MORGAN STANLEY DEAN WITTER EUROPEAN GROWTH FUND INC
485APOS, 1998-10-09
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<PAGE>
    AS FILED WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION ON OCTOBER 9, 1998
 
                                                            FILE NOS.:  33-33530
                                                                        811-6044
 
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                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
 
                             WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
                                ----------------
 
                                   FORM N-1A
                             REGISTRATION STATEMENT
                       UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933                      /X/
                       POST-EFFECTIVE AMENDMENT NO. 10                       /X/
                                     AND/OR
              REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE INVESTMENT COMPANY
                                  ACT OF 1940                                /X/
                               AMENDMENT NO. 11                              /X/
                               ------------------
 
                           MORGAN STANLEY DEAN WITTER
                           EUROPEAN GROWTH FUND INC.
             (FORMERLY NAMED DEAN WITTER EUROPEAN GROWTH FUND INC.)
                            (A MARYLAND CORPORATION)
               (EXACT NAME OF REGISTRANT AS SPECIFIED IN CHARTER)
 
                             TWO WORLD TRADE CENTER
                            NEW YORK, NEW YORK 10048
                    (ADDRESS OF PRINCIPAL EXECUTIVE OFFICE)
 
       REGISTRANT'S TELEPHONE NUMBER, INCLUDING AREA CODE: (212) 392-1600
 
                                BARRY FINK, ESQ.
                             TWO WORLD TRADE CENTER
                            NEW YORK, NEW YORK 10048
                    (NAME AND ADDRESS OF AGENT FOR SERVICE)
 
                            ------------------------
 
                                    COPY TO:
                            DAVID M. BUTOWSKY, ESQ.
                             GORDON ALTMAN BUTOWSKY
                             WEITZEN SHALOV & WEIN
                              114 WEST 47TH STREET
                            NEW YORK, NEW YORK 10036
                                ----------------
 
                 APPROXIMATE DATE OF PROPOSED PUBLIC OFFERING:
 As soon as practicable after this Post-Effective Amendment becomes effective.
 
 IT IS PROPOSED THAT THIS FILING WILL BECOME EFFECTIVE (CHECK APPROPRIATE BOX)
        ___ immediately upon filing pursuant to paragraph (b)
        ___ on (date) pursuant to paragraph (b)
        _X_ 60 days after filing pursuant to paragraph (a)
        ___ on (date) pursuant to paragraph (a) of rule 485.
 
                            AMENDING THE PROSPECTUS
 
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<PAGE>
              MORGAN STANLEY DEAN WITTER EUROPEAN GROWTH FUND INC.
                             CROSS-REFERENCE SHEET
                                   FORM N-1A
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
ITEM                                                                         CAPTION
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<S>                                            <C>
PART A                                                                     PROSPECTUS
 1.  ........................................  Cover Page
 2.  ........................................  Prospectus Summary
 3.  ........................................  Financial Highlights
 4.  ........................................  Prospectus Summary; Investment Objective and Policies; Risk
                                                Considerations; The Fund and its Management, Cover Page;
                                                Investment Restrictions
 5.  ........................................  The Fund and Its Management; Back Cover; Investment Objective and
                                                Policies
 6.  ........................................  Dividends, Distributions and Taxes; Additional Information
 7.  ........................................  Purchase of Fund Shares; Shareholder Services; Prospectus Summary
 8.  ........................................  Purchase of Fund Shares; Redemptions and Repurchases; Shareholder
                                                Services
 9.  ........................................  Not Applicable
 
PART B                                                         STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
10.  ........................................  Cover Page
11.  ........................................  Table of Contents
12.  ........................................  The Fund and Its Management
13.  ........................................  Investment Practices and Policies; Investment Restrictions;
                                                Portfolio Transactions and Brokerage
14.  ........................................  The Fund and Its Management; Directors and Officers
15.  ........................................  The Fund and Its Management; Directors and Officers
16.  ........................................  The Fund and Its Management; The Distributor; Shareholder Services;
                                                Custodian and Transfer Agent; Independent Accountants
17.  ........................................  Portfolio Transactions and Brokerage
18.  ........................................  Description of Shares of the Fund
19.  ........................................  The Distributor; Purchase of Fund Shares; Redemptions and
                                                Repurchases; Financial Statements; Shareholder Services
20.  ........................................  Dividends, Distributions and Taxes; Financial Statements
21.  ........................................  Not applicable
22.  ........................................  Performance Information
23.  ........................................  Experts; Financial Statements
</TABLE>
 
PART C
    Information required to be included in Part C is set forth under the
appropriate item, so numbered, in Part C of this Registration Statement.
<PAGE>
   
              PROSPECTUS
              DECEMBER   , 1998
    
 
   
              Morgan Stanley Dean Witter European Growth Fund Inc. (the "Fund")
is an open-end, diversified management investment company whose investment
objective is to maximize the capital appreciation of its investments. The Fund
seeks to achieve this objective by investing primarily in securities issued by
issuers located in Europe.
    
 
               The Fund offers four classes of shares (each, a "Class"), each
with a different combination of sales charges, ongoing fees and other features.
The different distribution arrangements permit an investor to choose the method
of purchasing shares that the investor believes is most beneficial given the
amount of the purchase, the length of time the investor expects to hold the
shares and other relevant circumstances. (See "Purchase of Fund
Shares--Alternative Purchase Arrangements.")
 
   
               This Prospectus sets forth concisely the information you should
know before investing in the Fund. It should be read and retained for future
reference. Additional information about the Fund is contained in the Statement
of Additional Information, dated December   , 1998, which has been filed with
the Securities and Exchange Commission, and which is available at no charge upon
request of the Fund at the address or telephone numbers listed on this page. The
Statement of Additional Information is incorporated herein by reference.
    
 
   
     MORGAN STANLEY DEAN WITTER
     DISTRIBUTORS INC.,
      DISTRIBUTOR
    
 
      TABLE OF CONTENTS
 
   
Prospectus Summary/2
Summary of Fund Expenses/4
Financial Highlights/6
The Fund and its Management/7
Investment Objective and Policies/8
  Risk Considerations/9
Investment Restrictions/17
Purchase of Fund Shares/18
Shareholder Services/30
Redemptions and Repurchases/33
Dividends, Distributions and Taxes/35
Performance Information/36
Additional Information/36
    
 
SHARES OF THE FUND ARE NOT DEPOSITS OR OBLIGATIONS OF, OR GUARANTEED OR ENDORSED
BY, ANY BANK, AND THE SHARES ARE NOT FEDERALLY INSURED BY THE FEDERAL DEPOSIT
INSURANCE CORPORATION, THE FEDERAL RESERVE BOARD, OR ANY OTHER AGENCY.
 
THESE SECURITIES HAVE NOT BEEN APPROVED OR DISAPPROVED BY THE SECURITIES AND
EXCHANGE COMMISSION OR ANY STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION NOR HAS THE SECURITIES
AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION OR ANY STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION PASSED UPON THE
ACCURACY OR ADEQUACY OF THIS PROSPECTUS. ANY REPRESENTATION TO THE CONTRARY IS A
CRIMINAL OFFENSE.
 
   
    Morgan Stanley Dean Witter
    European Growth Fund Inc.
    Two World Trade Center
    New York, New York 10048
    (212) 392-2550 or
    (800) 869-NEWS (toll-free)
    
<PAGE>
PROSPECTUS SUMMARY
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<TABLE>
<S>                 <C>
The                 The Fund is an open-end, diversified management investment company investing primarily in securities issued by
Fund                issuers located in Europe.
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Shares Offered      Shares of common stock with $0.01 par value (see page   ). The Fund offers four Classes of shares, each with a
                    different combination of sales charges, ongoing fees and other features (see pages 20-30).
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Minimum             The minimum initial investment for each Class is $1,000 ($100 if the account is opened through EasyInvest-SM-).
Purchase            Class D shares are only available to persons investing $5 million ($25 million for certain qualified plans) or
                    more and to certain other limited categories of investors. For the purpose of meeting the minimum $5 million (or
                    $25 million) investment for Class D shares, and subject to the $1,000 minimum initial investment for each Class
                    of the Fund, an investor's existing holdings of Class A shares and shares of funds for which Morgan Stanley Dean
                    Witter Advisors Inc. serves as investment manager ("Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Funds") that are sold with a
                    front-end sales charge, and concurrent investments in Class D shares of the Fund and other Morgan Stanley Dean
                    Witter Funds that are multiple class funds, will be aggregated. The minimum subsequent investment is $100 (see
                    page   ).
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Investment          The investment objective of the Fund is to maximize the capital appreciation of its investments (see page 10).
Objective
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Investment          Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Advisors Inc., the Investment Manager of the Fund, and its wholly-owned subsidiary,
Manager and         Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Services Company Inc., serve in various investment management, advisory, management
Sub-Advisor         and administrative capacities to 100 investment companies and other portfolios with net assets under management
                    of approximately $   billion at October 31, 1998. Morgan Stanley Asset Management Inc. ("MSAM"), an affiliate of
                    the Investment Manager, has been retained by the Investment Manager as Sub-Advisor to provide investment advice
                    and manage the Fund's portfolio. MSAM conducts a worldwide investment advisory business. As of October 31, 1998,
                    MSAM, together with its institutional investment management affiliates, managed assets of approximately $
                    billion (see page   ).
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Management          The Investment Manager receives a monthly fee from the Fund at the annual rate of 0.95% of daily net assets on
Fee                 assets not exceeding $500 million; 0.90% of the daily net assets exceeding $500 million but not exceeding $2
                    billion; and 0.85% of the daily net assets exceeding $2 billion. The Sub-Advisor receives a monthly fee from the
                    Investment Manager equal to 40% of the Investment Manager's monthly fee (see page   ). Although the management
                    fee is higher than that paid by most other investment companies, the fee reflects the specialized nature of the
                    Fund's investment policies.
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Distributor and     Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Distributors Inc. is the Distributor of the Fund's shares. The Fund has adopted a
Distribution Fee    distribution plan pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the Investment Company Act (the "12b-1 Plan") with respect to the
                    distribution fees paid by the Class A, Class B and Class C shares of the Fund to the Distributor. The entire
                    12b-1 fee payable by Class A and a portion of the 12b-1 fee payable by each of Class B and Class C equal to
                    0.25% of the average daily net assets of the Class are currently each characterized as a service fee within the
                    meaning of the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. guidelines. The remaining portion of the 12b-1
                    fee, if any, is characterized as an asset-based sales charge (see pages   and   ).
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Alternative         Four classes of shares are offered:
Purchase
Arrangements        - Class A shares are offered with a front-end sales charge, starting at 5.25% and reduced for larger purchases.
                    Investments of $1 million or more (and investments by certain other limited categories of investors) are not
                    subject to any sales charge at the time of purchase but a contingent deferred sales charge ("CDSC") of 1.0% may
                    be imposed on redemptions within one year of purchase. The Fund is authorized to reimburse the Distributor for
                    specific expenses incurred in promoting the distribution of the Fund's Class A shares and servicing shareholder
                    accounts pursuant to the Fund's 12b-1 Plan. Reimbursement may in no event exceed an amount equal to payments at
                    an annual rate of 0.25% of average daily net assets of the Class (see pages   ,   and   ).
</TABLE>
    
 
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                                       2
<PAGE>
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<TABLE>
<S>                 <C>
                    - Class B shares are offered without a front-end sales charge, but will in most cases be subject to a CDSC
                    (scaled down from 5.0% to 1.0%) if redeemed within six years after purchase. The CDSC will be imposed on any
                    redemption of shares if after such redemption the aggregate current value of a Class B account with the Fund
                    falls below the aggregate amount of the investor's purchase payments made during the six years preceding the
                    redemption. A different CDSC schedule applies to investments by certain qualified plans. Class B shares are also
                    subject to a 12b-1 fee assessed at the annual rate of 1.0% of the lesser of: (a) the average daily net sales of
                    the Fund's Class B shares or (b) the average daily net assets of Class B. All shares of the Fund held prior to
                    July 28, 1997 have been designated Class B shares. Shares held before May 1, 1997 will convert to Class A shares
                    in May, 2007. In all other instances, Class B shares convert to Class A shares approximately ten years after the
                    date of the original purchase (see pages   ,   and   ).
                    - Class C shares are offered without a front-end sales charge, but will in most cases be subject to a CDSC of
                    1.0% if redeemed within one year after purchase. The Fund is authorized to reimburse the Distributor for
                    specific expenses incurred in promoting the distribution of the Fund's Class C shares and servicing shareholder
                    accounts pursuant to the Fund's 12b-1 Plan. Reimbursement may in no event exceed an amount equal to payments at
                    an annual rate of 1.0% of average daily net assets of the Class (see pages   ,   and   ).
                    - Class D shares are offered only to investors meeting an initial investment minimum of $5 million ($25 million
                    for certain qualified plans) and to certain other limited categories of investors. Class D shares are offered
                    without a front-end sales charge or CDSC and are not subject to any 12b-1 fee (see pages   ,   and   ).
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Dividends and       Dividends from net investment income and distributions from net capital gains, if any, are paid at least once
Capital Gains       each year. The Fund may, however, determine to retain all or part of any net long-term capital gains in any year
Distributions       for reinvestment. Dividends and capital gains distributions paid on shares of a Class are automatically
                    reinvested in additional shares of the same Class at net asset value unless the shareholder elects to receive
                    cash. Shares acquired by dividend and distribution reinvestment will not be subject to any sales charge or CDSC
                    (see pages   and   ).
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Redemption          Shares are redeemable by the shareholder at net asset value less any applicable CDSC on Class A, Class B or
                    Class C shares. An account may be involuntarily redeemed if the total value of the account is less than $100 or,
                    if the account was opened through EasyInvest-SM-, if after twelve months the shareholder has invested less than
                    $1,000 in the account (see page   ).
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Risk                The net asset value of the Fund's shares will fluctuate with changes in the market value of its portfolio
Considerations      securities. It should be recognized that the foreign securities and markets in which the Fund invests pose
                    different and greater risks than those customarily associated with domestic securities and their markets.
                    Furthermore, investors should consider other risks associated with a portfolio of international securities,
                    including fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates (i.e., if a substantial portion of the Fund's assets
                    is denominated in foreign currencies which decrease in value with respect to the U.S. dollar, the value of the
                    investor's shares and the distributions made on those shares will, likewise, decrease in value), foreign
                    securities exchange controls and foreign tax rates, as well as investments in forward currency contracts,
                    options and futures contracts, repurchase agreements, when-issued and delayed delivery securities and forward
                    commitments, when, as and if issued securities and lending of portfolio securities (see pages   -  ). The
                    investor should also note that the Fund intends to invest over 25% of its total assets in securities of issuers
                    located in the United Kingdom.
</TABLE>
    
 
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  THE ABOVE IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY THE DETAILED INFORMATION APPEARING
                ELSEWHERE IN THE PROSPECTUS AND IN THE STATEMENT
                           OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION.
 
