Dubai, March 11, 2007 - French performance and sail boat builders Jeanneau will enter the Middle East market with ETA's Western Marine division this month, capping a year of successes for the year-old UAE firm.

The exclusive Middle East dealership agreement was announced today, in advance of the Dubai International Boat Show scheduled for March 13 to 17 at the Dubai International Marine Club. The agreement will give Jeanneau its first look into promising regional markets.

Jeanneau, a world-famous name in naval architecture, has enjoyed close to five decades of success with its power boats, sailboats and fiberglass boats. The company, which has participated in transatlantic races, multi-hulled races and world sailing and powerboat championships, is renowned for its high-tech construction and design, premium quality and artisanal tradition.

A.J. Kamal, General Manager of Western Marine, said the agreement will expand the horizons of the Middle East's discerning residents, and bring world-class quality to the region's sailing market. "Jeanneau's long and successful history and its tradition of quality will raise the region's market for luxury boats to an entirely new level," Kamal said. "We are very proud to be partnering with as prestigious and passionate a manufacturer as Jeanneau, and look forward to working closely together in the coming months."

Jeanneau's 30 ft - 50 ft Sun Odyssey range will be the first yachts to be introduced into the market under the agreement, he added. Jeanneau boats will be on display at the boat show.

Danis Qartier, Jeanneau's Export Manager, expressed the company's confidence in Western Marine to open up the Middle East market, and its passion for building relationships with sailors in every community.

"We are very excited to be beginning this new relationship with a partner as dedicated to the art and craft of quality boats as Western Marine, and we look forward to providing the people of the Middle East with unforgettable products," he said.

Jeanneau currently has a presence in more than 45 countries, one of the largest in the marine world, he added. Each of its dealers is experienced and regularly trained to be capable of offering the Jeanneau level of customer support.

Although only a year old, Western Marine's performance has risen steadily since its inception. The UAE-based firm has confirmed plans to bring more prestigious brands from the marine world to the region.

Western Marine is the sole GCC distributor for five renowned brands from the United States, Italy, France and Norway. The company operates from the Knotika Marine Mall in Dubai and provides the full range of after-sales service, including warranties and maintenance.

Western Marine is an independent arm of ETA Ascon's Western Auto, a division that deals with the import and export of leading automobile brands.

-Ends-

About ETA ASCON:
Emirates Trading Agency-Associated Constructions and Investments (ETA ASCON) Co. L.L.C. are a multinational and diversified Group established in 1973 as a joint venture under UAE's Abdulla Al Ghurair Group. ETA-ASCON has built an enviable reputation for quality, service and cost-effective technological capability. Headquartered in Dubai, the Group network undertakes construction, contracting and infrastructure project work in several countries, having several branches and associate offices worldwide. Areas of expertise include Engineering, Contracting, Construction, Manufacturing, Trading, Shipping, Transportation, Jewellery, Travel, Consumer Electronics, Recycling, Automobiles, Building Maintenance, Information Technology, Human Resources Management and Real Estate. With 45,000 employees worldwide, the Group's consolidated sales for the year ending 2006 were in excess of USD 4 billion. For more information, please visit www.eta-ascon.com.

For further information, please contact:
Sudha Hemmad / Jonathan Tudor
ASDA'A Public Relations,
Tel: +971-4-3344550,
Fax: +971-4-3344556,
E-mail: s.hemmad@asdaa.com, j.tudor@asdaa.com 

© Press Release 2007