Ajinomoto Co. Inc. Boosts Competitive Edge in South Asia with Full-scale Startup of Repacking Plant in Bangladesh in January 2013

TOKYO, January 21, 2013 - This month, Ajinomoto Co., Inc. (Ajinomoto Co.) began full-scale operation of its newly constructed repacking plant in Bangladesh for the umami seasoning AJI-NO-MOTO® for the consumer market. The plant is located in the Tongi Industrial Area on the outskirts of Dhaka, the capital city.   Strengthening and growing the overseas consumer foods business is one of the key principles of the FY2011-2013 Medium-Term Management Plan aimed at making Ajinomoto Co. a genuine global company.   Ajinomoto Co. began developing the Bangladesh market in fiscal 2003 from its base in Singapore, and established Ajinomoto Bangladesh Ltd. in August 2011 to strengthen its business in that country. The population of Bangladesh is expected to continue increasing* from the current level of 160 million. Moreover, rice is the staple food, and is commonly eaten with foods such as bean soup and vegetable curry, which go well with AJI-NO-MOTO®. These characteristics make Bangladesh a market with promising growth potential.   *Bangladesh’s population is forecast to grow 2% annually, reaching about 210 million in 2025. (U.N. statistics, 2011)   Since its establishment, Ajinomoto Bangladesh has sold AJI-NO-MOTO® imported from PT Ajinomoto Indonesia. With the construction of the new plant, the company has begun repacking bulk AJI-NO-MOTO® imported from Thailand into smaller packages. In addition, it has moved its head office and sales office to the same building that houses the new plant, enabling swifter response in sales activities, such as adjusting package volume to fit the needs of local consumers.   Ajinomoto Bangladesh is targeting sales of approximately JPY 3.0 billion in 2016, and is aiming to be the No. 1 seasonings company in the consumer market.         About Ajinomoto Co. Ajinomoto Co. is a global manufacturer of high-quality seasonings, processed foods, beverages, amino acids, pharmaceuticals and specialty chemicals. For many decades Ajinomoto Co. has contributed to food culture and human health through wide-ranging application of amino acid technologies. Today, the company is becoming increasingly involved with solutions for improved food resources, human health and global sustainability. Founded in 1909 and now operating in 26 countries, Ajinomoto Co. had net sales of JPY 1,197.3 billion (USD 15.1 billion) in fiscal 2011. For more about Ajinomoto Co., (TYO: 2802), visit www.ajinomoto.com.

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