iShares Launches New Emerging Markets Infrastructure ETF

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"Infrastructure is a rapidly growing investment theme that investors want to access. Global infrastructure spending is estimated to be $35 trillion[3] in the next two decades due to a particular strain and need for infrastructure investment in the emerging economies," said Michael Latham, iShares co-CEO. "Inflows of net new assets into iShares emerging markets ETFs have been strong all year, indicating a steady renewed appetite for opportunities outside of developed markets."

Trading volumes in the iShares emerging markets funds have also been strong with more than 16 billion shares traded in 2009 (Jan-May), a 119% increase compared with the same period last year[4].

He continued: "Financial advisors are investing in emerging market iShares Funds to access assets that have low historical correlations with equity and fixed income to further diversify their clients' portfolios over the long term. In addition, the currency exposure between the U.S. and emerging markets provides an additional layer of diversification benefits."

This most recent offering of iShares in the US complements its pre-existing iShares S&P Emerging Market Infrastructure fund domiciled in Dublin, Ireland. The fund is traded on the London Stock Exchange with the ticker IEMI (LSE: IEMI), providing another option to investors depending on their investment needs.

iShares S&P Emerging Markets Infrastructure Index Fund

The fund, with an annual expense ratio of 0.75%, is designed to track the S&P Emerging Markets Infrastructure Index, which includes 30 of the largest publicly listed companies in the infrastructure industry and with majority of revenues derived from emerging market operations. The index includes three sub-sectors: energy, transportation and utilities. As of May 29, 2009, the index was comprised of companies in the following markets: Argentina, Brazil, Chile, China, the Czech Republic, Egypt, Malaysia, Mexico, South Korea and the United Arab Emigrates. As of May 29, 2009, each of the underlying constituents had a minimum market capitalization of $250 million.

Fund Name: S&P Emerging Markets Infrastructure Index Fund
Listing: NASDAQ Stock Exchange in $USD
Base Currency: $USD
$USD Ticker: EMIF ($USD)
Fund holdings: Approx. 25

Barclays Global InvestorsBarclays Global Investors is one of the world's largest asset managers and a leading global provider of investment management products and services. It transformed the investment industry by creating the first index strategy in 1971 and the first quantitative active strategy in 1979. BGI is the global product leader in exchange traded funds (iShares) with over 360 funds for institutions and individuals globally as at date 31/12/08.

For further information about Barclays Global InvestorsBarclays Global Investors, please visit our website www.barclaysglobal.com.

ETFs are index funds that are bought and sold like ordinary shares on a stock exchange and are a tool to gain diversified exposure to a market. ETFs can be used to achieve many investment strategies:

• for buy and hold investing

• for active traders who wish to take advantage of market movements

• for investors wishing to hedge the market

• as an alternative to futures and other institutional investment tools

Barclays Global InvestorsBarclays Global Investors Limited in the Dubai International Financial Centre (Registered No. 0546), which is regulated by the Dubai Financial Services Authority ('DFSA'), has issued this document for journalists in the GCC and no other person should rely upon the information contained within it. Related financial products or services are only available to Professional Clients, who have sufficient financial experience and understanding, to participate in financial market.

The DFSA has no responsibility for reviewing or verifying any Prospectus or other documents in connection with these funds. Accordingly, the DFSA has not approved the Prospectus or any other associated documents nor taken any steps to verify the information set out in the Prospectus, and has no responsibility for it.

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This Press Release appears as a matter of record only and does not constitute an offer to sell or an invitation to purchase iShares.

The iShares Funds ("Funds") are distributed by SEI Investments Distribution Co. (SEI). Barclays Global Fund Advisors (BGFA) serves as the investment advisor to the Funds. Barclays Global InvestorsBarclays Global Investors Services (BGIS) and Barclays Global InvestorsBarclays Global Investors Fund Distribution Company (BGIFDC) assist in the marketing of the Funds. BGFA, BGIS, and BGIFDC are affiliates of Barclays Global InvestorsBarclays Global Investors, N.A., a majority-owned subsidiary of Barclays Bank PLC, none of which is affiliated with SEI.

iShares plc, iShares II plc and iShares III plc (together 'the Companies') are open-ended investment companies with variable capital having segregated liability between their funds organised under the laws of Ireland and authorised by the Financial Regulator. Important information is contained in the relevant prospectus, the simplified prospectus and other documents, copies of which can be obtained by calling 0845 357 7000, from brokers or financial advisers, by writing to Barclays Global InvestorsBarclays Global Investors Limited, iShares Business Development, Murray House, 1 Royal Mint Court, London EC3N 4HH or by writing to the Manager of iShares plc or iShares II plc at: Barclays Global InvestorsBarclays Global Investors Ireland Limited, New Century House, International Financial Services Centre, Mayor Street Lower, Dublin 1, Ireland.

Shares in the Companies may or may not be suitable for all investors. Barclays Global InvestorsBarclays Global Investors Limited does not guarantee the performance of the shares or funds. The price of the investments (which may trade in limited markets) may go up or down and the investor may not get back the amount invested.

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For media enquiries, please contact:
Norah Ali Alyusuf, iShares
+971 4 365 2900
norah.alyusuf@barclaysglobal.com

Melanie Schmutz,
Memac Ogilvy PR
+971 4 305 0310
melanie.schmutz@ogilvy.com

© 2009 Barclays Global InvestorsBarclays Global Investors Limited. All rights reserved. Calls may be monitored or recorded.

[1] Source: Morgan Stanley Investment Strategies and Bloomberg as of 12/31/2008. Based on number of ETFs, AUM, and market share.

[2] Source: FRC, Bloomberg, BGI.

[3] Source: CIBC World Markets, "Capitalizing on the Upcoming Infrastructure Stimulus," 1/26/09.

[4] Source: Arcavision.com

© Press Release 2009