In October 2005, Dubai International Capital Emerging Markets became an anchor investor in Ishraq Gulf Real Estate Holding BSC (‘Ishraq’), a private company established in Bahrain, with other key regional investors in order to roll-out the “Express by Holiday Inn” brand throughout the GCC (excluding Saudi Arabia). Express by Holiday Inn is the fastest-growing budget hotel chain the world with an average of two hotels openings per week. Ishraq plans to build and manage over 22 hotels in the GCC region in the next four years.

Dubai International Capital Emerging Markets is also Ishraq’s partner in Ishraq Dubai LLC. As part of Ishraq Dubai LLC, the first Express by Holiday Inn hotel has been constructed in Knowledge Village, Dubai with 244 rooms and officially opened in October 2007. Four other sites are under development in Dubai. Ishraq is also setting up operations in Bahrain and Oman, and is actively seeking development opportunities in Qatar and Kuwait. Through Dubai International Capital Emerging Markets’ strategic relationships, Ishraq has also been offered development opportunities in Jordan, as well as other countries in North Africa, which are being assessed.

Dubai International Capital is a founding shareholder of Dubai Aerospace Enterprise (‘DAE’), a conglomerate of aerospace related businesses focused primarily on aircraft leasing, manufacturing, services, airports and education. DAE is building a US$15 billion global aerospace corporation that encompasses manufacturing, services, airports and education. It is creating an innovative business that builds on Dubai’s dynamism and financial strength and forms international partnerships which allow it to grow in emerging markets around the world.

The conglomerate, which was founded in February 2006, recently completed its acquisition of aviation service providers Standard Aero and Landmark Aviation from The Carlyle Group. DAE will merge the companies as a business enterprise within its DAE Engineering subsidiary. The transaction, valued at US$1.9 billion, brings together two of the world’s leading maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) providers.