The Group’s dividend policy consists of increasing it anytime possible and, if possible, not decreasing it.

For 28 years, the dividend has gradually increased and has never been reduced.

On February 17, 2010 the Board of Directors agreed to propose to the General Shareholders’ meeting of May 11, 2010 the payment of a net dividend of 2.20 EUR per share (2.9333 EUR gross per share), stable compared to 2008. On the basis of the share price of February 16, 2010 (71.73 EUR), this represents a gross dividend yield of 4.1% and a net dividend yield of 3.1%.

Considering the prepayment of 0.90 EUR net per share (coupon no. 85), which was paid on January 14, 2010, the balance of the dividend for 2009, 1.30 EUR net per share (coupon no. 86) will be paid on May 18, 2010.

Paying agent :

• KBC Bank nv, Havenlaan 2 – 1080 Brussels (Belgium)
• CBC Banque SA, Grand-Place 5 – 1000 Brussels (Belgium)

Dividends in respect of ADRs are payable by Morgan ADR Service Center, P.O. Box 8205 – USA-Boston, MA 02266-8205. For further information on the ADRs, a hotline is also available at 1-800-428-4237 (from the United States and Canada) and at 1-651-453-2128 (from other countries)