                                       3
<PAGE>
SUMMARY OF FUND EXPENSES
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    The following table illustrates all expenses and fees that a shareholder of
the Fund will incur. The expenses and fees set forth in the table are based on
the expenses and fees for the fiscal year ended October 31, 1998.
    
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                  CLASS A     CLASS B     CLASS C     CLASS D
                                                                                  -------     -------     -------     -------
<S>                                                                               <C>         <C>         <C>         <C>
SHAREHOLDER TRANSACTION EXPENSES
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Maximum Sales Charge Imposed on Purchases (as a percentage of offering price)...   5.25%(1)    None        None        None
Sales Charge Imposed on Dividend Reinvestments..................................   None        None        None        None
Maximum Contingent Deferred Sales Charge (as a percentage of original purchase
  price or redemption proceeds).................................................   None(2)     5.00%(3)    1.00%(4)    None
Redemption Fees.................................................................   None        None        None        None
Exchange Fee....................................................................   None        None        None        None
ANNUAL FUND OPERATING EXPENSES (AS A PERCENTAGE OF AVERAGE NET ASSETS)
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Management Fees (5).............................................................       %           %           %           %
12b-1 Fees (6) (7)..............................................................       %           %           %       None
Other Expenses (5)..............................................................       %           %           %           %
Total Fund Operating Expenses...................................................       %           %           %           %
</TABLE>
    
 
- ------------
(1) REDUCED FOR PURCHASES OF $25,000 AND OVER (SEE "PURCHASE OF FUND
    SHARES--INITIAL SALES CHARGE ALTERNATIVE--CLASS A SHARES").
(2) INVESTMENTS THAT ARE NOT SUBJECT TO ANY SALES CHARGE AT THE TIME OF PURCHASE
    ARE SUBJECT TO A CDSC OF 1.00% THAT WILL BE IMPOSED ON REDEMPTIONS MADE
    WITHIN ONE YEAR AFTER PURCHASE, EXCEPT FOR CERTAIN SPECIFIC CIRCUMSTANCES
    (SEE "PURCHASE OF FUND SHARES--INITIAL SALES CHARGE ALTERNATIVE--CLASS A
    SHARES").
(3) THE CDSC IS SCALED DOWN TO 1.00% DURING THE SIXTH YEAR, REACHING ZERO
    THEREAFTER.
(4) ONLY APPLICABLE TO REDEMPTIONS MADE WITHIN ONE YEAR AFTER PURCHASE (SEE
    "PURCHASE OF FUND SHARES--LEVEL LOAD ALTERNATIVE--CLASS C SHARES").
   
(5) MANAGEMENT FEES AND OTHER EXPENSES ARE BASED ON THE FUND'S ACTUAL AGGREGATE
    EXPENSES.
    
   
(6) THE 12b-1 FEE IS ACCRUED DAILY AND PAYABLE MONTHLY. THE ENTIRE 12b-1 FEE
    PAYABLE BY CLASS A AND A PORTION OF THE 12b-1 FEE PAYABLE BY EACH OF CLASS B
    AND CLASS C EQUAL TO 0.25% OF THE AVERAGE DAILY NET ASSETS OF THE CLASS ARE
    CURRENTLY EACH CHARACTERIZED AS A SERVICE FEE WITHIN THE MEANING OF NATIONAL
    ASSOCIATION OF SECURITIES DEALERS, INC. ("NASD") GUIDELINES AND ARE PAYMENTS
    MADE FOR PERSONAL SERVICE AND/OR MAINTENANCE OF SHAREHOLDER ACCOUNTS. THE
    REMAINDER OF THE 12b-1 FEE, IF ANY, IS AN ASSET-BASED SALES CHARGE, AND IS A
    DISTRIBUTION FEE PAID TO THE DISTRIBUTOR TO COMPENSATE IT FOR THE SERVICES
    PROVIDED AND THE EXPENSES BORNE BY THE DISTRIBUTOR AND OTHERS IN THE
    DISTRIBUTION OF THE FUND'S SHARES (SEE "PURCHASE OF FUND SHARES--PLAN OF
    DISTRIBUTION").
    
   
(7) UPON CONVERSION OF CLASS B SHARES TO CLASS A SHARES, SUCH SHARES WILL BE
    SUBJECT TO THE LOWER 12b-1 FEE APPLICABLE TO CLASS A SHARES. NO SALES CHARGE
    IS IMPOSED AT THE TIME OF CONVERSION OF CLASS B SHARES TO CLASS A SHARES.
    CLASS C SHARES DO NOT HAVE A CONVERSION FEATURE AND, THEREFORE, ARE SUBJECT
    TO AN ONGOING 1.00% DISTRIBUTION FEE (SEE "PURCHASE OF FUND
    SHARES--ALTERNATIVE PURCHASE ARRANGEMENTS").
    
 
                                       4
<PAGE>
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<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
EXAMPLES                                      1 Year   3 Years   5 Years   10 Years
- --------------------------------------------  ------   -------   -------   --------
<S>                                           <C>      <C>       <C>       <C>
You would pay the following expenses on a
 $1,000 investment assuming (1) a 5% annual
 return and (2) redemption at the end of
 each time period:
    Class A.................................   $         $        $          $
    Class B.................................   $         $        $          $
    Class C.................................   $         $        $          $
    Class D.................................   $         $        $          $
You would pay the following expenses on the
 same $1,000 investment assuming no
 redemption at the end of the period:
    Class A.................................   $         $        $          $
    Class B.................................   $         $        $          $
    Class C.................................   $         $        $          $
    Class D.................................   $         $        $          $
</TABLE>
    
 
    THE ABOVE EXAMPLES SHOULD NOT BE CONSIDERED A REPRESENTATION OF PAST OR
FUTURE EXPENSES OR PERFORMANCE. ACTUAL EXPENSES OF EACH CLASS MAY BE GREATER OR
LESS THAN THOSE SHOWN.
 
    The purpose of this table is to assist the investor in understanding the
various costs and expenses that an investor in the Fund will bear directly or
indirectly. For a more complete description of these costs and expenses, see
"Purchase of Fund Shares--Plan of Distribution" and "Redemptions and
Repurchases."
 
    Long-term shareholders of Class B and Class C may pay more in sales charges,
including distribution fees, than the economic equivalent of the maximum
front-end sales charges permitted by the NASD.
 
                                       5
<PAGE>
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
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    The following data and ratios for a share of capital stock outstanding
throughout each period have been audited by                            ,
independent accountants. This data should be read in conjunction with the
financial statements, notes thereto, and the unqualified report of independent
accountants which are contained in the Statement of Additional Information.
Further information about the performance of the Fund is contained in the Fund's
Annual Report to Shareholders, which may be obtained without charge upon request
to the Fund.
    
 
                           [TO BE FILED BY AMENDMENT]
 
                                       6
<PAGE>
THE FUND AND ITS MANAGEMENT
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    Morgan Stanley Dean Witter European Growth Fund Inc. (formerly named Dean
Witter European Growth Fund Inc.) (the "Fund") is an open-end, diversified
management investment company incorporated in the state of Maryland on February
13, 1990.
    
 
   
    Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Advisors Inc. ("MSDW Advisors" or the "Investment
Manager"), whose address is Two World Trade Center, New York, New York 10048, is
the Fund's Investment Manager. The Investment Manager is a wholly-owned
subsidiary of Morgan Stanley Dean Witter & Co., a preeminent global financial
services firm that maintains leading market positions in each of its three
primary businesses--securities, asset management and credit services. The
Investment Manager, which was incorporated in July, 1992 under the name Dean
Witter InterCapital Inc., changed its name to Morgan Stanley Dean Witter
Advisors Inc. on June 22, 1998.
    
 
   
    MSDW Advisors and its wholly-owned subsidiary, Morgan Stanley Dean Witter
Services Company Inc. ("MSDW Services"), serve in various investment management,
advisory, management and administrative capacities to 100 investment companies
(the "Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Funds"), 28 of which are listed on the New York
Stock Exchange, with combined assets of approximately $   billion at October 31,
1998. The Investment Manager also manages and advises portfolios of pension
plans, other institutions and individuals which aggregated approximately $
billion at such date.
    
 
   
    The Fund has retained the Investment Manager to provide administrative
services, manage its business affairs and supervise the investment of the Fund's
assets. MSDW Advisors has retained MSDW Services to perform the aforementioned
administrative services for the Fund.
    
 
   
    Under a Sub-Advisory Agreement between Morgan Stanley Asset Management Inc.
("MSAM" or the "Sub-Advisor") and the Investment Manager, the Sub-Advisor
provides the Fund with investment advice and portfolio management relating to
the Fund's investments in securities issued by issuers located in Europe and in
other countries located elsewhere around the world, subject to the overall
supervision of the Investment Manager. The Fund's Directors review the various
services provided by the Investment Manager and the Sub-Advisor to ensure that
the Fund's general investment policies and programs are being properly carried
out and that administrative services are being provided to the Fund in a
satisfactory manner.
    
 
   
    The Sub-Advisor, whose address is 1221 Avenue of the Americas, New York, New
York, together with its institutional investment management affiliates manages,
as of October 31, 1998, assets of approximately $   billion primarily for U.S.
corporate and public employee benefit plans, investment companies, endowments,
foundations and wealthy individuals. MSAM, like MSDW Advisors, is a wholly-owned
subsidiary of Morgan Stanley Dean Witter & Co.
    
 
   
    Prior to [December] 1998, the Fund was sub-advised by another sub-advisor
(the "Former Sub-Advisor"). In May 1998, the Former Sub-Advisor indicated its
intention to resign and on June 2, 1998, the Board of Directors recommended that
a new Sub-Advisory Agreement with MSAM be submitted to shareholders of the Fund
for approval. The shareholders approved the new Sub-Advisory Agreement with MSAM
on August 18, 1998 and the new Sub-Advisory Agreement became effective on
[December 1], 1998.
    
 
   
    At the same time that the Sub-Advisory Agreement took effect, the Investment
Manager and the Fund amended the Investment Management Agreement between the
Investment Manager and the Fund to reduce the fee paid by the Fund to the
Investment Manager as full compensation for the services and facilities
furnished to the Fund and for expenses of the Fund assumed by the Investment
Manager from an annual rate of 1.00% of the portion of the Fund's daily net
assets not exceeding $500 million; 0.95% of the portion of the daily net assets
    
 
                                       7
<PAGE>
   
exceeding $500 million but not exceeding $2 billion; and 0.90% of the portion of
the daily net assets exceeding $2 billion, to the annual rate of 0.95% of the
portion of the Fund's daily net assets not exceeding $500 million; 0.90% of the
portion of daily net assets exceeding $500 million but not exceeding $2 billion;
and 0.85% of the portion of daily net assets exceeding $2 billion. As
compensation for its services provided pursuant to the Sub-Advisory Agreement,
the Investment Manager pays the Sub-Advisor monthly compensation equal to 40% of
its monthly compensation. For the fiscal year ended October 31, 1998 (prior to
the amendment of the Investment Management Agreement and the effectiveness of
the lower fee), the Fund accrued total compensation to the Investment Manager
amounting to    % of the Fund's average daily net assets and the total expenses
of each Class amounted to    %,    %,    %, and    % of the average daily net
assets of Class A, Class B, Class C and Class D, respectively.
    
 
INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE AND POLICIES
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
    The investment objective of the Fund is to maximize the capital appreciation
of its investments. There is no assurance that the objective will be achieved.
This objective is fundamental and may not be changed without shareholder
approval. The following policies may be changed by the Board of Directors
without shareholder approval.
 
    The Fund seeks to achieve its investment objective by investing at least 65%
of its total assets in securities issued by issuers located in countries located
in Europe. Such issuers will include companies (i) which are organized under the
laws of a European country and have a principal office in a European country, or
(ii) which derive 50% or more of their total revenues from business in Europe,
or (iii) the equity securities of which are traded principally on a stock
exchange in Europe.
 
