Noble Group Delivers Best Ever Full Years Results Net Profit Reaches US$21.1 Million on Revenue of US$1.2 Billion HONG KONG, Feb. 28 /PRNewswire Asia-AsiaNet/ -- Singapore listed Noble Group Limited (NOBL) reported that revenues increased 51% and profits jumped 234% over FY1999, a record for the group. Richard S Elman, Chairman of the Noble Group says, "It is gratifying to be able to report results such as this. While a recovery in demand in Asia and other economies provide good business conditions for us, Noble benefited as well from steps taken during the Asian crisis to grow and expand our business, both within Asia and around the world. Today, approximately 60% of our revenues comes from outside Asia, a notable increase from 47% in 1999." At year-end 2000, the group had cash balances of over US$80 million, while NAV increased to a record US$113 Million, or US$0.51 per share. For FY 2000, Noble returned 22% on its shareholders capital. In light of the group's performance, the Board of Directors is pleased to recommend the payment of a cash ividend of US$0.025 per share, and in addition will recommend the issuance of one new bonus share for every four shares held as appreciation to shareholders. During 2000, the group expanded into several business areas: * A 900,000 ton per annum Iso-Octane project in Saudi Arabia through subsidiary Noble Americas Corp. with Alujain Corporation, a Saudi joint stock company. The project is expected to come online in 1H2004. * A worldwide sugar-trading unit, Noble Sugar, focussing on both raw and white sugar. * A multi-language online electronic trading exchange for industrial raw materials, www.rawmart.com In 1999, under a shareholder-approved mandate, Noble began a share repurchase program. Noble views this efforts as a prudent use of funds as such purchases, nearly 8.5% of the groups shares, or a dividend of US$0.044 per share and represents a significant dividend to shareholders, with the dividend representing an increaseed ownership in the business. The mandate to repurchase remains in place. The Noble Group Limited is a Hong Kong-based worldwide supplier of industrial raw materials and transport resources. The group intermediates the flow of key raw materials necessary for economic growth. Producers and consumers are linked by Noble uniquely integrating sourcing, marketing, processing, transportation and e-commerce through www.rawmart.com (R). Outside Asia, Noble Americas trades in coal and coke, fertilizers and oxygenates and refined oil products. Noble Europe's activities include product and service marketing, the supervision of shipping. Noble operates a global network of offices. They are located in Beijing, Bombay, Cochin (India), Hong Kong, Karachi, Kiev, London, Manila, Moscow, Newcastle (Australia), New Delhi, Shanghai, Singapore, Stamford (USA), Taipei and Tokyo. Noble is listed on the Singapore Exchange Securities Trading Limited, (NOBL). For more information about Noble, please visit: http://www.thisisnoble.com SOURCE: Noble Group Limited CONTACT: Louisa Tam of Noble Group, +852-2861-4601, or fax,+852-2527-0282, or [email protected] Web Site: http://rawmart.com http://www.thisisnoble.com