Wataniya Expects $137 Million Profit

KUWAIT, 30 June 2005 — Kuwait’s National Mobile Telecom Co. expects its consolidated net profit to reach 48 million dinars ($137 million) in 2005, up nearly 20 percent from the 40 million it earned in 2004, top company officials said. The telecom service provider also known as Wataniya Telecom total customer base is expected to rise to 5.36 million in 2005 from 2.65 million in 2004, said International General Manager Ahmad Haleem. Haleem said total revenues were expected to rise to 150 million dinars from 93 million in 2004.