The Amwaj Islands, site of the new resort, is a group of man-made islands reclaimed from the waters of the Arabian Gulf off the northernmost coast of Muharraq Island, Bahrain, within a few miles and easy access of Manama, Bahrain's capital, and from the Bahrain International Airport. The development of the islands is a $1 billion project covering an area of 741 square acres (3 million square meters), with a unified architectural theme combining two five-star hotels and one four-star hotel, luxury residential neighborhoods, commercial districts and leisure amenities including a myriad of sports facilities, a marina, shopping, dining and theme parks in a smart city environment with a fast new road network and medical and educational facilities.  

JAL Hotels will serve as consultants to Ossis Property Developers on the design and layout of the hotel, which will have the development of the resort. 

"We are delighted to begin working with Ossis Property Developers on this project," said Mamoru Tsutsumi, president, JAL Hotels Co., Ltd. "Ossis's development of the Amwaj Islands is a modern day marvel - an incredible feat of engineering and a testimony to the creation of beauty out of imagination, on a blank canvas where there was nothing. It is quite exciting for us to be involved in an Amwaj Islands resort in Bahrain." 

Saud Abdulaziz Kanoo, chairman of Ossis Property Developers B.S.C., remarked that his company was equally pleased to have the opportunity to add a Nikko Hotels International resort to the Amwj Islands' attractions. "We have the utmost respect for JAL Hotels expertise in the hospitality industry," he said. "Ossis Property Developers is looking forward to a long, mutually rewarding relationship with JAL Hotels."

Commenting on the occasion, Kareem Shamma, Director of Projects and Marketing at Amwaj Islands, said: "Ossis is delighted to welcome JAL Hotels to the stable of international world-class hotel operators that have recognized the potential for attracting tourists and business visitors to the beautiful Amwaj Islands. We are looking forward to working with JAL Hotels, and trust completely that they will bring the fresh spirit of far-eastern hospitality to the Gulf, and to Amwaj."

About Ossis Property Developers B.S.C.

Headquartered in Manama, Kingdom of Bahrain, Ossis Property Developers B.S.C. ( C ) is the owner and developer of the Amwaj Islands, a group of man-made islands in the Gulf of Arabia off the northernmost coast of Muharraq Island, Bahrain. The Amwaj Islands is a luxury mixed-use development, 741 square acres (3 million square meters) in area. The company was established on January 30, 2001 with an authorized and paid up share capital of BD 15 million.  Its executive committee consists of Mr. Saud Kanoo, Chairman, Mr. Khalid Al Sharif, Vice Chairman, and Mr. Jameel Al Matrook, Managing Director.  Its main business activities include
estate development (commercial, residential, resort and leisure).  Its flagship project is the Amwaj Islands project, Bahrain.  Under Bahrain's real estate laws, properties on Amwaj Islands can be purchased freehold by expatriates - and this has lead to a tremendous demand for the luxurious seafront homes to be found there. Ossis Property Developers' company mission statement is "the timely delivery or exciting, high-quality, affordable land and real estate products, to meet the needs and demands of the growing real estate market in the region."

The company's chairman, Saud Abdulaziz Kanoo, who received his Bachelor's in Engineering and an M.B.A. in the United States, also serves on The Kingdom of Bahrain's Shura Council, an elected "consultative council," a branch of the country's federal government. 

For more information about the Amwaj Islands, please visit www.ossisonline.com

About Nikko Hotels International

Nikko Hotels International is an international luxury hotel group operated by JAL Hotels Co., Ltd., a subsidiary of Japan Airlines, headquartered in Tokyo, Japan. In addition to Nikko Hotels International, JAL Hotels also operates Hotel JAL City, a chain of 13 mid-priced hotels for business travellers in Japan. JAL Hotels Co., Ltd. has 63 hotels worldwide, in Europe, the Americas and throughout Japan and the Asia/Pacific region.

JAL Hotels Co., Ltd. opened 304-room Hotel JAL City Naha on June 20, 2006 in Okinawa, and is scheduled to open 170-room Hotel JAL City Kannai Yokohama and 262-room Hotel JAL Fujairah Resort & Spa in December 2006; 373-room Hotel Nikko Tianjin in April 2007; and 487-room Hotel JAL Tower Dubai in December 2007.

For more information on JAL Hotels, Nikko Hotels International or Hotel JAL City, please visit www.jalhotels.com.

Lucy Siegel
212-583-1043, ext.12
[email protected]