Work to commence in Paradise Island resort in 2011

Riyadh, December 4, 2010: Rani Resorts, the hospitality group owned by Saudi-based Aujan Group and the largest investor in Mozambique's tourism industry, is to commence work on a $100 million flagship resort on Paradise Island in the country's Bazaruto Archipelago.

Speaking on the sidelines of the Gulf Africa Investment Conference being held in Riyadh, Adel Aujan, Chairman of Aujan Group said:  "Occupancy is picking up in our existing resorts, and we are convinced that Mozambique is on track to be one of world's leading luxury tourism destinations."

"Mozambique is shaping up to be Africa's brightest rising star, with rich resources and outstanding potential for tourism," he said. Through a subsidiary, Rani Resorts, the Aujan Group operates five luxury hotel destinations in Mozambique, including the flagship Indigo Bay Resort & Spa, ranked by Tatler magazine as of the top 100 spas in the world.

Construction on Paradise Island will begin in 2011 and the resort will open to guests in 2013. "The architectural concept for the new hotel is retro, in keeping with the original establishment on the island that was so popular with glamourous jet-set of the 50s and 60s", said Kamel Abdallah, Chief Executive Officer of Rani Investment. The island, also known as Ilha Santa Carolina, is regarded as the 'gem' of the islands forming the Bazaruto Archipelago  - a proclaimed marine national park - and boasts sensational beaches and magnificent scenery.

With an airstrip for easy access to the mainland, Paradise Island will consist of 80 room hotel and 50 holiday villas and apartments, restaurants, a Clube Naval, kids club, spa, shops, a dive and fishing centre, flood-lit tennis courts and an innovative Qolf chipping course.

Only two hour's flying time from Johannesburg and less from Maputo, the Bazaruto Archipelago is increasingly becoming a sought-after destination for international tourists.

With the advent of Paradise Island, Rani Resorts will increase its portfolio of island and safari destinations to six in Mozambique and eight overall. Apart from the flagship Indigo Bay Island Resort and Spa on Bazaruto Island, the company comprises Matemo Island and Medjumbe Private Island in the Quirimbas Archipelago in the north of the country, Pemba Beach Hotel and Spa in Pemba, the capital city of the northern province of Cabo Delgado and Lugenda Wilderness Camp - an exclusive tented wilderness camp in the Niassa Province. Rani Resorts also owns the boutique hotel, The Stanley and Livingstone, at Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe, and the intimate 3-star retreat Old Ursula Camp, situated within the Victoria Falls Private Game Reserve.

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About Aujan Group of Companies
Aujan Group of Companies is the largest privately owned beverages and confectionery business in the GCC today, with significant interests also in hospitality, industrial equipment, real estate and wood manufacturing.

The company has one of the most formidable sales and distribution networks across the GCC, Yemen, Iran, Jordan, Egypt, Levant, and Iraq, and significant manufacturing investments, including plants in Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates.

With a corporate heritage that dates back over a century, Aujan has operations in 15 regional locations, brand presence in over 50 countries and more than 2,500 employees.

The Group companies include: Aujan Industries Company LLC (soft drinks and confectionery manufacturing and distribution); Aujan Trading Company (suppliers of industrial, safety, and fire equipment); Crestwood Wood Works Industries (manufacturer of high quality kitchen cabinets and vanity units); Industrial Commercial Support Co. (PVC manufacturing); Rani Investments LLC (owner and operator of Rani Hotels & Resorts in Southern Africa); Rani International Development LLC (Real Estate Development in the UAE); Kaveh Can Making Company in Iran and United Arab Can Making Co in Saudi Arabia

Aujan's vision is to nurture its employees to create an inspirational portfolio that matches customers' desires, and its mission is to refresh the region through the creation of invigorating beverages and to create powerhouse brands for the youth generation. For more information, log on to: www.aujan.com  

For more information, please contact:
Bashar Kharbat
ASDA'A Burson-Marsteller, Saudi Arabia
Tel: +966 2 6575194/ +966 503697560
b.kharbat@asdaa.com

Press Release 2010