Press releases

Paris, April 16, 2010.

Strategic long-term partnership - Qatari Diar invests in Veolia Environnement

Veolia Environnement and the Qatari Diar fund today announced the signature of an agreement aiming at setting up a long-term strategic partnership, including the acquisition by Qatari Diar of a 5% stake in Veolia Environnement's capital with full voting rights.

The acquisition of this stake in Veolia Environnement's capital reflects the two groups' mutual ambition to work together on infrastructure and utilities projects in the Middle East and North Africa. In the longer term, the partnership could also be extended to those countries in which the Qatari Diar fund has developed its presence.

In addition, this agreement stipulates that the company Qatari Diar will be appointed to Veolia Environnement's board, subject to approval by Veolia Environnement's Annual Shareholders Meeting on 7th May, 2010.

Qatari Diar has indicated to Veolia Environnement that it will hold its stake and its voting rights for three years.

Antoine Frérot, Chief Executive Officer of Veolia Environnement

We are very happy to welcome Qatari Diar, both as a shareholder and also as a long-term partner. Today's agreement is an expression of the Fund's confidence in Veolia Environnement's strategy of sustainable growth, as well as in our capacity to accompany the Fund as it develops its presence in a region which is a priority for our group. Today's agreement comes in the wake of our initial agreement with the Emirati Mubadala Fund in the water sector, which enabled the group to win a number of new contracts, and will strengthen Veolia Environnement's position in a strategic area which continues to offer important growth opportunities, notably in obtaining public service contracts.
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Eng. Mohammed bin Ali Al Hedfa, Group CEO of Qatari Diar

We are pleased to become a long-term industrial partner and shareholder of Veolia Environnement. We intend to fully involve Veolia Environnement in the development of our projects in the Middle East, Europe and Africa where Qatari Diar already enjoys a significant presence, our objective being to leverage Veolia Environnement's well established expertise in public services and sustainable development.
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Veolia Environnement

Veolia Environnement (Paris Euronext: VIE and NYSE: VE) is the worldwide reference in environmental services. With more than 310,000 employees the company has operations all around the world and provides tailored solutions to meet the needs of municipal and industrial customers in four complementary segments: water management, waste management, energy management and freight and passenger transportation. Veolia Environnement recorded revenue of €34,5 billion in 2009.

Qatari Diar

Qatari Diar, is a wholly owned subsidiary of Qatar Investment Authority, State of Qatar's sovereign wealth fund. Since its inception in 2005, Qatari Diar, as a global player in real estate development and investment, has developed a portfolio of more than 35 projects in more than 20 countries in the Middle East, Africa, and Europe with cumulated investments totalling more than US $ 60 billion.

Contact

Marie-Claire Camus
+33 (0) 1 71 75 06 08