09:06 REGENT PACIFIC<00575>-Announcement&Resumption of Trading (1) The Stock Exchange of Hong Kong Limited takes no responsibility for the contents of this announcement, makes no representation as to its accuracy or completeness and expressly disclaims any liability whatsoever for any loss howsoever arising from or in reliance upon the whole or any part of the contents of this announcement. REGENT PACIFIC GROUP LIMITED (Incorporated in the Cayman Islands with limited liability) (Stock code: 0575) ANNOUNCEMENT The Company has been participating in discussions with independent third parties in connection with a proposed acquisition of a majority interest in a company that seeks investment opportunities in businesses that are engaged in the exploration and production in mining minerals. The discussions are still at a preliminary stage and no terms of such acquisition have been agreed. The proposed acquisition, if it proceeds, may constitute a notifiable transaction (as defined in the Listing Rules). At the request of the Company, trading of the shares in the Company on the Stock Exchange was suspended at 9:30 a.m. on Wednesday, 19 January 2005 pending the release of this announcement. Trading of the shares is expected to resume at 9:30 a.m. on Monday, 24 January 2005. Shareholders and potential investors should note that no binding agreement has been reached, and any discussions between the parties may or may not result in any binding agreement. Shareholders and potential investors are strongly advised to exercise extreme caution when dealing in the shares of the Company. This announcement is made at the request of The Stock Exchange of Hong Kong Limited (the `Stock Exchange') pursuant to Rule 13.10 of The Rules Governing the Listing of Securities on the Stock Exchange (the `Listing Rules'). The Board of Directors (the `Board' or the `Directors') of Regent Pacific Group Limited (the `Company') have noted both the increase in the price and trading volume of the Company's shares on 18 January 2005 and wish to state that the Directors are not aware of any reasons for such increases save as disclosed below. The Board would like to announce that the Company has been participating in discussions with independent third parties in connection with a proposed acquisition of a majority interest in a company that seeks investment opportunities in businesses that are engaged in the exploration and production in mining minerals. On 20 January 2005 (UK time), the Company entered into an exclusivity agreement with the independent third parties, and a refundable deposit of US$300,000 (approximately HK$2.34 million) will be paid by the Company to secure the right to conduct exclusive negotiations with the independent third parties in relation to the proposed acquisition. The discussions regarding the proposed acquisition are at a preliminary stage; no definitive agreement or letter of intent has yet been signed and there can be no assurance that any such agreement or letter of intent will be signed. The proposed acquisition, if it proceeds, may constitute a notifiable transaction (as defined in the Listing Rules) as the consideration for such proposed acquisition may include the issue of new shares by the Company to the independent third parties. The Board wishes to emphasise that no terms of any acquisition have been agreed. The Company will comply with the relevant provisions of the Listing Rules when the terms of acquisition have been agreed and update the market for further development of the negotiations as required under the Listing Rules. Shareholders should note that it is still the Directors' current intention that 90% of the proceeds received from the realisation by Bridge Investment Holding Limited (`BIH', a 40% owned associate of the Company) of its indirect interest in Bridge Securities Co., Ltd (`Bridge Securities') will be distributed to all shareholders irrespective of the Company's proposed acquisition as described above. Save as disclosed above and the Board's announcement on 28 December 2004 concerning certain significant developments relating to the proposed realisation by BIH of its 77.75% interests in Bridge Securities, the Board confirms that there are no negotiations or agreements relating to intended acquisitions or realisations which are discloseable under Rule 13.23 of the Listing Rules. The Board is also not aware of any matter discloseable under the general obligation imposed by Rule 13.09 of the Listing Rules, which is or may be of a price-sensitive nature. At the request of the Company, trading of the shares in the Company on the Stock Exchange was suspended at 9:30 a.m. on Wednesday, 19 January 2005 pending the release of this announcement. Trading of the