SPRINGFIELD, Va . One
reason is that Alhurra's viewers increasingly see the channel's news as
credible. The channel can be seen in 22 countries via Arabsat and
Nilesat.

With this move, Home Essentials becomes the first
furniture leasing operation to have a direct presence in the country.

government syria

In a telephone survey of
satellite television households in major cities across the region, IPSOS-STAT,
the well -respected French research company, found that more than a third (34
percent) of Arabic-speakers over the age of 15 watched Alhurra in a typical
week. The IPSOS-STAT survey shows that 61 percent of Alhurra 's weekly
audience considers its news "reliable.
"The results of this telephone poll are a most encouraging trend," said
Kenneth Y. In addition
to wholesale furniture programs, Home Essentials will offer short-term and
long-term leasing arrangements for office and residential furniture.

Home Essentials has already been awarded contracts for such entities as Her
Majesty's Foreign & Commonwealth Office and Crown Agents (of the UK). Home Essentials provides furniture leasing and sales
to meet the furnishing needs of expatriates, landlords, developers and
service apartment operators worldwide.org.

east middle

With reliable and credible news and information,
the network is clearly a player in the Middle East media scene," said Norman
J.
Alhurra, launched in February 2004 , is one of the newest and most
technologically advanced channels in the increasingly crowded Middle Eastern
satellite television market. MTN is financed by the U.
Christopher Exline, founder and president of Home Essentials, said
recently, "Entering the Kabul market not only represents a major step
forward for our company, it vividly affirms the improving market conditions
for business in Kabul. According to Chris
Exline, "The Middle East's receptivity to the Home Essentials concept
accelerated our expansion plans throughout the region.

embassies regional

This compares with 23 percent in a similar IPSOS-STAT survey conducted
in the same cities in the spring of 2004. Pattiz, Chairman of the Broadcasting Board of Governor's Middle East
Committee."
The IPSOS-STAT survey was conducted in Cairo and Alexandria (Egypt),
Riyadh and Jeddah (Saudi Arabia), Damascus and Aleppo (Syria), Beirut
(Lebanon ), Amman, Irbid and Zarka (Jordan), Abu Dhabi and Dubai (United Arab
Emirates), and Kuwait City (Kuwait ) in February 2005."

Consistent with other new market entries, Home Essentials will invest
approximately $1,000,000 USD into Afghanistan over a two-year period, and
management intends to employ 50 locals within the first year.

Afghanistan augments the growing presence of Home Essentials in the Middle
East.

consulates middle

The IPSOS-STAT survey also shows Alhurra TV is reaching 40 percent of the
weekly audience of Al-Jazeera, the region's most popular news channel. Tomlinson, Chairman of the Broadcasting Board of Governors.
Alhurra is operated by The Middle East Television Network, Inc.

Home Essentials will offer a comprehensive turnkey service to foreign
companies, embassies, non-governmental organizations, business owners, and
expatriate workers to help them get situated in Afghanistan.

east government

, After just one year on the air,
Alhurra Television (Arabic for "The Free One"), the Arabic-language news and
information satellite network for the Middle East, reports audience gains of
almost 50 percent over a similar survey last year. There are an estimated total of 98
million weekly satellite television viewers over the age of 15 in the Middle
East representing 52 percent of the 15-plus population of the region. This
survey is the latest in a series of research studies from independent
companies that regularly measure Alhurra.S. The company has offices in Hong Kong, Singapore, Dubai and
Baghdad and Kabul. Visit the company Website at
www.

syria government

"This is very encouraging, it's obvious that Alhurra programming is
resonating with its audience.
Hong Kong-based Home Essentials, the largest
furniture rental company outside the US, announced it has opened an office
in Kabul, Afghanistan . Kabul joins other locations in Dubai and Baghdad.homeessentials.

east consulates

" This compares with 50 percent in the
spring 2004 survey. "The results of this survey, conducted in the weeks right after
Alhurra 's extensive coverage of the Iraqi election, are a continuing
indication that the channel is attracting a sizable audience, particularly in
the biggest cities across the Middle East. The 24-hour Arabic -language channel broadcasts a
diverse schedule of news, talk shows, debates, documentaries as well as
entertaining information programs on a wide variety of subjects from sports to
fashion to technology . This investment would not have occurred unless the
Afghani government had followed through on pledges to expedite reform and
create a climate conducive to business. More importantly, we
have a deep bench of qualified managers ready to assume the reins of new
locations.

east embassies

Alhurra TV Makes Significant Progress in the Middle East Gaining Audience and Credibility According to Latest Survey

The sample size of the
survey was 3511; the margin of error is two percent. (MTN), a
non-profit corporation . Government through a grant
from the BBG, an independent federal agency. The BBG provides oversight and
serves as a firewall to protect the professional independence and integrity of
the broadcasters .

PRESS RELEASE Home Essentials Opens Office in Kabul Afghanistan

"

About Home Essentials

Founded in 1997, Home Essentials is the largest furniture rental company
outside the US.