Disposal

ABB Ltd
4 January 2002


Stockholm, January 4, 2002

Investor AB increases its ownership in b-business partners by acquiring shares 
from ABB

Investor AB has increased its position in b-business partners, a pan-European 
venture capital company, by acquiring 90 percent of ABB'S shares and capital 
commitments. As a result of the transaction, ABB received EURO 188 million (US$ 
166 million). Investor's share of paid in capital and future commitments will 
now be approximately 75 percent.

This transaction is in line with Investor AB's strategy to further strengthen 
its position in the European venture capital market, and ABB'S strategy of 
focusing on its core businesses in power and automation technologies.

In addition, the Supervisory Board and management of b-business partners 
determined it can at present achieve its investment objectives using less 
capital than when it was founded. This is due to companies today requiring less 
capital to carry out their business plans and because they have lower 
valuations, b-business partners has therefore temporarily reduced the paid in 
capital of all its shareholders. The positive net cash effect on Investor AB of 
the purchase of ABB'S shares and the pay-back of capital is EURO 25 million.

The total capital commitment to b-business partners is EURO 728 million, of 
which Investor represents EURO 570 million, b-business partners' paid in 
capital, after the above transactions, is approximately EURO 270 million, of 
which Investor has contributed approximately EURO 200 million. The remainder 
will be drawn down as necessary to fund future investments.

b-business partners is a venture capital company with an international network 
of experience and competence in industry and finance. b-business partners 
shareholders are: Investor AB, ABB, SEB, AstraZenca, Atlas Copco, Electrolux, 
Ericsson, Hewlett-Packard, Saab Aerospace, Sandvik, SKF, Stora Enso and WM-data.
b-business partners has invested approximately EURO 60 million and has a 
portfolio of ten companies.

Read more about b-business partners on: www.b-bp.com

For further information:
Nils Ingvar Lundin, Managing Director, Corporate Relations, Investor AB 
Mobile phone: [phone]

Fredrik Lindgren, Vice President Investor Relations, Investor AB 
Mobile phone: [phone]

Wolfram Eberhardt, ABB Corporate Communications, [phone] 
Investor Relations ABB, [phone]