SBI Holdings and FPT Form Jointly Investment Fund

The first fund managed by the new joint stock fund management company, FPT Capital, among various sectors, will take part in the equitisation process of large State-owned enterprises (SOEs), especially those dealing with finance and banking, as well as incubate emerging sectors such as Life Sciences, Information Technology and Internet Services.

SBI Holdings’ CEO, Yoshitaka Kitao, embraced his firm’s entrée into South East Asia together alongside FPT. “We have taken the time to get to know FPT intimately and believe they represent the New Vietnam, a forward-thinking company and progressive leadership for us to partner with and tap into this rich nation’s thoroughbred investment opportunities. Our fund with FPT is only a first step in a well-planned strategy to invest in and groom quality businesses and, wherever possible, create pathways into Japanese markets. Ours is a comprehensive Vietnam strategy and we are pleased to join ranks with FPT Group.”

FPT’s CEO, Truong Gia Binh hailed the announcement with SBI. “We have chosen to partner with one Asia’s most skilled and successful venture capital groups. SBI Holdings’ DNA and record of growth closely follows our own. But more than just capital, FPT will benefit from SBI’s know-how in fund management, financial services, IT investing and provide us with a direct link to Japan’s capital markets. We see in them a like-minded long-term partner dedicated to working with us to revolutionize and improve the lives of every day Vietnamese citizens. Given the success of FPT in software outsourcing to Japan, we do believe that the new initiative of partnering with SBI Holdings in fund management will further realise our globalisation aims.”

Mr. Phan Đức Trung – General Director of FPT Capital – the Fund Management said: " The Fund establishment is a milestone, marking the development of FPT Capital in Vietnam’s financial market. FPT Capital is proud of the confidence of FPT and SBI – the two big organizations of Vietnam and Japan. We strongly believe that economic development potentials of Vietnam in the years ahead will be good opportunities for us to expand investment, bringing efficiency for organizations placed their trusts and promoting development of companies which we select for investments in Vietnam. In addition to Vietnam Japan Fund, although FPT Capital was firstly born under the Vietnam Law on Securities in 2006, for the time being assets controlled over by FPT is around VND 600 billion. Such initial success, we do hope that FPT Capital will not stop at the management of Vietnam Japan Fund but also provide fund management services and investment profiles for local and foreign investors”.

About FPT Corporation

As late quarter III, 2007 FPT Company gained USD 567 million with more than 9,000 employees. As a leading technology company, FPT tops in system integration, software development and outsourcing in Vietnam, software training and education, mobile phone and telecommunication products distributions. Additionally, FPT is one of the top ADSL providers, game provider. Currently, FPT is extending her hands in new areas such as banking, finance, assets, education, retails and online services.

About SBI Holdings, Inc.

SBI Holdings (TOKYO : 8473 ) is the recently spun-out, separately-traded former investment arm of Softbank Corporation (formerly-known as SOFTBANK INVESTMENT). Today, SBIH’s operations cover three broad business areas: (1) Asset Management including Venture Capital; (2) Brokerage and Investment Banking; and (3) Internet-Enabled Financial Services. In addition to managing a family of venture capital funds, many of the firm’s 70 companies have taken leadership positions in various consumer-oriented online financial services such as equities and commodities brokering, home equity loans, and insurance comparison. Internationally, the firm has recently formed international joint partnerships with Goldman Sachs and groups controlled by Singapore’s Temasek Holdings and The State Bank of India. SBI also plans to launch Japan’s first full-service Internet bank sometime this year, in concert with Sumitomo Trust & Banking, as well as a new life insurance business with AXA Japan and a non-life insurance company with Aioi Insurance Co. SBI’s corporate website: www.sbigroup.co.jp .

About FPT Capital

FPT Capital was permitted for foundation by State Committee of Stocks of Vietnam No 18/UBCK-GP dated July 25^th 2007 and also the first Capital Fund was established under the new Law on Securities 2006. FPT Capital is now the largest capital company with VND 110 billion in Vietnam market. FPT Capital is permitted in business operations: Stock investment capital management; Stock investment profiles and other expertise regulated by the laws and orders.