EARNEST Partners has been granted a Qualified Foreign Institutional Investor (QFII) licence by the Chinese government that will allow it to invest directly in yuan-denominated "A" shares listed on China's mainland stock exchanges. Investment directly in "A" shares is prohibited without this license.

The Chinese government selectively awards licenses only after significant and strict review by the China Securities Regulatory Commission (CSRC). EARNEST Partners is the first solely employee-owned licensee worldwide. Further, EARNEST Partners has one of only four licenses ever granted to an institutionally-focused, United States asset management firm. The QFII program was launched in China in 2002 to allow licensed foreign investors to buy and sell yuan-denominated "A" shares on China's mainland stock exchanges. Foreign access to China's yuan-denominated "A" stocks is permitted to only those institutions deemed worthy by the CSRC.

Non-licensed investors are limited to investing in the 136 Chinese companies with "H" shares. The "A" share market, however, contains roughly 1,600 companies -- significantly expanding the investable base of stocks for EARNEST Partners and its clients.

Paul Viera, CEO of EARNEST Partners, says: "We're pleased to have been recognised by the CSRC for our experience and abilities in foreign investing by the granting of a QFII license. The QFII license can provide our clients with an opportunity that few investors have. A comprehensive network, long relationships and years of experience in China all contribute to the firm's capabilities with respect to investing there."