Middle East Financial Investment Company Implements Cisco Technology

RIYADH, SAUDI ARABIA--(Marketwire - November 10, 2008) - Cisco (NASDAQ: CSCO) today announced that the Middle East Financial Investment Company (MEFIC), one of the region's premier financial services firms, has selected Cisco to upgrade its backbone network infrastructure. As part of the agreement, MEFIC will deploy an integrated communications network comprising a comprehensive suite of Cisco's advanced technology solutions, including Internet Protocol (IP) telephony and security.

With the help of Cisco's intelligent network infrastructure, MEFIC, licensed by the Capital Markets Authority (CMA) as a fully fledged financial services company, will be able to maximize efficiency and provide best-in-class client servicing. Additionally, Cisco's reliable information technology infrastructure will help facilitate seamless communication between the organization's employees and clients.

Badr Al Sayari, MEFIC's acting chief executive officer, said: "Technology is now part of our day-to-day business and at the forefront of our strategic planning. We have therefore made a concerted effort to adopt technology solutions that will help ensure scalability, reliability and security for our network. With the deployment of Cisco's advanced technology solutions, our aim is to consolidate our position in the financial and investment services market by delivering the highest levels of customer service, largely through our online local, regional and international brokerage in a highly secure online environment."

"Cisco's advanced network infrastructure solutions will help enable MEFIC to provide superior and innovative financial and investment services in the Middle East," said Badr Al Badr, managing director, Cisco Saudi Arabia. "Network security is a key issue in today's global financial services market, so being able to ensure the privacy and security of data over the network was one of MEFIC's primary concerns. Cisco's solutions will help protect confidential customer data."

About MEFIC

The Middle East Financial Investment Company (MEFIC) is a full fledged financial services company with a paid up capital of S,R, 400 mm. Licensed by the Capital Market Authority (CMA), which allows it to operate in the fields of: Brokerage, Asset Management, Corporate Finance, Advisory and Custody.

MEFIC's Shareholders are leaders in the financial and the investment fields, they are: The Kuwait and Middle East Financial Investment Company (KMEFIC) and The Arab Investment Company (TAIC) which was established by the Central Banks of 17 Arab countries. The shareholder also include a number of leaders in the business society. For more info: www.mefic.com.sa

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Contact Information: For more information: Bashar Kharbat / Wael Abdul Samad Asdaa Public Relations Riyadh, KSA Phone: + 9661 4640051 Fax: + 9661 4628219 E-mails: info@asdaa.com Press: Jehan AbdulKarim +966 558225060 jabdulka@cisco.com Industry Analysts: Sharon Robinson +27 (0)21 4134577 sharobin@cisco.com Investor Relations: Matt Hardwick +44 208 824 1970 mahardwi@cisco.com