Pico Announces Strategic Alliance with Fiera Milano for 2015 Expo

3/14/2013 - Pico Far East Holdings Limited ("Pico" or "The Group", SEHK: 0752), a global Total Brand Activation company, today announces that its subsidiary in London, Pico In-Creative UK Ltd., has formed a strategic alliance with the Italian MTA-listed Fiera Milano S.p.A. ("Fiera Milano") to provide professional services to participating countries at Expo Milano 2015 ("Expo 2015"). Fiera Milano is the Italian leader, and one of the main integrated companies worldwide, for exhibition and congress management and organization. Its subsidiary Fiera Milano Congressi is an Official Provider and Supplier for Expo 2015.

Under the memorandum of understanding, Fiera Milano will be Pico's local partner in Italy, while Pico will focus on accelerating its marketing efforts, in particular, to participate in the Invitations to Tender (ITTs) given out by countries and organisations participating in Expo 2015 with the intention of providing our expo-related expertise and professional services in the fields of Design, Project Engineering and Construction, Facility Management, Human Resources Management, Food and Beverage, Marketing, Events and Communication and Customs and Pavilion Operations.

To facilitate and expedite marketing and operations processes, a Strategic Committee has been formed which includes representatives from both parties. An office will be set up at the Trade Fair Centre in Rho, just beside Expo Milano 2015 site. This strategic alliance will generate value for both Pico and Fiera Milano, and we are looking forward to creating excellence together in 2015.

Mr. Lawrence Chia, Chairman of Pico, said, "Over the last 26 years, Pico has successfully created more than 70 pavilions at eight world expos and gaining much acclaim for our recent work at the Shanghai World Expo in 2010 and Yeosu Expo in 2012. Our partnership with Fiera Milano in Italy will lay the groundwork and extend our expo expertise to the participating countries and organisations in Expo 2015. We are confident that the Milano Expo 2015 will sustain our strong momentum in the universal exposition sector." Mr. Enrico Pazzali, Chief Executive Officer of Fiera Milano, commented, "This is the beginning of an alliance that I believe can make a highly successful contribution to the success of Expo 2015. Two of the leading groups worldwide in the organization and management of exhibitions and ancillary services are combining their professionalism and expertise. The organisers of Expo 2015 and all the official participants can now count on a partner that is first-in-class and active in all areas of the exhibition chain, thereby guaranteeing a service that is not only of the highest quality but one that is wide-reaching and capable of meeting all demands."


About Expo Milano 2015
Expo 2015 will run from 1 May 2015 to 1 October 2015 under the theme "Feeding the Planet, Energy for Life". The expo's main purposes will be to improve food quality and security, ensure healthy and high-quality nutrition for all human beings, prevent the new epidemics and diseases, promote innovation in research, technology, and business practices along the entire food supply chain, provide education in proper nutrition, encourage more healthy lifestyles and enhance the value of cultural and ethnic heritage as expressed in culinary traditions. en.expo2015.org

About Fiera Milano S.p.A.
Fiera Milano is the Italian leader, and one of main integrated companies worldwide, for exhibition and congress management and organization. The Group manages the leading Italian exhibition centre and the leading European congress centre. Its business is the organization and hosting of exhibitions and other events through using, promoting and making available fitted exhibition space whilst offering project support and ancillary services. Its range of services also includes stand engineering and fitting - both prefabricated and customized - technical fitting services and logistics, as well as a multimedia platform with specialized publications, internet and conferences. Fiera Milano is also a successful exhibition organizer outside Italy, with about 70 exhibitions in the BRICS countries. The Company has been listed on Italian Stock Exchange, STAR segment, since 2002. In Financial Year 2012, the Group turnover was about EUR 265 million. fieramilano.it

About Pico Far East Holdings Limited
Pico is a leading Total Brand Activation company with a worldwide presence and over 40 years proven track record. Leveraging on an international network of some 2,400 staff in 36 major cities around the globe, we bring brands to life through powerful and engaging experiences across multiple activation platforms - from exhibitions, events and world expos; museums, themed environments, interior and retail environments to visual identity solutions, sport marketing and overlays, as well as facility management and consultation. In 2012, Pico has won an Event Marketing Agency of the Year Gold Award from Marketing Magazine. Pico is also named one of Asia's top three event companies by CEI Asia magazine and ranked second in America's Special Events Magazine's Top Event Company listings in 2012. Pico Far East Holdings Limited has been listing on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange since 1992 (HKSE Stock Code: 752). Our associate company, Pico (Thailand) Public Company Limited was also listed on Thailand's MAI in 2004 (Stock Code: PICO). In Financial Year 2012, Pico Far East Holdings Limited reported a record-breaking turnover of US$500 million and a market capitalisation of US$367 million. www.pico.com



Contact:
helen.szeto@hk.pico.com