QATAR READIES RE-LAUNCH OF EXCHANGE TO BE BACKED BY NYSE TECHNOLOGY

Posted June 19, 2009

NEW YORK – Qatar Holding LLC, the strategic and direct investment arm of Qatar Investment Authority (QIA), and NYSE Euronext have announced plans to establish the Qatar Exchange, a successor to the current Doha Securities Market (DSM), after first partnering to pursue possible ventures in June 2008.

The exchange plans to begin trading under its new name on Sunday June 21 (the start of the workweek in the Middle East) under existing DSM practices. Work will begin on transitioning the exchange onto NYSE Euronext’s Universal Trading Platform (UTP) next-generation trading technology over the next 12 to 18 months, making the Qatar Exchange the first venue outside NYSE Euronext-owned markets to use the UTP. The exchange will also connect with NYSE Euronext’s SFTI network.

“This latest strategic venture will allow Qatar’s financial markets to run on state-of-the-art technology systems,” says Ahmad Al-Sayed, Managing Director and CEO of Qatar Holding. “Technology and market know-how transfer opportunities will greatly enhance our knowledge and help generate more high value employment opportunities for our people. When our stock exchange starts trading on Sunday as the Qatar Exchange, it will truly be the start of a new era.”

The intention of the strategic partnership is to transform the Qatar Exchange into an internationally recognized exchange. It will provide Qatar with total market infrastructure capability and the opportunity to reinforce the country’s position as a regional capital market with the introduction to Doha of new trading products, technology and international investors and issuers. The benefits of the partnership will extend beyond the international development of the Qatar Exchange, as NYSE Euronext has committed to use Doha as its Middle East operational and support hub.

“Our strategic partnership with the State of Qatar will benefit the Gulf region and customers on a global scale,” says Duncan Niederauer, Chief Executive Officer of NYSE Euronext. “Our world-class technology, leadership and expertise in the marketplace will complement the strong foundation and vision of our partners.”