H.E Ahmed Humaid Al Tayer attends Autism Trust Foundation ceremony to launch
charity-linked investment product

Dubai, June 8, 2011: His Excellency Ahmed Humaid Al Tayer, Governor of Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC), was the Guest of Honour at the Autism Trust Foundation Gala Dinner organized at the Jumeirah Zabeel Saray on Wednesday, June 8^th, 2011, to formally launch the Autism Trust Fund Income Certificate, believed to be first and only of its kind of charity-linked investment product in the world. Trust Securities was the main sponsor and organiser.

Held under the patronage of H.E Ahmed Humaid Al Tayer, the ceremony was attended by prominent businessmen, investors and owners of major companies in the UAE, including Mr.Asim Khan, CEO of Trust Securities, Mr. Adel Al Hosani of Liechtensteinische Landesbank, Mr. Abdulla al Kalban, CEO of Dubal, Mr. Rick Pudner, CEO of Emirates NBD and Mr. Johannes Holtzhausen, CEO of Spinneys.

Mr. Fahed Bin Al Shaikh, Deputy Chairman and CEO, Autism Trust Foundation, welcomed the gathering and said that he was confident that individuals and corporate organizations will extend their support to this social responsibility project.”

Autism Trust Foundation, an UK-registered body with boards of directors in the UAE and Canada, signed an agreement with the reputed Swiss bank, Liechtensteinische Landesbank (Switzerland) Ltd. (LLB), for designing the charity linked investment structure.

The socially-relevant initiative will allow 50 per cent of the net returns on investments of the investor being donated to the Dubai Autism Centre (DAC), the first organization selected by the Autism Trust Foundation to benefit from its investments programme in the UAE.

Ms. Sara Baker of Dubai Autism Centre, addressed the gathering and shared the history and expansion programme of the biggest facility for Autistic children in the Middle East and how the income certificate initiative would help the centre in the long run.

The Dubai Autism Centre (DAC) is presently located on Al Diyafah Street, off Satwa. It houses 48 autistic children with more than 219 children on the waiting list. A purpose-built facility which will accommodate 150 children is in the making. The cost of therapy for each child is AED135, 000 a year.

Ms.Shaikha Al Mutawa, Deputy CEO and Board Director of Autism Trust Foundation, said communities need to be armed with the knowledge and understanding of Autism Disorder and the impact on individuals and their families. She the initiative would help in supporting the Dubai Autism Center to truly enhance its facilities.