Merger Update

Singapore Para Rubber Estates PLC
10 July 2001


10 July 2001


                    The Singapore Para Rubber Estates, PLC

                          ('SPRE' or the 'Company')

                   Proposed merger with Bertam Holdings PLC


The Company is pleased to announce that at a hearing held yesterday, the High
Court sanctioned the scheme of arrangement for the merger of the Company and
Bertam Holdings PLC which was previously approved by shareholders at the
extraordinary meeting of the Company held on 8 June 2001.

As described in the circular to shareholders dated 11 May 2001, SPRE will now
become a wholly owned subsidiary of Bertam Holdings PLC. Existing
shareholdings in SPRE will be cancelled and new shares in Bertam Holdings PLC
will be issued and allotted today to shareholders of SPRE. It is expected that
these new shares will be admitted to trading on the Official List on
Wednesday, 11 July 2001. Share certificates in respect of the new shares in
Bertam Holdings PLC are expected to be dispatched on or before Wednesday, 18
July 2001.

An application will be made for the listing of SPRE on the Official List to be
cancelled.


Enquiries:


The Singapore Para Rubber Estates, PLC
Philip Fletcher         Executive Director           [phone]


Strand Partners Limited
Andrew Ross             Director                     [phone]



ENDS