As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on July 6, 2012

Securities Act File No. 333-                 

Investment Company Act File No. 811-04611

U.S. SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

FORM N-2

and/or

Aberdeen Asia-Pacific Income Fund, Inc.

(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified In Charter)

1735 Market Street, 32nd Floor

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19103

(Address of Principal Executive Offices)

Registrant’s Telephone Number, including Area Code:  1-866-839-5205

Lucia Sitar, Esq.

c/o Aberdeen Asset Management Inc.

1735 Market Street, 32nd Floor

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19103

(Name and Address of Agent For Service)

Copies of information to:

Rose F. DiMartino, Esq.

Willkie Farr & Gallagher

787 Seventh Avenue

New York, New York  10019

Approximate Date of Proposed Public Offering: As soon as practicable after the effective date of this Registration Statement.

If any securities being registered on this form will be offered on a delayed or continuous basis in reliance on Rule 415 under the Securities Act of 1933, other than securities offered in connection with a dividend reinvestment plan, check the following box. x

It is proposed that this filing will become effective (check appropriate box)

x when declared effective pursuant to section 8(c).

CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933

THE REGISTRANT HEREBY AMENDS THIS REGISTRATION STATEMENT ON SUCH DATE OR DATES AS MAY BE NECESSARY TO DELAY ITS EFFECTIVE DATE UNTIL THE REGISTRANT SHALL FILE A FURTHER AMENDMENT THAT SPECIFICALLY STATES THAT THIS REGISTRATION STATEMENT SHALL THEREAFTER BECOME EFFECTIVE IN ACCORDANCE WITH SECTION 8(a) OF THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED, OR UNTIL THIS REGISTRATION STATEMENT SHALL BECOME EFFECTIVE ON SUCH DATE AS THE COMMISSION, ACTING PURSUANT TO SECTION 8(a), MAY DETERMINE.

The information in this Prospectus is not complete and may be changed. The Fund may not sell these securities until the registration statement filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission is effective. This Prospectus is not an offer to sell these securities and is not soliciting offers to buy these securities in any state where the offer or sale is not permitted.

Subject to Completion Dated [                   ], 2012

BASE PROSPECTUS

$375,000,000

ABERDEEN ASIA-PACIFIC INCOME FUND, INC.

Shares of Common Stock

Aberdeen Asia-Pacific Income Fund, Inc. (“Fund,” “we,” “us” or “our”) is a non-diversified, closed-end management investment company with a leveraged capital structure that commenced operations on April 24, 1986. The Fund’s principal investment objective is to seek current income. The Fund may also achieve incidental capital appreciation.

We may offer, from time to time, in one or more offerings, including through rights offerings, our shares of common stock, par value $0.01 per share (“Shares”). Shares may be offered at prices and on terms to be set forth in one or more supplements to this Prospectus (each, a “Prospectus Supplement”). You should read this Prospectus and the applicable Prospectus Supplement carefully before you invest in our Shares.

Our Shares may be offered directly to one or more purchasers, through agents designated from time to time by us, or to or through underwriters or dealers. The Prospectus Supplement relating to the offering will identify any agents or underwriters involved in the sale of our Shares, and will set forth any applicable purchase price, fee, commission or discount arrangement between us and our agents or underwriters, or among our underwriters, or the basis upon which such amount may be calculated. We may not sell any of our Shares through agents, underwriters or dealers without delivery of a Prospectus Supplement describing the method and terms of the particular offering of our Shares.

Our Shares are listed on the NYSE Amex under the symbol “FAX.” The last reported sale price of our Shares, as reported by the Amex on June 22, 2012, was $7.51 per Share. The net asset value of our Shares at the close of business on June 22, 2012, was $7.44 per Share.

Investment in the Shares involves certain risks and special considerations, including risks associated with currency fluctuations. The Fund also has authority to borrow to finance investments and to issue preferred stock. Both practices entail risks. Investing in the Fund’s common stock and preferred stock, if any, may be speculative and involve a high degree of risk and should not constitute a complete investment program. For a discussion of these and other risks, see “Risks and Special Considerations.”

Shares of closed-end investment companies frequently trade at a discount to their net asset value. If the Fund’s Shares trade at a discount to its net asset value, the risk of loss may increase for purchasers in a public offering. See “Risks and Special Considerations-Net Asset Value Discount.”

Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) nor any state securities commission has approved or disapproved these securities or passed upon the adequacy of this Prospectus. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.

This Prospectus, together with any Prospectus Supplement, sets forth concisely the information about the Fund that a prospective investor should know before investing. You should read this Prospectus and applicable Prospectus Supplement, which contain important information, before deciding whether to invest in the Shares. You should retain the Prospectus and Prospectus Supplement for future reference. A Statement of Additional Information (“SAI”), dated [   ], containing additional information about the Fund, has been filed with the SEC and is incorporated by reference in its entirety into this Prospectus. The Table of Contents for the SAI is on page [   ] of this Prospectus. You may call 1-800-522-5465, email InvestorRelations@aberdeen-asset.com or write to the Fund at 1735 Market Street, 32nd Floor, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19103 to obtain, free of charge, copies of the SAI and the Fund’s annual and semi-annual reports to shareholders, as well as to

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obtain other information about the Fund and to make shareholder inquiries. The Fund’s SAI, as well as the annual and semi-annual reports to shareholders, are also available on the Fund’s website at www.aberdeenfax.com. The SEC maintains a website at http://www.sec.gov that contains the SAI, material incorporated by reference into the Fund’s registration statement and additional information about the Fund.

Our Shares do not represent a deposit or obligation of, and are not guaranteed or endorsed by, any bank or other insured depository institution, and are not federally insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, the Federal Reserve Board or any other government agency.

Prospectus dated [   ], 2012

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

You should rely only on the information contained in, or incorporated by reference into, this Prospectus and any related Prospectus Supplement in making your investment decisions. The Fund has not authorized any person to provide you with different information. If anyone provides you with different or inconsistent information, you should not rely on it. The Fund is not making an offer to sell the Shares in any jurisdiction where the offer or sale is not permitted. You should assume that the information in this Prospectus and any Prospectus Supplement is accurate only as of the dates on their covers. The Fund’s business, financial condition and prospects may have changed since the date of its description in this Prospectus or the date of its description in any Prospectus Supplement.

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PROSPECTUS SUMMARY

The following information is only a summary. You should consider the more detailed information contained in the Prospectus and in any related Prospectus Supplement and in the SAI before purchasing Shares, especially the information under “Risks and Special Considerations” on page [   ] of the Prospectus.

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SUMMARY OF FUND EXPENSES

Shareholder Transaction Expenses

Annual Operating Expenses (as a percentage of average net assets attributable to the Fund’s common stock)

Example

An investor would pay the following expenses on a $1,000 investment in the Fund, assuming a 5% annual return:

The above table and example are intended to assist investors in understanding the various costs and expenses directly or indirectly associated with investing in Shares of the Fund. The “Example” assumes that all dividends and other distributions are reinvested at net asset value and that the percentage amounts listed in the table above under Total Annual Operating Expenses remain the same in the years shown. The above table and example and the assumption in the example of a 5% annual return are required by regulations of the SEC that are applicable to all investment companies; the assumed 5% annual return is not a prediction of, and does not represent, the projected or actual performance of the Fund’s Shares. For more complete descriptions of certain of the Fund’s costs and expenses, see “Management of the Fund” and “Expenses.”