    The principal countries in which such issuers will be located are France;
the United Kingdom; Germany; the Netherlands; Spain; Sweden; Switzerland and
Italy. The Fund currently intends to invest more than 25% of its total assets in
the United Kingdom. As such, the investment performance of the Fund will be
subject to social, political and economic events occurring in the United Kingdom
to a greater extent than those occurring in other European countries.
 
   
    The securities invested in will primarily consist of equity securities
issued by companies based in European countries, but may also include fixed-
income securities issued or guaranteed by European governments (including zero
coupon treasury securities), when it is deemed that such investments are
consistent with the Fund's investment objective. For example, there may be times
when the Sub-Advisor determines that the prices of government securities are
more likely to appreciate than those of equity securities. Such an occasion
might arise when inflation concerns have led to general increases in interest
rates. Such fixed-income securities which will be purchased by the Fund are
likely to be obligations of the treasuries of one of the major European nations.
In addition, the Fund may invest in fixed-income securities which are, either
alone or in combination with a warrant, option or other right, convertible into
the common stock of a European issuer, when the Investment Manager or the
Sub-Advisor determines that such securities are more likely to appreciate in
value than the common stock of such issuers or when the Investment Manager or
Sub-Advisor wishes to hedge the risk inherent in the direct purchase of the
equity of a given issuer. The Fund will select convertible securities of issuers
whose common stock has, in the opinion of the Investment Manager or Sub-Advisor,
a superior investment potential. The Fund may also purchase equity and
fixed-income securities which are issued in private placements and warrants or
other securities conveying the right to purchase common stock.
    
 
    The remainder of the Fund's portfolio equalling, at times, up to 35% of the
Fund's total assets, may
 
                                       8
<PAGE>
be invested in equity and/or government and convertible securities issued by
issuers located anywhere in the world, including the United States, subject to
the Fund's investment objective. In addition, this portion of the Fund's
portfolio will consist of various other financial instruments such as forward
foreign exchange contracts, futures contracts and options (see below).
 
    It is anticipated that the securities held by the Fund in its portfolio will
be denominated, principally, in liquid European currencies. Such currencies
include the German mark, French franc, British pound, Dutch guilder, Swiss
franc, Swedish krona, Italian lira, and Spanish peseta. In addition, the Fund
may hold securities denominated in the European Currency Unit (a weighted
composite of the currencies of member states of the European Monetary System).
Securities of issuers within a given country may be denominated in the currency
of a different country.
 
    The Fund may also invest in securities of foreign issuers in the form of
American Depository Receipts (ADRs), European Depository Receipts (EDRs) or
other similar securities convertible into securities of foreign issuers. These
securities may not necessarily be denominated in the same currency as the
securities into which they may be converted. ADRs are receipts typically issued
by a United States bank or trust company evidencing ownership of the underlying
securities. EDRs are European receipts evidencing a similar arrangement.
Generally, ADRs, in registered form, are designed for use in the United States
securities markets and EDRs, in bearer form, are designed for use in European
securities markets.
 
    There may be periods during which market conditions warrant reduction of
some or all of the Fund's securities holdings. During such periods, the Fund may
adopt a temporary "defensive" posture in which greater than 35% of its net
assets are invested in cash or money market instruments. Under such
circumstances, the money market instruments in which the Fund may invest are
securities issued or guaranteed by the U.S. Government; American bank
obligations; Eurodollar certificates of deposit; obligations of American savings
institutions; fully insured certificates of deposit; and commercial paper of
American issuers rated within the two highest grades by Moody's Investors
Service, Inc. ("Moody's") or Standard & Poor's Corporation ("S&P") or, if not
rated, issued by a company having an outstanding debt issue rated at least AA by
S&P or Aa by Moody's.
 
RISK CONSIDERATIONS
 
   
    FOREIGN SECURITIES.  Investors should carefully consider the risks of
investing in securities of foreign issuers and securities denominated in
non-U.S. currencies. Fluctuations in the relative rates of exchange between
different currencies will affect the value of the Fund's investments denominated
in foreign currencies. Changes in foreign currency exchange rates relative to
the U.S. dollar will affect the U.S. dollar value of the Fund's assets
denominated in that currency and thereby impact upon the Fund's total return on
such assets.
    
 
    Foreign currency exchange rates are determined by forces of supply and
demand on the foreign exchange markets. These forces are themselves affected by
the international balance of payments and other economic and financial
conditions, government intervention, speculation and other factors. Moreover,
foreign currency exchange rates may be affected by the regulatory control of the
exchanges on which the currencies trade. The foreign currency transactions of
the Fund will be conducted on a spot basis or through forward contracts or
futures contracts (see below). The Fund may incur certain costs in connection
with these currency transactions.
 
    Investments in foreign securities will also occasion risks relating to
political and economic developments abroad, including the possibility of
expropriations or confiscatory taxation, limitations on the use or transfer of
Fund assets and any effects of foreign social, economic or political
instability. Political and economic developments in Europe, especially as they
relate to changes in the structure
 
                                       9
<PAGE>
of the European Economic Community and the further development of a unified
common market, may have profound effects upon the value of a large segment of
the Fund's portfolio. Continued progress in the evolution of, for example, a
united European common market may be slowed by unanticipated political or social
events and may, therefore, adversely affect the value of certain of the
securities held in the Fund's portfolio. Foreign companies are not subject to
the regulatory requirements of U.S. companies and, as such, there may be less
publicly available information about such companies. Moreover, foreign companies
are not subject to uniform accounting, auditing and financial reporting
standards and requirements comparable to those applicable to U.S. companies.
 
   
    Securities of foreign issuers may be less liquid than comparable securities
of U.S. issuers and, as such, their price changes may be more volatile.
Furthermore, foreign exchanges and broker-dealers are generally subject to less
government and exchange scrutiny and regulation than their American
counterparts. Brokerage commissions, dealer concessions and other transaction
costs may be higher on foreign markets than in the U.S. In addition, differences
in clearance and settlement procedures on foreign markets may occasion delays in
settlements of Fund trades effected in such markets. Inability to dispose of
portfolio securities due to settlement delays could result in losses to the Fund
due to subsequent declines in value of such securities and the inability of the
Fund to make intended security purchases due to settlement problems could result
in a failure of the Fund to make potentially advantageous investments.
    
 
   
    Many European countries are about to adopt a single European currency, the
euro ("the Euro Conversion"). The consequences of the Euro Conversion for
foreign exchange rates, interest rates and the value of European securities
eligible for purchase by the Fund are presently unclear. Such consequences may
adversely affect the value and/or increase the volatility of securities held by
the Fund.
    
                                  ------------
 
    To hedge against adverse price movements in the securities held in its
portfolio and the currencies in which they are denominated (as well as in the
securities it might wish to purchase and their denominated currencies) the Fund
may engage in transactions in forward foreign currency contracts, options on
securities and currencies, and futures contracts and options on futures
contracts on securities, currencies and indexes. The Fund may also purchase
options on securities to facilitate its participation in the potential
appreciation of the value of the underlying securities. A discussion of these
transactions follows and is supplemented by further disclosure in the Statement
of Additional Information.
 
    FORWARD FOREIGN CURRENCY EXCHANGE CONTRACTS. A forward foreign currency
exchange contract ("forward contract") involves an obligation to purchase or
sell a currency at a future date, which may be any fixed number of days from the
date of the contract agreed upon by the parties, at a price set at the time of
the contract. The Fund may enter into forward contracts as a hedge against
fluctuations in future foreign exchange rates.
 
    The Fund will enter into forward contracts under various circumstances. When
the Fund enters into a contract for the purchase or sale of a security
denominated in a foreign currency, it may, for example, desire to "lock in" the
price of the security in U.S. dollars or some other foreign currency which the
Fund is temporarily holding in its portfolio. By entering into a forward
contract for the purchase or sale, for a fixed amount of dollars or other
currency, of the amount of foreign currency involved in the underlying security
transactions, the Fund will be able to protect itself against a possible loss
resulting from an adverse change in the relationship between the U.S. dollar or
other currency which is being used for the security purchase and the foreign
currency in which the security is denominated during the period between the date
on which the security is purchased or sold and the date on which payment is made
or received.
 
                                       10
<PAGE>
    At other times, when, for example, it is believed that the currency of a
particular foreign country may suffer a substantial decline against the U.S.
dollar or some other foreign currency, the Fund may enter into a forward
contract to sell, for a fixed amount of dollars or other currency, the amount of
foreign currency approximating the value of some or all of the Fund's portfolio
securities (or securities which the Fund has purchased for its portfolio)
denominated in such foreign currency. Under identical circumstances, the Fund
may enter into a forward contract to sell, for a fixed amount of U.S. dollars or
other currency, an amount of foreign currency other than the currency in which
the securities to be hedged are denominated approximating the value of some or
all of the portfolio securities to be hedged. This method of hedging, called
"cross-hedging," will be selected when it is determined that the foreign
currency in which the portfolio securities are denominated has insufficient
liquidity or is trading at a discount as compared with some other foreign
currency with which it tends to move in tandem.
 
    In addition, when the Fund anticipates purchasing securities at some time in
the future, and wishes to lock in the current exchange rate of the currency in
which those securities are denominated against the U.S. dollar or some other
foreign currency, it may enter into a forward contract to purchase an amount of
currency equal to some or all of the value of the anticipated purchase, for a
fixed amount of U.S. dollars or other currency. The Fund may, however, close out
the forward contract without purchasing the security which was the subject of
the "anticipatory" hedge.
 
    Lastly, the Fund is permitted to enter into forward contracts with respect
to currencies in which certain of its portfolio securities are denominated and
on which options have been written (see "Options and Futures Transactions").
 
   
    In all of the above circumstances, if the currency in which the Fund's
portfolio securities (or anticipated portfolio securities) are denominated rises
in value with respect to the currency which is being purchased (or sold), then
the Fund will have realized fewer gains than had the Fund not entered into the
forward contracts. Moreover, the precise matching of the forward contract
amounts and the value of the securities involved will not generally be possible,
since the future value of such securities in foreign currencies will change as a
consequence of market movements in the value of those securities between the
date the forward contract is entered into and the date it matures. The Fund is
not required to enter into such transactions with regard to its foreign
currency-denominated securities and will not do so unless deemed appropriate by
the Investment Manager and/or Sub-Advisor.
    
 
    The Fund generally will not enter into a forward contract with a term of
greater than one year, although it may enter into forward contracts for periods
of up to five years. To the extent that the Fund enters into forward foreign
currency contracts to hedge against a decline in the value of portfolio holdings
denominated in a particular foreign currency resulting from currency
fluctuations, there is a risk that the Fund may nevertheless realize a gain or
loss as a result of currency fluctuations after such portfolio holdings are sold
if the Fund is unable to enter into an "offsetting" forward foreign currency
contract with the same party or another party. The Fund may be limited in its
ability to enter into hedging transactions involving forward contracts by the
Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (the "Code") requirements relating to
qualifications as a regulated investment company (see "Dividends, Distributions
and Taxes").
 
   
    YEAR 2000.  The investment management and advisory services provided to the
Fund by the Investment Manager and the Sub-Advisor and the services provided to
shareholders by the Distributor and the Transfer Agent depend on the smooth
functioning of their computer systems. Many computer software systems in use
today cannot recognize the year 2000, but revert to 1900 or some other date, due
to the manner in which dates were encoded and calculated. That failure could
have a negative impact on the handling of securities trades, pricing
    
 
                                       11
<PAGE>
   
and account services. The Investment Manager, the Sub-Advisor, the Distributor
and the Transfer Agent have been actively working on necessary changes to their
own computer systems to prepare for the year 2000 and expect that their systems
will be adapted before that date, but there can be no assurance that they will
be successful, or that interaction with other non-complying computer systems
will not impair their services at that time.
    
 
   
    In addition, it is possible that the markets for securities in which the
Fund invests may be detrimentally affected by computer failures throughout the
financial services industry beginning January 1, 2000. Improperly functioning
trading systems may result in settlement problems and liquidity issues. In
addition, corporate and governmental data processing errors may result in
production problems for individual companies and overall economic uncertainties.
Earnings of individual issuers will be affected by remediation costs, which may
be substantial and may be reported inconsistently in U.S. and foreign financial
statements. Accordingly, the Fund's investments may be adversely affected.
    
 
OPTIONS AND FUTURES TRANSACTIONS
 
    Call and put options on U.S. Treasury notes, bonds and bills, on various
foreign currencies and on equity securities are listed on several U.S. and
foreign securities exchanges and are written in over-the-counter transactions
("OTC options"). Listed options are issued or guaranteed by the exchange on
which they trade or by a clearing corporation such as the Options Clearing
Corporation ("OCC"). Ownership of a listed call option gives the Fund the right
to buy from the OCC (in the U.S.) or other clearing corporation or exchange, the
underlying security or currency covered by the option at the stated exercise
price (the price per unit of the underlying security or currency) by filing an
exercise notice prior to the expiration date of the option. The writer (seller)
of the option would then have the obligation to sell, to the OCC (in the U.S.)
or other clearing corporation or exchange, the underlying security or currency
at that exercise price prior to the expiration date of the option, regardless of
its then current market price. Ownership of a listed put option would give the
Fund the right to sell the underlying security or currency to the OCC (in the
U.S.) or other clearing corporation or exchange at the stated exercise price.
Upon notice of exercise of the put option, the writer of the option would have
the obligation to purchase the underlying security or currency from the OCC (in
the U.S.) or other clearing corporation or exchange at the exercise price.
 
