Private Equity Managers Assess Progress in Latin American Funds: Economist Conferences examines how investors are faring at Fourth Annual Conference on Latin America Private Equity

With the theme Staying the course in a volatile market, Economist Conferences' Fourth Annual Conference on Latin America Private Equity will gather the world's leading general and limited partners on February 5th-6th 2002 in Miami, Florida for an annual assessment of results to date and expectations for the future. Members of the media are permitted to attend the Conference on a limited basis.

The collapse of Argentinas economy is the most alarming episode to date for private equity investors who bet on the long-term strength and stability of Latin American economies. Funds holding stakes in Argentine companies, and fearing contagion in Brazil, are rethinking their investment strategies and fund raising activities.

With the theme Staying the course in a volatile market, Economist Conferences' Fourth Annual Conference on Latin America Private Equity will gather the world's leading general and limited partners on February 5th-6th 2002 in Miami, Florida for an annual assessment of results to date and expectations for the future.

The conference will be chaired by Cate Ambrose, Executive Director of Programmes for Economist Conferences. The unchecked optimism of the 90s has given way to more realistic expectations in an increasingly difficult investment environment. The 2002 programme will allow investors committed to Latin America to review successes and failures in the region, and to understand how and why they should persevere going forward."

Speaker faculty at the Fourth Annual Conference on Latin America Private Equity includes: Juan Navarro of Exxel Partners, Tim Purcell of JP Morgan Partners, Everett Santos of Emerging Markets Partnership, Bruce Catania of CVC Latin America, Carlos Kokron of Intel Capital, Pierre Piche of CDP Capital, Richard Frank of Darby Overseas, Bernie Aronson of Acon Investments, Eduardo Elejalde of Latin America Enterprise Fund, as well as Ellen Zimiles and Carlos Fernandez of KPMG.

The conference programme will address timely issues relevant to investors in Latin markets, highlighting corporate governance and minority shareholder rights; dollarisation; challenges faced by independent firms as bank-affiliated groups expand in the region; the evolution of venture capital, technology and start-up investing; and case studies of deals that have recently been exited.

Economist Conferences' Latin America private equity conference is sponsored by KMPG LLP.

About Economist Conferences
Economist Conferences is a leading provider of highly interactive meetings-including industry conferences, management events and government roundtables-for senior executives seeking new insights into important strategic issues. Participants exchange views and compare experiences with public and private sector decision-makers.

About KPMG LLP
KPMG LLP is the accounting and tax firm that understands business, particularly the distinctive needs of market leaders. The firm offers clients a powerful combination of people, products, technologies and
results-oriented strategies to help them meet their challenges and improve performance. The fastest growing Big Five firm, KPMG is uniquely positioned to help clients strengthen their position in changing marketplaces. KPMG LLP (www.us.kpmg.com) is the U.S. member firm of KPMG International. KPMG
International's member firms have 103,000 professionals, including 6,500 partners, in 152 countries.

Members of the media are permitted to attend the Conference on a limited basis. If you are interested in a press pass, please contact Economist Conferences.