JEDDAH, 7 May 2007 — Global M&A, a consortium of leading middle market investment banking advisory services firms, has admitted the Jeddah-based Financial Transaction House (FTH) as its exclusive Gulf region partner effective from July 15.

In a statement sent to Arab News yesterday, Global M&A said the addition of FTH as a new partner will provide investors from the Gulf and Yemen ready access to cross-border and international M&A opportunities.

The new partnership, which was held in London, will also help regional companies access to a market where they can sell either a majority and/or minority held interests to Global M&A network exclusively through FTH.

Michael Gibbons of Global M&A, said “Global M&A represents the best of two worlds: a personal investment banking service delivered by seasoned deal makers combined with a seamless cross-border corporate finance capability.” Its focus is on mid-market transactions, valued between 20 million euros and 250 million euros.

Since 2000, Global M & A partners have closed over 700 transactions with an aggregate deal value of over 15 billion euros, he said.

Faisal Alsayrafi, CEO of Financial Transaction House, said “FTH’s admission recognizes the value and importance of the Gulf region and Yemen and its emergence as a vital economic source. Global M & A enables FTH to market minority and majority interests in Middle market Gulf region firms to international buyers, strategic and financial buyers. It also enables FTH, as the exclusive Gulf region member, to market strategic and financial buyers in the region global investment opportunities and unparalleled access to cross-border financing sources.”

Roberto Castro, vice president of FTH, LLC, added that “FTH’s presence inside and outside MENA provides a critical value added service to both Global M&A partners and their clients which include private equity funds and our clients.”

Hany Arafa, vice president of FTH, who was present in London during the 4th Annual Global M&A Conference, noted that “FTH’s admission confirms that it has the requisite depth and experience to participate in this exclusive group and enables our staff of investment bankers immediate access to databases and best practices sources and provide Gulf region clients a competitive edge, an edge which is necessary in an ever increasing global economy.”

Global M&A is the product of a merger between two separate M&A partnerships — Euro-Merger and M&A Partners. Global M&A has over 30 partner firms in the US, UK, Western and Eastern Europe, Russia, Hong Kong, Japan, India, Mexico, Argentina, Columbia, Chile, Brazil and Turkey.