The example should not be considered a representation of past or future expenses, and the Fund’s actual expenses may be greater than or less than those shown. Moreover, the Fund’s actual rate of return may be greater or less than the hypothetical 5% return shown in the example.

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FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS

The financial highlights table is intended to help you understand the Fund’s financial performance. Information is shown for the Fund’s last ten fiscal years and the six months ended April 30, 2012. Certain information reflects financial results for a single Fund Share. The following information (other than the information for the six months ended April 30, 2012) has been audited by KPMG LLP, independent registered public accounting firm for the Fund, for the fiscal years ended October 31, 2011, 2010 and 2009, and by another independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal years prior to the fiscal year ended October 31, 2009, each of whose reports thereon were unqualified. The report of KPMG LLP, together with the financial statements of the Fund, are included in the Fund’s October 31, 2011 Annual Report, and are incorporated by reference into the SAI, which is available upon request.

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(a) Based on average shares outstanding.

(b) Total investment return is calculated assuming a purchase of common stock on the opening of the first day and a sale on the closing of the last day of each period reported. Dividends and distributions, if any, are assumed, for purposes of this calculation, to be reinvested at prices obtained under the Fund’s dividend reinvestment plan. Total investment return does not reflect brokerage commissions.

(c) Ratios calculated on the basis of income, expenses and preferred share dividends applicable to both the common and preferred shares relative to the average net assets of common shareholders. For each of the years ended October 31, 2011, 2010, 2009, 2008, and 2007 the ratios of net investment income before preferred stock dividends to average net assets of common shareholders were 5.30%, 5.44%, 6.40%, 6.44% and 6.65%, respectively.

(d) Includes expenses of both preferred and common stock.

(e) In 2009, the Fund filed a non-routine proxy to consider approval of a new sub-advisory agreement among the Fund, Investment Manager, and Sub-Adviser. The Fund and the Investment Manager agreed to each bear equal responsibility with respect to the costs of soliciting proxies associated with the non-routine item.

(f) Asset coverage ratio is calculated by dividing net assets plus the amount of any borrowings, including Auction Market Preferred Stock, for investment purposes by the amount of any borrowings.

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(1) Based upon average shares outstanding.

(2) Less than $0.005 per share.

(3) Total investment return is calculated assuming a purchase of common stock on the first day and a sale on the last day of each period reported. Dividends and distributions, if any, are assumed, for purposes of this calculation, to be reinvested at prices obtained under the Fund’s dividend reinvestment plan. Total investment return does not reflect brokerage commissions.

(4) Ratios calculated on the basis of income, expenses and preferred share dividends applicable to both the common and preferred shares relative to the average net assets of common shareholders. Ratios of net investment income before preferred stock dividends to average net assets of common shareholders are 6.35%, 6.16%, 5.74%, 7.08%, and 8.18%, respectively.

(5) Includes expenses of both preferred and common stock.

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USE OF PROCEEDS

The Fund anticipates that it will be able to invest substantially all of the net proceeds of an offering in accordance with its investment objectives and policies within approximately 60 days after completion of the offering. Pending such investment, the Fund anticipates investing the proceeds in short-term securities issued by the U.S. government or its agencies or instrumentalities or in high quality, short-term or long-term debt obligations or money market instruments. Following the completion of an offering, the Fund may increase the amount of leverage outstanding.

THE FUND

The Fund is a non-diversified, closed-end management investment company registered under the 1940 Act. The Fund is designed for investors seeking current income and incidental capital appreciation by experienced professional management of a portfolio of fixed income securities of issuers in Asian-Pacific debt securities. An investment in the Fund may not be appropriate for all investors and should not be considered to be a complete investment program. An investment in the Fund involves risks that you should consider before purchasing Shares. See “Risks and Special Considerations.” The Fund’s principal office is located at 1735 Market Street, 32nd Floor, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19103.

DESCRIPTION OF SHARES

The Fund, which was incorporated under the laws of the State of Maryland on March 14, 1986, is authorized to issue 500,000,000 shares, $0.01 par value per share, which are divided into two classes: 400,000,000 of shares of common stock and 100,000,000 shares of Preferred Stock. As of the date of this Prospectus, the Fund does not have any shares of preferred stock outstanding and the Board of Directors has no present intention to issue shares of preferred stock. All references to “stock” or “shares” herein refer to common stock, unless otherwise indicated. Each share of common stock has equal voting, dividend, distribution and liquidation rights. The Shares outstanding are, and, when issued, the Shares offered by this Prospectus will be, fully paid and non-assessable. Shares are not redeemable and have no preemptive, conversion or cumulative voting rights. The number of Shares outstanding as of April 30, 2012 was 260,975,744.

The Fund’s outstanding Shares are, and, when issued, the Shares offered by this Prospectus will be, publicly held and listed and traded on the Amex. The Fund determines its net asset value on a daily basis. The following table sets forth, for the quarters indicated, the highest and lowest daily closing prices on the Amex per share of common stock, and the net asset value per share and the premium to or discount from net asset value, on the date of each of the high and low market prices. The table also sets forth the number of Shares traded on the Amex during the respective quarters.

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On June 22, 2012, the per Share net asset value was $7.44 and the per Share market price was $7.51, representing a 0.94% premium from such net asset value.

[The Fund’s Shares have traded in the market below, at and above net asset value since the commencement of the Fund’s operations. However, at times, it has been the case that the Fund’s Shares have traded at a discount from net asset value.] The Investment Manager cannot determine the reasons why the Fund’s Shares trade at a premium to or discount from net asset value, nor can the Fund predict whether its Shares will trade in the future at a premium to or discount from net asset value, or the level of any premium or discount. Shares of closed-end investment companies frequently trade at a discount from net asset value.

The following information regarding the Fund’s authorized shares is as of April 30, 2012.

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INVESTMENT OBJECTIVES

The Fund’s principal investment objective is to seek current income. The Fund may also achieve incidental capital appreciation. The Fund’s investment objectives may not be changed without the approval of the holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of the Fund’s stock. A majority of the outstanding shares, as defined by the 1940 Act, means the affirmative vote of the lesser of (i) 67% of the relevant shares represented at a meeting at which more than 50% of such shares are represented, or (ii) more than 50% of the relevant shares.

INVESTMENT POLICIES

To achieve its investment objectives, the Fund normally invests at least 80% of its net assets, plus the amount of any borrowings for investment purposes, in Asian debt securities, Australian debt securities and New Zealand debt securities, as defined below. This 80% investment policy is a non-fundamental policy of the Fund and may be changed by the Board of Directors upon 60 days prior written notice to shareholders.

The investment policies of the Fund under the section below entitled “Fundamental Investment Policies” are fundamental and may not be changed without the approval of the holders of a majority of the Fund’s outstanding voting securities.  The remainder of the Fund’s investment policies are non-fundamental (applies to all policies except the policies under the “Fundamental Investment Policies” section) and may be changed with Board approval.

