Launches New Marketing Initiatives

Martin Currie Portfolio Inv Tst PLC
9 February 2000

MARTIN CURRIE PORTFOLIO INVESTMENT TRUST LAUNCHES NEW MARKETING INITIATIVES

* Launch of website
* Marketing campaign
* Share buyback programme
* Out-performed benchmark

Martin Currie Portfolio Investment Trust has announced a number of marketing
initiatives including the launch of a website, a national press advertising
campaign and a share buyback programme.

The new website - www.martincurrieportfolio.com - offers daily price and net
asset value information, an on-line monthly update with performance and asset
allocation details, links to brokers and background information. Visitors to the
site can also download brochures, key features and application forms for the
Martin Currie Savings Plan and Martin Currie PEP Transfer Service - products
through which investors can buy and hold shares in the trust.

To capitalise on the second wave of the   its  campaign, Martin Currie Portfolio
Investment Trust is running   its   branded advertising in the national and
specialist press, promoting the simplicity and cost-effectiveness of investing
in the trust through the Martin Currie Savings Plan. The plan, which has no
initial charge - apart from stamp duty - and no annual charge, enables investors
to save from just £30 a month or invest lump sums from £300.

The share buyback programme has begun with the purchase for cancellation of
approximately 3 million shares at a significant discount to the trust's net
asset value.

Manager Tom Walker said: 'The trust is aimed at the private investor looking for
a diversified portfolio of UK and international shares. This series of
initiatives is designed to promote the benefits of the trust to new investors,
and give both existing and potential shareholders - and the net asset value of
the company and in conjunction with the other measures may help to reduce the
discount. The trust also has an innovative discount protection feature which
enables shareholders to sell their shares at net asset value (less costs) every
five years.'

Martin Currie Portfolio Investment Trust invests in 130 companies across 12
countries. At the end of December, some 68% of the portfolio was invested in the
UK with 9% in North America, 7% in Continental Europe, 6% in Japan, 4% in the
Pacific Basin and 6% in cash and fixed interest securities. A key feature of the
trust is its 10% exposure to unquoted assets through its holding in Martin
Currie Capital Return Trust.

Launched in March 1999, the trust's share price rose 4.1% in the six months to
31 January against a 0.6% fall in its benchmark - the FTSE All-Share Index. The
net asset value also out-performed, due largely to a strong performance from the
overseas portfolio.


For further information, please contact:


Tom Walker
Mike Woodward                                        0131 229 5252
Martin Currie Investment Management Ltd

Fiona Harris                                         0171 618 8905
Quill Communications