Quarterly Update

Epicure Qatar Equity Opportunities 18 April 2008 Epicure Qatar Equity Opportunities plc Quarterly Update to Quarter End March 2008 Report to Shareholders A FORMATTED VERSION OF THIS REPORT IS AVAILABLE FROM THE FUND ADMINISTRATOR, GALILEO FUND SERVICES LIMITED, ISLE OF MAN UPON REQUEST. PLEASE CONTACT enquiries@galileofs.co.im TO REQUEST A COPY. Epicure Qatar Equity Opportunities plc Investment Advisers Report - Quarterly Update to Quarter End March 2008 Investment Objective Epicure Qatar Equity Opportunities plc ('the Company') was established to capitalise on attractive investment opportunities in Qatar and the Gulf Cooperation Council ('GCC') region, resulting from the economic boom being experienced in the area. The Company seeks to invest in quoted Qatari equities listed on the Doha Securities Market ('DSM') in addition to companies soon to be listed, with a possible allocation of up to 15 per cent in regional GCC listed companies. The Investment Adviser intends to invest using both a top-down screening process, as well as a fundamental industry and company analysis, and does not intend to benchmark itself to any regional index. Activities During the Quarter For most fund managers and advisers, Q1 2008 has been anything but uneventful. Relative to the double digit sell-offs witnessed in emerging markets such as China, India and Vietnam, and in developed markets such as Germany and France, by comparison activities in the GCC markets were somewhat subdued. Most GCC markets managed to close Q1 2008 in positive territory with the exception of Saudi Arabia, Dubai and Qatar. With a rise of 13.8 per cent, the Kuwaiti market was the best performer for the quarter, while Saudi Arabia was down by as much as 18.0 per cent and Qatar was down by 0.3 per cent for the quarter. Based on closing prices of 27 March 2008, the NAV of Epicure Equity Opportunities plc reached US$1.1301, up by 17.2 per cent since inception and 0.8 per cent lower year to date. In recent months, Qatar has garnered considerable international interest as an attractive investment destination due to the strong economic and corporate growth being achieved. According to preliminary numbers issued by the Qatar Statistical Authority (QSA), in 2007 Qatar's GDP grew by 12.5 per cent. The Investment Adviser expects that 2008 will be a year of consolidation for the country as a number of projects are delayed by bottlenecks caused by a shortage of essential commodities such as cement, steel etc., which are crucial for the country's ongoing infrastructure development. Delays with clearing consignments through the port have also added to the problems. These, however, are the side effects of a fast growing economy. With 15.5 per cent GDP growth projected (first estimates) by the QSA in 2008, the Investment Adviser continues to emphasise the exciting investment opportunity that still exists in companies that are exposed and leveraged to local growth. Several notable events during this quarter have been: Corporate profitability The 42 companies listed on the DSM posted 20.9 per cent growth in net profit for the financial year 2007. Qatari companies have proven resilient in tackling ongoing inflation and bottleneck issues. With nominal GDP growth of 12.5 per cent in 2007 and 15.5 per cent growth expected in 2008, the economic environment in Qatar should help companies to maintain their profit growth in coming years. While corporate profitability for all DSM listed companies rose by 20.9 per cent in 2007, the twenty companies that EQEO is invested in grew their profitability by an average of 36.7 per cent year-on-year. The EFG Hermes Middle East and North Africa (MENA) conference During the month of March the Investment Adviser attended the MENA conference hosted by EFG Hermes. The magnificent setting of Sharm El Sheikh provided the opportunity for the Investment Adviser to meet a number of companies from the region over the four day event. The international interest shown in the MENA region was quite apparent, with new and existing investors looking to diversify their exposure away from the current turmoil being felt elsewhere in the world. State finances Qatar presented its largest budget ever for the fiscal year 2008-09, which saw all-time high revenues