Abu Dhabi, Sept. 13th, 2006(WAM)--Cleveland Clinic (USA)and Mubadala Development of Abu Dhabi today signed an agreement toestablish a preeminent world-class hospital in Abu Dhabi to be known asCleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi.

This initiative is set to create a new benchmarkfor the development and promotion of healthcare services in the MiddleEast.

Under the terms of the 15-year agreement, Cleveland Clinic will establish,develop and operate a world class specialty hospital and clinic in AbuDhabi, using the Cleveland Clinic systems, procedures, guidelines andstandards.

The hospital will incorporate Cleveland Clinic's medical group model,providing a spectrum of specialty services that will be planned and developedbased on the results of a program planning exercise.

The result of the agreement will therefore be an extension of ClevelandClinic's model of medicine and clinical capabilities in Abu Dhabi.

Commenting on the agreement, General Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan,Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE ArmedForces said: "Attracting the world's best healthcare institutions and professionalsto Abu Dhabi is a key component of the government's health policy. Thisagreement represents another step in the realization of His Highness SheikhKhalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE's vision to providethe people of the UAE with the best healthcare facilities in the world."The agreement between the two parties was signed at the Emirates Palacein Abu Dhabi, in the presence of General Sheikh Mohammed.

The two signatories were Khaldoon Khalifa Al Mubarak, CEO and ManagingDirector of Mubadala Development and Dr. Delos M. "Toby" Cosgrove, M.D.,Chief Executive Officer of Cleveland Clinic.

The signing took place after a briefing on the new agreement and theinitiative to senior government officials.

The site of the new hospital will be on Al Suwwa Island, located closeto the Mina Zayed Port, and across from Abu Dhabi Mall. It is scheduledto be operational in three years.

Present at the briefing were representatives of the board of ClevelandClinic together with senior representatives of the hospital's medicalstaff and administration. The briefing was attended by Federal Ministers,members of Abu Dhabi's Executive Council, senior representatives of theGeneral Authority for Health Services and senior representatives of theAbu Dhabi private healthcare sector.

"We are thrilled to be partnering with Mubadala Development and Abu Dhabito advance the delivery of health care to the citizens in the region,"said Dr. Cosgrove. The Cleveland Clinic has a longstanding history ofexcellence in clinical care, research, and education. We are truly proudto be a part of this unique and exciting opportunity and to continue ourlongstanding relationship in the Middle East"Khaldoon Al Mubarak stated that "this is the first deal of its kind,and as such it creates a sustainable benchmark, that not only fast trackshealthcare for the people of Abu Dhabi and the UAE, but also for theregion as a whole. Cleveland Clinic's involvement in this venture ensuresthe ongoing provision of quality healthcare services, cutting edge technologyand continuous medical education."An extensive program planning exercise is currently under way, that willdetermine the exact national and regional requirements for the ClevelandClinic Abu Dhabi. Government representatives were informed that whencomplete (Early 2007) the study will identify the specialties, associatedfacilities and capacities that the hospital will include.

Cleveland Clinic, located in Cleveland, Ohio, is a not-for-profit multispecialtyacademic medical center that integrates clinical and hospital care withresearch and education. Cleveland Clinic was founded in 1921 by four renownedphysicians with a vision of providing outstanding patient care based uponthe principles of cooperation, compassion and innovation.

U.S. News & World Report consistently names Cleveland Clinic as one ofthe nation's best hospitals in its annual "America's Best Hospitals" survey.