21/06/2010
First Sustainability Index to be Launched in China

Milan/Shanghai, 21 June 2010:  China Securities Index ("CSI"), the Chinese index provider, leader in the local index market (over 80% of total market assets are under its index), and ECPI, a leading independent provider of sustainability rating and indexing solutions, today announced the signature of the cooperation agreement.

According to the agreement, the two parties will fully cooperate on developing Chinese ESG indices based on Environment, Social and Governance ("ESG") criteria as well as on the marketing of the indices in both Chinese and global market. The upcoming indices will allow market participants to track the performance of China's sustainability leaders.

Michele Calcaterra, CEO of ECPI, said: "We believe that the analysis of extra-financial indicators is a valuable tool for investors scouting for investment opportunities in a dynamic and fast-growing financial market like China's."

Mr Calcaterra continued: "The ECPI ESG Rating methodology applied to the index universe has been customized to the characteristics of the Chinese market.  High ESG-rated companies show a strong sustainable business development model which will, in turn, allow them to access more financial resources than the poor ESG performers. As a result, the introduction of ESG concept will also encourage Chinese companies to raise their extra-financial performance to higher standards."

Mr Zhi Gang MA, CSI's CEO said: "Chinese investors are increasingly paying attention to the sustainability of listed companies. The cooperation between CSI and ECPI will help provide the market with a tool to assist investing in sustainability and promoting product innovation."

About CSI
As a joint venture between the Shanghai Stock Exchanges and the Shenzhen Stock Exchange, the China Securities Index Company Limited (CSI) specializes in the creation and management of indices and index-related services. CSI 300 Index, core index of the CSI index family, is the underlying index of China's first index future launched in China Financial Futures Exchange in Apr. 2010.

CSI will be responsible of the upcoming CSI ECPI index calculation, routine maintenance and management.

For more information on CSI, please visit: www.csindex.com.cn