Company to invest US$ 25million to increase production capacity

Dubai, March 8th, 2005: STAR CEMENT Bahrain, which acquired Hyundai Tiger Cement Bahrain, plans to invest US$ 25million to expand its production capacity to 1.2 million tons per annum. At present STAR Cement Bahrain has a capacity of 500,000 tons per annum. The company STAR CEMENT has two plants in the United Arab Emirates, one in Bahrain, one in Bangladesh and a Bulk Cement Terminal in Sudan.

"STAR CEMENT plans to have an optimum balance of technology and expertise backed by strong investment to ride the huge market boom propelled by rapid expansion of GCC economy. This expansion is due to the heavy demand of cement in the neighboring Saudi Arabian, Kuwait, Qatar and other Middle Eastern markets" said Mr. Ahmed Salahuddin, Business Development Manager STAR CEMENT.

STAR CEMENT recently consolidated their cement manufacturing capabilities spread over Middle Eastern, Indian Sub Continent and North African regions under the brand name "STAR CEMENT". The latest move brings together manufacturing subsidiaries, in Abu Dhabi, Ajman, Bahrain, Bangladesh and Sudan under the STAR CEMENT brand.

STAR CEMENT is part of the US$1.8 billion ETA ASCON Group with over 30,000 employees has interests in areas such as construction, engineering and maintenance, automobiles, manufacturing, bulk commodity trading and shipping, fashion, consumer products, retail and industrial products.

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About Star Cement:
Star Cement, part of the ETA Ascon Group prides itself on being able to meet superior quality of cement conforming to BS EN & ASTM. The company procures high quality clinker from reputed and internationally known manufacturers and cement producers with Japanese Technology, well-trained staff & professional management, thereby ensuring high standard of operation and maintenance. A well-equipped laboratory comprising of modern X-ray analyzer with high degree of accuracy achieves strict quality control of the process. The Factory has a capacity of 900,000 M-Tons per annum. The company received International Quality Assurance certificate for ISO9001: 2000 and ISO 14001 for Environment Management System. For more information log on to www.starcement.net.

About ETA Ascon:
Emirates Trading Agency-Associated Constructions and Investments (ETA ASCON) Co. L.L.C. is a multinational and diversified Group established in 1973 as a joint venture under UAE's Abdulla Al Ghurair Group. ETA-ASCON has built an enviable reputation for quality, service and cost-effective technological capability. Headquartered in Dubai, the Group network undertakes construction, contracting and infrastructure project work in several countries, having over 23 branches and associate offices worldwide. Areas of expertise include Engineering, Contracting, Construction, Manufacturing, Trading, Shipping, Transportation, Jewellery, Travel, Consumer Electronics, Recycling, Automobiles, Building Maintenance, Information Technology, Human Resources Management and Real Estate. The Group's consolidated sales for the year ending 2003 were in excess of USD 1.5 billion. For more information, please visit www.eta-ascon.com.

For further information, please contact:
Prem Ramachandran, ASDA'A Public Relations,
Exclusive Affiliate of Edelman PR Worldwide in Middle East and North Africa,
PO Box 28063,
Dubai,
UAE,
Tel: +971-4-3344550,
Fax: +971-4-3344556,
E-mail: info@asdaa.com,
Web: www.asdaa.com

Press Release 2005