Fundamental Investment Policies

The Fund may invest up to 80% of its total assets, plus the amount of any borrowings for investment purposes, in “Asian debt securities,” which include: (1) debt securities of Asian Country issuers, including securities issued by Asian Country governmental entities, as well as by banks, companies and other entities which are located in Asian Countries, whether or not denominated in an Asian Country currency; (2) debt securities of other issuers, denominated in, or linked to, the currency of an Asian Country, including securities issued by supranational issuers, such as The World Bank and derivative debt securities that replicate, or substitute for, the currency of an Asian Country; (3) debt securities issued by entities which, although not located in an Asian Country, derive at least 50% of their revenues from Asian Countries or have at least 50% of their assets located in Asian Countries; and (4) debt securities issued by a wholly-owned subsidiary of an entity located in an Asian Country, provided that the debt securities are guaranteed by the parent entity located in the Asian Country. With reference to items (3) and (4) above, Asian debt securities may be denominated in an Asian Country currency or in Australian, New Zealand or U.S. dollars. The maximum country exposure to any one Asian Country (other than Korea) is limited to 20% of the Fund’s total assets and the maximum currency exposure to any one Asian Country currency (other than Korea) is limited to 10% of the Fund’s total assets. The maximum country exposure for Korea is limited to 40% of the Fund’s total assets, and the maximum currency exposure for Korea is limited to 25% of the Fund’s total assets.

“Asian Countries” (each, an “Asian Country”) include China, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, Pakistan, the Philippines, Singapore, South Korea, Taiwan, Thailand, and Vietnam, and such other countries on the Asian continent approved for investment by the Board of Directors upon the recommendation of the Investment Manager.

At least 20% of the Fund’s total assets will be invested in “Australian debt securities,” which include: (1) debt securities of Australian issuers, including securities issued by Australian governmental entities, as well as by banks, companies and other entities which are located in Australia, whether or not denominated in the Australian dollar; (2) debt securities of other issuers denominated in, or linked to, the Australian dollar, including securities issued by supranational issuers, such as The World Bank and derivative debt securities that replicate, or substitute for, the Australian dollar; (3) debt securities issued by entities which, although not located in Australia, derive at least 50% of their revenues from Australia or have at least 50% of their assets located in Australia; and (4) debt securities issued by a wholly-owned subsidiary of an entity located in Australia, provided that the debt securities are guaranteed by the parent entity located in Australia. With reference to items (3) and (4) above, Australian debt securities may be denominated in Australian, New Zealand or U.S. dollars.

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The Fund may also invest in “New Zealand debt securities,” which include: (1) debt securities of New Zealand issuers, including securities issued by New Zealand governmental entities, as well as by banks, companies and other entities which are located in New Zealand, whether or not denominated in the New Zealand dollar; (2) debt securities of other issuers, denominated in, or linked to, the New Zealand dollar, including securities issued by supranational issuers, such as The World Bank and derivative debt securities that replicate, or substitute for, the New Zealand dollar; (3) debt securities issued by entities which, although not located in New Zealand, derive at least 50% of their revenues from New Zealand or have at least 50% of their assets located in Zealand; and (4) debt securities issued by a wholly-owned subsidiary of an entity located in New Zealand, provided that the debt securities are guaranteed by the parent entity located in New Zealand. With reference to items (3) and (4) above, New Zealand debt securities may be denominated in Australian, New Zealand or U.S. dollars. The maximum country exposure for New Zealand is limited to 35% of the Fund’s total assets, and the maximum currency exposure for New Zealand is limited to 35% of the Fund’s total assets.

During periods when, in the Investment Manager’s judgment, economic conditions warrant a temporary defensive investment policy, the Fund may temporarily invest up to 100% of its assets in U.S. debt securities.

In order to accommodate investment in Asian markets, the Fund may invest up to 35% of its total assets in Asian debt securities rated below BBB- by S&P or Baa3 by Moody’s (also known as “junk bonds”), or judged by the Advisers to be, below investment grade at the time of investment, provided that, with the approval of the Board of Directors, the ratings of other recognized rating services may be used. The Fund may invest up to 35% of its total assets in Asian debt securities which may be deemed to be illiquid.

The Fund may invest up to 10% of its total assets in securities rated by S&P or Moody’s, or judged by the Advisers to be, below B- at the time of investment, provided that, with the approval of the Fund’s Board of Directors, the ratings of other recognized ratings services may be used.

The Fund may enter into repurchase agreements with banks and broker-dealers pursuant to which the Fund may acquire a security for a relatively short period (usually no more than a week) subject to the obligations of the seller to repurchase and the Fund to resell such security at a fixed time and price. The Fund will enter into repurchase agreements only with parties who meet creditworthiness standards approved by the Board of Directors, i.e., banks or broker-dealers which have been determined by the Advisers to present no serious risk of becoming involved in bankruptcy proceedings within the period contemplated by the repurchase transaction.

Non-Fundamental Investment Policies

A maximum of 20% of the Fund’s total assets in Asian debt securities can be denominated in any combination of Yen, Euro and British pound.

The Fund may invest up to 10% of the Fund’s total assets in secondary market bank loans, up to 10% of the Fund’s total assets in convertible securities and other hybrid securities, and up to 10% of the Fund’s total assets in asset-backed securities.

The Fund currently utilizes and in the future expects to continue to utilize leverage through borrowings or through other transactions, such as reverse repurchase agreements, which have the effect of leverage.  The Fund may also utilize leverage through the issuance of debt securities or preferred stock, although it has no current intention to do so.  The Fund may use leverage up to 33 1/3% of its total assets (including the amount obtained through leverage).  The Fund generally will not utilize leverage if it anticipates that the Fund’s leveraged capital structure would result in a lower return to shareholders than that obtainable over time with an unleveraged capital structure.  Use of leverage creates an opportunity for increased income and capital appreciation for shareholders but, at the same time, creates special risks, and there can be no assurance that a leveraging strategy will be successful during any period in which it is employed.  See “Use of Leverage.”

Consistent with its investment objectives, the Fund may invest in a broad array of financial instruments and securities in which the value of the instrument or security is “derived” from the performance of an underlying asset or a “benchmark” such as a security index, an interest rate or a foreign currency (“derivatives”).  The Fund may use derivatives to manage currency, interest rate and credit risk and as a substitute for physical securities.  The Fund may use interest rate swaps to hedge the Fund’s liability with respect to its leverage. There is no limit on the amount of interest rate swap transactions that may be entered into by the Fund.  Derivative debt securities that replicate, or substitute for, the currency of a particular country will be counted toward the limitations applicable with respect to

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issuers in that country. The Fund may invest in over-the-counter or exchange traded derivatives. The Fund may invest in derivatives up to the limits allowed under the 1940 Act.  The following guidelines apply with respect to the Fund’s derivative investments:

(a)                      The Fund will only use counterparty institutions rated A — or better by recognized international rating agencies, except with respect to Korean futures. In Korea, brokerage houses with Korean futures exchanges require deposits into margin accounts, and in many cases, these accounts are with unrated entities.

(b)                     A maximum of 7.5% of the Fund’s total assets may be invested in a derivative transaction with any single counterparty.

(c)                      A maximum of 20% of the Fund’s total assets may have exposure to currency linked notes.

(d)                     A maximum of 10% of the Fund’s total assets may be at risk to any single counterparty (aggregate interest rate, currency and credit derivatives).

