Metro International S.A. ("Metro"), today announced for the purposes of clarification that it is in the process of under

Metro International S.A. ("Metro"), the international newspaper group, today announced for the purposes of clarification that it is in the process of undertaking a private placement of newly issued shares in Metro International. The placement is expected to take place over the next few weeks and to raise up to US$ 70 million. Metro also announced today that it has received US$ 20 million in funding from one of its major shareholders, Industriförvaltings AB Kinnevik ("Kinnevik"). The sum is intended as a pre-payment in the private placement. Both Metro and Kinnevik have the right to require the exchange of the US$ 20 million loan monies for Metro shares at the time of the placement of new shares and at the price of such a placement. Pelle Törnberg, President and CEO of Metro, commented: "The current market price is a disappointment in light of the progress of the Company. We have reason to believe that we have strong support from our shareholders for this fundraising and, therefore, we will be sensitive to the interests of our shareholders in the placement of new shares. We welcome the further support from Kinnevik, one of our major shareholders, for the continued development of the Metro concept and international expansion into new markets." "The potential of the Metro concept is considerable. It is not a traditional newspaper but has more in common with international broadcasters and directory or direct marketing businesses, as it combines both local and international content and advertising in each edition. We now have nearly 9 million readers in 21 markets around the world and reach approximately one in three people under the age of 30 each week in those markets. This level and quality of reach gives Metro a unique position in the advertising markets." For further information, please visit www.metro.lu, email info@metro.lu or contact: Pelle Törnberg, President & CEO tel: +44 (0) 20 7408 0230 Matthew Hooper, Investor & Press Relations tel: +44 (0) 20 7321 5010 NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION IN THE UNITED STATES, CANADA OR JAPAN. Metro International S.A. publishes and distributes 21 editions of its free daily newspaper in 15 countries: Stockholm (Metro), Prague (Metro), Gothenburg (Metro), Hungary (Metro), the Netherlands (Metro), Helsinki (Metro), Malmö (Metro), Santiago (Publimetro), Philadelphia (Metro), Zurich (Metropol), Toronto (Metro Today), Rome (Metro), Buenos Aires (Publimetro), Milan (Metro), Warsaw (Metropol), Athens (Metrorama), Montreal (Metro), Barcelona (Metro Directe), Boston (Metro), Madrid (Metro Directo) and Copenhagen (MetroXpress). Metro International S.A. 'A' and 'B' shares are listed on the NASDAQ National Market and on the Stockholmsbörsen O-List under the symbols MTROA and MTROB. THESE MATERIALS ARE NOT AN OFFER FOR SALE OF THE SHARES IN THE UNITED STATES. THE SHARES MAY NOT BE SOLD IN THE UNITED STATES ABSENT REGISTRATION OR AN EXEMPTION FROM REGISTRATION UNDER THE U.S. SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED. METRO INTERNATIONAL S.A. DOES NOT INTEND TO REGISTER ANY PORTION OF THE OFFERING IN THE UNITED STATES OR TO CONDUCT A PUBLIC OFFERING OF SHARES IN THE UNITED STATES. ------------------------------------------------------------ This information was brought to you by Waymaker http://www.waymaker.net The following files are available for download: http://www.waymaker.net/bitonline/2001/08/31/20010831BIT00010/bit0001.doc http://www.waymaker.net/bitonline/2001/08/31/20010831BIT00010/bit0001.pdf