Aberdeen Asia-Pacific Income Investment Company Limited announces performance
data and portfolio composition

TORONTO , Jan. 5 /CNW/ - Aberdeen Asia-Pacific Income Investment Company Limited (the "Company") (TSX: FAP), a closed-end investment company trading on The Toronto Stock Exchange, today announced performance data and portfolio composition details as of November 30, 2009 .

The Company's total returns for various periods through November 30, 2009 are provided below. (All figures are based on distributions reinvested at the dividend reinvestment price and are stated net-of-fees):

    
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    Period               NAV Total Return (%)   Market Price Total Return (%)
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                      Cumulative     Annualized    Cumulative     Annualized
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    Since inception
     (June 1986)         512.8           8.0          479.8           7.8
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    10-years              58.5           4.7           82.6           6.2
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    5-years               15.7           3.0           13.1           2.5
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    3-years                4.0           1.3           -1.1          -0.4
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    1-year                       33.5                          93.5
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    The Company's returns, which are denominated in Canadian dollars, are
affected by the performance of the Canadian dollar against the various
currencies listed below.
    As of November 30, 2009, the portfolio was invested as follows:

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                              Currency Exposure (%)   Geographic Exposure (%)
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    Australia                         31.1                     24.7
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    New Zealand                        0.8                      0.5
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    United States*                  16.4                      2.9
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    Canada                             0.6                      0.6
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    Mexico                             5.9                      5.9
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    Brazil                             7.3                      7.3
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    Turkey                             6.1                      6.1
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    South Korea                        3.5                      8.8
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    Singapore                          0.2                      1.6
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    Thailand                             -                      0.5
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    Philippines                        6.5                      9.1
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    Malaysia                           1.0                      2.5
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    India                             12.1                     13.1
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    China                                -                      0.8
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    Hong Kong                            -                      3.3
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    Indonesia                          8.5                     12.3
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    * Of which 23.2% held in US$ denominated bonds issued by foreign
        issuers.

    As of November 30, 2009, the top ten holdings of the portfolio based on
total assets were as follows:

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    Holding                                         Coupon/Maturity     (%)
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    Indonesia Government                         11.00%, 12/15/2012     4.5
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    INR Credit Linked Note                        7.27%, 09/03/2013     4.2
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    India Government                              7.02%, 08/17/2016     3.3
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    Western Australia Treasury Corporation        8.00%, 06/15/2013     3.2
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    Mexico Government                             8.50%, 12/13/2018     2.9
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    Turkey Government                            16.00%, 08/28/2013     2.8
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    Mexico Government                             9.50%, 12/18/2014     2.8
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    Turkey Government                            16.00%, 03/07/2012     2.7
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    Federal Republic of Brazil                   10.00%, 01/01/2010     2.4
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    Indonesia Government                        13.175%, 07/15/2012     2.4
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    TOTAL                                                              31.2
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As of November 30, 2009 the holdings of the portfolio represented approximately 60.4% sovereign and state government securities, 1.4% supranationals, 34.3% corporates, 3.0% cash and 0.9% asset backed securities.

As of November 30, 2009 , the Company's net assets, including C$126.5 million in bank borrowing, amounted to C$476.7 million. The net asset value per ordinary share was C$6.79.

As of November 30, 2009 , 51.4% of the portfolio was invested in securities where either the issue or the issuer was rated "A" or better, or judged by the Investment Manager to be of equivalent quality.

The credit quality and maturity breakdown of the portfolio was as follows:

    
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                                Credit Quality (%)
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      AAA/Aaa       AA/Aa        A         BBB/Baa       BB/Ba         B
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        23.7         7.2        20.5         10.7         36.9        1.0
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    As of November 30, 2009, the average credit quality of the portfolio was
A-.

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                                   Maturity (%)
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         Less than                                           Greater than
          3 Years          3-5 Years         5-10 Years        10 Years
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            26.5              32.4               35.9             5.2
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As of November 30, 2009 , the average maturity of the portfolio was 5.3 years.

The Company has a Normal Course Issuer Bid ("NCIB") in place whereby shares of the Company may be purchased at times when the market price per share trades at a discount in excess of 8% to the Company's net asset value per share. During the month of November there were no shares purchased under the NCIB.

A revolving credit loan facility, in the amount of US$120,000,000, was entered into on October 5, 2006 with the Bank of Nova Scotia, in order to fund the redemption of the Company's Auction Market Preferred Stock ("AMPS") that took place in October 2006 . The revolving credit loan facility was amended with effect from October 3, 2007 , to increase the facility from US$120,000,000 to US$165,000,000. The outstanding balance on the loan as of November 30, 2009 is US$120,000,000.

The leverage is used with the intent of enhancing returns by borrowing at interest rates that are lower than the relatively higher yields of the Asian-Pacific fixed income securities in which the Company invests. The Company has entered into interest rate swap agreements in order to fix the interest payable on a portion of the credit facility. Details regarding the revolving credit loan facility and the interest rate swap agreements are contained in the Company's annual and semi-annual reports to shareholders.

Important Information

Aberdeen Asset Management Inc., the Company's Administrator, has prepared this report based on information sources believed to be accurate and reliable. However, the figures are unaudited and neither the Company, the Administrator, Aberdeen Asset Management Asia Limited (the Investment Manager), Aberdeen Asset Management Limited (the Investment Advisor), Aberdeen Fund Management Limited (the Sub-Adviser), nor any other person guarantees their accuracy. Investors should seek their own professional advice and should consider the investment objectives, risks, charges and expenses before acting on this information.

Total return figures are stated net-of-fees, in C$ and represent past performance. They assume reinvestment of dividends at the dividend reinvestment price on the ex-dividend date and include long-term capital gains. The returns are not adjusted for any issuance of rights or warrants by the Company. Past performance is not indicative of future results, current performance may be higher or lower. Holdings are subject to change and are provided for informational purposes only and should not be deemed as a recommendation to buy or sell the securities shown. Inception date June 13, 1986 .

Information in this press release that is not current or historical factual information may constitute forward-looking information within the meaning of securities laws. Implicit in this information, particularly in respect of future financial performance and condition of the Company, are factors and assumptions which, although considered reasonable by the Company at the time of preparation, may prove to be incorrect. Shareholders are cautioned that actual results are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties, including general economic and market factors, including credit, currency, political and interest-rate risks and could differ materially from what is currently expected. The Company has no specific intention of updating any forward-looking information whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law.

If you wish to receive this information electronically, please contact [email protected]

For further information: Aberdeen Asset Management Inc., Investor Relations, 1-800-992-6341, [email protected]