Lysaker, October 22, 1999  

Norman ASA has entered into a distribution agreement with SecurAX in Dubai. XX XX XX concerns the United Arab Emirates and secures that Norman's security products will be bought and sold in this growing market. The agreement is one of many international distribution agreements Norman has made during 1999.

- This is an important step on the way of becoming a company with global representation. Our intention with the agreement is to become a long-term participant on the Arab Peninsula, and we view the agreement as a unique opportunity to be represented in an exciting market experiencing a strong growth. The market has earlier been restricted in its use of IT, but the market is now starting to explode, says Bjørn Fosli, C.E.O. and President of Norman.

Solid company

SecurAX is part of Gemer International, which again is a part of the large Al Batha Trading & Industry Group. Al Batha has been a dominant participant within trade in the United Arab Emirates since the company was established early in the 1960s. The company has a large trading house that among other things distributes BMWs in the Gulf area, and is big within distribution of chemical and pharmaceutical products, nutrients and white goods. Thus, SecurAX has solid financial backing and access to an extensive distribution apparatus.

Large marked

- We are impressed by the owner structure and the strategy of the company. The company has a healthy strategy and is aiming towards growing in the surrounding areas, which also includes Egypt, Oman, Bahrain, Qatar and Saudi Arabia. IT spend in the region in 1999 is expected to be approx. US$ 2.15 billion. It is a considerable market and a market that we usually would have had difficulties in penetrating on our own, says Fosli. Two of Norman's employees will, for a limited period, work full time in the Emirates in order to help the new distributor. The first delivery is expected to be fulfilled in October/November.

Growing market

-The huge growth in the use of Internet combined with the increased activity by hackers means that security is a top concern for organisations of all sizes. We are delighted that we are able to partner with Norman Data Defense Systems who are undoubtedly one of the leaders in data security, says Tanveer Choudry, General Manager of SecurAX.

For further information, please contact

Bjørn Fosli, President and CEO of Norman ASA, Tel: +47 67 58 99 40, Mobile: +47 90 51 84 68

James Mullan, Regional Representative for SecurAX/Gulf Hill & Knowlton, Tel:  +971 4 344 930