LehmanBrown International Accountants Sees Wide Growth in China M&A Activity

BEIJING, CHINA -- LehmanBrown International Accountants has forecasted today that it expects China-related mergers and acquisitions activity to steadily increase its already robust growth in the coming months.  The increased M&A activity, stoked by market-friendly policies and sustained popularity of Chinese assets abroad should, according to LehmanBrown, make 2007 the richest M&A year in Chinese history.

The forecasts also predict 2007 to reach record highs in outbound M&A business as well, in neighboring parts of Asia and especially in the Hong Kong Administrative Region. LehmanBrown Managing Partner Russell Brown explained, "The primary reasons behind both the outbound and inbound M&A surges are more competitive domestic markets and sustained liberalizing practices from the PRC government with respect to the former state-owned sector." Mr. Brown also acknowledged China's still powerful lure overseas, "buying into relatively inexpensive China assets is today more popular than ever for firms outside China. The government and their reform initiatives deserve great credit for sustaining market interest and making the necessary reforms.

LehmanBrown notes, however, that despite the tremendous remaining promise in China M&A, botched deals still plague the practice.  Intended acquisitions in the country more often than not go uncompleted, often due to a confluence of factors usually tied to a lack of full disclosure.  These issues are, however, expected to further recede as M&A practitioners become increasing versed in successful deal execution and China-tailored practices. LehmanBrown International Accountants is a division of LehmanBrown Limited, a China-focused accounting and business advisory firm, operating dedicated offices in Beijing, Shanghai, Shenzhen, Tianjin, Hong Kong and Mongolia and managing an extensive affiliate network providing services throughout China.

Combining years of international and China expertise, experience and knowledge, LehmanBrown offers professional advice and support to both local and international clients. LehmanBrown provides access to senior, experienced professionals from China, Hong Kong, the United Kingdom, Australia and the United States of America.

LehmanBrown provides "whole of life" services through LehmanBrown International Accountants to assist clients throughout every step of their China operations. From pre-inception services, such as research, market advice and company formation through to outsourced accounting, operational services and assistance with developing and implementing growth strategies. LehmanBrown also offers merger, acquisition and divestiture services through LehmanBrown Corporate Restructuring.

LehmanBrown is committed to developing long-term, productive partnership with clients.

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