KKR Announces Plans to Open Offices in Hong Kong and Tokyo

Hong Kong, Tokyo, New York, September 13, 2005 – Kohlberg Kravis Roberts & Co. (KKR), a leading private equity firm, announced today that it plans to establish offices in Hong Kong and Tokyo, the Firm’s first offices in Asia.

KKR intends to pursue opportunities over the long term in both emerging and well-established economies throughout the Asia Pacific region, ranging from manufacturing, sourcing of products and joint venture opportunities for its portfolio companies, to traditional buyout transactions in more mature economies, cross-border acquisitions in partnership with Asian companies and selective growth equity investments in emerging markets.

“The Asian markets will have a pivotal global influence in the coming decades and will offer significant investment opportunities for both KKR and our existing portfolio companies,” said Henry R. Kravis, Founding Member of KKR. “As the role of private equity in Asia grows and is further defined, KKR will carefully assess the landscape and determine the most appropriate ways to be a leading participant in that process.”

“This initiative is a significant step in positioning KKR as a truly global private equity firm and will increase our competitiveness on a worldwide basis,” said George R. Roberts, Founding Member of KKR. “After 29 years of successful private equity investing in over 130 transactions, KKR has the institutional expertise and, equally important, the institutional culture, to expand in a deliberate and meaningful way into an exciting new market.”

Joseph Y. Bae, a Managing Director based in KKR’s New York office, will lead the Firm’s operations in Asia, moving to Hong Kong at the end of the year. Joining him will be Justin Reizes, a Principal from KKR’s London office. Together, they will spearhead KKR’s efforts in the region. “Our initial focus will be to build a world-class team of investment and operating professionals with direct experience in a range of Asian markets, including Japan, China and Korea,” said Bae.

Having spent considerable time studying the role that private equity can play over the long term in the Asian markets, KKR is building its Asian operations by appointing veteran KKR executives who will develop its regional presence by hiring experienced Asian nationals. At the same time, the new offices will benefit from being fully integrated with KKR as one global private equity firm. KKR successfully used this same approach in developing its European business, after opening an office in London in 1998, and is now one of the leading private equity firms in Europe.

About KKR

KKR is one of the world's oldest and most experienced private equity firms specializing in management buyouts, with offices in New York, Menlo Park, California and London. Throughout its history, KKR has brought a long-term investment approach to its portfolio companies, focusing on working in partnership with management teams to invest for future competitiveness and growth. Over the past 29 years, KKR has invested in more than 130 transactions with a total value of over US$157 billion. For more information, please visit www.kkr.com.

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