– Kuwait Investment Company to assist with GFH’s capital increase program.

– The agreement will facilitate private investor participation in the convertible murabaha.

Manama, Kingdom of Bahrain – 9 February 2011 – Gulf Finance House BSC (“GFH” or the “Bank”), the Bahrain based Islamic investment bank announced today that the Kuwait Investment Company (“KIC”) has been appointed to assist the bank with the recapitalization and raising up to US$ 500 million program through a convertible murabaha as part of the restructuring plan agreed to by shareholders.

KIC’s appointment opens up an opportunity to individual, private investors who will now – through KIC – be able to participate in the capital increase. The funds raised will be used by GFH to recapitalise the bank and to transform GFH in to an institution focused solely on the creation, development and management of Islamic financial institutions offering a range of financial products and services to corporate and retail clients, creating for GFH a more stable business model of recurring revenues.


– Ends –

 


About Gulf Finance House

Since its establishment in 1999, Bahrain based Gulf Finance House (GFH) has been a driving force in the development of regional Islamic financial institutions and infrastructure projects across the Middle East. Its shares are listed on the Kuwait Stock Exchange, the Bahraini Stock Exchange, the Dubai Financial Market and the London Stock Exchange in the form of a GDR. It has been responsible for the creation of leading Middle Eastern financial institutions such as First Energy Bank, QInvest, Syria Finance House, Inovest, Khaleeji Commercial Bank and Arab Finance House. In addition, GFH has created a wide range of significant economic infrastructure projects across the MENA region and beyond.

GFH is currently transitioning to a new business model which will see the business focus on becoming a global leader in the creation and development of Islamic financial institutions.


For further information please contact:

Amal Turki
Head of Corporate Communications
Tel: +973 17538538
Email:
aturki@gfh.com
Website: www.gfh.com