Former US Secretary of Energy to speak at the launch of Amwal - Performance Environment.

Environmental issues are the source of a growing concern, and have been triggering the launch of several initiatives in the GCC recently. Attending the launch of the Amwal-Performance Environment product on the 5th December 2007 are Dr. Laurent Lavigne du Cadet, CEO of Amwal, and former US Secretary of Energy and Chairman of Areva in the United States Spencer Abraham, will develop some of the reasons that are behind the current trend.

Indeed, beyond the consequences on the planet of carbon dioxide emissions and other polluting substances, there are plenty of topics currently requiring urgent attention. The projected increase in the world population (which could nearly double within the next 50 years), occurring to a large extent in underdeveloped areas, is likely to have a severe impact not only on gas emissions, but on water treatment and waste recycling needs. This will add to a rather suboptimal situation, where currently less than 25% of used waters are treated and less than 15% of waste is recycled.

This context is behind the development of a fast growing environment-related industry, driven by both private and public initiatives, and with tremendous funding needs. However, this growth is also an area of new opportunities for investors. According to Mr. Nicolas Rochon "the ability to scout new legislation and to have an in-depth understanding of the industrial and financial implications of new environmental regulations enables to deliver superior return to investors".

Nicolas Rochon is a Partner at Financiere de Champlain, the Fund Manager of Performance Environment, a high performing environmental fund distributed on an exclusive basis in the GCC by Amwal. The growth of the assets managed by Financiere de Champlain which have reached USD 850m (vs. USD 100m two years ago) together with the increase in market capitalization of the sector worldwide bear witness that environmental needs should also be looked at as a catalyst for social, economic and financial growth, and not only as a burden for the community.

About Amwal

Founded in Qatar in 1998, Amwal was the first investment company to be granted a full onshore license by Qatar Central Bank and has since become Qatar's leading investment banking and asset management firm. Since its inception Amwal has been a pioneer in the Qatari market through several innovative initiatives such as the launch of the first investment portfolio and the first mutual fund investing in the Doha Securities Market, as well as the underwriting of the first non-Qatari Initial Public Offering in the country.

As a result of Amwal's rapid growth and landmark transactions, it was named in June 2006, the Leading Investment Firm in Qatar by Iktissad Wa Amal Group, the leading publishing group in the region.

The Firm boasts a strong shareholder base that includes some of the most respected financial institutions and business groups in the region including: Shuaa Capital from the UAE, Qatar Foundation, Qatar National Bank, Qatar Navigation & Prominent high net worth Qatari individuals .

Amwal has one of the largest and most talented investment banking and asset management teams in Qatar, employing a growing number of investment professionals drawn from a global pool of talent. Together, the teams have leveraged their outstanding international experience and skills to secure several high-profile mandates and to ensure the successful execution of some of the most prestigious landmark transactions in the region.

[c] 2007 Al Bawaba (www.albawaba.com)