The listed company ''AGRICULTURAL INSURANCE S.A.'' notified the ATHEX that on 31.12.2002 the Ministry of Development approved the merger of the listed company ''AGRICULTURAL LIFE & HEALTH INSURANCE CO'' (acquired company) with the listed company ''AGRICULTURAL INSURANCE S.A. (acquiring company) having as a result the cessation of trading of the acquired company as of 2.1.2003.

The President of the Athens Exchange, in order to secure the smooth operation of the market and the equal treatment of the shareholders of the acquiring and the acquired company decided, as in corresponding cases in the past, according to article no 11 of P.D. 350/85, the temporary suspension of trading of the shares of the company ''AGRICULTURAL INSURANCE S.A.'', until the shares that resulted from the merger, are deposited in the accounts of the shareholders and the trading of the shares starts.

It is noted that the listing of the new shares will be realized after the approval of the related Prospectus by the ATHEX Board of Directors, according to the time restrictions set by Regulation no 57 of the ATHEX Board of Directors.