Mondo Visione Worldwide Financial Markets Intelligence

FTSE Mondo Visione Exchanges Index:

Palestine Securities Exchange Trading Sessions Halted Since October 1

Date 08/10/2000

In light of the recent incidents witnessed on the Palestinian front in the West Bank and Gaza, the Palestine Securities Exchange has halted its trading sessions since October 1, 2000 for the following reasons:

1. The Mourning of the Palestinian martyrs of Al-Aqsa Mosque and Palestine who were killed by the Israeli army.

2. Due to the closures and barriers imposed by the Israeli occupying forces on the roads, employees of the Palestine Securities Exchange could do not reach the Exchange.

3. Due to the closures and barriers imposed by the Israeli occupying forces on the roads, employees of the member brokerage firms could do not reach their workplaces.

4. The inability of investors to contact their brokerage firms or to reach the brokerage firms to place their orders.

5. Frequent electric power outage and cut off of telephone lines in some areas has obstructed the contact of the brokerage firms and the Exchange and investors with their brokerage firms.

6. Protection of the interests of small investors.

The Palestinian Securities Exchange will resume work once it is assured that the reasons mentioned above have ended.