Investment in OFEX Operator

RNS Number:7296E
London Asia Capital PLC
02 November 2004


            London Asia Capital PLC ("London Asia" or "the Company")

      -   Acquisition of 5.9% stake in OFEX operator
      -   London Asia CEO appointed to OFEX Advisory Group
      -   First clients signed up for OFEX

London Asia, the AIM-listed Greater China focused investment & merchant banking
group, has acquired a 5.9% stake in PLUS Markets Group plc , the company which
operates OFEX, the UK's stock market focused on smaller companies.

The investment of #250,000 at 5p per share is part of the refinancing of OFEX
which has seen it raise over #3 million in new funds from investors including
Winterflood, the market maker. Funds will be used to expand the market both
within the UK and internationally. Simon Brickles, former Head of the UK's AIM
stock market, has been appointed as Chief Executive.

Simon Littlewood, London Asia Chief Executive, has been appointed a member of
the OFEX Advisory Group to assist in the development and marketing of OFEX in
Asia.

London Asia has signed up three clients for OFEX which are currently going
through due diligence with a view to listing them in the first half of 2005.

Simon Littlewood, London Asia Chief Executive, said:

"We see OFEX as the ideal first market for high growth Chinese companies looking
to list in the UK, as it provides access to European investors in a regulatory
environment geared to the needs of smaller, growth companies. We have seen
considerable interest in OFEX from Chinese companies who are attracted by the
lower level of costs not only on listing, but also in maintaining the listing,
compared to other markets in Europe and Asia."

ENQUIRIES:

Simon Littlewood, CEO              Tel  [phone]

Paul McManus, Binns & Co           Tel  [phone]  
                                   Mob: [phone]

About London Asia Capital plc

London Asia is a leading AIM listed investment and merchant banking group
focused on the SME market in Greater China.

London Asia has identified that as a result of the fast growing Chinese economy
and an underdeveloped financial services industry, there is strong demand for
both capital and skilled financial advisory services in China, especially among
small-to-medium sized enterprises.

London Asia operates two principal businesses within Greater China:

   * Investment in profitable businesses with exits via IPO or trade sale;
   * Investment Banking services, mainly corporate finance advisory (fund
    raisings, IPO's and M&A) and fund management

London Asia has a growing list of investments, paid for via a mix of cash and
London Asia shares, focused on distinct industry sectors:

   * Financial Services
   * Media
   * Information technology & communications
   * Infrastructure, energy & natural resources & environment

London Asia has offices and management teams, as well as strong local partners,
across the Greater China region, as well as alliances with a number of Chinese
business parks which gives London Asia access to over 7,000 Chinese businesses.
These provide direct access to investment opportunities, close relationships
with corporate clients, a good level of control over existing investments,
access to local market intelligence as well as providing leverage through a
network of partners. These work in conjunction with our international network in
London, New York, Singapore, Hong Kong and Taiwan.







                      This information is provided by RNS
            The company news service from the London Stock Exchange

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