National Bonds allow children to participate in saving schemes

Dubai, UAE; December 23, 2006: National Bonds Corporation (NBC), the pioneer of Shari'ah compliant saving schemes, will help customers enhance savings by offering National Bonds as perfect Eid gifts for children. The savings initiative was launched on the occasion of Eid Al Fitr, whereby customers can buy National Bond certificates in their children's name. The incentive has gained overwhelming response with NBC receiving more than 2,266 applications.

"National Bonds certificate is an original way of showing love and affection to your family during Eid. It makes for a perfect gift that also helps children understand the importance of saving money. Customers can also win 16,000 prizes and even become millionaires through the Millionaire draw held every month," said Mr Nasser Bin Hassan Al-Shaikh, Vice Chairman and CEO, National Bonds Corporation.

Two-year-old Fatima Hamad Al Mutawa was the millionaire in the seventh draw while in the eighth draw, the two second prizes of AED 100,000 each went to UAE national Abbas Ibrahim Al Abbas and Palestinian Lina Osama Al Qolaq, both nine years old. The ninth draw will be held on January 6, 2007.

Each bond is priced AED10; a minimum purchase worth AED100 must be made.  National Bonds is available to the public from 179 outlets in the UAE.

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About National Bonds
National Bonds is the National Saving Scheme of the UAE that provides UAE nationals, UAE residents and non-residents over the age of 16 with a credible and safe savings opportunity.  Each bond costs AED 10, with a minimum purchase of AED 100; bonds are available in over 150 outlets across the UAE. National Bonds offers all participants the opportunity to win up to one million dirhams in monthly draws. The program is based on the Islamic principle of Mudaraba, whereby at the end of the financial year 20 per cent of the profits made by the National Bonds Corporation (NBC) will be distributed among bondholders.

About National Bonds Corporation
A private shareholding company, National Bonds Corporation is a Dubai-based entity with local shareholders comprising Dubai Bank, Dubai Holding and Emaar Properties. Overseen by the UAE Central Bank, National Bonds Corporation is subject to the same regulatory procedures as those applicable to other financial institutions in the country. Licensed to operate throughout the UAE, National Bonds Corporation is Shari'a compliant, with a dedicated Shari'a Board to oversee all financial aspects including product-related operations and investments. The Shari'a Board is chaired by Dr. Hussain Hamid Hassan, a leading Shari'a scholar who is currently presiding the Fatwa and Shari'a Supervision Boards of most Islamic financial institutions in the United Arab Emirates, and many abroad

For further information, please contact:
Lina Anani/ Sami Al Shorafa
ASDA'A Public Relations                                            
Tel: +971-4-3344550,
Fax: +971-4-3344556              
E-Mail: l.anani@asdaa.com / s.alshorafa@asdaa.com 

© Press Release 2006