    OTC OPTIONS.  Exchange-listed options are issued by the OCC (in the U.S.) or
other clearing corporation or exchange which assures that all transactions in
such options are properly executed. OTC options are purchased from or sold
(written) to dealers or financial institutions which have entered into direct
agreements with the Fund. With OTC options, such variables as expiration date,
exercise price and premium will be agreed upon between the Fund and the
transacting dealer, without the intermediation of a third party such as the OCC.
If the transacting dealer fails to make or take delivery of the securities or
amount of foreign currency underlying an option it has written, in accordance
with the terms of that option, the Fund would lose the premium paid for the
option as well as any anticipated benefit of the transaction. The Fund will
engage in OTC option transactions only with member banks of the Federal Reserve
System or primary dealers in U.S. Government securities or with affiliates of
such banks or dealers which have capital of at least $50 million or whose
obligations are guaranteed by an entity having capital of at least $50 million.
 
    COVERED CALL WRITING.  The Fund is permitted to write covered call options
on portfolio securities which are denominated in either U.S. dollars or foreign
currencies and on the U.S. dollar and foreign currencies, without limit, in
order to hedge against the decline in the value of a security or currency and to
close out long call option positions. Generally, a call option is "covered" if
the Fund owns the security or the currency underlying the option it has written,
holds a call option on the same underlying security or currency with a similar
exercise price or
 
                                       12
<PAGE>
maintains a sufficient amount of cash, cash equivalents or liquid securities to
purchase the underlying security or to exchange for the underlying currency. As
a writer of a call option, the Fund has the obligation, upon notice of exercise
of the option, to deliver the security or amount of currency underlying the
option (certain listed and OTC call options written by the Fund will be
exercisable by the purchaser only on a specific date).
 
    The Fund will receive from the purchaser, in return for a call it has
written, a "premium"; i.e., the price of the option. The premium received will
offset a portion of the potential loss incurred by the Fund if the securities
underlying the option are ultimately sold by the Fund at a loss. Furthermore, a
premium received on a call written on a foreign currency will ameliorate any
potential loss of value on the portfolio security due to a decline in the value
of the currency. However, during the option period, the covered call writer has,
in return for the premium on the option, given up the opportunity for capital
appreciation above the exercise price should the market price of the underlying
security (or the exchange rate of the currency in which it is denominated)
increase, but has retained the risk of loss should the price of the underlying
security (or the exchange rate of the currency in which it is denominated)
decline. The size of premiums will fluctuate with varying market conditions.
 
    PURCHASING CALL AND PUT OPTIONS.  The Fund may purchase listed and OTC call
and put options in amounts equalling up to 5% of its total assets. The Fund may
purchase call options to close out a covered call position or to protect against
an increase in the price of a security it anticipates purchasing or, in the case
of call options on a foreign currency, to hedge against an adverse exchange rate
change of the currency in which the security it anticipates purchasing is
denominated vis-a-vis the currency in which the exercise price is denominated.
The Fund may purchase put options on securities which it holds in its portfolio
only to protect itself against a decline in the value of the security. If the
value of the underlying security were to fall below the exercise price of the
put purchased in an amount greater than the premium paid for the option, the
Fund would incur no additional loss. Similarly, the Fund may purchase put
options on currencies in which securities which it holds are denominated only to
protect itself against a decline in value of such currency vis-a-vis the
currency in which the exercise price is denominated. If the value of the
currency underlying the option were to fall below the exercise price of the put
purchased in an amount greater than the premium paid for the option, the Fund
would incur no additional loss. There are no other limits on the Fund's ability
to purchase call and put options.
 
    FUTURES CONTRACTS.  The Fund may purchase and sell futures contracts that
are currently traded, or may in the future be traded, on U.S. and foreign
commodity exchanges on common stocks, such underlying fixed-income securities as
U.S. Treasury bonds, notes, and bills and/or any foreign government fixed-income
security ("interest rate" futures), on various currencies ("currency" futures)
and on such indexes of U.S. or foreign equity and fixed-income securities as may
exist or come into being, such as the Standard & Poor's 500 Index or the
Financial Times Equity Index ("index" futures). As a futures contract purchaser,
the Fund incurs an obligation to take delivery of a specified amount of the
obligation underlying the contract at a specified time in the future for a
specified price. As a seller of a futures contract, the Fund incurs an
obligation to deliver the specified amount of the underlying obligation at a
specified time in return for an agreed upon price.
 
    The Fund will purchase or sell interest rate futures contracts for the
purpose of hedging some or all of the value of its portfolio securities (or
anticipated portfolio securities) against changes in prevailing interest rates.
If it is anticipated that interest rates may rise and, concomitantly, the price
of certain of its portfolio securities fall, the Fund may sell an interest rate
futures contract. If declining interest rates are anticipated, the Fund may
purchase an interest rate futures contract to protect against a
 
                                       13
<PAGE>
potential increase in the price of securities the Fund intends to purchase.
Subsequently, appropriate securities may be purchased by the Fund in an orderly
fashion; as securities are purchased, corresponding futures positions would be
terminated by offsetting sales of contracts.
 
    The Fund will purchase or sell index futures contracts for the purpose of
hedging some or all of its portfolio (or anticipated portfolio) against changes
in their prices. If it is anticipated that the prices of securities held by the
Fund may fall, the Fund may sell an index futures contract. Conversely, if the
Fund wishes to hedge against anticipated price rises in those securities which
the Fund intends to purchase, the Fund may purchase an index futures contract.
 
    The Fund will purchase or sell currency futures on currencies in which its
portfolio securities (or anticipated portfolio securities) are denominated for
the purposes of hedging against anticipated changes in currency exchange rates.
The Fund will enter into currency futures contracts for the same reasons as set
forth above for entering into forward foreign currency contracts; namely, to
"lock-in" the value of a security purchased or sold in a given currency
vis-a-vis a different currency or to hedge against an adverse currency exchange
rate movement of a portfolio security's (or anticipated portfolio security's)
denominated currency vis-a-vis a different currency.
 
    In addition to the above, interest rate, index and currency futures will be
bought or sold in order to close out a short or long position maintained by the
Fund in a corresponding futures contract.
 
    OPTIONS ON FUTURES CONTRACTS.  The Fund may purchase and write call and put
options on futures contracts which are traded on an exchange and enter into
closing transactions with respect to such options to terminate an existing
position. An option on a futures contract gives the purchaser the right (in
return for the premium paid) to assume a position in a futures contract (a long
position if the option is a call and a short position if the option is a put) at
a specified exercise price at any time during the term of the option. Upon
exercise of the option, the delivery of the futures position by the writer of
the option to the holder of the option is accompanied by delivery of the
accumulated balance in the writer's futures margin account, which represents the
amount by which the market price of the futures contract at the time of exercise
exceeds, in the case of a call, or is less than, in the case of a put, the
exercise price of the option on the futures contract.
 
   
    The Fund will purchase and write options on futures contracts for identical
purposes to those set forth above for the purchase of a futures contract
(purchase of a call option) and the sale of a futures contract (purchase of a
put option or sale of a call option), or to close out a long or short position
in futures contracts. If, for example, the Investment Manager or Sub-Advisor
wished to protect against an increase in interest rates and the resulting
negative impact on the value of a portion of its fixed-income portfolio, it
might write a call option on an interest rate futures contract, the underlying
security of which correlates with the portion of the portfolio the Investment
Manager or Sub-Advisor seeks to hedge. Any premiums received in the writing of
options on futures contracts may, of course, provide a further hedge against
losses resulting from price declines in portions of the Fund's portfolio.
    
 
    LIMITATIONS ON FUTURES CONTRACTS AND OPTIONS ON FUTURES.  The Fund may not
enter into futures contracts or purchase related options thereon if, immediately
thereafter, the amount committed to margin plus the amount paid for premiums for
unexpired options on futures contracts exceeds 5% of the value of the Fund's
total assets, after taking into account unrealized gains and unrealized losses
on such contracts it has entered into, provided, however, that in the case of an
option that is in-the-money (the exercise price of the call (put) option is less
(more) than the market price of the underlying security) at the time of
purchase, the in-the-money amount may be excluded in calculating the 5%.
However, there is no overall limitation on the percentage of the Fund's assets
which may be
 
                                       14
<PAGE>
subject to a hedge position. Except as described above, there are no other
limitations on the use of futures and options thereon by the Fund.
 
    RISKS OF OPTIONS AND FUTURES TRANSACTIONS. The Fund may close out its
position as writer of an option, or as a buyer or seller of a futures contract,
only if a liquid secondary market exists for options or futures contracts of
that series. There is no assurance that such a market will exist, particularly
in the case of OTC options, as such options will generally only be closed out by
entering into a closing purchase transaction with the purchasing dealer.
 
    Exchanges may limit the amount by which the price of many futures contracts
may move on any day. If the price moves equal the daily limit on successive
days, then it may prove impossible to liquidate a futures position until the
daily limit moves have ceased.
 
    The extent to which the Fund may enter into transactions involving options
and futures contracts may be limited by the Code's requirements for
qualification as a regulated investment company and the Fund's intention to
qualify as such. See "Dividends, Distributions and Taxes."
 
    While the futures contracts and options transactions to be engaged in by the
Fund for the purpose of hedging the Fund's portfolio securities are not
speculative in nature, there are risks inherent in the use of such instruments.
One such risk is that the Fund's management could be incorrect in its
expectations as to the direction or extent of various interest rate or price
movements or the time span within which the movements take place. For example,
if the Fund sold futures contracts for the sale of securities in anticipation of
an increase in interest rates, and then interest rates went down instead,
causing bond prices to rise, the Fund would lose money on the sale.
 
    Another risk which may arise in employing futures contracts to protect
against the price volatility of portfolio securities is that the prices of
securities, currencies and indexes subject to futures contracts (and thereby the
futures contract prices) may correlate imperfectly with the behavior of the U.S.
dollar cash prices of the Fund's portfolio securities and their denominated
currencies. Another such risk is that prices of interest rate futures contracts
may not move in tandem with the changes in prevailing interest rates against
which the Fund seeks a hedge. A correlation may also be distorted by the fact
that the futures market is dominated by short-term traders seeking to profit
from the difference between a contract or security price objective and their
cost of borrowed funds. Such distortions are generally minor and would diminish
as the contract approached maturity.
 
    The Fund, by entering into transactions in foreign futures and options
markets, will also incur risks similar to those discussed above under the
section entitled "Foreign Securities."
 
    Compared to the purchase or sale of futures contracts, the purchase of call
or put options on futures contracts involves less potential risk to the Fund
because the maximum amount at risk is the premium paid for the options (plus
transaction costs). However, there may be circumstances when a purchase of a
call or put option on a futures contract would result in a loss to the Fund when
the purchase or sale of a futures contract would not result in a loss, such as
when there is no movement in the prices of the underlying securities. The
writing of a put or call option on a futures contract involves risks similar to
those relating to transactions in futures contracts, as are described above.
 
OTHER INVESTMENT POLICIES
 
    REPURCHASE AGREEMENTS.  The Fund may enter into repurchase agreements, which
may be viewed as a type of secured lending by the Fund, and which typically
involve the acquisition by the Fund of debt securities from a selling financial
institution such as a bank, savings and loan association or broker-dealer. The
agreement provides that the Fund will sell back to the institution, and that the
institution will repurchase, the underlying security at a specified price and at
a fixed time in the future,
 
                                       15
<PAGE>
usually not more than seven days from the date of purchase. While repurchase
agreements involve certain risks not associated with direct investments in debt
securities, including the risks of default or bankruptcy of the selling
financial institution, the Fund follows procedures to minimize such risks. These
procedures include effecting repurchase transactions only with large,
well-capitalized and well-established financial institutions and maintaining
adequate collateralization.
 
    ZERO COUPON SECURITIES.  A portion of the fixed-income securities purchased
by the Fund may be zero coupon securities. Such securities are purchased at a
discount from their face amount, giving the purchaser the right to receive their
full value at maturity. The interest earned on such securities is, implicitly,
automatically compounded and paid out at maturity. While such compounding at a
constant rate eliminates the risk of receiving lower yields upon reinvestment of
interest if prevailing interest rates decline, the owner of a zero coupon
security will be unable to participate in higher yields upon reinvestment of
interest received on interest-paying securities if prevailing interest rates
rise.
 
    A zero coupon security pays no interest to its holder during its life.
Therefore, to the extent the Fund invests in zero coupon securities, it will not
receive current cash available for distribution to shareholders. In addition,
zero coupon securities are subject to substantially greater price fluctuations
during periods of changing prevailing interest rates than are comparable
securities which pay interest on a current basis. Current federal tax law
requires that a holder (such as the Fund) of a zero coupon security accrue a
portion of the discount at which the security was purchased as income each year
even though the Fund receives no interest payments in cash on the security
during the year.
 
    WHEN-ISSUED AND DELAYED DELIVERY SECURITIES AND FORWARD COMMITMENTS.  From
time to time, in the ordinary course of business, the Fund may purchase
securities on a when-issued or delayed delivery basis or may purchase or sell
securities on a forward commitment basis. When such transactions are negotiated,
the price is fixed at the time of the commitment, but delivery and payment can
take place a month or more after the date of the commitment. There is no overall
limit on the percentage of the Fund's assets which may be committed to the
purchase of securities on a when-issued, delayed delivery or forward commitment
basis. An increase in the percentage of the Fund's assets committed to the
purchase of securities on a when-issued, delayed delivery or forward commitment
basis may increase the volatility of the Fund's net asset value.
 
