ARG.L Regulatory News (ARG)

24 Jul 2006 08:34

ArmorGroup International plc24 July 2006 24 July 2006 ArmorGroup International plc Official opening of Kabul facility ArmorGroup International plc, the leading international provider of defensiveprotective security and security training services, reports that its AnjumanBase at Kariyai Khoya Rawash, on the outskirts of Kabul in Afghanistan, has beenofficially opened by Dr Omar Zakhilwal, Director of the Afghanistan InvestmentSupport Agency. The opening of Anjuman, one of the country's first commercialsecurity facilities, was also attended by the Rt Hon Sir Malcolm Rifkind KCMG QCMP, ArmorGroup's non-executive chairman. Afghanistan represents a significant market for ArmorGroup, which currently hasaround 600 employees providing close protection teams on behalf of officialsfrom the UK's Foreign & Commonwealth Office and Department for InternationalDevelopment. In the longer term, the international community has pledged around$10.5 billion over the next five years to assist in the reconstruction ofAfghanistan, the improvement of its security and the realignment of its economyaway from narcotics production. To meet these opportunities and the growing needs of its clients, ArmorGroupinvested around US$3.0 million in the construction of Anjuman Base toaccommodate its staff and clients, as well as visiting government and corporateofficials, in a highly secure and comfortable environment. The base canaccommodate up to 300 visitors and from it ArmorGroup is able to offer: a fasttrack, protected service through Kabul airport; numerous offices and classrooms;a 24/7 Operations Centre; extensive training facilities, including adriver-training area; and a purpose built medical clinic. Dave Seaton, Chief Executive Officer of ArmorGroup, commented: "We are very pleased that the Deputy Interior Minister has found the time toopen our new base at Anjuman. We believe ArmorGroup is the leading securityprovider of choice in Afghanistan, with three and a half years of provenon-the-ground experience in the country, operating throughout Kabul, Kandaharand Helmand province as well as the North East and Western parts of the country.We are proud of the work that we are carrying out to support the redevelopmentof Afghanistan and hope this will be a springboard for further investment in thecountry." For further enquiries please contact: Patrick Toyne SewellDirector of Communications, ArmorGroup InternationalTel: +44 (0) 20 7808 5848Mob: +44 (0) 7767 498 195Email: ptoynesewell@armorgroup.com Notes to Editors ArmorGroup International plc For over 25 years ArmorGroup has been recognised as a leading provider ofdefensive, protective security services to national governments, multinationalcorporations and international peace and security agencies operating inhazardous environments. It has 9,000 highly trained and experienced employeesand long term operations in 38 countries. Over the past two years it hassupported its clients in over 160 countries across the Middle East, Africa,North and South America, the CIS and central Asia. ArmorGroup is headquarteredin London and listed on the London Stock Exchange. ArmorGroup provides its services through three core divisions: ProtectiveSecurity Services, Security Training and Weapons Reduction and Mine ClearanceServices. It complies with the US Foreign and Corrupt Practices Act and theUK's Anti-terrorism, Crime and Security Act 2001 and has also been accredited toISO 9001:2000 and to ISO/IEC 27001:2005. For more information please visitwww.armorgroup.com. This information is provided by RNS The company news service from the London Stock Exchange