(e)                      Exchange-traded derivatives may only be traded on regulated derivative exchanges and a maximum of 35% of the Fund’s total assets may have exposure to exchange-traded derivatives.

(f)                        The Fund’s maximum gross exposure (long plus short positions) to derivatives traded on the Sydney Futures Exchange is 20% of its total assets and the maximum net exposure (long positions minus short positions) to derivatives traded on the Sydney Futures Exchange is 15% of the Fund’s total assets.

(g)                     A maximum of 20% of the Fund’s total assets may have exposure to derivatives traded on the Chicago Board of Trade.

(h)                     A maximum of 7% of the Fund’s total assets may have exposure to derivatives traded on any one Asian Futures Exchanges.

See “Derivatives” in the “Portfolio Securities” section for further information.

The Fund may invest in securities issued by investment companies registered as such under the 1940 Act and unregistered, private funds (each, an “acquired company”), subject to the limitations below (which are to be applied immediately after the acquisition of such securities).

The Fund may not acquire securities issued by an acquired company:

·                  if the value of such securities exceeds 3% of the total outstanding voting stock of the acquired company;

·                  if the aggregate value of such securities would exceed 5% of the value of the total assets of the Fund; or

·                  if the aggregate value of such securities, together with all other acquired company securities in the Fund’s portfolio, would exceed 10% of the value of the total assets of the Fund.

As a non-diversified company, there is no investment restriction on the percentage of the Fund’s assets that may be invested at any time in the securities of any single issuer. However, the Fund intends to limit its investments in the securities of any single issuer, except for securities issued or guaranteed as to payment of principal and interest by Australian, New Zealand or Asian Country governmental entities, to 5% of its total assets at the time of purchase. The Fund may invest without limitation in securities of Australian or Korean governmental entities and may, at the time of purchase, invest up to 35% of its total assets in New Zealand governmental securities and up to 15% of its total assets in Asian Country (other than Korea) governmental securities. The Fund intends to invest in a variety of debt securities, with differing issuers, maturities and interest rates, and to comply with the diversification and other requirements of the Code applicable to regulated investment companies so that the Fund will not be subject to U.S. federal income taxes on its net investment income. The average U.S. dollar weighted maturity of the Fund’s portfolio is not expected to exceed 10 years.

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PORTFOLIO SECURITIES

The principal types of debt securities in which the Fund is permitted to invest include those described below. The list is not exclusive, but is indicative of the kinds of securities which the Fund’s investment objectives, policies and restrictions permit it to buy.

Debt Securities

Local Currency Sovereign and Quasi-Sovereign Bonds. The Fund is permitted to invest in securities issued or guaranteed by governmental entities, including sovereign and quasi-sovereign entities, whether or not denominated in the currency of the country where such entity is located. The available maturities for these types of securities vary from country to country.

Commercial Banks. The Fund may also invest in securities issued by banks, whether or not denominated in the currency of the country where such bank is located.

U.S. Dollar-Denominated Debt Securities. The Fund is also permitted to invest in U.S. dollar-denominated debt securities in order to gain exposure to certain foreign debt markets without exposing the Fund to local currency risk. Such debt securities may be issued by issuers in developed markets, investment grade developing or emerging markets, or sub-investment grade developing or emerging markets and may be issued and/or registered in the United States. U.S. dollar-denominated debt securities are subject to credit risk relating primarily to the issuer of the bond and liquidity risk relating to the maintenance of a sufficiently liquid market for the specific issue. Such securities are also affected by movements in U.S. interest rates.

External Debt. The Fund may invest in external debt, which are often longer maturity (up to 30 years) securities, registered in London or globally, that are generally issued in U.S. dollars, but are increasingly issued in euros and occasionally in yen. External debt is typically issued in bearer form, carry a fixed or floating rate of interest, and amortize principal through a bullet payment with semiannual interest payments in the currency in which the bond was issued.

Supranational Debt Obligations. The Fund may invest in debt issued by supranational entities. Supranational entities are entities constituted by the national governments of several countries to promote economic development, such as the World Bank, the IMF, the European Investment Bank and the Asian Development Bank. Obligations of these entities are supported by appropriated but unpaid commitments of their member countries, and there can be no assurances that these commitments will be undertaken or met in the future.

Companies. The Fund is permitted to invest in publicly-traded notes and debentures or bills of exchange issued or guaranteed as to the payment of principal and interest by companies domiciled in a developed market, an investment grade developing or emerging market or a sub-investment grade developing or emerging market.

U.S. Securities

Government. The Fund is permitted to invest in U.S. government securities, including obligations issued or guaranteed by U.S. government agencies or instrumentalities, some of which are backed by the full faith and credit of the U.S. Treasury (such as direct pass-through certificates of the Government National Mortgage Association), some of which are supported by the right of the issuer to borrow from the U.S. government (such as obligations of Federal Home Loan Banks), and some of which are backed only by the credit of the issuer itself. Government obligations do not generally involve the credit risks associated with other types of interest bearing securities, although, as a result, the yields available from U.S. government obligations are generally lower than the yields available from corporate interest bearing securities. Like other interest bearing securities, however, the value of Government obligations changes as interest rates fluctuate.

Corporations and Banks. The Fund is permitted to invest for defensive and other temporary purposes in U.S. corporate debt instruments rated at the time of investment Aa or better by Moody’s or AA or better by S&P, finance company and corporate commercial paper, and other short-term obligations, in each case rated at the time of investment Prime-2 or better by Moody’s or A-2 or better by S&P. The Fund is also permitted to invest in obligations of U.S.

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Federal or state chartered banks and bank holding companies rated at the time of investment Aa or better by Moody’s or AA or better by S&P (including certificates of deposit, bankers’ acceptances and other short-term obligations).

Bank Loans

The Fund may acquire privately held loans from banks, insurance companies, financial institutions, or other lenders, as well as claims held by trade or other creditors, and may originate these types of loans.  The bank loans in which the Fund invests may be structured and administered by a third party that acts as agent for a group of lenders that make or hold interests in the loan. The Fund may acquire interests in such loans by taking an assignment of all or a portion of a direct interest in a loan previously held by another institution or by acquiring a participation in an interest in a loan that continues to be held by another institution.

Convertible Securities.

Convertible securities include bonds, debentures, notes, preferred stocks and other securities that entitle the holder to acquire common stock or other equity securities of the same or a different issuer. Convertible securities have general characteristics similar to both debt and equity securities. A convertible security generally entitles the holder to receive interest or preferred dividends paid or accrued until the convertible security matures or is redeemed, converted or exchanged. Before conversion, convertible securities have characteristics similar to non-convertible debt obligations. Convertible securities rank senior to common stock in a corporation’s capital structure and, therefore, generally entail less risk than the corporation’s common stock, although the extent to which such risk is reduced depends in large measure upon the degree to which the convertible security sells above its value as a debt obligation. A convertible security may be subject to redemption at the option of the issuer at a predetermined price. If a convertible security held by the Fund is called for redemption, the Fund would be required to permit the issuer to redeem the security and convert it to underlying common stock, or would sell the convertible security to a third party, which may have an adverse effect on the Fund’s ability to achieve its investment objective. The price of a convertible security often reflects variations in the price of the underlying common stock in a way that non-convertible debt may not. The value of a convertible security is a function of (i) its yield in comparison to the yields of other securities of comparable maturity and quality that do not have a conversion privilege and (ii) its worth if converted into the underlying common stock.