    WHEN, AS AND IF ISSUED SECURITIES.  The Fund may purchase securities on a
"when, as and if issued" basis under which the issuance of the security depends
upon the occurrence of a subsequent event, such as approval of a merger,
corporate reorganization, leveraged buyout or debt restructuring. If the
anticipated event does not occur and the securities are not issued, the Fund
will have lost an investment opportunity. There is no overall limit on the
percentage of the Fund's assets which may be committed to the purchase of
securities on a "when, as and if issued" basis. An increase in the percentage of
the Fund's assets committed to the purchase of securities on a "when, as and if
issued" basis may increase the volatility of its net asset value.
 
    LENDING OF PORTFOLIO SECURITIES.  Consistent with applicable regulatory
requirements, the Fund may lend its portfolio securities to brokers, dealers and
other financial institutions, provided that such loans are callable at any time
by the Fund (subject to certain notice provisions described in the Statement of
Additional Information), and are at all times secured by cash or cash
equivalents, which are maintained in a segregated account pursuant to applicable
regulations and that are at least equal to the market value, determined daily,
of the loaned securities.
 
    Except as specifically noted, all investment objectives, policies and
practices discussed above are not fundamental policies of the Fund and, as such,
may be changed without shareholder approval.
 
                                       16
<PAGE>
PORTFOLIO MANAGEMENT
 
   
    The Fund's portfolio is actively managed by its Investment Manager and the
Sub-Advisor with a view to achieving the Fund's investment objective. In
determining which securities to purchase for the Fund or hold in the Fund's
portfolio, the Investment Manager and the Sub-Advisor will rely on information
from various sources, including research, analysis and appraisals of brokers and
dealers, including Dean Witter Reynolds Inc., Morgan Stanley and Co.
Incorporated and other broker-dealers that are affiliates of the Investment
Manager and the Sub-Advisor, and the Investment Manager's and Sub-Advisor's own
analysis of factors they deem relevant. The Fund's primary portfolio manager is
Jeremy G. Lodwick, a Principal of the Sub-Advisor. Mr. Lodwick has been the
Fund's primary portfolio manager since [December 1], 1998 and has been a
Principal for the Sub-Advisor since July, 1998. Prior to joining the
Sub-Advisor, Mr. Lodwick was a portfolio manager with the Former Sub-Advisor for
over five years where he was the Fund's primary portfolio manager from April
1994 to April 1998.
    
 
   
    Personnel of the Investment Manager and Sub-Advisor have substantial
experience in the use of the investment techniques described above under the
heading "Options and Futures Transactions," which techniques require skills
different from those needed to select the portfolio securities underlying
various options and futures contracts.
    
 
   
    Orders for transactions in portfolio securities and commodities may be
placed for the Fund with a number of brokers and dealers, including Dean Witter
Reynolds Inc., Morgan Stanley and Co. Incorporated and other broker-dealer
affiliates of the Investment Manager and the Sub-Advisor. Pursuant to an order
of the Securities and Exchange Commission, the Fund may effect principal
transactions in certain money market instruments with Dean Witter Reynolds Inc.
In addition, the Fund may incur brokerage commissions on transactions conducted
through Dean Witter Reynolds Inc., Morgan Stanley and Co. Incorporated and other
brokers and dealers that are affiliates of the Investment Manager.
    
 
    The portfolio trading engaged in by the Fund may result in its portfolio
turnover rate exceeding 100%. The Fund is expected to incur higher than normal
brokerage commission costs due to its portfolio turnover rate. Short-term gains
and losses taxable at ordinary income rates may result from such portfolio
transactions. See "Dividends, Distributions and Taxes" for a full discussion of
the tax implications of the Fund's trading policy. A more extensive discussion
of the Fund's portfolio brokerage policies is set forth in the Statement of
Additional Information.
 
    The expenses of the Fund relating to its portfolio management are likely to
be greater than those incurred by other investment companies investing primarily
in securities issued by domestic issuers as custodial costs, brokerage
commissions and other transaction charges related to investing in foreign
markets are generally higher than in the United States.
 
INVESTMENT RESTRICTIONS
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
    The investment restrictions listed below are among the restrictions which
have been adopted by the Fund as fundamental policies. Under the Investment
Company Act of 1940, as amended (the "Act"), a fundamental policy may not be
changed without the vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of
the Fund, as defined in the Act. For purposes of the following limitations: (i)
all percentage limitations apply immediately after a purchase or initial
investment, and (ii) any subsequent change in any applicable percentage
resulting from market fluctuations or other changes in total or net assets does
not require elimination of any security from the portfolio.
 
                                       17
<PAGE>
    The Fund may not:
 
   1. As to 75% of its total assets, invest more than 5% of the value of its
total assets in the securities of any one issuer (other than obligations issued,
or guaranteed by, the United States Government, its agencies or
instrumentalities).
 
   2. As to 75% of its total assets, purchase more than 10% of all outstanding
voting securities or any class of securities of any one issuer.
 
   3. Invest 25% or more of the value of its total assets in securities of
issuers in any one industry.
 
   4. Invest more than 5% of the value of its total assets in securities of
issuers having a record, together with predecessors, of less than three years of
continuous operation. This restriction shall not apply to any obligation issued
or guaranteed by the United States Government, its agencies or
instrumentalities.
 
   5. Purchase or sell commodities or commodities contracts except that the Fund
may purchase or write interest rate, currency and stock and bond index futures
contracts and related options thereon.
 
   6. Pledge its assets or assign or otherwise encumber them except to secure
permitted borrowings. (For the purpose of this restriction, collateral
arrangements with respect to the writing of options and collateral arrangements
with respect to initial or variation margin for futures are not deemed to be
pledges of assets.)
 
   7. Purchase securities on margin (but the Fund may obtain short-term loans as
are necessary for the clearance of transactions). The deposit or payment by the
Fund of initial or variation margin in connection with futures contracts or
related options thereon is not considered the purchase of a security on margin.
 
   8. Invest more than 10% of its total assets in "illiquid securities"
(securities for which market quotations are not readily available) and
repurchase agreements which have a maturity of longer than seven days. In
addition, no more than 15% of the Fund's net assets will be invested in such
illiquid securities and foreign securities not traded on a recognized domestic
or foreign exchange.
 
    Generally, OTC options and the assets used as "cover" for written OTC
options are illiquid securities. However, the Fund is permitted to treat the
securities it uses as cover for written OTC options as liquid provided it
follows a procedure whereby it will sell OTC options only to qualified dealers
who agree that the Fund may repurchase such options at a maximum price to be
calculated pursuant to a predetermined formula set forth in the option
agreement. The formula may vary from agreement to agreement, but is generally
based on a multiple of the premium received by the Fund for writing the option
plus the amount, if any, of the option's intrinsic value. An OTC option is
considered an illiquid asset only to the extent that the maximum repurchase
price under the formula exceeds the intrinsic value of the option.
 
    Notwithstanding any other investment policy or restriction, the Fund may
seek to achieve its investment objective by investing all or substantially all
of its assets in another investment company having substantially the same
investment objective and policies as the Fund.
 
PURCHASE OF FUND SHARES
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
GENERAL
 
   
    The Fund offers each class of its shares for sale to the public on a
continuous basis. Pursuant to a Distribution Agreement between the Fund and
Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Distributors Inc. ("MSDW Distributors" or the
"Distributor"), an affiliate of the Investment Manager, shares of the Fund are
distributed by the Distributor and offered by Dean Witter Reynolds Inc. ("DWR"),
a selected dealer and subsidiary of Morgan Stanley Dean Witter & Co., and other
dealers which have entered into selected dealer agreements with the Distributor
("Selected Broker-Dealers"). It is anticipated that DWR will undergo a change of
corporate name which is expected to incorporate the brand name of
    
 
                                       18
<PAGE>
   
"Morgan Stanley Dean Witter," pending approval of various regulatory
authorities. The principal executive office of the Distributor is located at Two
World Trade Center, New York, New York 10048.
    
 
    The Fund offers four classes of shares (each, a "Class"). Class A shares are
sold to investors with an initial sales charge that declines to zero for larger
purchases; however, Class A shares sold without an initial sales charge are
subject to a contingent deferred sales charge ("CDSC") of 1.0% if redeemed
within one year of purchase, except for certain specific circumstances. Class B
shares are sold without an initial sales charge but are subject to a CDSC
(scaled down from 5.0% to 1.0%) payable upon most redemptions within six years
after purchase. (Class B shares purchased by certain qualified plans are subject
to a CDSC scaled down from 2.0% to 1.0% if redeemed within three years after
purchase.) Class C shares are sold without an initial sales charge but are
subject to a CDSC of 1.0% on most redemptions made within one year after
purchase. Class D shares are sold without an initial sales charge or CDSC and
are available only to investors meeting an initial investment minimum of $5
million ($25 million for certain qualified plans), and to certain other limited
categories of investors. At the discretion of the Board of Directors of the
Fund, Class A shares may be sold to categories of investors in addition to those
set forth in this prospectus at net asset value without a front-end sales
charge, and Class D shares may be sold to certain other categories of investors,
in each case as may be described in the then current prospectus of the Fund. See
"Alternative Purchase Arrangements-- Selecting a Particular Class" for a
discussion of factors to consider in selecting which Class of shares to
purchase.
 
   
    The minimum initial purchase is $1,000 for each Class of shares, although
Class D shares are only available to persons investing $5 million ($25 million
for certain qualified plans) or more and to certain other limited categories of
investors. For the purpose of meeting the minimum $5 million (or $25 million)
initial investment for Class D shares, and subject to the $1,000 minimum initial
investment for each Class of the Fund, an investor's existing holdings of Class
A shares of the Fund and other Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Funds that are
multiple class funds ("Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Multi-Class Funds") and shares
of Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Funds sold with a front-end sales charge ("FSC
Funds") and concurrent investments in Class D shares of the Fund and other
Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Multi-Class Funds will be aggregated. Subsequent
purchases of $100 or more may be made by sending a check, payable to Morgan
Stanley Dean Witter European Growth Fund Inc., directly to Morgan Stanley Dean
Witter Trust FSB (the "Transfer Agent" or "MSDW Trust") at P.O. Box 1040, Jersey
City, NJ 07303 or by contacting a Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Financial Advisor
or other Selected Broker-Dealer representative. When purchasing shares of the
Fund, investors must specify whether the purchase is for Class A, Class B, Class
C or Class D shares. If no Class is specified, the Transfer Agent will not
process the transaction until the proper Class is identified. The minimum
initial purchase, in the case of investments through EasyInvest-SM-, an
automatic purchase plan (see "Shareholder Services"), is $100, provided that the
schedule of automatic investments will result in investments totalling at least
$1,000 within the first twelve months. The minimum initial purchase in the case
of an "Education IRA" is $500, if the Distributor has reason to believe that
additional investments will increase the investment in the account to $1,000
within three years. In the case of investments pursuant to (i) Systematic
Payroll Deduction Plans (including Individual Retirement Plans), (ii) the MSDW
Advisors mutual fund asset allocation program and (iii) fee-based programs
approved by the Distributor, pursuant to which participants pay an asset based
fee for services in the nature of investment advisory, administrative and/or
brokerage services, the Fund, in its discretion, may accept investments without
regard to any minimum amounts which would otherwise be required, provided, in
the case of Systematic Payroll Deduction Plans, that the Distributor has reason
to believe that additional investments will increase the investment
    
 
                                       19
<PAGE>
   
in all accounts under such Plans to at least $1,000. Certificates for shares
purchased will not be issued unless a request is made by the shareholder in
writing to the Transfer Agent.
    
 
    Shares of the Fund are sold through the Distributor on a normal three
business day settlement basis; that is, payment is due on the third business day
(settlement date) after the order is placed with the Distributor. Since DWR and
other Selected Broker-Dealers forward investors' funds on settlement date they
will benefit from the temporary use of the funds if payment is made prior
thereto. As noted above, orders placed directly with the Transfer Agent must be
accompanied by payment. Investors will be entitled to receive income dividends
and capital gain distributions if their order is received by the close of
business on the day prior to the record date for such dividends and
distributions. Sales personnel of a Selected Broker-Dealer are compensated for
selling shares of the Fund at the time of their sale by the Distributor or any
of its affiliates and/or the Selected Broker-Dealer. In addition, some sales
personnel of the Selected Broker-Dealer will receive various types of non-cash
compensation as special sales incentives, including trips, educational and/or
business seminars and merchandise. The Fund and the Distributor reserve the
right to reject any purchase orders.
 
ALTERNATIVE PURCHASE ARRANGEMENTS
 
    The Fund offers several Classes of shares to investors designed to provide
them with the flexibility of selecting an investment best suited to their needs.
The general public is offered three Classes of shares: Class A shares, Class B
shares and Class C shares, which differ principally in terms of sales charges
and rate of expenses to which they are subject. A fourth Class of shares, Class
D shares, is offered only to limited categories of investors (see "No Load
Alternative--Class D Shares" below).
 
    Each Class A, Class B, Class C or Class D share of the Fund represents an
identical interest in the investment portfolio of the Fund except that Class A,
Class B and Class C shares bear the expenses of the ongoing shareholder service
fees, Class B and Class C shares bear the expenses of the ongoing distribution
fees and Class A, Class B and Class C shares which are redeemed subject to a
CDSC bear the expense of the additional incremental distribution costs resulting
from the CDSC applicable to shares of those Classes. The ongoing distribution
fees that are imposed on Class A, Class B and Class C shares will be imposed
directly against those Classes and not against all assets of the Fund and,
accordingly, such charges against one Class will not affect the net asset value
of any other Class or have any impact on investors choosing another sales charge
option. See "Plan of Distribution" and "Redemptions and Repurchases."
 
