In this thesis work, we have studied the optical properties of a composite with metal coated di-rnelectric cylindrical nanoinclusions / pure metal cylindrical nanoinclusions in passive and activerndielectric host matrices. In order to compare results, we have also brierny discussed optical prop-rnerties of a composite with spherical nanoinclusions in passive and active dielectric host matrices.rnOne of the optical properties of the composite we have investigated by this work is the lo-rncal eld enhancement factor at the core of the inclusions. The obtained result shows that for arncomposite of metal covered dielectric inclusions in passive host matrix there are two maximumrnvalues of the local eld enhancement factor at two di erent resonant frequencies. For compositernwith dielectric covered metal inclusions only one peak of local eld enhancement factor deter-rnmined. We have also found that for a composite with pure metal cylindrical inclusion there isrnonly one maxima of the local eld enhancement factor.rnIn this work, the second main target of study interest was to determine the group velocityrnof narrow light wave packet that propagate in the overstated composites. We have determinedrnthat wave can travel with group velocity much slower than the speed of light in vacuum andrnfaster than the speed of light in vacuum. Furthermore, we have found light waves that propa-rngates with negative group velocity through the composite. In passive host matrix the light pulsernseen absorbed within a very small distance when compared to the distance it travels in activernhost matrix. Hence the problem of absorption considerably reduced by using active host matrix