of QR103.3 billion (US$28.4 billion). Qatar has budgeted expenditure of QR95.9 billion, leaving a surplus of QR7.4 billion for the fiscal year 2008-2009. The budget earmarked QR19.7 billion (20.5 per cent) for the education sector, QR9.2 billion (9.6 per cent) for healthcare and QR30.6 billion (31.9 per cent) for the infrastructure sector. For the fiscal year, Qatar has assumed an oil price of US$55 a barrel as compared to US$40 a barrel in 2007-2008. Rights issues and IPOs: Due to the accelerating growth witnessed in the local economy, most companies have found it necessary to use rights issues to fund themselves through the local equity markets. Approximately QR17.4 billion (US$4.8 billion) worth of rights issue were announced in the first quarter of 2008. Of this total, only QR3.6 billion (US$1.0 billion) has been called in the first quarter, with the rest being staggered over the remainder of the year. Besides the capital raised from rights issues, Gulf International Services (GIS) raised QR8.9 billion (US$2.4 billion) in an IPO open only to Qatari investors. In the next six months, another major issue is anticipated in the form of the IPO of the second mobile operator (won by the Qatar Foundation Consortium with Vodafone). The rights issues and the GIS IPO are equivalent to approximately 6.8 per cent of the current market capitalisation of the DSM. The Investment Adviser believes that two of the primary reasons for the current market dislocation are ongoing capital raising activity and expectations of major new issues. Foreign Investor Limits Since the last quarterly update, more companies have reached their foreign ownership limits. Of the companies that EQEO has invested in, three have reached these limits. The increase in foreign interest will continue to reduce the investable universe. Industry allocation The Company's investments are focused on industries which the Investment Adviser believes will benefit directly from the local expansion underway in the country. The cash balance of 7.4 per cent is expected to be deployed mostly through subscription to rights issues that are expected to be completed by the end of the second quarter. The Company is heavily weighted towards the financial services industry, with 39.8 per cent of its investment being in the banking sector. The services sector, which is broadly defined and includes companies in telecommunications, utilities and others, accounted for 21.8 per cent of all investments. The Company's exposure to the much followed real estate sector stood at 12.2 per cent at the end of Q1 2008. The industries and insurance sectors accounted for a further 14.1 per cent and 4.8 per cent respectively. Embedded image removed - please refer to the Company's website www.epicure-qatarequtiy.com for a graph depicting the industry allocation of the portfolio. Industry Allocation (% of Portfolio Market Value) Real Estate 12.18% Industries 14.08% Services 21.77% Banks 39.76% Insurance 4.79% Cash 7.39% Portfolio Market Values at at 31 March 2008 Source: Qatar Insurance Company SAQ Portfolio Breakdown Top Five Holdings Company Sector % of Funds raised % of NAV Industries Qatar Industry 11.5% 11.9% Qatar National Bank Banks 10.0% 11.0% Commercial Bank of Qatar Banks 7.5% 9.5% Masaf Al Ryan Banks 7.1% 6.8% Barwa Real Estate Co Real Estate 5.8% 6.5% The top five investments of the Company constitute 41.9 per cent of the gross funds raised and 45.7 per cent of NAV. Geographical Breakdown (% of market value) Please refer to the fund website www.epicure-qatarequity.com for the full report. Cash 7.4% UAE 5.5% Kuwait 4.7% Qatar 82.4% Source: Qatar Insurance Company SAQ Market Values as at 31 March 2008 Important News Flow Additions to the Doha Securities Market Q1 2008 witnessed the listing of EZDAN Real Estate Company and Islamic Financial Securities Company on the DSM, taking the total number of companies listed to 42. EQEO is not invested in these stocks as they are highly illiquid. Gulf International Services (GIS) IPO During the first quarter, Qatar Petroleum raised QR8.9 billion through the IPO of Gulf International Services, which is expected to list during the month of April. Currently three companies are held within Gulf International Services: - Al-Koot Insurance, which provides a