YIT and BPT form strategic partnership to develop commercial real estate in Russia


YIT CORPORATION        PRESS RELEASE       November 18, 2009 at 10:00           


YIT and BPT form strategic partnership to develop commercial real estate in     
Russia                                                                          

Finnish-based international developer YIT and BPT have signed a strategic       
partnership agreement focused on the emerging opportunities on the Russian real 
estate market. The two companies will cooperate on identifying, developing and  
implementing commercial real estate projects in Moscow and the Moscow region.   
The long-term objective of the partnership is to secure a strong platform for   
developing commercial real estate in the Russian capital, in particular within  
the retail and office segments. The partnership agreement does not involve      
commitment on pre-agreed financial volumes.                                     

As one of the leading construction companies and providers of building systems  
services in the Nordic countries, Central Europe, Russia and Baltic countries,  
YIT, represented by its affiliate YIT Properties, will provide technical due    
diligence and consultancy services with respect to potential projects and will  
be the first choice partner in the development of projects deemed attractive by 
both partners. BPT will draw on its successful track record of investments and  
investment management in Central and Eastern Europe to deliver asset management 
services along with equity and financial solutions, including its already       
existing Russian investment fund BPT Arista SICAV-SIF and other channels.       

“The Russian real estate market is deeply distressed at the moment and it takes 
strong partnerships to overcome this challenge. We want to be part of the       
solution. At the same time, the current situation also offers unique            
opportunities to secure the best locations and projects, and we know that       
together with a prominent player like YIT we can add significant value to the   
market thus securing future growth for our investors”, says BPT founder Lars    
Ohnemus.                                                                        

“As a company with vast experience in the Russian construction business and a   
solid international background, YIT sees an exceptional opportunity to expand   
its commercial real estate operations by joining forces with such a             
well-respected investment partner as BPT”, says Victor Verma, YIT Properties    
General Manager.                                                                


For further information, please contact:                                        
Kari Kauniskangas, Head of International Construction Services business segment,
tel. +358 40 519 0198, kari.kauniskangas@yit.fi                                 
Victor Verma, YIT Properties General Manager, tel. +7 495 258 82 55,            
victor.verma@yit.ru                                                             
Lars Ohnemus, founder of BPT, tel. +45 33 69 07 33, lo@balticpropertytrust.com  


YIT CORPORATION                                                                 


Virva Salmivaara                                                                
Senior Vice President, Corporate Communications                                 


YIT is a leading European service company in building systems, construction     
services and services for industry. We build, develop and maintain quality      
living environments in the Nordic countries, Russia, the Baltic countries and   
Central Europe. In 2008, YIT's turnover was EUR 3.9 billion. The Group has about
25,000 employees. YIT's share is listed on NASDAQ OMX Helsinki. YIT Properties  
was founded as YIT's affiliate for commercial real estate development in Moscow 
and regions.                                                                    

BPT is an international real estate asset manager specializing in Central,      
Eastern and Northern Europe. BPT offers a range of property funds totalling more
than EUR 800 million in assets under management. The investment capacity spans  
the entire Baltic Sea. The portfolio consist of approximately 500,000 square    
metres of prime commercial real estate, primarily retail and office buildings.  
BPT is headquartered in Copenhagen with local offices in Berlin, Tallinn, Riga, 
Vilnius, Gdansk, Warsaw, Moscow and St. Petersburg. The company has             
approximately 100 employees.                                                    


Distribution: Principal media, www.yitgroup.com
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