MSIG Receives General Insurance License in Vietnam

Singapore, September 18^th, 2008 – Mitsui Sumitomo Insurance Company, Limited (“MSIG”) announced today that it has received a license from the Vietnam Ministry of Finance to operate a wholly-owned general insurance company in Vietnam.

Since 1995, MSIG has had a presence in Vietnam with a representative office. In 1997, MSIG established a joint venture company in Vietnam with two other insurers, including Bao Minh Insurance. With the granted license, MSIG will be the first Japanese general insurer with a wholly-owned subsidiary in Vietnam.

MSIG Insurance (Vietnam) Company Limited (“MSIG Vietnam”) will market a wide range of non-life insurance products to both enterprises and individuals, including property, marine cargo, motor and engineering. It will be headquartered in Hanoi and is expected to begin operations in 2009.

MSIG Holdings (Asia) Private Limited (“MSIG Asia”), MSIG’s regional holding company in Asia, will oversee the operations of MSIG Vietnam.

Hideki Wake, CEO of MSIG Asia said, “We are pleased to be granted this license by the Government of Vietnam. MSIG’s decision to establish a wholly-owned subsidiary in reflects its long-term commitment to the Vietnamese society and economy and coincides with ’s accession to the World Trade Organisation in November 2006. We recognise the importance of this market and its tremendous economic potential."

“MSIG’s strong network in Indochina, including operations in and , looks set to grow with the addition of MSIG Vietnam. We are dedicated to providing comprehensive insurance solutions to enterprises and individuals and look forward to contributing actively to Vietnam’s growth. The granted license will allow us to expand our product offerings to meet these goals."

For further information, please contact:

Jason Soh / Angela Ling

MSIG Holdings ( Asia) Pte. Ltd.

Tel: +65 6827 2828

Email: jason_soh@msig-asia.com / angela_ling@msig-asia.com

About MSIG Holdings ( Asia) Pte. Ltd.:

MSIG Holdings (Asia) Pte. Ltd. is one of three holding companies for the Mitsui Sumitomo Insurance Group (MSIG) around the world and has operations in markets such as Hong Kong, Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam.

A leading provider of general insurance solutions for more than 100 years, MSIG currently operates in over 40 markets in Asia Pacific, and Europe, of which 16 are in Asia. MSIG has total assets of more than USD 83.9 billion, as at March 2008, and has received strong financial ratings, including an AA financial strength rating from Standard & Poor’s, an Aa3 financial strength rating from Moody’s Investors Service and an A+ financial strength rating from A.M. Best.

MSIG Holdings (Asia) Pte. Ltd. is based in and helmed by CEOs Hideki Wake and Alan J. Wilson.