Clearstream Opens New Link With Dubai - Clearstream's Network Reaches 43 Domestic Markets

Clearstream announces that, since April 16, all Dubai International Financial Exchange (DIFX) equities will be eligible for settlement in Clearstream, via Deutsche Bank, a member of DIFX.

As a consequence, Clearstream customers will be able to settle domestic free and against payment transactions in all DIFX eligible equities with counterparties of the DIFX via Deutsche Bank.

DIFX is a fully electronic exchange using state of the art technology with an anonymous order driven market and a central counterparty. As of today, it has 24 members.

With this addition, Clearstream's network reaches 43 domestic markets around the globe: 29 in Europe, 5 in the Americas, 9 in Africa, Asia and Australasia. It is the widest network of any International Central Securities Depository (ICSD) and enables counterparties in local markets to efficiently settle eligible securities through Clearstream's operational hub in Luxembourg

Clearstream has had an office in Dubai for over 10 years in order to service financial institutions in the Middle East and Africa. In September 2006, Clearstream became the first ICSD to accept the Arab Emirates Dirham (AED) as currency of settlement.

Jeff Tessler, CEO of Clearstream said: "With this new link, Clearstream will bring additional settlement liquidity to the DIFX. We believe that Clearstream's commitment will support the DIFX in attracting listings and building turnover as it develops into a key regional exchange".

Roger L. F. Harrold, Head of Domestic Custody Services at Deutsche Bank, said: "We are very pleased to have been chosen to support Clearstream with its services for DIFX listed securities. We are committed to DIFX as an international exchange and believe it has a great opportunity to become an important new market place for IPO listings originating in the Middle East."