Launch of Aberdeen Global Emerging Markets fund

The rapid growth of the world's developing nations, both in terms of size and activities, is one of the most exciting stories in today's financial markets. Stable governments, structural reforms and booming demand for raw materials and goods are transforming GEM (Global Emerging Markets) fortunes. These relatively untapped markets promise potentially high long-term investment returns and opportunities to further diversify an investment portfolio. Aberdeen are now offering Singapore investors access to this potential with the new Aberdeen Global Emerging Markets Fund.

Run from London and Singapore by their experienced team of managers, this fund promises to identify the best stocks in the GEM universe -- from China to Chile. Managers follow a rigorous stock selection process, with every company visited before an investment is made. This tried and tested approach has proven successful for many Aberdeen Asian equity funds; the new fund covers a wider geography including emerging stock markets worldwide.

Key factors driving Global Emerging Markets

• Improved company fundamentals
• Attractive valuations (vs. developed markets)
• Falling export dependence as a result of increased domestic spending and investment driven by favourable demographics
• Closer economic co-operation, for example, between Eastern Europe and the EU, China and Asia, is good for trade and investment.
• Market-oriented policies have helped restore confidence and create jobs
• Improved foreign accessibility to stock markets

The new Aberdeen GEM fund intends to capitalise on these opportunities. It will be managed by their 18-strong team in London and Asia, feeding into a Luxembourg fund of the same name. Investments are split between Asia, Latin America, Emerging Europe and Africa, with 55-65 high-quality stocks in total, each screened thoroughly in line with the robust investment disciplines of their Asia-only funds.

Disciplined investment
The Aberdeen method is to manage actively for high, long-term returns.

Diversification with a global perspective.
The GEM universe is exceptional for the range of sector opportunities, from supermarkets in urban Asia to IT in India.

Performance track record
The underlying Luxembourg-domiciled GEM fund, managed by Aberdeen, has achieved a return of 81.6% since inception in June 2003. (Source: Lipper, % growth, Gross income reinvested, NAV-NAV, as of end July 05.)

Fund details

Launch period: 8 August - 2 September 2005
Currency: SGD/USD
Launch NAV: S$1.00 / US$1.00
Minimum investment amount: S$1000 / US$5000
Min subsequent amount: S$100 / US$2500
Subscription Methods: Cash / CPFIS-OA / SRS
Sales Charge: 2.5% at dollarDEX
Management Fees: 1.5% pa*
Dealing Frequency: Daily
*No double charging of management fees