Dhabi Government Entity - 1.19%). Its shares are traded on the Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange.  As at 31 December 2014, excluding treasury shares, ADCB's market capitalisation was AED 37 bn.

About First Gulf Bank PJSC
As a major leading Bank in the UAE, FGB had Shareholder Equity of AED 34.1 billion as of December 31st, 2014 making it one of the largest equity based Banks in the UAE. Established in 1979 and headquartered in Abu Dhabi, UAE, the Bank offers a full range of financial services to business and consumer sectors throughout an extensive network of branches across the UAE. Internationally, FGB has branches in Singapore and Qatar, representative offices in India, Hong Kong, Seoul and London and a subsidiary in Libya.

Today, FGB is recognised as a world-class organisation committed to maximising value for shareholders, customers and employees as it focuses on delivering banking products and services that meet client needs and support the UAE's dynamic economy. In line with its commitment to excellence the Bank continues to invest significantly in people and technology to provide superior service standards. FGB was named the 'Best Bank in the United Arab Emirates' and 'Best Wealth Management Firm' at the Banker Middle East Industry Awards 2014. It was also ranked as the 8th most powerful company in the Arab World in Forbes' 'Top 500 companies in the Arab World' list. FGB was also recently recognised as an "Employer of Choice" at the GCC Best Employer Brand Awards 2014 and has been honored in the SME Banking Sector category of the inaugural Enterprise Agility Awards.

Issued by Borouj Consulting on behalf of Gulf Capital. For more information, please contact: Randa Mazzawi randa@boroujconsulting.com or Mayssa Makhlouf mayssa@boroujconsulting.com at Tel: +9714 3403005, Follow us on Twitter @Borouj.

© Press Release 2015