Manama, Bahrain - 19 February 2008 - The Central Bank of Bahrain (CBB) announces that the monthly issue of the short-term Islamic leasing bonds, Sukuk Al-Ijara, has been oversubscribed by 310%.

Subscriptions worth BD15.5 million were received for the BD5 million issue, which carries a maturity of 182 days.

The expected return on the issue, which begins on 21 February 2008 and matures on 21 August 2008, is 2.80%.

The Sukuk Al-Ijara are issued by the CBB on behalf of the Government of the Kingdom of Bahrain.

This is issue No. 30 (ISIN BH000A0UDGM9) of the short-term Sukuk Al-Ijara series.