Share Allotment Authority

ABERDEEN ASIAN SMALLER COMPANIES INVESTMENT TRUST PLC
("The Company")

SHARE ALLOTMENT AUTHORITY

The Company has now utilised most of its existing authority to allot new
ordinary shares of 25p each ("Shares") at not less than the relevant net asset
value per share ("NAV"). The Board is now seeking Shareholder approval to allot
up to 2,805,412 Shares, representing approximately 10 per cent. of the current
issued share capital and disapplying the pre-emption rights in respect of any
such allotment. A circular regarding this proposal is in the process of being
despatched to the Company's Shareholders and contains the notice of an
Extraordinary General Meeting of the Company to be held on 8 April 2005. The
Board believes that the renewal of the Company's general authority to allot
Shares is in the best interests of Shareholders because it will give the Company
the opportunity to continue satisfying demand for the Company's Shares and
enhance liquidity.

9 March 2005

Enquiries:

Robert Hoskin
Aberdeen Asset Management PLC, Secretary          020 7463 6000