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Jafza and NASDAQ Dubai to host seminar on capital-raising opportunities for free zone companies

Ernst & Young, Latham & Watkins, SHUAA Capital and Riyada Enterprise Development, part of the Abraaj Group, to form panel of experts

Dubai, United Arab Emirates, September 18, 2011: Jebel Ali Free Zone ( Jafza ) and NASDAQ Dubai will host the first of its kind interactive seminar for prominent companies based in the free zone to share ways in which they can raise capital to fund their expansion, including through a listing on the region's international exchange. The seminar recognizes the major challenges of any business in raising capital and has been developed in collaboration with Jafza , NASDAQ Dubai and leading financial experts to support Jafza companies.

Jeff Singer, Chief Executive of NASDAQ Dubai, will give a presentation to senior company executives at the event on Wednesday 28^th September highlighting the different options for capital raising, as well as the advantages of carrying out an initial public offering (IPO) and how to prepare for listing.

He will be joined by a panel of experts from auditing and financial advisory firm Ernst & Young, international law firm Latham & Watkins LLP, investment bank SHUAA Capital psc and private equity firm Riyada Enterprise Development, a member of the Abraaj Group, who will discuss and answer questions from attendees on the opportunities and challenges of various ways of raising capital. The panel session will provide Jafza companies with an exclusive opportunity to hear from these leading organisations, all under one roof.

The seminar is part of an outreach programme to Jafza companies that follows a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed in April 2011 by Mrs. Salma Hareb, Chief Executive Officer of Economic Zones World, the parent company of Jafza , as well as by Mr. Singer on behalf of NASDAQ Dubai.

The programme focuses on providing financing opportunities for companies based in the free zone. It supports the Dubai government's strategic objective of promoting a favourable environment for the growth of international and regional companies and providing them with convenient access to capital markets to fund their development.

Mrs. Salma Hareb said: "We are continuing our strategy, as business enablers, to further enhance our trade and finance ecosystem capabilities. I am very pleased to co-host this interactive seminar which will facilitate our customers to utilise various instruments and tools to support their current business and growth strategies. The panel of experts at the seminar will share market practices and propose tailored solutions for the companies at the workshop and the Jafza community at large. We are strongly committed to customer-oriented solutions that are designed to support businesses in the Free Zone that drive the growth of Jafza , Dubai and the UAE.

Mr. Singer said: "I am looking forward to meeting some of the Middle East's most successful enterprises at the seminar to hear their views on how they wish to raise capital and explain the advantages and requirements of listing as one potential option. As the region's international exchange, NASDAQ Dubai offers company owners the opportunity to sell shares at market value through a book build IPO, with active trading on a liquid platform used by 75 companies listed on Dubai Financial Market (DFM) as well as NASDAQ Dubai."

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About EZW
EZW is the global provider of sustainable industrial and logistics infrastructure solutions. The company aims to create a robust network of economic zones, technology, logistics and industrial parks as well as build-to-suit developments across the world with an objective to support the dynamic expansion of its rapidly growing international customer base. EZW's current portfolio includes Jafza , Gazeley, TechnoPark and Dubai Auto Zone.

Jafza is Economic Zones World's flagship operation and home to 6500+ multinational companies, including over 150 of the Fortune Global 500 enterprises. It is the region's most efficient logistics hub and the only one in the world located between Jebel Ali Port and Al Maktoum International Airport, enabling the best in multi modal connectivity.

Also in the portfolio is Gazeley, one of Europe's leading developers and providers of sustainable logistics and industrial spaces. Gazeley has strong presence in the UK, mainland Europe, China and India.

TechnoPark is the company's research and development initiative in core economic sectors, including Energy, Water and Environment. It focuses on nurturing business ideas/new technologies in various fields, which could be quickly translated into real-world industrial operations.

Dubai Auto Zone (DAZ) is a comprehensive market place for the Auto Industry catering to buyers, sellers, service providers, principals and traders.

For more information, visit www.ezw.com

About NASDAQ Dubai
NASDAQ Dubai is the international financial exchange serving the region between Western Europe and East Asia. It welcomes regional as well as global issuers that seek regional and international investment. The exchange currently lists shares, derivatives, exchange-traded commodities, structured products, Sukuk (Islamic bonds) and conventional bonds. The majority shareholder of NASDAQ Dubai is Dubai Financial Market with a two-thirds stake. Borse Dubai owns one third of the shares. The regulator of NASDAQ Dubai is the Dubai Financial Services Authority (DFSA). NASDAQ Dubai is located in the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC).

For more information, visit www.nasdaqdubai.com

© Press Release 2011