Umm Al Quwain, Dec. 14th, 2006 (WAM)---Emaar Middle East(EME) is undertaking an extensive environmental assessment studyfor its AED 12 billion (US$3.3 billion) Umm Al Quwain Marina.

The results of the study will be integrated into the project'smasterplan to ensure that there is minimal interference on thenatural habitat.

Dome International LLC, an agency with an impressive track-recordin conducting environmental monitoring for several high-profileprojects in the Gulf region, is undertaking the environmentalmonitoring and assessment studies for the project.

"Umm Al Quwain has a rich reserve of mangroves and natural lagoons,"said Ahmad Al Matrooshi, UAE Managing Director, Emaar Propertiesand Member of the Board of Directors of Emaar Middle East, acompany specifically formed earlier this year to develop UmmAl Quwain Marina. "As a developer committed to protecting andsustaining the environment, we want to ensure that the projecthas minimal impact on the natural habitat of Umm Al Quwain."Registered with the Dubai Municipality and the EnvironmentalAgency, Abu Dhabi as an approved environmental consultant, DomeInternational is ascertaining several aspects of the environmentat Umm Al Quwain Marina. These include the impact of build onthe surroundings and a comprehensive survey of the existing floraand fauna.

"Our consultants have extensive experience in environmental consultancyservices of major projects worldwide. We have particular expertisein the development/ infrastructure sector and have been responsiblefor a large number Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) projectsfor clients in the Gulf region," said Jackie Daair of Dome International.

"We are following international norms in assessing the environmentalimpact of the Umm Al Quwain Marina development."Emaar, the pioneer of master-planned communities in the UAE,has a successful track-record of creating environmentally consciousneighborhoods that feature lush-green parks, gardens and waterways.

Emaar recently unveiled the Earth Watch recycling initiativeat its communities to support the environment.

"All our developments have been following sound environmentalpractices as prescribed by experts," added Al Matrooshi. "Weare extending the same to Umm Al Quwain Marina too.

The current topography of the project site already permits theintroduction of water features such as channels and recreationbasins."Umm Al Quwain Marina will also undertake several environmentalconsiderations in waterfront planning. "These include the creationof coves, marinas, channels and other features. More open spacesand pedestrian areas will be provided along the water's edge.

Landscaping will be undertaken with drought-resistant plantsto sustain a natural ambience. All these are so planned to minimizeenvironmental impact," said Michael Bastow, Director - Development,Emaar Properties.

Developed as part of an agreement with the UAQ Government, UmmAl Quwain Marina will encompass 6,000 villas and 2,000 townhouses.

The total navigable water area, including marina and a set ofcanals, at Umm Al Quwain Marina is about 450 acres. The projectwill also host many retail and leisure facilities including indoorgyms, tennis courts and swimming pools. Some 1,200 resort- andhotel-rooms are also being planned.

With 23 km of waterfront, Umm Al Quwain Marina has its hearta central marina basin of 450 metres diameter, big enough toberth over 600 boats. Extensive landscaping will offer pedestriansaccess to waterfront recreation centers, retail outlets and otheramenities.

Umm Al Quwain Marina can be easily accessed from Dubai throughthe Emirates Ring Road and will offer attractive home optionsfor UAE residents as well as overseas investors.

Umm Al Quwain Marina is a key development of Emaar outside Dubai.

With a track-record of delivering over 14,500 homes in Dubai,Emaar has also embarked on an expansion programme with prestigiousprojects in Saudi Arabia, Morocco, Egypt, Tunisia, Turkey, Syria,Jordan, Libya, Pakistan and India.

-ends-Photo Caption: Dome International survey team undertakes the environmental assessmentstudy at the site of the Umm Al Quwain Marina project by EmaarMiddle East.

Note to EditorsAbout Emaar Properties PJSC:Emaar Properties, the Dubai-based Public Joint Stock Companyand one of the world's largest real estate companies, is listedon the Dubai Financial Market and is part of the Dow Jones ArabiaTitans Index. The company recently announced that its net profitsfor the three quarters ended September 30, 2006 reached AED 4.658billion (US$1.268 billion) - a significant gain of 26 per centover the same period in 2005 - reflecting the remarkable growththe company has gained since its inception in 1997.

With more than 14,500 homes handed over to customers, Emaar hasseveral major real estate projects under various stages of developmentin Dubai. An ISO9001:2000 quality certified company, Emaar ismarching ahead with the construction of its AED 73 billion (US$20billion) Downtown Burj Dubai mixed-use development that encompassesBurj Dubai, the world's tallest tower when completed in 2008.

The company has joint ventures and projects across the regioncovering Saudi Arabia, India, Egypt, Turkey, Morocco, Bahrain,Syria, Jordan, Pakistan, Lebanon and Tunisia. In Saudi Arabia,Emaar is developing the US$26.6 billion (SR 100 billion) KingAbdullah Economic City, the single largest private sector projectin the Kingdom.

Emaar also entered the US market by acquiring John Laing Homes,the second largest privately held homebuilder in the US for AED3.856 billion (US$1.050 billion). Emaar joined hands with TheTurner Corporation, a leading international building servicesprovider, to form a new entity, Turner International Middle EastLtd (Turner International ME) to jointly tap regional growthopportunities.

In a move that scaled up its core competency in product salesacross the international arena, particularly the Western hemisphere,Emaar acquired Hamptons International, the UK-based subsidiaryof premier property developer Wheelock Properties (Singapore)Ltd in a deal worth AED 562.45 million (US$153.05 million).

Last year the property developer announced plans to aggressivelyexpand the retail sector with investments of over AED 15 billion(US$4 billion) to develop approximately 150 malls in the largeremerging markets of the Middle East, North Africa (MENA) andthe Indian subcontinent.

In addition, Emaar has teamed up withGiorgio Armani S.p.A to build and manage 10 Armani hotels andresorts across the world, an Armani hotel will feature in Emaar'sflagship Burj Dubai tower.

Emaar's education initiative will involve the establishment ofinternational schools in the MENA region and India, which willoffer premium quality education and an integrated curriculumfor students ranging from kindergarten to tertiary levels. Emaar'shealthcare diversification will see the company invest aroundAED 18.35 billion (US$5 billion) over the next decade in theMENA and South Asia markets with the construction of hospitals,clinics and medical centres and the investment in the provisionof world-class healthcare services.

Emaar has diversified into related business lines to furtherbuild value for its shareholders, which includes the Governmentof Dubai. Emaar owns and manages EMRILL, a joint venture withthe UK-based Carillion which provides innovative property andfacilities management services.

Emaar also holds 30 per centequity in Dubai Bank, focused on retail and commercial bankingand is the majority shareholder in Amlak Finance, UAE's leadingIslamic home financing company.