(15 November 2012 – Shanghai) Fosun Group announced today that through its subsidiary, LAXTON INVESTMENTS LIMITED, it invested in Taiwan Vigor Kobo and acquired 20% shares of Vigor Kobo. Mr. Liang Xinjun, Vice Chairman and CEO of Fosun Group and Mr. Sun Kuo-Hua, Chairman of Vigor Kobo signed an agreement at the strategic cooperation signing ceremony in Taipei. It is understood that this is the first case of equity investments in a Taiwan food company by a mainland enterprise.

Vigor Kobo, well known for its pineapple cakes both domestically and abroad, is a rising star in Taiwanese food industry. It has created a new niche that integrates the tourism and food industries, and has successfully rebranded Chinese cakes and pastries as popular and “specialty souvenirs” among the Chinese community, bringing remarkable achievement to the company. Since Taiwan opened its door for mainland tourists in 2008, Vigor Kobo saw exponential growth in its turnover each year from tens of millions NT dollars before 2008 to a turnover exceeding NT$1 billion for January to October 2012. It is likely to become the first listed enterprise in Taiwan with pineapple cakes as its core products.

Mr. Liang Xinjun commented in his speech during the signing ceremony that Fosun Group is very positive about the prospect for consumption and consumption upgrade industries, and Vigor Kobo is certainly a leading participant in the tourism food industry. It will benefit from the growing tourism consumption across Taiwan and Mainland China. The investment will create a win-win situation for cooperation of private enterprises between Taiwan and Mainland China. Fosun strives to become a premium investment group with a focus on China’s growth momentum and its unique investment model of “Combining China’s growth momentum with global resources” has been contributing to remarkable achievements during the past few years. Its investment in Vigor Kobo represents another milestone for investing in the consumption sector abroad subsequent to its investment in Club Med and Folli Follie.

Mr. Sun Kuo-Hua, Chairman of Vigor Kobo said that the cooperation between Taiwanese and the Mainland enterprises in development of the tourism market will create maximum synergies. Through cooperation in term of a resource sharing platform, a new tourism pattern between Taiwan and Mainland China will certainly be introduced.

Currently, there are about 1.88 million Mainland visitors to Taiwan in a year, forging rapid development of the tourism food industry. Capitalising on this favourable market environment, Vigor Kobo has planned to list its shares in Taiwan under the tourism category. Upon investment in Vigor Kobo, Fosun will support Vigor Kobo’s entry into the Mainland China tourism market by leveraging its thorough understanding, experience and commercial network in the Mainland market. In the future, with the assistance of Fosun, Vigor Kobo will replicate its experience in pineapple cake business in Taiwan to famous cultural scenic spots in Shanghai. The two parties will also work together in the launch and sale of souvenirs featuring Shanghainese-style snacks.