• Latest contract brings order book for 2009-2012 to S$77 million
• Strengthens Cityneon’s lead in the Middle East

Singapore, 27 April 2009 – Cityneon Holdings Limited, a leading service provider of exhibitions, events, thematics and interior architectures in Asia and Middle East, had clinched a coveted contract to design and build the Oman pavilion at the World Expo Shanghai 2010.

Under the S$13 million contract awarded by the Oman Ministry of Tourism, Cityneon will build the 2000 sq m country pavilion to showcase the transformation of the Sultanate from an ancient gateway to the legendary Silk Route to a modern-day gateway for tourism and sustainable development in the Middle East.

The latest contract comes at a time when Cityneon, an SGX-listed company which was taken over by Malaysia’s Star Publications in November 2008, has been making headways in the Middle East.

The contract adds to Cityneon’s order book for the period 2009 to 2012, standing at S$77 million, which is 61% higher than the total revenue for FY2008.

This is the second project Cityneon is undertaking for the Oman Tourism Authority. It is also building various on-site installations to support a three-year international road show for the Authority.

Commenting on the pavilion contract, Mr Ko Chee Wah, Group Managing Director of Cityneon, said: “We are pleased to be able to play a part in chronicling Oman’s rich culture and history as well as showcasing its diversity and creativity at the World Expo in Shanghai next year. The award by the Oman Tourism Authority
further strengthens Cityneon’s credentials as a leading designer and builder of exhibition structures and other brand communication tools in the Middle East.”

The Oman pavilion design fuses traditional and modern architectural styles to create a model of Oman’s famous fort with a glass extension that reflects the azure blue of the Omani sea. Within the pavilion, the story of Oman will be told visually and with sense-surround audio effects, through creative props, giant mobile screens, interactive kiosks and stage performances.

The World Expo is an important world scale event for countries and international organizations around the world. Based on the theme “Better City, Better Life”, the World Expo 2010 will be held in Shanghai from May to October 2010. The event aims to inspire people towards sustainable and harmonious urban living and is expected to attract 70 million visitors over a six-month period with 186 countries and 47 international organisations participating thus far.

Cityneon stepped up its diversification into the Middle East with the setting up of an office at Bahrain in 1994. The region contributed just over a third of group revenue, which totaled S$47.9 million in 2008 compared to S$41.7 million in 2007. Revenue from the Middle East also grew 31% to S$16.9 million in 2008 from S$12.9 million previously.

In the Middle East, the company is engaged to provide event infrastructure and logistics for the 2009 Formula 1 Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix this month, as well as stands for various clients at the 2009 Qatar Career Fair where Cityneon is the official contractor.

Elsewhere, other major Cityneon’s projects include a S$43 million deal to build five attractions at Universal Studios Singapore in Resorts World at Sentosa, a five-year S$6.2 million contract to supply ground protection and furniture fit-out for Singapore’s F1 race in September, as well as booths for exhibitors at the CommunicAsia & Broadcast Asia show in Singapore in June.

Emphasizing the importance of adding value to our clients, Mr Ko adds, “Creating business opportunities from environments to experiences is our expertise. It is imperative that we now pay close attention to delivering excellence on these contracts won, and to ensure that we build a solid track record of our achievements in this field.”

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