Doha, 17 June 2007

Aon Corporation is applying for a license to operate from the Qatar Financial Centre and expects to open an office there later this year.

“The Middle East and in particular Qatar will be one of the fastest-growing regions in the world over the next few years,” said Roelof Hendriks, chief executive officer of Aon EMEA, said in a statement. Massive investments in infrastructure and natural resources projects along with strong demographic growth are increasing demand for insurance products in the region, he said.

The Aon office in Qatar is expected to open in late 2007, A. Latif Al Rayes, Manama, Bahrain-based chief executive officer of Aon’s Middle East region, pointed out in the statement.

Headquartered in Chicago, Aon Corporation provides more insurance brokerage, reinsurance brokerage and risk management services than any other company in the world, and is a leader in human capital and management consulting and specialty insurance underwriting. Aon has 43,000 employees in 500 offices in more than 120 countries. Backed by broad resources, industry knowledge and technical expertise, Aon professionals help a wide range of clients develop effective risk management and workforce productivity solutions. Aon Corporation total revenue for 2005 was $8.5 billion.

Aon is the world's:

• largest insurance brokerage;
• largest captive insurance company manager;
• largest reinsurance broker; and
• third largest employee benefits consultant.