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Gemplus® and MasterCard International Provide Flexible Smart Card Solutions to Members Leading smart card solutions provider and MasterCard International to offer MasterCard members M/Chip™ Lite flexible smart card solution based on Java® Open Platform



LAS VEGAS, NV – CardTech/SecurTech 2001 – May 16, 2001 – Gemplus (NASDAQ:GEMP), the world’s leading provider of smart card solutions, today announced its type approval from MasterCard International and Europay International to deliver M/Chip Lite smart card solution, based on Java, CardTM SM Platform, to MasterCard members worldwide. With this move, Gemplus is partnering with MasterCard in order to provide its members with maximum flexibility when initiating smart card programs of their own.

Based on Gemplus GemXpresso® technology, M/Chip Lite for Java brings the flexibility and openness of a Java-based system, enabling the rapid addition and deletion of applications to the card post-issuance, further extending the lifecycle of the card system, as well as reducing development costs.

Gemplus’ development of M/Chip Lite for Java enables MasterCard to expand its smart card program to support all major technology platforms, from MULTOS® to Java, offering members the option to choose the platform that will work best for their smart card systems. Recognizing its unique benefits, financial institutions have begun adopting Java-based card systems in recent years.

“MasterCard is extremely pleased to be working with Gemplus to deliver a wide range of programs and services to our financial institutions,” said Adam Gluck, vice president, M/Chip Product Development, MasterCard International. “The availability of M/Chip on Java Card enhances the offerings available to our members. This further demonstrates our commitment to supporting all platforms, while ensuring global interoperability and satisfying member demand.”

Apart from M/Chip Lite for Java, Gemplus also offers a complete range of smart card solutions for MasterCard members including native cards like GemShareTM and GemShare Club, adding loyalty features and also Open OS cards based on MULTOS Platform.

“Gemplus is focused, through its partnership with MasterCard International, on further accelerating the deployment of smart card-based solutions for financial institutions worldwide,” said Sophie Escand, Director of Marketing, Financial Services Business Unit, Gemplus. “Gemplus’ global reach and support, combined with its ability to deliver complete solutions along the smart card technology value chain, will enable member banks to deploy their smart card program to customers quickly and successfully.”

Gemplus will be exhibiting at CardTech/SecurTech 2001 at the Sands Expo in Las Vegas, May 15-17 at booth #310.

Editors note
Information extracted from MasterCard Release “MasterCard Delivers On Pledge to Provide Universal Support for All Major Smart Card Platforms,” May 16, 2001.



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About Mastercard
MasterCard International has the most comprehensive portfolio of payment brands in the world. More than 1.7 billion MasterCard, Cirrus and Maestro logos are present on credit, charge and debit cards in circulation today. An association comprised of more than 20,000 member financial institutions, MasterCard serves consumers and businesses, both large and small, in 210 countries and territories. MasterCard is the leader in quality and innovation, offering a wide range of payment solutions in the virtual and traditional worlds. MasterCard’s award-winning advertising campaign is now seen in 81 countries and in more than 36 languages, giving the MasterCard brand reach and scope unrivaled by any competitor in the industry. With more than 21 million acceptance locations, no card is accepted in more places and by more merchants than the MasterCard Card. In 2000, gross dollar volume exceeded US$857 billion. MasterCard can be reached through its World Wide Web site at http://www.mastercard.com.


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About Gemplus
GEMPLUS: the world's leading smart card solutions provider

Since its creation in 1988, Gemplus International S.A.(Euronext: Sicovam 5768 and NASDAQ:GEMP) has driven the global marketing and deployment of smart card-based applications for telecommunications, financial services and e-business security.

According to the most recent third party research, Gemplus leads the industry with 35% market share by volume in memory and micro-processor cards (Gartner Dataquest, 2000).

Gemplus is instrumental throughout the value chain - chip design, card management systems, software development, and consulting - delivering integrated custom-made solutions for the security, personalization and privacy management needs of clients and partners worldwide.

Gemplus technology has played a defining role in the development of wireless telephony since the introduction of SIM cards into the GSM standard in 1990. For more than a decade, Gemplus has pioneered applications that enable network operators around the world to answer the changing needs of their customers. Gemplus was first to market with a 3G card and supplies a product range compliant with new and emerging transmission standards - 2.5G, 3G.

In 2000, revenue was 1.205 BE, up 57% from the previous year's 767ME. Net income was 99 ME. Gemplus employs more than 7800 people in 37 countries worldwide.

Since 11 December 2000, Gemplus shares have been trading on Euronext Paris S.A. First Market and on Nasdaq in the form of ADSs.

Gemplus: www.gemplus.com


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Contacts
Gemplus, Marielle Bricman
tel: 33 4 42 36 55 96
email: marielle.bricman@gemplus.com

Gemplus Americas, Ron Schwenger
tel: 1 650-654-2917
email: ron.schwenger@gemplus.com

IT SHOULD BE NOTED THAT CERTAIN OF THE STATEMENTS CONTAINED IN THIS RELEASE MAY CONSTITUTE FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS WITHIN THE MEANING OF SECTION 27A OF THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933 AND SECTION 21E OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934. THESE STATEMENTS RELATE TO FUTURE EVENTS OR OUR FUTURE FINANCIAL PERFORMANCE AND INVOLVE KNOWN AND UNKNOWN RISKS, UNCERTAINTIES AND OTHER FACTORS INCLUDING WITHOUT LIMITATION CUSTOMER DEMAND FOR OUR PRODUCTS, SUPPLY OF KEY COMPONENTS, DEVELOPMENTS IN THE MARKET AND ADVANCES IN TECHNOLOGY THAT MAY CAUSE OUR OR OUR INDUSTRY'S ACTUAL RESULTS, LEVELS OF ACTIVITY, OR PERFORMANCE TO MATERIALLY DIFFER FROM THOSE EXPRESSED OR IMPLIED BY SUCH FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS. FOR A MORE DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THESE FACTORS, PLEASE SEE GEMPLUS’ MOST RECENT FILINGS WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION. THESE STATEMENTS REFLECT MANAGEMENT’S CURRENT EXPECTATIONS REGARDING FUTURE EVENTS AND OPERATING PERFORMANCE AND SPEAK ONLY AS OF THE DATE OF THIS RELEASE. WE ARE UNDER NO DUTY TO UPDATE OR REVISE ANY OF THE FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS AFTER THIS DATE OR TO CONFORM SUCH STATEMENTS TO ACTUAL RESULTS OR TO REFLECT THE OCCURRENCE OF ANTICIPATED RESULTS.

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