range of insurance and reinsurance services to Qatar Petroleum and the QP Group across operations. - Gulf Drilling International Limited (GDI), which provides drilling-related services to the QP Group and international co-ventures, and - Gulf Helicopter Company (GHC), the sole provider of helicopter transportation services in Qatar. Qatar Electricity and Water Company (QEWC) QEWC continued to expand its capacity to meet Qatar's ongoing appetite for power and water. During the quarter QEWC commissioned a 1025MW Ras Laffan B Power and Water Plant, 55 per cent owned by QEWC. Qatar's combined electricity production capacity stood at 2,712 MW and drinking water production capacity at 127 MIGD. Embedded image removed. Please refer to the Company's website for a graph depicting the DSM Index since Jan 2005. Portfolio Companies - update Qatar Islamic Bank (QIB) QIB arranged and successfully closed a Musharaka Sukuk (a vehicle used for raising funds for starting new projects, developing existing ones or financing a business activity on the basis of partnership contracts) worth US$137.5 million on behalf of 'Salam Bounian Development Company Limited'. This marks the first time ever that a Sukuk issue was managed completely by Qatari banks, without the involvement of any foreign institutions. Industries Qatar Industries Qatar (IQ) and Qatar Real Estate Investment Company (ALAQARIA) have signed a memorandum of understanding for establishing a new real estate company with an authorised capital of QR 1 billion; it is also expected that Al-Koot Insurance & Reinsurance Co will participate in the joint venture. Accordingly, each of the three parties will hold a stake of one third of the capital. Qatar Steel Company With the demand for steel skyrocketing, Qatar Steel will start rebuilding a Dh 500 million plant at Jebel Ali in Dubai in May. The new plant plans to increase capacity to 600,000 tonnes per year. QSC bought the plant from an investment group in 2001 and recently closed it down to make way for the new factory. Qatar National Bank Qatar National Bank (QNB) has entered into a strategic partnership with Kuwaiti companies to establish 'Kuwait-Qatari Company for Ijara and Investment' with a initial investment of KD 24 million (QR 321 Million) for a 30 per cent capital participation. The new company will offer Islamic financing services within GCC Countries. United Development Company (UDC) United Development Company (UDC) has decided to increase its non-Qatari holdings from 25 per cent to 49 per cent and will amend the company's Articles and Memorandum of Association to reflect this change after all the necessary legal procedures have been completed. Qatar Real Estate Investment Company Qatar Real Estate Investment Company has announced its plan for a QR 7.5 billion Phase 2 of 'Mesaieed Housing Project'. This residential complex consists of 5,225 residential units and will be developed for Qatar Petroleum (QP) and its subsidiaries. The total area of the development is approximately 3 million square metres which will be spread over five sites. The design of the project is expected to be completed by end of May 2008 and construction to begin by end of Q3 2008. EQEO NAV Performance (% net in USD) Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec 2008 -2.26 7.28 -5.35 2007 -3.49 4.22 7.21 3.59 1.94 Source: Galileo Fund Services Ltd NAV Performance is unaudited Performance figures are based on the NAV calculated on the last Thursday of each month and published via the regulatory news service of the London Stock Exchange. The performance data quoted represents past performance. Past performance does not guarantee future results. The investment return and principal value of an investment will fluctuate so that an investor's shares when redeemed, may be worth more or less than their original cost and current performance may be lower or higher than the performance quoted. Additional information regarding policies for calculation and reporting returns is available upon request. Epicure Qatar Equity Opportunities plc NAV Update NAV at launch US$ 0.96 NAV as at 27 March 2008 US$ 1.13 Inception Date 31 July 2007 The NAV is estimated net of fees and expenses every week and announced through the regulatory news service of the London Stock