Asset-Backed Securities

Asset-backed securities are a form of structured debt obligation. Asset-backed securities are payment claims that are securitized in the form of negotiable paper that is issued by a financing company (generally called a special purpose vehicle). Collateral assets brought into a pool according to specific diversification rules. A special purpose vehicle is founded for the purpose of securitizing these payment claims and the assets of the special purpose vehicle are the diversified pool of collateral assets. The special purpose vehicle issues marketable securities which are intended to represent a lower level or risk than an underlying collateral asset individually, due to the diversification in the pool. The redemption of the securities issued by the special purpose vehicle takes place out of the cash flow generated by the collected assets. A special purpose vehicle may issue multiple securities with different priorities to the cash flows generated and the collateral assets. The collateral for asset-backed securities may include home equity loans, automobile and credit card receivables, boat loans, computer leases, airplane leases, mobile home loans, recreational vehicle loans and hospital account receivables. The Fund may invest in these and other types of asset-backed securities that may be developed in the future. There is the possibility that recoveries on the underlying collateral may not, in some cases, be available to support payments on these securities.

Derivatives

With respect to all of its portfolio the Fund will invest in derivatives for two main purposes: (1) to modify interest rate risk, modify credit risk and adjust currency risk within the portfolio, and (2) to enable the Fund to replicate or substitute for a particular security in order to gain access to a particular foreign market or security, where either the physical security is judged by the Advisers to be too expensive, or the Advisers believe there is an insufficient supply of the particular security or no security fitting the precise needs of the Fund exists. The types of derivatives which may be used include, but are not limited to, futures, options, forwards, forwards that can only be settled in U.S. dollars, swaps, and securities with structured cash flows, whether traded on an exchange or over-the-counter, that

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have as their underlying security reference to a fixed income security or currency. In general, derivatives will not be utilized to leverage the Fund; however, the Board has authorized the use of reverse repurchase agreements as a form of leverage.

Investment in fixed income securities may at certain times be more efficiently achieved using derivative securities to replicate physical securities. These types of derivatives carry identical market price risks to the equivalent physical securities but provide a number of transactional benefits. For example, by using derivatives, the Fund may be able to implement investment decisions at lower costs, increase the after-tax yield, obtain prices that are not available in the underlying cash market, or settle in U.S. dollars. In less developed markets, liquidity and credit quality can be enhanced and transaction costs reduced by using derivatives rather than the underlying securities. In certain circumstances, due to lack of available direct investment opportunity or government regulations, the only means of gaining exposure to particular countries is through derivatives.

The derivatives used for adjusting currency exposures or replicating underlying securities are usually over-the-counter (“OTC”) securities. OTC securities carry credit risk associated with the counterparty institution. See “Risk Factors and Special Considerations—Use of Derivatives.” To manage this risk, the Fund will only use counterparty institutions rated A- or better by a recognized international rating agency. Only up to 10% of total assets may be put at risk in derivatives transactions with any single counterparty (aggregate interest rate, credit and currency derivatives exposure). A maximum of 20% of total assets may be at risk in currency-linked notes.

The types of derivatives used by the Fund and the techniques employed may change over time as new derivatives and strategies are developed or regulatory changes occur. The Fund will not use derivatives where it would contravene the guidelines set by the lending banks for the Fund’s bank loan.

Derivatives may be used to hedge the interest rate risk associated with the Fund’s outstanding leverage. The Fund may use interest rate swaps to hedge the Fund’s liability with respect to its bank loan. At present, the Fund has been authorized by its Board of Directors to hedge up to 100% of the Fund’s liability with respect to its bank loan. See “Portfolio Securities—Derivative Securities—Swaps” and “Risk Factors and Special Considerations—Use of Derivatives.” The following guidelines apply with respect to the Fund’s derivative instruments:

(a)                      The Fund will only use counterparty institutions rated A — or better by recognized international rating agencies, except with respect to Korean futures. In Korea, brokerage houses with Korean futures exchanges require deposits into margin accounts, and in many cases, these accounts are with unrated entities.

(b)                     A maximum of 7.5% of the Fund’s total assets may be invested in a derivative transaction with any single counterparty.

(c)                      A maximum of 20% of the Fund’s total assets may have exposure to currency linked notes.

(d)                     A maximum of 10% of the Fund’s total assets may be at risk to any single counterparty (aggregate interest rate, currency and credit derivatives).

(e)                      Exchange-traded derivatives may only be traded on regulated derivative exchanges and a maximum of 35% of the Fund’s total assets may have exposure to exchange-traded derivatives.

(f)                        The Fund’s maximum gross exposure (long plus short positions) to derivatives traded on the Sydney Futures Exchange is 20% of its total assets and the maximum net exposure (long positions minus short positions) to derivatives traded on the Sydney Futures Exchange is 15% of the Fund’s total assets.

(g)                     A maximum of 20% of the Fund’s total assets may have exposure to derivatives traded on the Chicago Board of Trade.

(h)                     A maximum of 7% of the Fund’s total assets may have exposure to derivatives traded on any one Asian Futures Exchanges.

Forward Currency Contracts. The Fund may enter into forward currency contracts. A forward currency contract involves an obligation to purchase or sell a specific currency at a future date, which may be any fixed number of days

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from the date of the contract agreed upon by the parties, at a price set at the time of the contract.

The cost to the Fund of engaging in forward currency contracts will vary with factors such as the length of the contract period and the market conditions then prevailing. Because forward currency contracts are usually conducted on a principal basis, no fees or commissions are involved, although the price charged in the transaction includes a dealer’s markup. The use of forward currency contracts in this manner is intended to fix a rate of exchange that can be achieved at a certain time in the future.

Foreign Currency Options. The Fund may purchase and write options on foreign currencies for hedging and non-hedging purposes to achieve objectives similar to those achieved utilizing foreign currency futures or forward contracts. The potential benefit to the Fund derived from purchases of foreign currency options will be reduced by the amount of the premium and related transaction costs. In addition, where currency exchange rates do not move in the expected direction, the Fund could sustain losses on transactions in foreign currency options. Where currency exchange rates move in the expected direction, but not to the extent anticipated, the Fund could still sustain losses on transactions in foreign currency options.

Futures Contracts. The Fund may enter into futures contracts in U.S. domestic markets or on exchanges located outside the United States for both hedging and non-hedging purposes. Foreign markets may offer advantages such as trading opportunities or arbitrage possibilities not available in the United States. Foreign markets, however, may have greater risk potential than domestic markets. For example, some foreign exchanges are principal markets so that no common clearing facility exists and an investor may look only to the broker for performance of the contract. In addition, any profits the Fund might realize in trading could be eliminated by adverse changes in the exchange rate, or the Fund could incur losses as a result of those changes. Transactions on foreign exchanges may include both underlying assets which are traded on U.S. commodities exchanges and those which are not. Unlike trading on U.S. exchanges, trading on foreign commodities exchanges is not regulated by the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (“CFTC”).

