In its latest country risk update, Coface announced that China (rated A3) and Korea (A2) were removed from negative watch. The move for South Korea's rating is a result of the country's investment-driven growth recovery spurred by expansionary monetary and fiscal policies. China's removal from the negative watchlist reflects the credit boom that has driven its economic recovery.

In addition, Honduras (C) was placed on negative watch. The worsening of Honduras' economic and financial situation is attributable to the political crisis resulting from the military coup in late June of this year.

The country risk update also provides a summary of the current economic situation, growth forecasts, and risk indices on a region-by-region basis.

Highlights include:

• Western Europe -- Timid rebound but consumption continues to slump

• United States -- Emerging from recession, but household debt is impeding strong recovery

• Latin America -- Brazil shows signs of hope while other countries remained plagued

• Asia -- Stimulus measures at core of recovery

• Near and Middle East -- Speedier rebound in oil producing countries

The full report is available at:

http://www.coface-usa.com/CofacePortal/ShowBinary/BEA%20Repository/US_en_EN/documents/country%20risk%20fall%202009

Coface Country Ratings indicate the average level of risk presented by companies in their commercial transactions. The ratings do not relate to sovereign debt.

Contact: Sue Hinton / ? 212-389-6466 / sue_hinton@coface.com

About Coface

Coface's mission is to facilitate global business-to-business trade by offering its 130,000 customers four business lines to fully or partly outsource trade relationship management and to finance and protect their receivables: credit insurance, factoring, ratings and business information and receivables management. Due to the worldwide local service delivered by 7,000 staff in 65 countries, over 45% of the world's 500 largest corporate groups are already customers of Coface. Learn more at www.coface-usa.com