Another high-profile visit to explore The Pearl-Qatar

Doha, Qatar - September 19, 2007: The Pearl-Qatar, one of the largest property development projects in the region, continues reaping the fruits of its success not only on the local and regional levels but also on the international level. In yet another series of high-profile visits from foreign government officials, The Oyster--the sales hub of the The Pearl-Qatar--welcomed on its premises the French Ambassador in Qatar along with a group of French senators.

The group that included His Excellency Antoine Sivan, French Ambassador in Qatar, Philippe Marini (Senator of L'Oise), Head of Delegation, Andre Rouviere (Senator of Gard), Monique Papon (Senator of Loire-Atlantique), and Dr. Francois Trucy (Senator of Var) was introduced to the different facets of the project by The Pearl-Qatar's Sales Manager, Mr. Rabih El Khoury.

Mr. El Khoury welcomed the visitors with a warm word in which he reiterated UDC's honor in receiving such a distinguished delegation and especially the privilege awarded to the project by having such esteemed figures taking interest in it.  Later, he provided an extensive presentation of the project using the massive model of The Pearl-Qatar--considered as one of the biggest architectural mock-ups in the region. Mr. El Khoury explained to the French delegation how this pioneering island project is developing as a major investment and leisure destination and an attractive business opportunity.

Further, Mr. El Khoury presented features of the project from different vantage points, explaining the progress currently being made on the different levels of development. He also elaborated on the world-class hospitality and leisure services being developed on the island marked by the construction of five-star hotels, exclusive boutique hotels and beach clubs.

Towards the end of the hour-long presentation and tour, His Excellency Mr. Antoine Sivan, the French Ambassador to Qatar, commented by saying, "This is a magnificent project and an awe-inspiring architectural model of great realization. The Pearl-Qatar promises to be a major leap in Qatar's infrastructure development and an ambitious touristic venture. I wish the Qatari authority, UDC and all the investors that have participated in this unique project great success in all their present and future endeavors."

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ABOUT THE PEARL-QATAR
The Pearl-Qatar is a multi-billion dollar offshore, Riviera-style man-made island, covering 985 acres of reclaimed land.  It is Qatar's first international real estate venture, one of the largest real estate developments in the country and the first to offer freehold and residential rights to international investors. It will create over 32 kilometers of new coastline.

The Pearl-Qatar will eventually house 40,000 residents in an up-scale, multi-cultural residential community which will be a secure and exclusive island retreat bringing the ambience and lifestyle of the Mediterranean to the heart of Arabia.

The four-phase development comprises 12 distinct districts to be developed over five years. The Riviera Arabia themed districts will house three luxury hotels, three marinas, with combined mooring for over 800 boats, and more than 2 million square feet of luxury retail, recreation and restaurant space.

Built 350 meters offshore the West Bay Lagoon area of the country's capital, Doha, the Island will offer an exclusive retreat with easy access to the capital's thriving community.

The Pearl-Qatar is being developed and promoted by United Development Company (UDC), one of Qatar's leading private sector shareholding companies.

ABOUT UNITED DEVELOPMENT COMPANY (UDC)
United Development Company (UDC) is one of the country's leading public shareholding companies. UDC's mission is to identify and invest in long-term projects contributing to Qatar's growth and providing good shareholder value. The company was established in 1999 and has an authorized share capital of QR 1.072 billion (US $294 million), was listed on the Doha Securities Market in June 2003, and is a Gulf Business Top 100 company.

UDC's target areas of interest include: infrastructure, energy-intensive industries, downstream hydrocarbons, real estate, construction and environment-related businesses. UDC established the Qatar Dredging Company (QDC), a joint venture with the State of Qatar and Belgium's Dredging, Environmental & Marine Engineering NV, and formed Qatar Cool, a district cooling company, in partnership with Tabreed of the United Arab Emirates. UDC also partnered with Seef Limited, a joint venture with Qatar Petroleum, to develop a plant to produce linear alkyl benzene (LAB), which is the main feedstock for detergent manufacture. The plant started operations in 2006 with a production capacity of 100,000 tons a year. UDC has also invested in the Gulf Formaldehyde Company as a joint venture partner with Qatar Fertiliser Company (QAFCO) and other Qatari investors. Operations began in 2004.

In November 2005, United Development Company entered into a new joint venture with BESIX NV of Belgium to establish a ready-mix concrete facility, with shareholding split between UDC (32%) and BESIX NV (49%).  The remaining shares were acquired by local Qatari investors.  Production began in June 2006. On May 31, 2006 UDC entered into a partnership with a Turkish biological wastewater treatment company (Millenya Inc.). Under the terms of this partnership, UDC acquired 60% of Millenya's equity.

United Development Company's latest business partnership was signed on November 28, 2006 when the company concluded a joint venture agreement with Spain's Ronautica S.A.  The agreement will see the establishment of Ronautica-Middle East, a Marina Operations and Management Company.  UDC will hold a 60 percent stake while Ronautica S.A. will hold the remaining 40 percent in the new firm.

UDC's founders, who at launch held 45% of the shares, are among Qatar's most successful investors and developers. A large number of Qatari and GCC investors are shareholders in UDC.

© Press Release 2007