Engaging in these transactions involves risk of loss to the Fund which could adversely affect the value of the Fund’s net assets. No assurance can be given that a liquid market will exist for any particular futures contract at any particular time. Many futures exchanges and boards of trade limit the amount of fluctuation permitted in futures contract prices during a single trading day. Once the daily limit has been reached in a particular contract, no trades may be made that day at a price beyond that limit or trading may be suspended for specified periods during the trading day. Futures contract prices could move to the limit for several consecutive trading days with little or no trading, thereby preventing prompt liquidation of futures positions and potentially subjecting the Fund to substantial losses.

Successful use of futures by the Fund also is subject to the Advisers’ ability to predict correctly movements in the direction of the relevant market, and, to the extent the transaction is entered into for hedging purposes, to ascertain the appropriate correlation between the transaction being hedged and the price movements of the futures contract.

The Fund also may purchase and write options to buy or sell those futures contracts in which it may invest. Such investment strategies will be used for hedging purposes and for non-hedging purposes, subject to applicable law. An option on a futures contract provides the holder with the right to enter into a “long” position in the underlying futures contract, in the case of a call option, or a “short” position in the underlying futures contract, in the case of a put option, at a fixed exercise price up to a stated expiration date or, in the case of certain options, on such date. Upon exercise of the option by the holder, the contract market clearinghouse establishes a corresponding short position for the writer of the option, in the case of a call option, or a corresponding long position in the case of a put option. In the event that an option is exercised, the parties will be subject to all the risks associated with the trading of futures contracts, such as payment of initial and variation margin deposits. In addition, the writer of an option on a futures contract, unlike the holder, is subject to initial and variation margin requirements on the option position.

A position in an option on a futures contract may be terminated by the purchaser or seller prior to expiration by effecting an offsetting purchase or sale transaction, subject to the continued availability of a liquid secondary market, which is the purchase or sale of an option of the same type (i.e., the same exercise price and expiration date) as the option previously purchased or sold. The difference between the premiums paid and received represents the Fund’s profit or loss on the transaction. Options on futures contracts that are written or purchased by the Fund on U.S.

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exchanges are traded on the same contract market as the underlying futures contract, and, like futures contracts, are subject to regulation by the CFTC and the performance guarantee of the exchange clearinghouse.

Regulatory changes could adversely affect the Fund by limiting its trading activities in futures and other derivatives and by increasing Fund expenses. The CFTC adopted a rule limiting the Fund’s ability to use futures in reliance on certain CFTC registration exemptions. The amended CFTC exemption limits the Fund’s use of futures to (i) bona fide hedging transactions, as defined by the CFTC, and (ii) speculative transactions, provided that the speculative positions do not exceed 5% of the liquidation value of the Fund. If the Fund could not satisfy the requirements for the amended exemption, the disclosure and operations of the Fund would need to comply with all applicable regulations governing commodity pools. The recently adopted CFTC rule is expected to become effective in 2013.  Other potentially adverse regulatory initiatives could develop.

Swaps. The Fund may enter into interest rate swaps, currency swaps, credit default swaps and other types of available swap agreements, including swaps on securities, financial assets and indices, and related types of derivatives, such as caps, collars and floors. A swap is an agreement between two parties pursuant to which each party agrees to make one or more payments to the other on regularly scheduled dates over a stated term, based on different interest rates, currency exchange rates, security or financial asset prices, the prices or rates of other types of financial instruments or assets or the levels of specified indices. Under a typical swap, one party may agree to pay a fixed rate or a floating rate determined by reference to a specified instrument, rate or index, multiplied in each case by a specified amount (the “notional amount”), while the other party agrees to pay an amount equal to a different floating rate multiplied by the same notional amount. On each payment date, the obligations of parties are netted, with only the net amount paid by one party to the other. All swap agreements entered into by the Fund with the same counterparty are generally governed by a single master agreement, which provides for the netting of all amounts owed by the parties under the agreement upon the occurrence of an event of default, thereby reducing the credit risk to which such party is exposed.

Swap agreements are typically individually negotiated and structured to provide exposure to a variety of different types of investments or market factors. Swap agreements may be entered into for hedging or non-hedging purposes and, therefore, may increase or decrease the Fund’s exposure to the underlying instrument, rate, asset or index. Swap agreements can take many different forms and are known by a variety of names. The Fund is not limited to any particular form or variety of swap agreement if the Advisers determine it is consistent with the Fund’s investment objectives and policies.

Private Placements

Certain debt securities purchased by the Fund may have been placed privately. These securities are somewhat less liquid than securities which are widely traded by the public and there may be contractual restrictions on their resale to the public. Therefore, although these securities may be resold in privately negotiated transactions, the prices realized from such sales may be less than what might have been realized on a more active public trading market.

Other Investment Companies

Subject to the limitations set forth in Section 12(d) of the 1940 Act, the Fund may invest in securities issued by other investment companies that invest primarily in fixed-income securities. As a shareholder of another investment company, the Fund will bear its pro rata portion of the other investment company’s expenses, including advisory fees. These expenses would be in addition to the expenses, including advisory fees, that the Fund bears in connection with its own operations.

Repurchase and Securities Lending Agreements

The Fund is permitted to invest in repurchase agreements with banks and broker-dealers. A repurchase agreement is a contract under which the Fund acquires a security for a relatively short period (usually no more than one week) subject to the obligations of the seller to repurchase and the Fund to resell such security at a fixed time and price (representing the Fund’s cost plus interest). The Investment Manager monitors the value of such securities daily to determine that the value equals or exceeds the repurchase price. Under the 1940 Act, repurchase agreements are

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considered to be loans made by the Fund which are collateralized by the securities subject to repurchase. Repurchase agreements may involve risks in the event of default or insolvency of the seller, including possible delays or restrictions upon the Fund’s ability to dispose of the underlying securities. The Fund will enter into repurchase agreements only with parties who meet creditworthiness standards approved by the Board of Directors, i.e., banks or broker-dealers which have been determined by the Investment Manager to present no serious risk of becoming involved in bankruptcy proceedings within the time frame contemplated by the repurchase transaction.

The Fund may also lend to banks and broker-dealers portfolio securities with an aggregate market value of up to one-third of its total assets when it deems advisable. Any such loans must be secured by collateral (consisting of any combination of cash, U.S. Government securities, irrevocable letters of credit or other high-quality debt securities) in an amount at least equal (on a daily marked-to-market basis) to the current market value of the securities loaned. The Fund may terminate the loans at any time and obtain the return of the securities. The Fund will continue to receive any interest or dividends paid on the loaned securities and will continue to have voting rights with respect to the securities. In connection with the lending of its portfolio securities, the Fund is exposed to the risk of delay in recovery of the securities loaned or possible loss of right in the collateral should the borrower become insolvent.

Issuers of irrevocable letters of credit used as collateral for securities lending agreements must meet the same or similar creditworthiness standards approved by the Board of Directors as banks or broker-dealers.

Firm Commitment Agreements and When-Issued Securities

The Fund may purchase debt securities on a firm commitment or when-issued basis. New issues of certain debt securities are often offered on a when-issued basis; that is, the payment obligation and the interest rate are fixed at the time the buyer enters into the commitment, but delivery and payment for the securities normally take place after the date of the commitment to purchase. Firm commitment agreements call for the purchase of securities at an agreed-upon price on a specified future date. The transactions are entered into in order to secure what is considered to be an advantageous price and yield to the Fund and not for purposes of leveraging the Fund’s assets. The Fund will not earn any income on these securities prior to delivery. The value of when-issued securities and firm commitment agreements may vary prior to and after delivery depending on market conditions and changes in interest rate levels. There is a risk that a party with whom the Fund has entered into such transactions will not perform its commitment, which could result in a gain or loss to the Fund. The Fund will maintain in a segregated account with its custodian cash or high-quality debt securities equal (on a daily marked-to-market basis) to the amount of its commitment to purchase the securities on a when-issued or firm commitment basis.

