ABE Aberdeen Emerging Markets Company Oppotunities Fund, Inc. (delisted)

PHILADELPHIA, Jan. 31, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Aberdeen Emerging Markets Smaller Company Opportunities Fund, Inc. (NYSE MKT: ETF), a closed-end equity fund, announced today that it paid a distribution of $6.02616 per share on January 31, 2014 to all shareholders of record at the close of business on December 20, 2013.  The capital gain portion of the distribution is comprised of long-term capital gains of $5.68085 and short-term capital gains of $0.17209. The net investment income portion of the distribution will be $0.17322.

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As previously announced, the distribution was payable in shares of the Fund's common stock.  However, shareholders had the option to request that their distributions be paid in cash in lieu of common stock. The aggregate amount of cash distributions to all shareholders was limited to 60% of the aggregate dollar amount of the total distribution.  Because cash distribution requests exceeded this limit, the cash distribution was pro-rated among all stockholders who made such requests.  Shareholders who requested cash distributions received $4.37 per share or 72.60% of the distribution in cash and received the balance in the Fund's common stock.  For purposes of computing the stock portion of the dividend, the common stock distributed was valued at $13.09 per share, which equaled the average closing price of the Fund's common shares on the NYSE MKT on January 23, 2014 and the two preceding trading days.

Under U.S. tax rules applicable to the Fund, the amount and character of distributable income for each fiscal year can be finally determined only as of the end of the Fund's fiscal year. However, under Section 19 of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the "1940 Act") and related Rules, the Fund may be required to indicate to shareholders the source of certain distributions to shareholders.

The following table sets forth the estimated amounts of the sources of the distribution for purposes of Section 19 of the 1940 Act and the Rules adopted thereunder. The table has been computed based on generally accepted accounting principles.  The table includes estimated amounts and percentages for this distribution and for the cumulative distributions paid relating to fiscal year to date (11/01/2013 – 12/31/2013) from the following sources: net investment income; net realized short-term capital gains; net realized long-term capital gains; and return of capital.

As of December 31, 2013, after giving effect to this payment, the Fund has a net deficit of $16,548,000.  A net deficit results when the Fund has net unrealized losses that are in excess of any net realized gains that have not yet been distributed.

The amounts and sources of distributions reported in this notice are only estimates and are not being provided for tax reporting purposes. The actual amounts and sources of the amounts for tax reporting purposes will depend upon the Fund's investment experience and may be subject to change based on tax regulations. The final determination of the source of all distributions for 2013 will be presented in a Form 1099-DIV for the calendar year, which will be sent to you and will tell you how to report these distributions for federal income tax purposes.

Closed-end funds are traded on the secondary market through one of the stock exchanges. The investment return and principal value will fluctuate so that an investor's shares may be worth more or less than the original cost. Shares of closed-end funds may trade above (a premium) or below (a discount) the net asset value (NAV) of the fund's portfolio. There is no assurance that a fund will achieve its investment objective. Past performance does not guarantee future results.  Investing in Funds involves risk, including loss of principle.

Circular 230 disclosure:  To ensure compliance with requirements imposed by the U.S. Treasury, we inform you that any U.S. tax advice contained in this communication (including any attachments) is not intended or written to be used, and cannot be used, for the purpose of (i) avoiding penalties under the Internal Revenue Code or (ii) promoting, marketing or recommending to another party any transaction or matter addressed herein.

If you wish to receive this information electronically, please contact: InvestorRelations@aberdeen-asset.com

www.aberdeenetf.com

SOURCE Aberdeen Emerging Markets Smaller Company Opportunities Fund, Inc.