Prysmian To Evaluate A Cross Border Merger With Draka, With Prysmian As Surviving Entity

Milan, 29 June 2009. In light of Draka Holding N.V. (Draka) press release issued this morning, Prysmian S.p.A. (Prysmian) confirms hereby that, consistently with its growth strategy, it has entered into preliminary discussions with Draka in order to evaluate, also with the assistance of its advisors, a possible combination between the two companies, to be implemented through a share for share cross-border statutory merger with Prysmian as surviving entity.

Any such combination would be in the interest of all stakeholders, including the shareholders of both companies, and is likely to be largely based on their respective market capitalisations.

The discussions are at a preliminary phase and any proposed transaction will be submitted to the respective boards for approval only if, and when, the main elements of the combination will be sufficiently defined. Furthermore, any proposed transaction would be subject to several conditions, including shareholders’ approval, financing and employee consultation procedures. There is therefore no assurance at this stage that a transaction of any kind will take place.

Prysmian
A leading player in the industry of high-technology cables and systems for energy and telecommunication, the Prysmian Group is a truly global company with sales exceeding Euro 5 billion in 2008 and a strong position in higher value-added market segments. With its two businesses, Energy Cables & Systems (submarine and underground cables for power transmission and distribution, for industrial applications and for the distribution of electricity to residential and commercial buildings) and Telecom Cables & Systems (optical cables and fibres and copper cables for video, data and voice transmission), Prysmian boasts a global presence with subsidiaries in 38 countries, 53 plants in 21 countries, 7 Research & Development Centres in Europe, USA and South America, and over 12,000 employees. Specialising in the development of products and services designed to meet customers’ specific requirements, Prysmian’s key strengths include: a focus on Research & Development, the capacity to innovate products and production processes, and the use of advanced proprietary technologies. Prysmian is listed at the Milan Stock Exchange in the Blue Chip index.

Media Relations

Lorenzo Caruso

Marketing & Corporate Communications Director

Ph. 0039 02 64491

lorenzo.caruso {at} prysmian(.)com

Investor Relations

Luca Caserta

Head of Investor Relations

Ph. 0039 02 64491

luca.caserta {at} prysmian(.)com