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Mashreq Capital Launches First Specialist Fixed-Income Fund At DIFC - New Fund To Be The First In A Family Of Funds

Date 27/11/2006

With the incorporation of its first DIFC funds company, MCF Series I, Mashreq Capital today announced the launch of a specialist emerging market debt fund, following approval from the Dubai Financial Services Authority (DFSA). Known as the Emerging Market Credit Opportunities (EMCO) fund, it is the first specialist fixed income hedge fund at the DIFC and was developed entirely within the DFSA’s Collective Investment Law framework.

His Excellency, Dr. Omar Bin Sulaiman, Governor of the DIFC, said: “The DIFC’s fund community continues to grow at a rapid pace, thanks to the DIFC’s unique position as a bespoke domicile for funds and asset managers. Mashreq Capital’s launch of MCF Series I is a positive step in the development of the region’s growing funds industry”.

Abdul Aziz Al Ghurair, CEO of Mashreq Bank, said: “The Emerging Markets fund provides a unique investment vehicle for investors in the region.  In addition to providing exposure to some of the fastest growing economies in the world, it will also take advantage of a stable global interest rate environment”.

Abdul Kadir Hussain, Senior Executive Officer at Mashreq Capital, says the new fund will invest in a range of fixed income assets from within the global emerging markets universe. Following its launch, Mashreq Capital will look at launching other funds under the MCF umbrella.

The fund will be managed by Mr Hussain, who has over 13 years experience in managing global emerging market assets, and was formerly a Managing Director at Credit Suisse.

“Mashreq Capital was first licensed by the DFSA in March 2006 and has introduced state of the art trading and risk systems to ensure investors are provided with the highest quality investment products. We look forward to increasing the number of domiciled funds at the DIFC in 2007”, Mr. Hussain said.