Aberdeen International Reports Value of Investment Portfolio and Cash of $1.37 Per Share for First Quarter Ending April 30, 2011

TORONTO, ONTARIO--(Marketwire - May 17, 2011) - ABERDEEN INTERNATIONAL INC. ("Aberdeen", or the"Company") (TSX:AAB) today announces that the value of its investment portfolio as at April 30, 2011, the end of its 2012 first fiscal quarter, was approximately $117.8 million including a cash balance of $7.2 million. This equates to a value of $1.37 per share based on Aberdeen's investment portfolio alone and does not include the value of its gold royalties. This report of the portfolio value is not equivalent to the "Net Asset Value" or "NAV" that has been previously reported by Aberdeen as it does not include assets and liabilities of the Company that are not treated as investments. Rather, this report refers only to the cash, equity investments (private and public), option-type investments (e.g. warrants) and corporate debt/loans receivable of the Company.

The value of the investment portfolio decreased from the fourth quarter results for the period ending January 31, 2011 by approximately $8.5 million or 6.7% (or 6.2% on a per share basis due to the net shares repurchased in the quarter). On a year-over-year basis, the value of our investment portfolio has increased by $48.1 million or 69.0% (or 71.7% on a per share basis due to net share repurchases over the past year). First quarter financial results are expected to be released on or before July 14, 2011, and will include up-to-date shareholders' equity value (previously referred to as "net asset value") which includes the value for our royalties as well as other assets and liabilities.

David Stein, Aberdeen's President and COO, commented, "After enjoying tremendous results in 2010, we have definitely seen the market soften in early 2011, which we view as a healthy correction. While commodity prices remain close to historic highs, the risk appetite for small capitalization equities has waned, and we have seen this reflected in many of the public holdings in our portfolio. This correction has allowed us to put new money to work in several public companies in addition to supporting our private investments and buying back shares of Aberdeen in our NCIB program. As a long-term investor with a multi-year time horizon, we look upon these periods of weakness to put money to work and we are excited by many of our new investments. It is worth noting that we experienced an even worse correction last year about the same time and our holdings recovered very well in the second half of the year. This quarter-to-quarter volatility is something we accept in the junior resource market. Through Aberdeen's unique relationship to Forbes & Manhattan, Inc. we have been able to participate in several new opportunities during the first part of the year that we expect to yield excellent long-term results."

Normal Course Issuer Bid

Aberdeen purchased and cancelled 712,700 shares of Aberdeen at an average price of $0.9033 as part of its on-going Normal Course Issuer Bid during the quarter, and issued 230,000 shares for options exercised, for a net reduction of 482,700 shares.

Simmers Action for Repayment of Loan Principal

Aberdeen has entered into a binding arbitration agreement with Simmers & Jack Mines Ltd. ("Simmers") to resolve the legal disputes between the Company and Simmers regarding, among other matters, the repayment by Simmers of the outstanding principal amount of the US$10,000,000 loan advanced to Simmers in 2006. The Company and Simmers have appointed Mr. Justice J Conradie as arbitrator and scheduled the arbitration for October 2011. Mr. Justice J Conradie is a respected, retired judge of the South African Supreme Court of Appeal and is a well-regarded arbitrator.

Shareholder Conference Call

Aberdeen plans to host a conference call at 10:00 AM (EST) on Wednesday May 18, 2011 to discuss operations and the investment portfolio. To participate in the call please dial:

International: +1 416-340-2216

Toll Free: 866-226-1792

Toronto Area: 416-340-2216

A play back of the recording will be available shortly after the completion of the call on the investor's page of the company website at www.aberdeeninternational.ca.

About Aberdeen International Inc:

Aberdeen is a publicly traded global investment and merchant banking company focused on small cap companies in the resource sector. Aberdeen will seek to acquire significant equity participation in pre-IPO and/or early stage public resource companies with undeveloped or undervalued high-quality resources. Aberdeen will focus on companies that: (i) are in need of managerial, technical and financial resources to realize their full potential; (ii) are undervalued in foreign capital markets; and/or (iii) operate in jurisdictions with moderate local political risk. Aberdeen will seek to provide value-added managerial and board advisory services to companies. The Corporation's intention will be to optimize the return on its investment over a minimum 2-year investment time frame.

For additional information, please visit our website at www.aberdeeninternational.ca and follow us on Twitter: AberdeenAAB.

Cautionary Note

Except for statements of historical fact contained herein, the information in this press release constitutes "forward-looking information" within the meaning of Canadian securities law. Such forward-looking information may be identified by words such as "plans", "proposes", "estimates", "intends", "expects", "believes", "may", "will" and include without limitation, statements regarding the first quarter results of the Company, implying or regarding past success as an indicator of future success; net asset value of the Company; the potential of investee companies and the appreciation of their share price; the future intentions of the Company with regard to its shareholdings; the Company's plan of business operations; and anticipated returns. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate; actual results and future events could differ materially from such statements. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially include, among others, metal prices, competition, financing risks, acquisition risks, risks inherent in the mining industry, and regulatory risks. Most of these factors are outside the control of the Company. Investors are cautioned not to put undue reliance on forward-looking information. Except as otherwise required by applicable securities statutes or regulation, the Company expressly disclaims any intent or obligation to update publicly forward-looking information, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.