Dubai: 6 December 2008 - Dubai International Capital LLC ('DIC') announced today that its Executive Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Sameer Al Ansari, was honoured with the 'Special Merit Award for Outstanding Contribution to the Industry' at the 2nd Annual Private Equity World Awards MENA 2008 for his invaluable contributions to the regional private equity sector. The coveted recognition from industry peers was presented to Sameer Al Ansari for the second consecutive year at a ceremony held in Dubai.

In addition to recognising Al Ansari for his leading role in the development of the private equity industry, the distinction also reflects the increasingly influential role of Dubai International Capital, the international investment company that Al Ansari helped establish in 2004.

Organised by Terrapinn, a business media company, the Private Equity World Awards MENA 2008 recognises leaders, entrepreneurs, innovators and pioneers in the MENA private equity and venture capital industries.

Sameer Al Ansari said: "It is a privilege to receive this prestigious award for the second year running. It is not only an honour to have been chosen, but the award is a testament to the talent and expertise of DIC's team who have contributed to building DIC into a well-respected name in the private equity sphere within a span of four years."

Sameer Al Ansari is the recipient of several accolades, including the '50 Most Influential People in Private Equity' by Private Equity International (2007) and the Young Arab Leaders (YAL) Award from Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Establishment for Young Business Leaders (2005).

Symon Rubens, Managing Director, Terrapinn Middle East, said: "Terrapinn would like to congratulate Mr Al Ansari on his outstanding work and contribution to the private equity industry. Our mission is to identify and reward those individuals, teams and companies who have demonstrated an unparalleled ability to succeed and it gives us great pleasure to celebrate their remarkable accomplishments."

Under Al Ansari's leadership, DIC has emerged as a leading investment company with an outstanding reputation and track record. Earlier this year, DIC was named MENA Private Equity Firm of the Year in the 6th annual Awards for Excellence in Private Equity Europe 2008, organised by Dow Jones Private Equity News.

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About Dubai International Capital LLC:
Established in 2004, DIC is an international investment company with offices in Dubai and London focused on both private equity and public equity. A wholly-owned subsidiary of Dubai Holding, DIC manages an international portfolio of diverse assets that provide its stakeholders with value growth, diversification, and strategic investments. Assets under management total over US$13 billion. DIC focuses on three asset classes:

  • DIC Private Equity: invests mainly in secondary buyouts in developed markets where it backs strong existing management teams over a medium to long time horizon. DIC PE has acquired businesses in a range of sectors in Europe and North America including:

- UK leisure company Tussauds Group for £800m (later merged with Merlin Entertainment Group to create the world's second largest visitor attractions; DIC retains a 20% stake)

- UK engineering company Doncasters for £700m

- US engineering company FastenTech for $492m (later merged Doncasters with Fastentech creating world leader in turbine manufacture)

- UK hotel chain Travelodge for £675m,

- German industrial packaging manufacturer Mauser for €850m

- UK healthcare company Alliance Medical for £600m

- German producer of specialty alumina Almatis for US$ 1.2 billion

  • DIC Global Equities: makes structured investments in large-cap, Fortune 500 global equities, that are forecast to deliver above average returns over the long term, either directly or via DIC's US$1.4 billion Global Strategic Equities Fund (GSEF).

  • DIC Emerging Markets: invests in a range of asset classes in emerging markets.

Equity investments: include significant stakes in the UAE-based luxury retailer Rivoli Group and Singapore-based True Group, a leading provider of wellness services in South East Asia, KEF Holdings a UAE based manufacturer of steel castings and valves, in addition to a US$200 million investment in Oger Telecom, a leading regional telecom conglomerate.

Sector / country-specific investment funds: DIC has established several such as Ishraq, a US$150 million investment company bringing the Holiday Inn Express brand to the Middle East; the US$500 million MENA Infrastructure Fund, which invests in infrastructure projects in the Middle East and North Africa, and Jordan Dubai Capital, a US$300 million investment company that targets private equity opportunities in Jordan and most recently China Dubai Capital, a US$1 billion fund that will target opportunities in China's growing economy.

Among the many accolades, DIC was named MENA Private Equity Firm of the Year in the 6th annual Awards for Excellence in Private Equity Europe 2008, organised by Dow Jones Private Equity News. DIC's Executive Chairman and CEO, Sameer Al Ansari, is also the recipient of numerous industry awards including the Young Arab Leaders' Award from His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum (2005), Special Merit Award for Outstanding Contribution to the Industry for two consecutive years (2007, 2008) by PE World MENA Awards and was ranked as the 11th most powerful Arab in the world by Arabian Business (2008).

Information about Dubai International Capital LLC is available at: www.dubaiic.com.

For further information please contact:
Dubai International Capital LLC
Mark Lunn
Tel: +9714 362 1888
Email: mark.lunn@dubaiic.com

Jehad Saleh
Tel: +9714 362 1888
Email: jehad.saleh@dubaiic.com

JiWin for Dubai International Capital LLC
Maliha Aqeel
Tel : +9714 361 3598
Mob: +97150 6331976
Email: maliha.aqeel@jiwin.ae

© Press Release 2008