The Caisse de dépôt et placement du Québec and AXA Private Equity form a
partnership to support businesses expanding abroad

MONTREAL , Oct. 26 /CNW Telbec/ - The Caisse de dépôt et placement du Québec and AXA Private Equity today announced that they entered into a partnership to better support Québec- and European-based businesses with international development prospects. Through this joint effort, the partners will share their respective market knowledge and networks in North America , Europe , Asia and the Middle-East with companies.

"The partnership is part of our strategy to provide additional support to the best performing and most promising mid-sized Québec businesses in their international expansion. The Caisse's role is not simply to offer financing to businesses, but also to contribute its expertise and networks. We are offering them our ability to negotiate across all borders, as well as our international experience and extensive business network. We are delighted that AXA Private Equity has agreed to allow Québec businesses to benefit from its international network, which is particularly far-reaching in Europe and Asia," said Normand Provost , Executive Vice-President Private Equity and Chief Operations Officer of the Caisse.

Dominique Senequier, CEO of AXA Private Equity, commented: "This partnership is fully in keeping with the AXA Private Equity tradition to help the businesses we invest in to develop both industrially and geographically. The Caisse's experience and its multi-market knowledge, especially in North America , will be immensely useful in supporting the global growth of businesses. We are very pleased to join forces with a trusted partner who has already supported us in a number of business endeavours."

A partnership to meet the new challenges facing businesses

AXA Private Equity, among the leading global private equity firms, and the Caisse, a financial institution managing funds primarily for public and private pension and insurance funds, are longstanding partners. This agreement will consolidate the firms' alliance and contribute to the growth of businesses by placing practical tools at their disposal. The improvement of productivity, globalisation of operations, and transfer of ownership are major challenges facing business leaders, both in Québec and Europe .

The expertise of AXA Private Equity and the Caisse will allow companies to join a global distribution network, search for suppliers, conclude a research and development joint venture, strike up an alliance with a foreign company, or take over an international competitor.

About the Caisse de dépôt et placement du Québec

The Caisse de dépôt et placement du Québec is a financial institution that manages funds primarily for public and private pension and insurance funds. At December 31, 2008 , it held CA $120.1 billion of net assets. As one of the leading institutional fund managers in Canada , the Caisse invests in the main financial markets as well as in private equity and real estate. For more information: www.lacaisse.com.

About AXA Private Equity

AXA Private Equity, an AXA Investment Managers company, is among the leading global private equity firms with US $25 billion of assets under management and international reach across Europe , North America and Asia. The firm provides investors with funds across the full range of private equity offerings: direct funds - infrastructure; LBO mid cap and small cap; venture capital; co-investment; fund of funds - primary, early secondary and secondary and mezzanine.

With offices in Paris , Frankfurt , London , New York, Singapore , Milan , Zurich and Vienna , AXA Private Equity supports the development and long-term growth of its portfolio companies by providing them access to its international network. Investors rely on the firm's regular, comprehensive feedback on performance of its funds and portfolio companies.

AXA Private Equity, Global Investments the European way

www.axaprivateequity.com

For further information: For the Caisse de dépôt et placement du Québec: Maxime Chagnon, Senior Director, Media and public relations, Caisse de dépôt et placement du Québec, [phone]; AXA Private Equity: Joanna Trezise, HeadLand Consultancy, [phone], [email protected]