Unilever announces commencement of share buy-back programme

This follows the company's announcement on 8 February of its plan to buy back ordinary shares up to an aggregate market value of Euro 1.5 billion in 2007.

The purpose of the share buy-back programme is to provide a flexible route for returning cash to shareholders, over and above regular annual dividends.

The buy-back may be of either Unilever NV shares, Unilever PLC shares or any combination of the two. The buy-back will take place within the limitations of the authority which has been granted or will be granted to the Boards by the respective general meetings of shareholders.

Any share purchases during close periods will be made according to irrevocable mandates issued prior to the periods concerned.