    Set forth below is a summary of the differences between the Classes and the
factors an investor should consider when selecting a particular Class. This
summary is qualified in its entirety by detailed discussion of each Class that
follows this summary.
 
    CLASS A SHARES.  Class A shares are sold at net asset value plus an initial
sales charge of up to 5.25%. The initial sales charge is reduced for certain
purchases. Investments of $1 million or more (and investments by certain other
limited categories of investors) are not subject to any sales charges at the
time of purchase but are subject to a CDSC of 1.0% on redemptions made within
one year after purchase, except for certain specific circumstances. Class A
shares are also subject to a 12b-1 fee of up to 0.25% of the average daily net
assets of the Class. See "Initial Sales Charge Alternative--Class A Shares."
 
    CLASS B SHARES.  Class B shares are offered at net asset value with no
initial sales charge but are subject to a CDSC (scaled down from 5.0% to 1.0%)
if redeemed within six years of purchase. (Class B shares purchased by certain
qualified plans are subject to a CDSC scaled down from 2.0% to 1.0% if redeemed
within three years after purchase.) This CDSC may be waived for certain
redemptions. Class B shares are also subject to an annual 12b-1
 
                                       20
<PAGE>
fee of 1.0% of the lesser of: (a) the average daily aggregate gross sales of the
Fund's Class B shares since the inception of the Fund (not including
reinvestments of dividends or capital gains distributions), less the average
daily aggregate net asset value of the Fund's Class B shares redeemed since the
Fund's inception upon which a CDSC has been imposed or waived, or (b) the
average daily net assets of Class B. The Class B shares' distribution fee will
cause that Class to have higher expenses and pay lower dividends than Class A or
Class D shares.
 
    After approximately ten (10) years, Class B shares will convert
automatically to Class A shares of the Fund, based on the relative net asset
values of the shares of the two Classes on the conversion date. In addition, a
certain portion of Class B shares that have been acquired through the
reinvestment of dividends and distributions will be converted at that time. See
"Contingent Deferred Sales Charge Alternative--Class B Shares."
 
    CLASS C SHARES.  Class C shares are sold at net asset value with no initial
sales charge but are subject to a CDSC of 1.0% on redemptions made within one
year after purchase. This CDSC may be waived for certain redemptions. They are
subject to an annual 12b-1 fee of up to 1.0% of the average daily net assets of
the Class C shares. The Class C shares' distribution fee may cause that Class to
have higher expenses and pay lower dividends than Class A or Class D shares. See
"Level Load Alternative--Class C Shares."
 
    CLASS D SHARES.  Class D shares are available only to limited categories of
investors (see "No Load Alternative--Class D Shares" below). Class D shares are
sold at net asset value with no initial sales charge or CDSC. They are not
subject to any 12b-1 fees. See "No Load Alternative--Class D Shares."
 
    SELECTING A PARTICULAR CLASS.  In deciding which Class of Fund shares to
purchase, investors should consider the following factors, as well as any other
relevant facts and circumstances:
 
    The decision as to which Class of shares is more beneficial to an investor
depends on the amount and intended length of his or her investment. Investors
who prefer an initial sales charge alternative may elect to purchase Class A
shares. Investors qualifying for significantly reduced or, in the case of
purchases of $1 million or more, no initial sales charges may find Class A
shares particularly attractive because similar sales charge reductions are not
available with respect to Class B or Class C shares. Moreover, Class A shares
are subject to lower ongoing expenses than are Class B or Class C shares over
the term of the investment. As an alternative, Class B and Class C shares are
sold without any initial sales charge so the entire purchase price is
immediately invested in the Fund. Any investment return on these additional
investment amounts may partially or wholly offset the higher annual expenses of
these Classes. Because the Fund's future return cannot be predicted, however,
there can be no assurance that this would be the case.
 
    Finally, investors should consider the effect of the CDSC period and any
conversion rights of the Classes in the context of their own investment time
frame. For example, although Class C shares are subject to a significantly lower
CDSC upon redemptions, they do not, unlike Class B shares, convert into Class A
shares after approximately ten years, and, therefore, are subject to an ongoing
12b-1 fee of 1.0% (rather than the 0.25% fee applicable to Class A shares) for
an indefinite period of time. Thus, Class B shares may be more attractive than
Class C shares to investors with longer term investment outlooks. Other
investors, however, may elect to purchase Class C shares if, for example, they
determine that they do not wish to be subject to a front-end sales charge and
they are uncertain as to the length of time they intend to hold their shares.
 
   
    For the purpose of meeting the $5 million (or $25 million) minimum
investment amount for Class D shares, holdings of Class A shares in all Morgan
Stanley Dean Witter Multi-Class Funds, shares of FSC Funds and shares of Morgan
Stanley
    
 
                                       21
<PAGE>
Dean Witter Funds for which such shares have been exchanged will be included
together with the current investment amount.
 
    Sales personnel may receive different compensation for selling each Class of
shares. Investors should understand that the purpose of a CDSC is the same as
that of the initial sales charge in that the sales charges applicable to each
Class provide for the financing of the distribution of shares of that Class.
 
    Set forth below is a chart comparing the sales charge, 12b-1 fees and
conversion options applicable to each Class of shares:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
- -----------------------------------------------------------------
                                                   CONVERSION
  CLASS         SALES CHARGE        12b-1 FEE        FEATURE
<C>        <S>                     <C>          <C>
- -----------------------------------------------------------------
    A      Maximum 5.25% initial      0.25%            No
           sales charge reduced
           for purchases of
           $25,000 and over;
           shares sold without an
           initial sales charge
           generally subject to a
           1.0% CDSC during first
           year.
- -----------------------------------------------------------------
    B      Maximum 5.0% CDSC          1.0%      B shares convert
           during the first year                to A shares
           decreasing to 0 after                automatically
           six years                            after
                                                approximately ten
                                                years
- -----------------------------------------------------------------
    C      1.0% CDSC during first     1.0%             No
           year
- -----------------------------------------------------------------
    D               None              None             No
</TABLE>
 
    See "Purchase of Fund Shares" and "The Fund and its Management" for a
complete description of the sales charges and service and distribution fees for
each Class of shares and "Determination of Net Asset Value," "Dividends,
Distributions and Taxes" and "Shareholder Services--Exchange Privilege" for
other differences between the Classes of shares.
 
INITIAL SALES CHARGE ALTERNATIVE--
CLASS A SHARES
 
    Class A shares are sold at net asset value plus an initial sales charge. In
some cases, reduced sales charges may be available, as described below.
Investments of $1 million or more (and investments by certain other limited
categories of investors) are not subject to any sales charges at the time of
purchase but are subject to a CDSC of 1.0% on redemptions made within one year
after purchase (calculated from the last day of the month in which the shares
were purchased), except for certain specific circumstances. The CDSC will be
assessed on an amount equal to the lesser of the current market value or the
cost of the shares being redeemed. The CDSC will not be imposed (i) in the
circumstances set forth below in the section "Contingent Deferred Sales Charge
Alternative--Class B Shares--CDSC Waivers," except that the references to six
years in the first paragraph of that section shall mean one year in the case of
Class A shares, and (ii) in the circumstances identified in the section
"Additional Net Asset Value Purchase Options" below. Class A shares are also
subject to an annual 12b-1 fee of up to 0.25% of the average daily net assets of
the Class.
 
    The offering price of Class A shares will be the net asset value per share
next determined following receipt of an order (see "Determination of Net Asset
Value" below), plus a sales charge (expressed as a percentage of the offering
price) on a single transaction as shown in the following table:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                          SALES CHARGE
                           ------------------------------------------
                              PERCENTAGE OF          APPROXIMATE
        AMOUNT OF            PUBLIC OFFERING    PERCENTAGE OF AMOUNT
   SINGLE TRANSACTION             PRICE               INVESTED
- -------------------------  -------------------  ---------------------
<S>                        <C>                  <C>
Less than $25,000........           5.25%                 5.54%
$25,000 but less
     than $50,000........           4.75%                 4.99%
$50,000 but less
     than $100,000.......           4.00%                 4.17%
$100,000 but less
     than $250,000.......           3.00%                 3.09%
$250,000 but less
     than $1 million.....           2.00%                 2.04%
$1 million and over......              0                     0
</TABLE>
 
    Upon notice to all Selected Broker-Dealers, the Distributor may reallow up
to the full applicable sales charge as shown in the above schedule during
periods specified in such notice. During periods when 90% or more of the sales
charge is reallowed,
 
                                       22
<PAGE>
such Selected Broker-Dealers may be deemed to be underwriters as that term is
defined in the Securities Act of 1933.
 
    The above schedule of sales charges is applicable to purchases in a single
transaction by, among others: (a) an individual; (b) an individual, his or her
spouse and their children under the age of 21 purchasing shares for his, her or
their own accounts; (c) a trustee or other fiduciary purchasing shares for a
single trust estate or a single fiduciary account; (d) a pension, profit-sharing
or other employee benefit plan qualified or non-qualified under Section 401 of
the Internal Revenue Code; (e) tax-exempt organizations enumerated in Section
501(c)(3) or (13) of the Internal Revenue Code; (f) employee benefit plans
qualified under Section 401 of the Internal Revenue Code of a single employer or
of employers who are "affiliated persons" of each other within the meaning of
Section 2(a)(3)(c) of the Act; and for investments in Individual Retirement
Accounts of employees of a single employer through Systematic Payroll Deduction
plans; or (g) any other organized group of persons, whether incorporated or not,
provided the organization has been in existence for at least six months and has
some purpose other than the purchase of redeemable securities of a registered
investment company at a discount.
 
   
    COMBINED PURCHASE PRIVILEGE.  Investors may have the benefit of reduced
sales charges in accordance with the above schedule by combining purchases of
Class A shares of the Fund in single transactions with the purchase of Class A
shares of other Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Multi-Class Funds and shares of FSC
Funds. The sales charge payable on the purchase of the Class A shares of the
Fund, the Class A shares of the other Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Multi-Class
Funds and the shares of the FSC Funds will be at their respective rates
applicable to the total amount of the combined concurrent purchases of such
shares.
    
 
   
    RIGHT OF ACCUMULATION.  The above persons and entities may benefit from a
reduction of the sales charges in accordance with the above schedule if the
cumulative net asset value of Class A shares purchased in a single transaction,
together with shares of the Fund and other Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Funds
previously purchased at a price including a front-end sales charge (including
shares of the Fund and other Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Funds acquired in
exchange for those shares, and including in each case shares acquired through
reinvestment of dividends and distributions), which are held at the time of such
transaction, amounts to $25,000 or more. If such investor has a cumulative net
asset value of shares of FSC Funds and Class A and Class D shares that, together
with the current investment amount, is equal to at least $5 million ($25 million
for certain qualified plans), such investor is eligible to purchase Class D
shares subject to the $1,000 minimum initial investment requirement of that
Class of the Fund. See "No Load Alternative-- Class D Shares" below.
    
 
    The Distributor must be notified by DWR or a Selected Broker-Dealer or the
shareholder at the time a purchase order is placed that the purchase qualifies
for the reduced charge under the Right of Accumulation. Similar notification
must be made in writing by the dealer or shareholder when such an order is
placed by mail. The reduced sales charge will not be granted if: (a) such
notification is not furnished at the time of the order; or (b) a review of the
records of the Selected Broker-Dealer or the Transfer Agent fails to confirm the
investor's represented holdings.
 
   
    LETTER OF INTENT.  The foregoing schedule of reduced sales charges will also
be available to investors who enter into a written Letter of Intent providing
for the purchase, within a thirteen-month period, of Class A shares of the Fund
from DWR or other Selected Broker-Dealers. The cost of Class A shares of the
Fund or shares of other Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Funds which were previously
purchased at a price including a front-end sales charge during the 90-day period
prior to the date of receipt by the Distributor of the Letter of Intent, or of
Class A shares of the Fund or shares of other Morgan Stanley Dean
    
 
                                       23
<PAGE>
Witter Funds acquired in exchange for shares of such funds purchased during such
period at a price including a front-end sales charge, which are still owned by
the shareholder, may also be included in determining the applicable reduction.
 
    ADDITIONAL NET ASSET VALUE PURCHASE OPTIONS. In addition to investments of
$1 million or more, Class A shares also may be purchased at net asset value by
the following:
 
   
    (1) trusts for which MSDW Trust (which is an affiliate of the Investment
Manager) provides discretionary trustee services;
    
 
   
    (2) persons participating in a fee-based program approved by the
Distributor, pursuant to which such persons pay an asset based fee for services
in the nature of investment advisory, administrative and/or brokerage services
(such investments are subject to all of the terms and conditions of such
programs, which may include termination fees, mandatory redemption upon
termination and such other circumstances as specified in the programs'
agreements, and restrictions on transferability of Fund shares);
    
 
   
    (3) employer-sponsored 401(k) and other plans qualified under Section 401(a)
of the Internal Revenue Code ("Qualified Retirement Plans") with at least 200
eligible employees and for which MSDW Trust serves as Trustee or DWR's
Retirement Plan Services serves as recordkeeper pursuant to a written
Recordkeeping Services Agreement;
    
 
   
    (4) Qualified Retirement Plans for which MSDW Trust serves as Trustee or
DWR's Retirement Plan Services serves as recordkeeper pursuant to a written
Recordkeeping Services Agreement whose Class B shares have converted to Class A
shares, regardless of the plan's asset size or number of eligible employees;
    
 
   
    (5) investors who are clients of a Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Financial
Advisor who joined Morgan Stanley Dean Witter from another investment firm
within six months prior to the date of purchase of Fund shares by such
investors, if the shares are being purchased with the proceeds from a redemption
of shares of an open-end proprietary mutual fund of the Financial Advisor's
previous firm which imposed either a front-end or deferred sales charge,
provided such purchase was made within sixty days after the redemption and the
proceeds of the redemption had been maintained in the interim in cash or a money
market fund; and
    
 
    (6) other categories of investors, at the discretion of the Board, as
disclosed in the then current prospectus of the Fund.
 