INVESTMENT RESTRICTIONS

The following restrictions are fundamental, which means these restrictions cannot be changed without the approval of the holders of a majority of the Fund’s outstanding voting securities. A majority of the Fund’s outstanding voting securities means the lesser of (i) 67% or more of the shares represented at a meeting at which more than 50% of the outstanding shares are represented or (ii) more than 50% of the outstanding shares. In the event that the Fund issues preferred shares, changes in investment restrictions would also require approval by a majority of the outstanding preferred shares, voting as a separate class. If a percentage restriction on investment or use of assets set forth below is adhered to at the time a transaction is effected, later changes in a percentage resulting from changing values will not be considered a violation.

The Fund will not:

(1)          issue senior securities, except (a) insofar as the Fund may be deemed to have issued a senior security in connection with any repurchase or securities lending agreement or any borrowing agreement permitted by these investment restrictions and (b) that the Fund may issue one or more series of its preferred stock, if permitted by its Articles of Incorporation, including Articles of Amendment and Articles Supplementary thereto;

(2)          borrow money, except as permitted under, or to the extent not prohibited by, the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, and as interpreted or modified by regulatory authority having jurisdiction, from time to

36

time;

(3)          engage in the business of underwriting securities issued by others, except to the extent that the Fund may be deemed to be an underwriter in connection with the disposition of portfolio securities;

(4)          purchase or sell real estate, which term does not include securities of companies that deal in real estate or mortgages or investments secured by real estate or interests therein, except that the Fund reserves freedom of action to hold and to sell real estate acquired as a result of the Fund’s ownership of securities;

(5)          purchase physical commodities or contracts relating to physical commodities;

(6)          make loans to other persons, except as permitted under, or to the extent not prohibited by, the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, and as interpreted or modified by regulatory authority having jurisdiction, from time to time;

(7)          concentrate its investments in a particular industry or group of industries, as those terms are used in the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended or modified by regulatory authority having jurisdiction from time to time, except that at any time the Fund has invested more than 25% of its total assets in securities of issuers of a particular country, the Fund may invest more than 25% of its assets, and up to the amount of its total assets invested in securities of issuers of that country, in securities issued or guaranteed, as to payment of principal and interest, by the government (including governmental subdivisions) or governmental entities or instrumentalities of that country.

For purposes of Restriction 7, above, “securities of issuers of a particular country” shall include: (a) securities of issuers located in that country; (b) securities that are denominated in, or linked to, the currency of that country, including securities of supranational issuers and derivative securities that replicate, or substitute for, the currency of that country; (c) securities of issuers that derive at least 50% of their revenues from that country or have at least 50% of their assets located in that country; (d) securities issued by a parent or subsidiary of, and guaranteed by, an entity located in that country; (e) securities issued by the government (including governmental subdivisions) or governmental entities or instrumentalities of that country; and (f) repurchase agreements with respect to any of the foregoing securities.

USE OF LEVERAGE

As provided in the 1940 Act and subject to certain exceptions, the Fund may issue debt with the condition that immediately after issuance the value of its total assets, less certain ordinary course liabilities, exceeds 300% of the amount of the debt outstanding.

Thus, as noted above, the Fund may use leverage in the form of borrowings in an amount up to 33 1/3% of the Fund’s total assets (including the proceeds of such leverage). The Fund seeks a leverage ratio, based on a variety of factors including market conditions and the Advisers’ market outlook, where the rate of return, net of applicable Fund expenses, on the Fund’s investment portfolio investments purchased with leverage exceeds the costs associated with such leverage.

At April 30, 2012, the Fund had loans outstanding under the Credit Agreement of $600,000,000. At April 30, 2012, the Fund had borrowings under the Credit Agreement as follows:

The Fund’s borrowings under its credit facility at April 30, 2012 of $600 million, equals approximately 23% of the Fund’s total assets (including the proceeds of such leverage). The Fund’s asset coverage ratio as of April 30, 2012 was 428%. See “Risks and Special Considerations—Leverage Risk” for a brief description of the Credit Agreement.

Assuming the utilization of leverage in the amount of 25% of the Fund’s total assets and an annual interest rate of 1.15% payable on such leverage based on market rates as of the date of this prospectus, the additional income that

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the Fund must earn (net of expenses) in order to cover such leverage is approximately $7,389,346. Actual costs of leverage may be higher or lower than that assumed in the previous example.

Following the completion of an offering, the Fund may increase the amount of leverage outstanding. The Fund may engage in additional borrowings in order to maintain the Fund’s desired leverage ratio. Leverage creates a greater risk of loss, as well as a potential for more gain, for the common stock than if leverage were not used. Interest on borrowings may be at a fixed or floating rate, and the interest at a floating rate generally will be based on short-term rates. The costs associated with the Fund’s use of leverage, including the issuance of such leverage and the payment of dividends or interest on such leverage, will be borne entirely by the holders of common stock. As long as the rate of return, net of applicable Fund expenses, on the Fund’s investment portfolio investments purchased with leverage exceeds the costs associated with such leverage, the Fund will generate more return or income than will be needed to pay such costs. In this event, the excess will be available to pay higher dividends to holders of common stock. Conversely, if the Fund’s return on such assets is less than the cost of leverage and other Fund expenses, the return to the holders of the common stock will diminish. To the extent that the Fund uses leverage, the net asset value and market price of the common stock and the yield to holders of common stock will be more volatile. The Fund’s leveraging strategy may not be successful. See “Risks and Special Considerations—Leverage Risk.”

The following table is designed to illustrate the effect on the return to a holder of the Fund’s common stock of leverage in the amount of approximately 23% of the Fund’s total assets, assuming hypothetical annual returns of the Fund’s investment portfolio of minus 10% to plus 10%. As the table shows, leverage generally increases the return to holders of common stock when portfolio return is positive and greater than the cost of leverage and decreases the return when the portfolio return is negative or less than the cost of leverage. The figures appearing in the table are hypothetical and actual returns may be greater or less than those appearing in the table.

RISKS AND SPECIAL CONSIDERATIONS

An investment in the Fund involves certain risks and considerations, including risks and considerations not typically associated with funds that invest only in U.S. securities. These risks and considerations are described below.

General

The Fund is a non-diversified, closed-end investment company designed primarily as a long-term investment and not as a trading tool. The Fund invests generally in a portfolio of fixed income securities. An investment in the Fund’s common stock may be speculative and involves a high degree of risk. The Fund should not be considered a complete investment program. Due to the uncertainty in all investments, there can be no assurance that the Fund will achieve its investment objectives.

