An Icon of Business and Sophistication, Forbes Plants a Flag in Doha for Historic February 26-28 Event
DOHA, QATAR -- (MARKET WIRE) -- February 03, 2007 -- The dynamic Arabian Gulf State of Qatar, known for its progressive political and business environment, will welcome the prestigious Forbes CEO conference series to the Middle East, a first-of-its kind event. Forbes, publisher of Forbes magazine, America's leading business publication, chose Qatar to host the Forum, titled "Driving Growth- Risk and Reward in the Middle East." The Forum, to be held February 26 - 28, 2007 at the Four Seasons Hotel in Doha, will focus on the social and political transformation in the modern Middle East and highlight investment opportunities to top decision makers. The Forbes CEO Forum, to be held under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, Emir of Qatar, will be hosted by Qatari Diar Real Estate Investment & Development Company (QDREIDC).

"As one of the fastest growing economies in the world today, Qatar continues to consolidate itself as a dynamic leader of growth. This makes Doha an excellent location for dialogue and debate on strategic issues relating to the rewards of business in the Middle East," said the Emir of Qatar, H.H. Sheikh Hamad Bin Khalifa Al Thani. "It is with great pleasure that I extend my Patronage to this prestigious event."

Corporate CEOs, politicians, world leaders, royals, dignitaries and other distinguished guests will be in attendance at February's 3-day conference, which will explore investment opportunities and wealth distribution, and provide networking opportunities and practical information for doing business in the Middle East.

According to Qatari Diar CEO Nasser Al Ansari, "Great people, ideas and companies are being developed in the Middle East, and this is our opportunity to share them with the broader business world. This region was the cradle of civilization and is rising again by being at the cutting edge of business across all sectors."

The Forum's agenda topics address a range of industries include: Hooked on Oil?; The New Silk Road - Opportunities for Asia and the Middle East; Mega Realty: Here To Stay?; Financial Services on the Fast Track; The Growing Power of Middle East Luxury; The Business of Sport; The Telecom Boom - A Little Healthy Competition; and The Dynamics of Family Business.

"In addition to the dynamism and sheer substance of the Forbes CEO Middle East Forum, guests and sponsors can expect the red carpet treatment and the hospitality that visitors to Qatar are accustomed to," said Nicola Pero, Executive Director of event organizers, Qatar Expo. "From Qatar Airways' unmatched business and first class travel, to the grandeur of the Four Seasons Doha, we promise an unforgettable event."

About the Forbes CEO Middle East Forum
The Forbes CEO Middle East Forum is Forbes' first conference in the region in history. The Forbes Conferences Group has experienced unparalleled success worldwide in its offering of world class conferences featuring stellar line-ups of the most talked about business and industry leaders. The invitation-only, peer-to-peer Forbes CEO Middle East Forum will engage all participants in Forbes' trademark: straight talk, and delves into how the pace of economic growth and diversification can be accelerated for the Middle East, within an engaging, unique format of dialogue, debate, round table sessions and one to one interviews. The Forbes CEO Middle East Forum hosted by Qatari Diar promises to deliver relevant, top-quality intelligence in a three-day event that will be covered by the world's key business and financial media.

About Qatari Diar Real Estate Investment & Development Company

Wholly owned by the Qatar Investment Authority, QDREIDC was established in December 2004 to support Qatar's growing economy and to coordinate the country's real estate development priorities. Qatari Diar Real Estate Investment & Development Company is responsible for creating and coordinating financially sound property development opportunities that will generate sustainable and tangible socio-economic benefits. QDREIDC's vision is to become the region's most trusted and effective real estate investment company by focusing its value proposition on the creation of quality, well-planned and desirable developments. QDREIDC also provides local and foreign property developers with further opportunities to invest in numerous projects across the globe, including but not limited to Qatar, Morocco, Egypt, Mauritania, Cuba, and Europe.

For more information on Qatari Diar Real Estate Investment & Development Company, please contact Mike Holtzman at Brown Lloyd James in New York: mikeh@brownlloydjames.com.

About Qatar Expo

Qatar Expo is a fully owned subsidiary of United Group For Projects, and as such is one of the leading business players in the Gulf State of Qatar and a company that proudly employs a strategic, innovative approach to the future of Qatari tourism, sport, entertainment and industry. Chaired by Sheikh Jabor bin Yousef bin Jassim Al Thani, Qatar Expo is committed to bringing together diverse and exciting concepts and projects from around the globe, and is an established market leader in the fields of conference production, event and exhibition management, project and concept development, and world class consultancy. Qatar Expo continues to form global alliances to allow major expansion into world scale conferences, globally recognized entertainment artists, and international exhibitions. The near future will also see the Group diversify into public relations, high-profile sponsorships and corporate affiliations, and media management. For more information, please visit www.ug4projects.com.

To view the full agenda and current list of speakers, please visit www.ceomiddleeast.com

For media kit and further information on the Forbes CEO Middle East Forum Official Networking Guide, please visit www.ug4projects.com/forbes.

For delegate enquiries, please visit www.ceomiddleeast.com.

For all marketing related enquiries, please contact:
Louise Marie Saade
Director of Sponsorships, Marketing & PR
louise.saade@ug4projects.com
www.ug4projects.com/forbes