    No CDSC will be imposed on redemptions of shares purchased pursuant to
paragraphs (1), (2) or (5), above.
 
    For further information concerning purchases of the Fund's shares, contact
DWR or another Selected Broker-Dealer or consult the Statement of Additional
Information.
 
CONTINGENT DEFERRED SALES CHARGE
ALTERNATIVE--CLASS B SHARES
 
    Class B shares are sold at net asset value next determined without an
initial sales charge so that the full amount of an investor's purchase payment
may be immediately invested in the Fund. A CDSC, however, will be imposed on
most Class B shares redeemed within six years after purchase. The CDSC will be
imposed on any redemption of shares if after such redemption the aggregate
current value of a Class B account with the Fund falls below the aggregate
amount of the investor's purchase payments for Class B shares made during the
six years (or, in the case of shares held by certain Qualified Retirement Plans,
three years) preceding the redemption. In addition, Class B shares are subject
to an annual 12b-1 fee of 1.0% of the lesser of: (a) the average daily aggregate
gross sales of the Fund's Class B shares since the inception of the Fund (not
including reinvestments of dividends or capital gains distributions), less the
average daily aggregate net asset value of the Fund's Class B shares redeemed
since the Fund's inception upon which a CDSC has been imposed or waived, or (b)
the average daily net assets of Class B.
 
                                       24
<PAGE>
    Except as noted below, Class B shares of the Fund which are held for six
years or more after purchase (calculated from the last day of the month in which
the shares were purchased) will not be subject to any CDSC upon redemption.
Shares redeemed earlier than six years after purchase may, however, be subject
to a CDSC which will be a percentage of the dollar amount of shares redeemed and
will be assessed on an amount equal to the lesser of the current market value or
the cost of the shares being redeemed. The size of this percentage will depend
upon how long the shares have been held, as set forth in the following table:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                              CDSC AS A
         YEAR SINCE PURCHASE                PERCENTAGE OF
             PAYMENT MADE                  AMOUNT REDEEMED
- --------------------------------------  ---------------------
<S>                                     <C>
First.................................          5.0%
Second................................          4.0%
Third.................................          3.0%
Fourth................................          2.0%
Fifth.................................          2.0%
Sixth.................................          1.0%
Seventh and thereafter................          None
</TABLE>
 
   
    In the case of Class B shares of the Fund purchased on or after July 28,
1997 by Qualified Retirement Plans for which MSDW Trust serves as Trustee or
DWR's Retirement Plan Services serves as recordkeeper pursuant to a written
Recordkeeping Services Agreement, shares held for three years or more after
purchase (calculated as described in the paragraph above) will not be subject to
any CDSC upon redemption. However, shares redeemed earlier than three years
after purchase may be subject to a CDSC (calculated as described in the
paragraph above), the percentage of which will depend on how long the shares
have been held, as set forth in the following table:
    
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
         YEAR SINCE PURCHASE            CDSC AS A PERCENTAGE
             PAYMENT MADE                OF AMOUNT REDEEMED
- --------------------------------------  ---------------------
<S>                                     <C>
First.................................          2.0%
Second................................          2.0%
Third.................................          1.0%
Fourth and thereafter.................          None
</TABLE>
 
   
    CDSC WAIVERS.  A CDSC will not be imposed on: (i) any amount which
represents an increase in value of shares purchased within the six years (or, in
the case of shares held by certain Qualified Retirement Plans, three years)
preceding the redemption; (ii) the current net asset value of shares purchased
more than six years (or, in the case of shares held by certain Qualified
Retirement Plans, three years) prior to the redemption; and (iii) the current
net asset value of shares purchased through reinvestment of dividends or
distributions and/or shares acquired in exchange for shares of FSC Funds or of
other Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Funds acquired in exchange for such shares.
Moreover, in determining whether a CDSC is applicable it will be assumed that
amounts described in (i), (ii) and (iii) above (in that order) are redeemed
first.
    
 
    In addition, the CDSC, if otherwise applicable, will be waived in the case
of:
 
    (1) redemptions of shares held at the time a shareholder dies or becomes
disabled, only if the shares are:  (a) registered either in the name of an
individual shareholder (not a trust), or in the names of such shareholder and
his or her spouse as joint tenants with right of survivorship; or  (b) held in a
qualified corporate or self-employed retirement plan, Individual Retirement
Account ("IRA") or Custodial Account under Section 403(b)(7) of the Internal
Revenue Code ("403(b) Custodial Account"), provided in either case that the
redemption is requested within one year of the death or initial determination of
disability;
 
    (2) redemptions in connection with the following retirement plan
distributions:  (a) lump-sum or other distributions from a qualified corporate
or self-employed retirement plan following retirement (or, in the case of a "key
employee" of a "top heavy" plan, following attainment of age 59 1/2); (b)
distributions from an IRA or 403(b) Custodial Account following attainment of
age 59 1/2; or  (c) a tax-free return of an excess contribution to an IRA; and
 
                                       25
<PAGE>
   
    (3) all redemptions of shares held for the benefit of a participant in a
Qualified Retirement Plan which offers investment companies managed by the
Investment Manager or its subsidiary, MSDW Services, as self-directed investment
alternatives and for which MSDW Trust serves as Trustee or DWR's Retirement Plan
Services serves as recordkeeper pursuant to a written Recordkeeping Services
Agreement ("Eligible Plan"), provided that either:  (a) the plan continues to be
an Eligible Plan after the redemption; or  (b) the redemption is in connection
with the complete termination of the plan involving the distribution of all plan
assets to participants; and
    
 
   
    (4) certain redemptions pursuant to the Fund's Systematic Withdrawal Plan
(see "Shareholder Services--Systematic Withdrawal Plan")
    
 
    With reference to (1) above, for the purpose of determining disability, the
Distributor utilizes the definition of disability contained in Section 72(m)(7)
of the Internal Revenue Code, which relates to the inability to engage in
gainful employment. With reference to (2) above, the term "distribution" does
not encompass a direct transfer of IRA, 403(b) Custodial Account or retirement
plan assets to a successor custodian or trustee. All waivers will be granted
only following receipt by the Distributor of confirmation of the shareholder's
entitlement.
 
   
    CONVERSION TO CLASS A SHARES.  All shares of the Fund held prior to July 28,
1997 have been designated Class B shares. Shares held before May 1, 1997 will
convert to Class A shares in May, 2007. In all other instances Class B shares
will convert automatically to Class A shares, based on the relative net asset
values of the shares of the two Classes on the conversion date, which will be
approximately ten (10) years after the date of the original purchase. The ten
year period is calculated from the last day of the month in which the shares
were purchased or, in the case of Class B shares acquired through an exchange or
a series of exchanges, from the last day of the month in which the original
Class B shares were purchased, provided that shares originally purchased before
May 1, 1997 will convert to Class A shares in May, 2007. The conversion of
shares purchased on or after May 1, 1997 will take place in the month following
the tenth anniversary of the purchase. There will also be converted at that time
such proportion of Class B shares acquired through automatic reinvestment of
dividends and distributions owned by the shareholder as the total number of his
or her Class B shares converting at the time bears to the total number of
outstanding Class B shares purchased and owned by the shareholder. In the case
of Class B shares held by a Qualified Retirement Plan for which MSDW Trust
serves as Trustee or DWR's Retirement Plan Services serves as recordkeeper
pursuant to a written Recordkeeping Services Agreement, the plan is treated as a
single investor and all Class B shares will convert to Class A shares on the
conversion date of the first shares of a Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Multi-Class
Fund purchased by that plan. In the case of Class B shares previously exchanged
for shares of an "Exchange Fund" (see "Shareholder Services-- Exchange
Privilege"), the period of time the shares were held in the Exchange Fund
(calculated from the last day of the month in which the Exchange Fund shares
were acquired) is excluded from the holding period for conversion. If those
shares are subsequently re-exchanged for Class B shares of a Morgan Stanley Dean
Witter Multi-Class Fund, the holding period resumes on the last day of the month
in which Class B shares are reacquired.
    
 
    If a shareholder has received share certificates for Class B shares, such
certificates must be delivered to the Transfer Agent at least one week prior to
the date for conversion. Class B shares evidenced by share certificates that are
not received by the Transfer Agent at least one week prior to any conversion
date will be converted into Class A shares on the next scheduled conversion date
after such certificates are received.
 
    Effectiveness of the conversion feature is subject to the continuing
availability of a ruling of the
 
                                       26
<PAGE>
Internal Revenue Service or an opinion of counsel that (i) the conversion of
shares does not constitute a taxable event under the Internal Revenue Code, (ii)
Class A shares received on conversion will have a basis equal to the
shareholder's basis in the converted Class B shares immediately prior to the
conversion, and (iii) Class A shares received on conversion will have a holding
period that includes the holding period of the converted Class B shares. The
conversion feature may be suspended if the ruling or opinion is no longer
available. In such event, Class B shares would continue to be subject to Class B
12b-1 fees.
 
LEVEL LOAD ALTERNATIVE--CLASS C SHARES
 
    Class C shares are sold at net asset value next determined without an
initial sales charge but are subject to a CDSC of 1.0% on most redemptions made
within one year after purchase (calculated from the last day of the month in
which the shares were purchased). The CDSC will be assessed on an amount equal
to the lesser of the current market value or the cost of the shares being
redeemed. The CDSC will not be imposed in the circumstances set forth above in
the section "Contingent Deferred Sales Charge Alternative--Class B Shares--CDSC
Waivers," except that the references to six years in the first paragraph of that
section shall mean one year in the case of Class C shares. Class C shares are
subject to an annual 12b-1 fee of up to 1.0% of the average daily net assets of
the Class. Unlike Class B shares, Class C shares have no conversion feature and,
accordingly, an investor that purchases Class C shares will be subject to 12b-1
fees applicable to Class C shares for an indefinite period subject to annual
approval by the Fund's Board of Directors and regulatory limitations.
 
NO LOAD ALTERNATIVE--CLASS D SHARES
 
   
    Class D shares are offered without any sales charge on purchase or
redemption and without any 12b-1 fee. Class D shares are offered only to
investors meeting an initial investment minimum of $5 million ($25 million for
Qualified Retirement Plans for which MSDW Trust serves as Trustee or DWR's
Retirement Plan Services serves as recordkeeper pursuant to a written
Recordkeeping Services Agreement) and the following categories of investors: (i)
investors participating in the MSDW Advisors mutual fund asset allocation
program pursuant to which such persons pay an asset based fee; (ii) persons
participating in a fee-based program approved by the Distributor, pursuant to
which such persons pay an asset based fee for services in the nature of
investment advisory, administrative and/or brokerage services (subject to all of
the terms and conditions of such programs referred to in (i) and (ii) above,
which may include termination fees, mandatory redemption upon termination and
such other circumstances as specified in the programs' agreements, and
restrictions on transferability of Fund shares); (iii) 401(k) plans established
by DWR and SPS Transaction Services, Inc. (an affiliate of DWR) for their
employees; (iv) certain Unit Investment Trusts sponsored by DWR; (v) certain
other open-end investment companies whose shares are distributed by the
Distributor; (vi) investors who were shareholders of Dean Witter Retirement
Series on September 11, 1998 (with respect to additional purchases for their
former Dean Witter Retirement Series accounts); and (vii) other categories of
investors, at the discretion of the Board, as disclosed in the then current
prospectus of the Fund. Investors who require a $5 million (or $25 million)
minimum initial investment to qualify to purchase Class D shares may satisfy
that requirement by investing that amount in a single transaction in Class D
shares of the Fund and other Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Multi-Class Funds,
subject to the $1,000 minimum initial investment required for that Class of the
Fund. In addition, for the purpose of meeting the $5 million (or $25 million)
minimum investment amount, holdings of Class A shares in all Morgan Stanley Dean
Witter Multi-Class Funds, shares of FSC Funds and shares of Morgan Stanley Dean
Witter Funds for which such shares have been exchanged will be included together
with the current investment amount. If a shareholder redeems Class A shares and
purchases Class D shares, such redemption may be a taxable event.
    
