Andrew Kuo Joins Blackstone’s Hong Kong Office

New York/Hong Kong, October 22nd, 2007: The Blackstone Group today announced that Mr. Andrew Kuo has joined its Hong Kong office as Managing Director and Vice Chairman, Greater China. He will be primarily involved in sourcing and managing private equity deals, as well as helping the other business divisions in the region.

Mr. Stephen Schwarzman, Chairman and CEO of the Blackstone Group said, “We are very pleased that Andrew is joining our Asian operation. He brings with him a wealth of experience working in Taiwan and the mainland of China, as well as excellent client connections in that region. His experience in both direct investment and investment banking will be very useful to us as Blackstone expands its Asian franchise.”

Before joining Blackstone Mr. Kuo was Managing Director and Head of Greater China for H&Q Asia Pacific since 2005. Prior to that he was Managing Director, Senior Country Officer, and Vice Chairman of the Greater China Operating Committee of JP Morgan in Hong Kong. From 1989 to 1998, Mr. Kuo was with Citibank Taipei, most recently as the Head of the Corporate Banking Group. He has also served on the Advisory Committee of the Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA) and as a member of the Advisory Board for InvestHK.

Mr. Kuo received his Bachelor’s degree from Fu-Jen Catholic University and his Master of Business Administration from the City University of New York.

Mr. Kuo is also an independent non-executive director of Cathay Financial Holdings in Taiwan and of Samson Holding in Hong Kong.