Optima Fund Management has launched The Optima
Absolute Return Fund Limited with investor seed capital of US$10 million.

The new multi-strategy fund of funds adds to Optima's growing range of hedge
fund products.

Optima stated it has been successfully managing multi-strategy portfolios for
institutions for over three years and decided to launch its own fund of funds now
to meet investor demand.

Dixon Boardman, the Managing Director of Optima, said: "Over the years, we
have created a first class investment research capability in house with
experienced and talented people to meet the needs of our high net worth and,
increasingly, institutional client base.  With our deep understanding of the
underlying strategies and with access to outstanding managers, we expect this
fund to be very successful."

Optima Absolute Return Fund started trading with thirteen managers utilising
seven different strategies including global macro, fixed income relative value,
hedged equity, convertible arbitrage, etc.

Optima believes that a well-structured hedge fund program can serve as a
powerful source of returns and diversification for an institutional program,
especially in volatile markets.