Ministry Approves Marei’s Status

MAKKAH, 6 April 2006 — The Ministry of Commerce and Industry approved transferring Marei bin Mahfouz & Partners Group of Companies from a limited to a closed shareholding company with a capital of SR220 million divided into 4.4 million shares valued at SR50 per share. The company is based in Makkah and functions in wholesale and retail trade of agricultural produce, food, clothing, car parts and other things, as well as operating metal construction factories, import/export, travel and tourism services among other businesses.