Exchange. As at 27 March 2008 Market Price -Shares US$1.04 Market Price -Warrants US$0.47 Key Features Domicile Isle of Man Shares Issued 247,527,523 Warrants Issued 34,271,000 Maturity Continuation vote at 2012 Annual General Meeting Year End 30 June Management Fee 1.25% of NAV Performance Fee The performance fee is 20% of the of the increase in Adjusted Net Asset Value per Ordinary Share above the Target Net Asset Value per Ordinary Share, subject to the achievement of two tests (i) the year end Adjusted Net Asset Value per Ordinary Share is greater than the High Watermark and (ii) the year end Adjusted Net Asset Value per Ordinary Share exceeds the Target Net Asset Value per Ordinary Share during the relevant Performance Period. The Target Net Asset Value per Ordinary Share for the first performance period is the US$1 placing price increased by the hurdle rate of 8% per annum. For further details, please refer to the Company's admission document. Investment Manager Epicure Managers Qatar Limited Investment Adviser Qatar Insurance Company S.A.Q Administrator Galileo Fund Services Limited I.O.M. Custodian Anglo Irish Bank Corporation, I.O.M. PLC Nominated Adviser and Broker Panmure Gordon (UK) Limited Auditor & Tax Adviser KPMG I.O.M. Legal Adviser Stephenson Harwood Ordinary Shares ISIN IM00B1240704 SEDOL B124070 Bloomberg ticker EQEO Valoren 3268997 Warrants ISIN IM00B1240G96 SEDOL B1240G9 Bloomberg ticker EQEW Valoren 3271492 Exchange Rate US$1.00=QR3.64 Webpage: www.epicure-qatarequity.com Contacts Epicure Qatar Equity Opportunities plc Leonard O'Brien T: +41 (22) 908 1190 Nominated Adviser & Broker Panmure Gordon (UK) Limited Moorgate Hall London, EC2M 6XB T: +44(0) 207 459 3600 Administrator & Registrar Galileo Fund Services Limited Third Floor Britannia House St Georges Street Douglas Isle of Man, IM1 1TE T: +44(0)1624 692600 F: +44 (0)1624 692 601 E: enquiries@galileofs.co.im Custodian Anglo Irish Bank Corporation (I.O.M.) PLC Jubilee Buildings Victoria Street Douglas Isle of Man, IM1 2SH PR/ Media Contact Tim Draper M Communications T: +44 20 7153 1267 Marylene Guernier M Communications T +44 20 7153 1269 1 Ropemaker Street Ninth Floor London EC2Y 9HT www.mcomgroup.com Disclaimer The contents of this document have been prepared by Qatar Insurance Company S.A.Q as Investment Adviser to the Epicure Qatar Opportunities Fund PLC ('the Fund'). This document has been prepared solely for information purposes and for the use of the recipient. It does not constitute an offer or an invitation by or on behalf of the investment Adviser or the Fund to any person to buy or sell any security or investment product. Any reference to past performance is not necessarily a guide to the future. The information and analyses contained in this publication have been compiled, or arrived at from sources believed to be reliable, but the Investment Adviser does not make any representation as to their accuracy or completeness, and does not accept liability for any loss arising from their use. The investments discussed in this report may not be suitable for all investors. and are provided for information purposes only. The ordinary shares and warrants in the Fund have not been, and will not be, registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933 as amended (the 'Securities Act') or qualified for sale under the laws of any state of the United States or under the applicable laws of any of Canada, Australia, Republic of South Africa or Japan and, subject to certain exceptions, may not be offered or sold in the United States or to, or for the account or benefit of, US persons (as such term is defined in Regulation S under the Securities Act) or to any national, resident or citizen of Canada, Australia, Republic of South Africa or Japan. None of the Fund, the Manager or any of their respective members, directors, officers or employees nor any other person accepts any liability whatsoever for any loss, however arising, from any use of such information or opinions. Epicure Qatar Equity Opportunities plc Registered Office Third Floor Britannia House St Georges Street Douglas Isle of Man, IM1 1TE This information is provided by RNS The company news service from the London Stock Exchange
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