The company announced today that it had signed a formal letter of intent with Japan Central Mitsui Trust Holding Co., Ltd., a subsidiary of Central Mitsui Trust Group Co., Ltd. on 9 Oct 2008, this marked the beginning of an extensive cooperation in asset management, trust and securities business between the two parties.

Japan Central Mitsui Trust Holding's fiscal 2007 net profit as of March 2008 has reached JPY 71.837 bln , with a revenue of JPY 459.1 bln.

For the purpose of developing the businesses of the two companies, Central Mitsui Trust and Banking Co., Ltd., another subsidiary of Central Mitsui Trust Group, has set up a securities business office in Beijing. While Central Mitsui Asset Management Co., Ltd., also a subsidiary of Central Mitsui Trust Group, is applying for QFII qualification.

The cooperation, which will enable both parties to use each other's professional expertise and experience in trust and asset management business, and will help both companies attain higher levels of service quality.

Source: China Securities Journal

Date: 10 Sept 2008

CN01/ZZ/SW/BT/KM