Investment and Market Risk

An investment in Shares is subject to investment risk, including the possible loss of the entire principal amount that you invest. Your investment in Shares represents an indirect investment in the securities owned by the Fund. The value of these securities, like other market investments, may move up or down, sometimes rapidly and unpredictably, and these fluctuations are likely to have a greater impact on the value of the Shares during periods in which the Fund utilizes a leveraged capital structure. If the current global economic downturn continues into a prolonged recession or deteriorates further, the ability of issuers of the corporate fixed-income securities and other securities in which the Fund invests to service their obligations could be materially and adversely affected. The value of the securities in which the Fund invests will affect the value of the Shares. Your Shares at any point in time may be worth less than your original investment, even after taking into account the reinvestment of Fund dividends and distributions.

Asian-Pacific Region Risk

Parts of the Asian-Pacific region may be subject to a greater degree of economic, political and social instability

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than is the case in the United States and Europe. Some Asian-Pacific countries can be characterized as emerging markets or newly industrialized and may experience more volatile economic cycles than developed countries. The developing nature of securities markets in many countries in the Asian-Pacific region may lead to a lack of liquidity while some countries have restricted the flow of money in and out of the country. Some countries in Asia-Pacific have historically experienced political uncertainty, corruption, military intervention and social unrest.

Additionally, the Fund may be more volatile than a fund which is broadly diversified geographically. Focusing on a single geographical region involves increased currency, political, regulatory and other risks. Market swings in the targeted geographical region (Asia-Pacific) likely will have a greater effect on portfolio performance than they would in a more geographically diversified fixed income fund.

Asian Risk. Since the Fund invests a significant portion of its assets in Asian securities, it is subject to general economic and political conditions in Asia. The Fund may be more volatile than a fund which is broadly diversified geographically. Additional factors relating to Asia that an investor in the Fund should consider include the following:

Political, Social and Economic Factors. The Asian region may be subject to a greater degree of economic, political and social instability than is the case in the United States and Europe. Such instability may result from, among other things, the following: (i) authoritarian governments or military involvement in political and economic decision-making, including changes in government through extra-constitutional means; (ii) popular unrest associated with demands for improved political, economic and social conditions; (iii) internal insurgencies; (iv) hostile relations with neighboring countries; and (v) ethnic, religious and racial disaffection. Such social, political and economic instability could significantly disrupt the principal financial markets in which the Fund invests and adversely affect the value of the Fund’s assets. Some governments in the Asian region are authoritarian in nature and influenced by security forces. For example, during the course of the last twenty-five years, certain governments in the region have been installed or removed as a result of military coups while others have periodically demonstrated their repressive police state nature. Disparities of wealth, among other factors, have also led to social unrest in some Asian countries accompanied, in certain cases, by violence and labor unrest. Ethnic, religious and racial disaffection, as evidenced in India, Pakistan and Sri Lanka, have created social, economic and political problems.

Several Asian countries have or in the past have had hostile relationships with neighboring nations or have experienced internal insurgency. For example, Thailand experienced border battles with Laos and India is engaged in border disputes with several of its neighbors, including China and Pakistan. An uneasy truce exists between North Korea and South Korea and the two countries technically remain in a state of war. In addition, North Korea’s nuclear weapons program has caused an increased level of risk of military conflict in the area.

Most of the economies of Asia are heavily dependent upon international trade and are accordingly affected by protective trade barriers and the economic conditions of their trading partners, principally, the United States, Japan, China and the European Union. The enactment by the United States or other principal trading partners of protectionist trade legislation, reduction of foreign investment in local economies and general declines in the international securities markets could have a significant adverse effect upon the securities markets of Asia. In addition, some of the economies of Asia, Indonesia and Malaysia, for example, are vulnerable to weakness in world prices for their commodity exports, including crude oil. There may be the possibility of expropriations, confiscatory taxation, political, economic or social instability or diplomatic developments which would adversely affect assets of the Fund held in foreign countries. Governments in certain Asian countries participate to a significant degree, through ownership interests or regulation, in their respective economies. Action by these governments could have a significant adverse effect on market prices of the Fund’s securities and its share price.

Market Characteristics. Most of the securities markets of Asia have substantially less volume than the NYSE, and equity securities of most companies in Asia are less liquid and more volatile than equity securities of U.S. companies of comparable size. Some of the stock exchanges in Asia, such as those in China, are in the early stages of their development. Many companies traded on securities markets in Asia are smaller, newer and less seasoned than companies whose securities are traded on securities markets in the United States. In some Asian countries, there is no established secondary market for securities. Therefore, liquidity in these countries is generally low and transaction costs high. Reduced liquidity often creates higher volatility, as well as difficulties in obtaining accurate market quotations for financial reporting purposes and for calculating net asset values, and sometimes also an inability to buy and sell

39

securities. Market quotations on many securities may only be available from a limited number of dealers and may not necessarily represent firm bids from those dealers or prices for actual sales.

Additionally, market making and arbitrage activities are generally less extensive in such markets, which may contribute to increased volatility and reduced liquidity of such markets. Investments in smaller companies involve greater risk than is customarily associated with investing in larger companies. Smaller companies may have limited product lines, markets or financial or managerial resources and may be more susceptible to losses and risks of bankruptcy.  Accordingly, each of these markets may be subject to greater influence by adverse events generally affecting the market, and by large investors trading significant blocks of securities, than is usual in the U.S. To the extent that any of the Asian countries experiences rapid increases in its money supply and investment in equity securities for speculative purposes, the equity securities traded in any such country may trade at price-earning multiples higher than those of comparable companies trading on securities markets in the United States, which may not be sustainable.

Brokerage commissions and other transaction costs on securities exchanges in Asia are generally higher than in the U.S. Settlement procedures in certain Asian countries are less developed and reliable than those in the U.S. and in other developed markets, and the Fund may experience settlement delays or other material difficulties. Securities trading in certain Asian securities markets may be subject to risks due to a lack of experience of securities brokers, a lack of modern technology and a possible lack of sufficient capital to expand market operations. The foregoing factors could impede the ability of the Fund to effect portfolio transactions on a timely basis and could have an adverse effect on the net asset value of shares of the Fund.

There is also less government supervision and regulation of foreign securities exchanges, brokers, and listed companies in the Asian countries than exists in the United States.

In addition, existing laws and regulations are often inconsistently applied. As legal systems in Asian countries develop, foreign investors may be adversely affected by new laws and regulations, changes to existing laws and regulations and preemption of local laws and regulations by national laws. In circumstances where adequate laws exist, it may not be possible to obtain swift and equitable enforcement of the law. Less information will, therefore, be available to the Fund than in respect of investments in the U.S. Further, in certain Asian countries, less information may be available to a Fund than to local market participants. Brokers in Asian countries may not be as well capitalized as those in the U.S., so that they are more susceptible to financial failure in times of market, political, or economic stress.  In addition, accounting and auditing standards applied in certain Asian countries frequently do not conform with the generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”) used in the United States. The use of some accounting policies, such as the constant purchasing power method, can cause distortion in some cases. Also, substantially less financial information is generally publicly available about issuers in Asian countries and, where available, may not be independently verifiable.

Energy. Asia has historically depended on oil for most of its energy requirements. Almost all of its oil is imported. In the past, oil prices have had a major impact on Asian economies. In addition, a restructuring of industry, with emphasis shifting from basic industries to processing and assembly-type industries, has contributed to the reduction of oil consumption. However, there is no guarantee that this favorable trend will continue.