Company to provide sustained support for the future

Dubai, September 25th, 2007: As part of Zabeel Investments corporate social responsibility strategy, the diversified group has pledged not less than AED 40 million towards the Dubai Cares initiative in the coming years; and by allocating a percentage of all its sales from its current and future property developments towards the campaign.

Speaking on the campaign, Zabeel Investments' Executive Chairman, HE Mohammed Ali Al Hashimi, said: "The campaign has galvanized the community like never before, which just goes to show the level of generosity that Dubai residents have. We wanted our contribution towards this initiative to be considered and to be sustainable for the future. Corporate social responsibility is a commitment we take very seriously, and we only look at long-term involvement, not short-term participation."

"In addition to Zabeel Investments, we have engaged our stakeholders, customers and staff in directly contributing to the Dubai Cares campaign through the overall endowment, and they will continue to do so for the foreseeable future. Zabeel Investments contribution is just the first of many activities that will be activated in the coming weeks and months in support of the programme," Al Hashimi confirmed.

The Dubai Cares initiative, launched by HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, UAE Vice President and Prime Minister, and Ruler of Dubai, seeks to educate underprivileged children in the Arab world, Africa and Asia. The programme fits with Zabeel Investments comprehensive support of education, through initiatives like the Bidaya Education and Leadership programme and the company's ongoing patronage of the Dubai Autism Centre.

Amina Taher, Executive Director for Corporate Communications at Zabeel Investments, who is charged with overseeing the company's corporate social responsibility (CSR) activities, said: "Dubai Cares is about companies contributing, rather than competing for the achievement of one goal, and greatly benefiting the leaders of tomorrow's societies. Donating money for items is fine, but give children the tools to develop themselves and war, famine, poverty, crime, abuse and neglect will all become things of the past. This campaign is a sign of true leadership, calling on the collective community to show the world what Dubai is all about."

"Dubai Cares is a strong and emotional initiative, which we can all get behind; it is an example of best practice, which allows Zabeel Investments to expand our own CSR activities. Education is our top priority, which is one of the reasons we founded the Bidaya programme. We are committed to the sustainable development of education programmes that help less privileged children break free and expand their own horizons, she added."

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About Zabeel Investments
Founded in February 2006, Zabeel Investments is a Dubai-based multi-diversified investment company focused in the areas of commercial real estate development and management, private equity and asset management across a wide range of economic sectors in the UAE.

Zabeel Investments property portfolio currently comprises AED 12.4 billion of prestige residential, commercial and hospitality developments. Zabeel Investments also has equity stakes in a number of businesses covering real estate, property design and construction, marketing communications, financial services and education.

A few examples of Zabeel Investments portfolio include equity stakes in Abraaj Capital, DEPA United Group, Madaares and DICAM's US$2 billion Global Strategic Equities Fund. Assets include the Tiara Residence on Palm Jumeirah, the Americas Resort as part of the AED 200 billion Bawadi hospitality and tourism project in Dubai, the AED 1.75 billion Tiara United Towers on Sheikh Zayed Road and Zed Communications, a visual communications agency.

For further information, please contact:
Rami Halawani, Anne Howard
Asda'a Public Relations,
Dubai
Tel: +971 4 3344550 (ext: 446/460),
Email: info@asdaa.com

© Press Release 2007