CNBC Signs International Agreement With the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC)

CNBC Signs International Agreement With the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC)

LONDON and DUBAI, October 24/PRNewswire/ --

- 'Gateway to the Middle East' Will Provide the Global Business Community
With a Unique Insight Into one of the World's Fastest Growing Markets

CNBC, First in Business Worldwide, has signed a multi-million dollar,
three year agreement with the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC),
the world's fastest growing global financial hub. The partnership, which runs
through 2010, comprises of cross-platform activities including on-air, online
and event driven elements across CNBC channels in the US, Europe, Asia, India
and Australia.

The campaign will help to raise the international profile of the DIFC and
demonstrate with engaging content, that it is a major international financial
centre.

DIFC will associate itself with CNBC's new half-hour monthly magazine
news programme called Gateway to the Middle East. Each month the programme,
with the strapline "Powered by the DIFC, your gateway to growth", will
provide executives around the world with insights into all that the region
has to offer, focussing on business trends and executive lifestyle in the
region. The programme will highlight opportunities for making and spending
money in the region and will feature extended interviews with the region's
high achievers in business, introducing viewers to the personalities behind
the biggest corporations.

Gateway to the Middle East debuts on CNBC on 24 October and airs on CNBC
Europe (at 19.30 CET and 22.30 CET), CNBC World in the United States (at
17.30 EST), CNBC Asia (on 25 October at 20.00 SIN/22.30 SYD) and on CNBC-TV18
in India (on 27 October at 15.00 IND).

The programme will be anchored by experienced Middle East journalist,
Dyala Sabbagh, who has been covering the Middle East on-air, in print and
on-line for more than eight years. Eithne Treanor, who has more than 20 years
experience as an international journalist and whose career spans major
international TV networks, will be the special correspondent on Gateway to
the Middle East. The programme will draw on the analysis and expertise of
other CNBC business reporters from around the world including Louisa Bojesen,
one of CNBC Europe's most experienced anchors, and Nadine Hawa from CNBC
Arabiya.

Gateway to the Middle East will be supported by a dedicated microsite
where viewers can watch the programmes after they have aired, and access
extended content, including articles from guest journalists who specialise in
the Middle East and blogs by the programme's producer.

Dan McClean, CNBC's Commercial Director EMEA commented, "This is a very
significant deal for both CNBC and DIFC and we are delighted to be working
closely with DIFC to create a bespoke three year campaign. With this
agreement DIFC will be able to reach the channel's influential and affluent
viewers of CEOs, senior business leaders, finance professionals and active
private investors, which will help it to make an impact and achieve 'cut
through' globally.

"The Middle East is a growing and important area for us, with more and
more international trade emanating from the region. Research in Europe tells
us, that 13% of our viewers have investments in the Middle East and with our
expanded activities, CNBC will follow the money and tell the business world
about the opportunities in an unbiased way," concluded McClean.

Wadi Ahmed, Chief Marketing Officer at DIFC said, "The campaign that will
be rolled out with CNBC highlights DIFC's position as a globally recognised
financial centre. We aim to be a catalyst for regional economic growth and
development contributing to Dubai's position as a global gateway for capital
and investment. CNBC provides the ideal platform for us to communicate this
message, reaching senior business leaders on a global scale."

Notes to Editors

CNBC is the leading global broadcaster of live business and financial
news and information, reporting directly from the major financial markets
around the globe with three regional networks including CNBC in Asia, CNBC
Europe and CNBC in the US. CNBC World is a 24-hour digital network offering
live, global financial market information and programming and broadcast
across the United States via cable and satellite. CNBC.com provides live
streaming as well as an extensive video archive, database and analytical
financial tools. CNBC is dedicated to CEOs, senior corporate executives; the
financial services industry and private investors. The channel is available
in over 390 million homes worldwide. CNBC is owned by NBC Universal, the
broadcasting arm of GE.

For more information visit http://www.CNBC.com

About the DIFC:

The Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC) is an onshore hub for
global finance. It bridges the time gap between the financial centers of Hong
Kong and London and services a region with the largest untapped emerging
market for financial services.

In just under two years, over 400 firms have registered at the DIFC. They
operate in an open environment complemented with world-class regulations and
standards. The DIFC offers its member institutions incentives such as 100 per
cent foreign ownership, zero tax on income and profits and no restrictions on
foreign exchange. In addition their business benefits from modern
infrastructure, operational support and business continuity facilities of
uncompromisingly high standards.

For further information please contact:

CNBC Europe

Hugo Foulds
Head of Communications
+44(0)20-7653-9398
hugo.foulds@cnbceurope.com

DIFC

Amira Abdulla
Dubai International Financial Centre
Tel: +971-4-362-2433
Fax: +971-4-362-2236
E-mail: amira.abdulla@difc.ae

Shaima Al Zarouni
Dubai International Financial Centre
Tel: +971-4-362-2432
Fax: +971-4-3622-236
E-mail: shaima.alzarouni@difc.ae

Source: CNBC Europe

For further information please contact: CNBC Europe, Hugo Foulds, Head of Communications, +44(0)20-7653-9398, hugo.foulds@cnbceurope.com; DIFC; Amira Abdulla, Dubai International, Financial Centre, Tel: +971-4-362-2433, Fax: +971-4-362-2236, E-mail: amira.abdulla@difc.ae; Shaima Al Zarouni, Dubai International Financial Centre, Tel: +971-4-362-2432, Fax: +971-4-3622-236, E-mail: shaima.alzarouni@difc.ae

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