Interviewed by Al-Iqtisad Wal A'amal economic magazine in its issue end of September, Mohammad Sulaiman Al-Omar, Deputy General Manager of Kuwait Finance House (KH), stated that the services provided by KFH, amounting to 80 products and services, which rise by adding the back-up services to 140, are all extended online, making KFH one of the major market makers in Kuwait. With its impact on market performance, supported by its client base and its expansive and comprehensive activities, KFH maintains a foothold amongst the major international financial institutions. "Throughout 28 years, it has been a pioneer in Islamic financial transactions." He said, "It maintains a share of 35% of the bankcard market, as well as a unique branch network in terms of expansion and coverage." He added. "KFH ranks first in terms of consumer finance, and leader in terms of real estate finance." He explained, "It has been providing proper real estate properties for over 20,000 Kuwaiti families, and provides a set of commercial services in the areas of automobiles, furniture, electronic and electrical appliances, and attracts about 5,000 traders and suppliers." He elaborated. About KFH's preparations for competition, and the impact the entry of foreign banks to the local market may have on the Kuwaiti banks, in general, and KFH, in particular, Al-Omar emphasized that KFH welcomes any step taken to fuel competition and open the markets. "KFH has been well prepared for this inevitable stage." He confirmed, "It has adopted strategic actions by enhancing its automated systems and human resources, while upgrading its performance and business activities to the international standards in terms of quality, speed, accuracy, and technology adaptation." He commented. "On the global level, KFH has strengthened its ties with the major financial institutions with strategic alliance and cooperation agreements, as well as exchange of expertise." He added, "We have gone a long way in diversifying the investment opportunities, entering into new projects to mitigate risk and maximize profit." He concluded. KAMCO: KD 2.441 FAIR PRICE OF KFH'S SHARE • KFH has gone a long way towards global presence, covering the Gulf, East Asia, and Turkey. • 3 real estate towers under construction, valued KD 100 m. Kuwait Investment Projects Holding Company (KAMCO), renowned amongst local and foreign financial and investment circles for its credibility, has recently issued a report on Kuwait Finance House (KFH). The report computes the fair value of KFH's share, amounting to KD 2.441. Although the share price at Kuwait Stock Exchange (KSE) still is below this price, it soared over the past two weeks upon announcement of the bank's profit at the end of the 3rd quarter, amounting to about KD 124 m, with a profit per share accounting for 101 Fils, compared to KD 92.9 m for the same period of 2005, a growth rate of 42%. Before reflecting on the major contents of KAMCO report, it should be noted that KFH, which leads the Islamic banking market, has proceeded over the past few years on enhancing the foreign expansion trend, thus maintaining its presence in the markets where it operates. In Turkey, the number of KFH-Turkey branches rose to 80, with plans to open new branches during next year in place. The bank is implementing its strategy aimed at constituting a bridge linking commercial transactions in the Gulf countries wit