BARS Smo Gold

Date: 17 January 2013

BLACKROCK ABSOLUTE RETURN STRATEGIES LTD

Cancellation

Pursuant to a shareholder resolution passed at an Extraordinary General Meeting of BlackRock Absolute Return Strategies Ltd (the "Company") held on 13 December 2012, the cancellation of the admission of the Company's shares to trading on the London Stock Exchange's Main Market for listed securities became effective from close of business on 16 January 2013 and the cancellation of the admission of the shares to the Official List of the UK Listing Authority becomes effective from 08.00am today.

All enquiries:

Ian Webster
BlackRock (Channel Islands) Limited
Company Secretary

Tel: 01534 600 802