Philips to place its semiconductor business in a separate legal structure

Thursday, December 15, 2005, Amsterdam, The Netherlands - Royal Philips Electronics (AEX: PHI, NYSE: PHG) today announced it will start the process to create a separate legal structure for its Semiconductors business, giving Philips flexibility to pursue strategic options for further strengthening the longer-term performance of these activities.

In early 2005 Philips introduced a Business Renewal program to improve the Semiconductor division’s competitiveness and bring profitability through the cycle to between 5 and 15%, as well as to increase market share in the Semiconductors division’s four core businesses of Mobile & Personal, Home, Automotive & identification, and Multi Market Semiconductors.

“While we are pleased with the progress of the Business Renewal Program, we see opportunities to further strengthen the activities and maximize shareholder value, with the step we announced today, in an industry where scale matters,” Gerard Kleisterlee, President and CEO of Royal Philips Electronics, stated.

“This move will lead to increased flexibility for our Semiconductor business to invest, grow and build scale in the competitive semiconductor market, while continuing to leverage the strengths of Philips overall. This is good news for our customers and employees, ” said Frans van Houten, CEO of Philips Semiconductors.

About Royal Philips Electronics

Royal Philips Electronics of the Netherlands (NYSE: PHG, AEX: PHI) is one of the world’s biggest electronics companies and Europe’s largest, with sales of EUR 30.3 billion in 2004. With activities in the three interlocking domains of healthcare, lifestyle and technology and 161,100 employees in more than 60 countries, it has market leadership positions in medical diagnostic imaging and patient monitoring, color television sets, electric shavers, lighting and silicon system solutions. News from Philips is located at www.philips.com/newscenter

Forward-looking statements

This release may contain certain forward-looking statements with respect to the financial condition, results of operations and business of Philips and certain of the plans and objectives of Philips with respect to these items. By their nature, forward-looking statements involve risk and uncertainty because they relate to events and depend on circumstances that will occur in the future and there are many factors that could cause actual results and developments to differ materially from those expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements.

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Jayson Otke

Philips Corporate Communications

Royal Philips Electronics

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