Bangkok--26 Mar--Minor International Minor International (MINT) has today announced the formation of a joint venture with Kempinski Hotels & Resorts (Kempinski) for strategic development opportunities in Europe and Asia. With extensive knowledge and experience in the Asia market and its Anantara hotel and resort brand, MINT is well placed to seek out development opportunities on behalf of the Kempinski group and offer technical service skills which match Kempinski's growth strategy. In turn, Kempinski, which has a selection of existing properties and a strong depth of experience in the Mediterranean basin, will support the development of the Anantara brand in key locations in the Mediterranean. William Heinecke, CEO of Minor International commented "This is truly an exciting time for Anantara Resorts, as the brand is very focused on developing in key markets which enable our guests to feed their passion for exploration and experience. Partnering with Kempinski, one of Europe's most established and premium hotel brands, allows us to extend the synergies and development opportunities between our two hotel groups." The agreement sets the stage for Anantara and Kempinski to move quickly with local knowledge in ever increasingly competitive markets. Kempinski's Chairman Michael Selby added, "Kempinski is pleased and excited about the joint venture with Anantara Resorts. Anantara has been growing at an impressive rate within the South East Asia region and has developed a reputation for quality in service as well as unique and attractive hotel properties. Kempinski is a major operator of Five Star Hotels throughout the world and we believe that the joint venture agreement will allow the pooling of the resources within both groups to provide a range of exceptional guest stay experiences." Michael Sagild, COO of Minor International added "Within the growth plans of Anantara Resorts, a central component is a strategic partnership which allows us to have local knowledge and a significant skill set in Europe and beyond. This will provide economies of scale, development and technical service efficiencies whilst ensuring insightful knowledge of particular destinations". Anantara is taken from an ancient Sanskrit word that means 'borderless water', a name chosen for this element's association in many Asian cultures with wealth and good fortune. Anantara Resorts is inspired by local architecture and sensitive to indigenous culture and has three resorts operating in Thailand, two in the Maldives and one in Bali. The newest member of the Anantara family, Anantara Resort Seminyak, opened in March 2008 in Bali. In October 2008, MINT and Anantara will launch the Anantara Resort Phuket which will be located on Mai Kao Beach and just 15 minutes from Phuket International Airport. Kempinski Hotels and Resorts is Europe's oldest and most established luxury hotel collection, founded in 1897. Kempinski's prestigious portfolio of hotel properties comprises over 55 luxurious properties in Europe, the Middle East & Africa, Asia and South America. Minor International (MINT) is one of Thailand's leading hotel owners/operators with a portfolio of 16 hotels and over 2,500 rooms under the Anantara, Marriott, Four Seasons, and Minor International brands in Thailand, the Maldives, Vietnam and Indonesia. It is also one of the largest spa operators in the Asia Pacific region with more than 24 spas in Thailand, China and the Middle East under the Mandara and Anantara brands. MINT is also Thailand's largest food service operator with more than 850 outlets system wide under The Pizza Company, Swensen's, Sizzler, Dairy Queen, Burger King, LeJazz and the Coffee Club brands. In January 2007, MINT was recognized by Asia Money magazine as Thailand's Best Managed Small Cap Company for financial and business performance, management strategy and vision, and shareholder value creation. For more information, please visit www.minornet.com Press Contacts: Pratana Manomaiphiboon and Prapharat Tangkawattana at Tel: (662) 381-5151