EMP Global LLC ("EMP") announced today that the Islamic Development Bank Infrastructure Fund (the "Fund") has invested US$73 million in TAV Hava Limanlari Isletme A.S., the holding company for Turkey's leading airport development, management and operating group ("TAV Airports Group").

TAV Airports Group is the largest and the only fully-integrated airport- operating and aviation services group in Turkey. The Group was established in 1997 by a consortium led by two leading Turkish construction groups: Tepe Construction and Akfen Construction, after it was awarded the BOT (Build, Operate and Transfer) contract for the New Istanbul Ataturk Airport International Terminal Complex. Following the successful commissioning of this maiden undertaking, TAV Airports went on to win a number of other domestic and overseas projects.

TAV Airports Group manages and operates the following airports under long- term BOT contracts: Istanbul's Ataturk Airport, Ankara's Esenboga Airport, and Izmir's Adnan Menderes Airport in Turkey; and Tblisi and Batumi Airports in the Georgian Republic. The Group also includes Havas AS, a leading ground handling services company; ATU, Turkey's largest duty free operator; BTA, a food and beverage company; an aviation security arm; an airport operations and maintenance company; and an IT services provider specializing in airport applications. TAV Airports is actively bidding for airport concessions and pursuing related business opportunities, both within Turkey and overseas.

Dr. Sani Sener, Chief Executive Officer and Executive Board Member of TAV Yatirim Holdings, the majority shareholder of TAV Airports, welcomed the Fund as TAV Airports' first strategic investor, noting that the investment signals the start of a long-term relationship with EMP and the Fund.

"We see EMP and the Fund as critical partners in expanding our business overseas, particularly in the MENA region and Asia -- the priority markets for TAV Airports over the immediate term."  

Mumtaz Khan, the Chairman and CEO of Emerging Markets Partnership (Bahrain), the EMP Global subsidiary which acts as the Manager of the Fund, said:

"TAV Airports is unique in that it can offer a fully integrated solution to airport development and is ideally positioned to capture emerging opportunities. We will strongly support the expansion of TAV as it expands internationally."  

Emerging Markets Partnership (Bahrain), a subsidiary of EMP Global LLC, is the manager of the Fund. The Fund has made ten investment commitments since it inception in 2001 totaling over $617 million. The Fund has made investments across a range of industries including aviation, petrochemicals, power generation and toll roads in countries ranging from the Gulf States to Malaysia.

About EMP Global LLC

EMP Global LLC, the largest private equity fund advisor focused on emerging markets, advises eight private equity funds totaling US$6.5 billion invested in Africa, Asia, Latin America, Europe and the Middle East. EMP Global has over ninety professionals based across eight offices in the regions in which it invests.

About Emerging Markets Partnership (Bahrain)  

Emerging Markets Partnership (Bahrain) E.C. ("EMP Bahrain") is the Manager of the IDB Infrastructure Fund, a Fund sponsored by the Islamic Development Bank focused on equity investment in infrastructure in the Islamic Development Bank member countries. EMP Bahrain is a majority owned subsidiary of EMP Global LLC.

Investor Relations: Mumtaz Khan, +973-17-549-310, mumtaz.khan@emp.com.bh

Media Relations: Tristan B. Peniston-Bird, +1-212-515-1933, tpeniston-bird@gavinanderson.com