Dubai, June 2nd, 2007 (WAM)---Sama Dubai, the international realestate and investment arm of Dubai Holding, has announced theformation of a joint venture with EC Harris, a leading consultancyworking in the real estate, infrastructure and construction sectors.

The aim is to create a world class integrated project managementcompany.

The joint venture will bring together Sama Dubai's existing projectmanagement team of over 200 staff and EC Harris's over 90 yearsexperience of delivering value through the application of knowledge,professional skills and technology to clients' projects.

Farhan Faraidooni, Executive Chairman of Sama Dubai said: "Thejoint venture with EC Harris will deliver tremendous value toall our stakeholders by achieving excellence in project management.

The establishment of the new organization will allow us to focuson further developing our core competencies".

"The successful growth and magnitude of our Project Managementteam puts it in a position to be reshaped successfully into astand alone profit-making business. Partnering with a leadinginternational project management firm will tremendously acceleratethe professional development of the new entity and ensure itoperates to the highest international standards.

Commenting on the benefits of the joint venture for Sama Dubai'sProject Management team, Faraidooni added: "This move will strengthentheir capabilities and skills to ensure a long term, more specializedcareer growth.

"I am confident that the Sama Dubai-EC Harris joint venture willquickly establish itself as a significant player, competing withthe leading project management companies around the world."The unique value proposition created by the joint venture attractedmany of the world's leading project management firms. EC Harriswas selected for its proven best practices, immaculate trackrecord, extensive professional skills, as well as its culturalfit with Sama Dubai.

Richard Clare, Chairman, EC Harris said: "The strategic natureof the relationship between us and Sama Dubai will enable thejoint venture to set new global standards in the integrated deliveryof premium real estate developments.

"Sama Dubai's commitment to a long term programme of large scaledevelopments will provide the joint venture with a platform forunlimited growth. In turn, we will transfer our expertise inproject management, career development programs, systems andprocesses to the joint venture to develop a world-class integratedproject management business."The joint venture supports Sama Dubai's vision of becoming theleading real estate developer in the MENA region and one of thetop five players globally. Sama Dubai is currently developingprojects in the UAE, Oman, Qatar, Bahrain, Turkey and Morocco.

Headquartered in London, EC Harris was established in 1911. Sincethen it has developed world class processes and systems to supportconsistency of delivery and robust management and change controls.

EC Harris has extensive civil engineering and infrastructureexpertise. With 43 offices around the world employing over 3,000people, EC Harris has developed a cultural awareness as wellas professional knowledge and expertise. Some of its landmarkprojects include BAA's Terminal 5 at Heathrow, Emirates StadiumUK, Dubai Chamber of Commerce and Industry Tower and Dubai Marina,UAE.