Press Release from CLSA website.

FOCUS ON CORPORATE GOVERNANCE AT
CLSA INVESTORS' FORUM 2001

Hong Kong, April 26, 2001: Corporate Governance and Socially Responsible Investments are set to take centre stage at CLSA's 8th annual Investors' Forum from 14th to 18th May, 2001 at the Grand Hyatt, Hong Kong.

Gary Coull, Executive Chairman of CLSA said, "Corporate governance is the next key investment criterion. Globally, investors are moving away from companies that are poorly governed and focusing instead on those that meet international standards of transparency, independence, accountability and social awareness."

Mr. Coull went on to say, "We have found a strong correlation between corporate governance and financial ratios, valuations and share-price performance. This year's forum will identify saints and sinners and examine the impact of corporate governance and SRI on big business and how companies are changing their strategies to adapt to this trend."

The CLSA Investors' Forum 2001 is the most comprehensive investment event of its kind in Asia, attracting 1200 global institutional investors from 29 countries and 375 CEOs and CFOs from the region's leading corporations. Over 150 of Asia's leading companies will share their market strategies in addition to government and specialist speakers on the latest topics affecting the markets today.

Note: from ASrIA web site editor

ASrIA is running two workshops at the Forum to explore SRI in Asia. Summaries of the workshops will be posted to this site after the event.

Also Alya Kayal of Calvert will be representing SRI funds and providing a counterbalance to the corporate interests at the discussion group moderated by Christine Loh, one of ASrIA's advisors, see above right - 'Socially Responsible Investment, dispelling the myths'.

Highlights of the CLSA Investors' Forum 2001:

· Corporate Governance: Mark Mobius of Templeton, Peter Clapman of CREF and Antoine van Agtmael of Emerging Markets Management will join CLSA's Amar Gill and Jing Ulrich to discuss the saints and sinners.

· Socially Responsible Investments - dispelling the myths: Former HK legislator Christine Loh, William Fung of Li & Fung Limited, Dusty Kidd of Nike, Alya Kayal of Calvert and a senior Executive from Shell will discuss how SRI issues are shaping the corporate landscape.

· Focus on Hong Kong: In their first appearance together since taking office, incoming Chief Secretary Donald Tsang & Financial Secretary Antony Leung will give a candid view of the Macro outlook and Economic challenges facing Hong Kong. HKMA Chairman Joseph Yam, SFC Chairman Andrew Sheng and InvestHK Director-General Mike Rowse will discuss monetary and fiscal policy and corporate governance.

· Yashwant Sinha, India's Minister of Finance will deliver a keynote address on India's economic and financial outlook

· Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra will share his vision for Thailand in an interactive keynote address via live video link from Bangkok.

· Washington Insights: Heritage Foundation President, Edwin Feulner will be joined by a White House official to discuss the Bush Administrations' stance towards Asia.

· Insights from the New Global Equity Model: Are sectors or countries growing in importance? Is there a declining opportunity for diversification? What are the identifying and testing factors? Olivier D'Assier of BARRA will address these issues and more.

· Rupert Murdoch: Back by popular demand, NewsCorp Chairman Rupert Murdoch will share his thoughts on the outlook for the media sector via live videolink from New York.

· Delivering Content in the 21st Century: Fibre optic technology has greatly enhanced the manner in which we communicate. The Father of Fibre Optics Dr. Charles Kao and several corporate leaders will discuss the latest trends in content delivery.

· Emerging Markets Indices - The Issues: Graham Colbourne, Director, FTSE Asia will identify key issues for Emerging Markets Indices and how they affect you.

· Vietnam - Nascent Entrant: Dr Bang, Vice Chairman of the State Securities Commission, Mai Thanh, CEO of REE Corp, the country's largest listed company and Dominic Scriven of Dragon Capital on Vietnam's future potential.

· Debt Restructuring in Thailand and SE Asia - Charles Ortick of PriceWaterhouseCoopers will discuss the implications of distressed debt and the rescheduling of loans across Asia.

For further information, please contact:
Laurie Kizik, CLSA
Tel (852) 2600 8329
Cell: (852) 9091 0841
Fax (852) 2530 0827
E-mail: laurie.kizik@clsa.com
Anne Perng, Gavin Anderson & Company
Tel: (852) 2218 9957
Cell: (852) 9920 3445
Fax: (852) 2810 1239
E-mail: aperng@gavinanderson.com.hk
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