 
                                       27
<PAGE>
PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION
 
    The Fund has adopted a Plan of Distribution pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the
Act with respect to the distribution of Class A, Class B and Class C shares of
the Fund. In the case of Class A and Class C shares, the Plan provides that the
Fund will reimburse the Distributor and others for the expenses of certain
activities and services incurred by them specifically on behalf of those shares.
Reimbursements for these expenses will be made in monthly payments by the Fund
to the Distributor, which will in no event exceed amounts equal to payments at
the annual rates of 0.25% and 1.0% of the average daily net assets of Class A
and Class C, respectively. In the case of Class B shares, the Plan provides that
the Fund will pay the Distributor a fee, which is accrued daily and paid
monthly, at the annual rate of 1.0% of the lesser of: (a) the average daily
aggregate gross sales of the Fund's Class B shares since the inception of the
Fund (not including reinvestments of dividends or capital gains distributions),
less the average daily aggregate net asset value of the Fund's Class B shares
redeemed since the Fund's inception upon which a CDSC has been imposed or
waived, or (b) the average daily net assets of Class B. The fee is treated by
the Fund as an expense in the year it is accrued. In the case of Class A shares,
the entire amount of the fee currently represents a service fee within the
meaning of the NASD guidelines. In the case of Class B and Class C shares, a
portion of the fee payable pursuant to the Plan, equal to 0.25% of the average
daily net assets of each of these Classes, is currently characterized as a
service fee. A service fee is a payment made for personal service and/or the
maintenance of shareholder accounts.
 
   
    Additional amounts paid under the Plan in the case of Class B and Class C
shares are paid to the Distributor for services provided and the expenses borne
by the Distributor and others in the distribution of the shares of those
Classes, including the payment of commissions for sales of the shares of those
Classes and incentive compensation to and expenses of Morgan Stanley Dean Witter
Financial Advisors and others who engage in or support distribution of shares or
who service shareholder accounts, including overhead and telephone expenses;
printing and distribution of prospectuses and reports used in connection with
the offering of the Fund's shares to other than current shareholders; and
preparation, printing and distribution of sales literature and advertising
materials. In addition, the Distributor may utilize fees paid pursuant to the
Plan in the case of Class B shares to compensate DWR and other Selected
Broker-Dealers for their opportunity costs in advancing such amounts, which
compensation would be in the form of a carrying charge on any unreimbursed
expenses.
    
 
   
    For the fiscal year ended October 31, 1998, Class B shares of the Fund
accrued payments under the Plan amounting to $          , which amount is equal
to 0.  % of the average daily net assets of Class B for the fiscal year. These
payments were calculated pursuant to clause (a) of the compensation formula
under the Plan. For the fiscal year ended October 31, 1998, Class A and Class C
shares of the Fund accrued payments under the Plan amounting to $         and
$         , respectively, which amounts are equal to    % and    % of the
average daily net assets of Class A and Class C, respectively, for the fiscal
year.
    
 
   
    In the case of Class B shares, at any given time, the expenses in
distributing Class B shares of the Fund may be in excess of the total of (i) the
payments made by the Fund pursuant to the Plan, and (ii) the proceeds of CDSCs
paid by investors upon the redemption of Class B shares. For example, if $1
million in expenses in distributing Class B shares of the Fund had been incurred
and $750,000 had been received as described in (i) and (ii) above, the excess
expense would amount to $250,000. The Distributor has advised the Fund that such
excess amounts, including the carrying charge described above, totalled
$         at October 31, 1998, which was equal to    % of the net assets of
Class B on such date. Because there is no requirement under the Plan that the
Distributor be reimbursed for all distribution expenses or any requirement that
the Plan be
    
 
                                       28
<PAGE>
continued from year to year, such excess amount does not constitute a liability
of the Fund. Although there is no legal obligation for the Fund to pay expenses
incurred in excess of payments made to the Distributor under the Plan, and the
proceeds of CDSCs paid by investors upon redemption of shares, if for any reason
the Plan is terminated the Directors will consider at that time the manner in
which to treat such expenses. Any cumulative expenses incurred, but not yet
recovered through distribution fees or CDSCs, may or may not be recovered
through future distribution fees or CDSCs.
 
   
    In the case of Class A and Class C shares, expenses incurred pursuant to the
Plan in any calendar year in excess of 0.25% or 1.0% of the average daily net
assets of Class A or Class C, respectively, will not be reimbursed by the Fund
through payments in any subsequent year, except that expenses representing a
gross sales commission credited to Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Financial Advisors
or other Selected Broker-Dealer representatives at the time of sale may be
reimbursed in the subsequent calendar year. The Distributor has advised the Fund
that unreimbursed expenses representing a gross sales commission credited to
Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Financial Advisors and other Selected Broker-Dealer
representatives at the time of sale may be reimbursed in the subsequent calendar
year. The Distributor has advised the Fund that unreimbursed expenses
representing a gross sales commission credited to Morgan Stanley Dean Witter
Financial Advisors and other Selected Broker-Dealer representatives at the time
of sale totalled $24,888 in the case of Class C at December 31, 1997, which
amount was equal to 0.74% of the net assets of Class C on such date, and that
there were no such expenses that may be reimbursed in the subsequent year in the
case of Class A on such date. No interest or other financing charges will be
incurred on any Class A or Class C distribution expenses incurred by the
Distributor under the Plan or on any unreimbursed expenses due to the
Distributor pursuant to the Plan.
    
 
DETERMINATION OF NET ASSET VALUE
 
    The net asset value per share is determined once daily at 4:00 p.m., New
York time (or, on days when the New York Stock Exchange closes prior to 4:00
p.m., at such earlier time), on each day that the New York Stock Exchange is
open by taking the net assets of the Fund, dividing by the number of shares
outstanding and adjusting to the nearest cent. The assets belonging to the Class
A, Class B, Class C and Class D shares will be invested together in a single
portfolio. The net asset value of each Class, however, will be determined
separately by subtracting each Class's accrued expenses and liabilities. The net
asset value per share will not be determined on Good Friday and on such other
federal and non-federal holidays as are observed by the New York Stock Exchange.
 
   
    In the calculation of the Fund's net asset value: (1) an equity portfolio
security listed or traded on the New York or American Stock Exchange or other
domestic or foreign stock exchange is valued at its latest sale price on that
exchange prior to the time when assets are valued (if there were no sales that
day, the security is valued at the latest bid price); and (2) all other
portfolio securities for which over-the-counter market quotations are readily
available are valued at the latest available bid price prior to the time of
valuation. When market quotations are not readily available, including
circumstances under which it is determined by the Investment Manager or
Sub-Advisor that sale or bid prices are not reflective of a security's market
value, portfolio securities are valued at their fair value as determined in good
faith under procedures established by and under the general supervision of the
Fund's Directors. For valuation purposes, quotations of foreign portfolio
securities, other assets and liabilities and forward contracts stated in foreign
currency are translated into U.S. dollar equivalents at the prevailing market
rates prior to the close of the New York Stock Exchange. Dividends receivable
are accrued as of the ex-dividend date or as of the time that the relevant
ex-dividend date and amounts become known.
    
 
                                       29
<PAGE>
    Short-term debt securities with remaining maturities of sixty days or less
to maturity at the time of purchase are valued at amortized cost, unless the
Directors determine such does not reflect the securities' market value, in which
case these securities will be valued at their fair value as determined by the
Directors.
 
    Certain securities in the Fund's portfolio may be valued by an outside
pricing service approved by the Fund's Directors. The pricing service may
utilize a matrix system incorporating security quality, maturity and coupon as
the evaluation model parameters, and/or research evaluations by its staff,
including review of broker-dealer market price quotations, in determining what
it believes is the fair valuation of the portfolio securities valued by such
pricing service.
 
SHAREHOLDER SERVICES
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
   
    AUTOMATIC INVESTMENT OF DIVIDENDS AND DISTRIBUTIONS.  All income dividends
and capital gains distributions are automatically paid in full and fractional
shares of the applicable Class of the Fund (or, if specified by the shareholder,
in shares of any other open-end Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Fund), unless the
shareholder requests that they be paid in cash. Shares so acquired are acquired
at net asset value and are not subject to the imposition of a front-end sales
charge or a CDSC (see "Redemption and Repurchases").
    
 
   
    EASYINVEST-SM-.  Shareholders may subscribe to EasyInvest, an automatic
purchase plan which provides for any amount from $100 to $5,000 to be
transferred automatically from a checking or savings account or following
redemption of shares of a Morgan Stanley Dean Witter money market fund, on a
semi-monthly, monthly or quarterly basis, to the Transfer Agent for investment
in shares of the Fund (see "Purchase of Fund Shares" and "Redemptions and
Repurchases--Involuntary Redemption").
    
 
   
    INVESTMENT OF DIVIDENDS OR DISTRIBUTIONS RECEIVED IN CASH.  Any shareholder
who receives a cash payment representing a dividend or capital gains
distribution may invest such dividend or distribution in shares of the
applicable Class at the net asset value per share next determined after receipt
by the Transfer Agent, by returning the check or the proceeds to the Transfer
Agent within thirty days after the payment date. Shares so acquired are acquired
at net asset value and are not subject to the imposition of a front-end sales
charge or a CDSC (see "Redemptions and Repurchases").
    
 
   
    SYSTEMATIC WITHDRAWAL PLAN.  A systematic withdrawal plan (the "Withdrawal
Plan") is available for shareholders whose shares of Morgan Stanley Dean Witter
Funds have an aggregate value of $10,000 or more. Shares of any Fund from which
redemptions will be made pursuant to the Plan must have a value of $1,000 or
more (referred to as a "SWP Fund"). The required share values are determined on
the date the shareholder establishes the Withdrawal Plan. The Withdrawal Plan
provides for monthly, quarterly, semi-annual or annual payments in any amount
not less than $25, or in any whole percentage of the value of the SWP Funds'
shares, on an annualized basis. Any applicable CDSC will be imposed on shares
redeemed under the Withdrawal Plan (see "Purchase of Fund Shares"), except that
the CDSC, if any, will be waived on redemptions under the Withdrawal Plan of up
to 12% annually of the value of each SWP Fund account, based on the share values
next determined after the shareholder establishes the Withdrawal Plan.
Redemptions for which this CDSC waiver policy applies may be in amounts up to 1%
per month, 3% per quarter, 6% semi-annually or 12% annually. Under this CDSC
waiver policy, amounts withdrawn each period will be paid by first redeeming
shares not subject to a CDSC because the shares were purchased by the
reinvestment of dividends or capital gains distributions, the CDSC period has
elapsed or some other waiver of the
    
 
                                       30
<PAGE>
   
CDSC applies. If shares subject to a CDSC must be redeemed, shares held for the
longest period of time will be redeemed first and continuing with shares held
the next longest period of time until shares held the shortest period of time
are redeemed. Any shareholder participating in the Withdrawal Plan will have
sufficient shares redeemed from his or her account so that the proceeds (net of
any applicable CDSC) to the shareholder will be the designated monthly,
quarterly, semi-annual or annual amount.
    
 
   
    A shareholder may suspend or terminate participation in the Withdrawal Plan
at any time. A shareholder who has suspended participation may resume payments
under the Withdrawal Plan, without requiring a new determination of the account
value for the 12% CDSC waiver. The Withdrawal Plan may be terminated or revised
at any time by the Fund.
    
 
   
    Prior to adding an additional SWP Fund to an existing Withdrawal Plan, the
required $10,000/$1,000 share values must be met, to be calculated on the date
the shareholder adds the additional SWP Fund. However, the addition of a new SWP
Fund will not change the account value for the 12% CDSC waiver for the SWP Funds
already participating in the Withdrawal Plan.
    
 
   
    Withdrawal Plan payments should not be considered dividends, yields or
income. If periodic Withdrawal Plan payments continuously exceed net investment
income and net capital gains, the shareholder's original investment will be
correspondingly reduced and ultimately exhausted. Each withdrawal constitutes a
redemption of shares and any gain or loss realized must be recognized for
federal income tax purposes.
    
 
   
    TAX-SHELTERED RETIREMENT PLANS.  Retirement plans are available for use by
corporations, the self-employed, Individual Retirement Accounts and Custodial
Accounts under Section 403(b)(7) of the Internal Revenue Code. Adoption of such
plans should be on advice of legal counsel or tax advisor.
    
 
   
    Shareholders should contact their Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Financial
Advisor or other Selected Broker-Dealer representative or the Transfer Agent for
further information about any of the above services.
    
 
EXCHANGE PRIVILEGE
 
   
    Shares of each Class may be exchanged for shares of the same Class of any
other Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Multi-Class Fund without the imposition of any
exchange fee. Shares may also be exchanged for shares of the following funds:
Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Short-Term U.S. Treasury Trust, Morgan Stanley Dean
Witter Limited Term Municipal Trust, Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Short-Term Bond
Fund and five Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Funds which are money market funds (the
"Exchange Funds"). Class A shares may also be exchanged for shares of Morgan
Stanley Dean Witter Multi-State Municipal Series Trust and Morgan Stanley Dean
Witter Hawaii Municipal Trust, which are Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Funds sold
with a front-end sales charge ("FSC Funds"). Class B shares may also be
exchanged for shares of Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Global Short-Term Income Fund
Inc. ("Global Short-Term"), which is a Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Fund offered
with a CDSC. Exchanges may be made after the shares of the Fund acquired by
purchase (not by exchange or dividend reinvestment) have been held for thirty
days. There is no waiting period for exchanges of shares acquired by exchange or
dividend reinvestment.
    
 
   
    An exchange to another Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Multi-Class Fund, any FSC
Fund, Global Short-Term or any Exchange Fund that is not a money market fund is
on the basis of the next calculated net asset value per share of each fund after
the exchange order is received. When exchanging into a money market fund from
the Fund, shares of the Fund are redeemed out of the Fund at their next
calculated net asset value and the proceeds of the redemption are used to
purchase shares of the money market fund at their net asset value determined the
following business day. Subsequent
    
 
                                       31
<PAGE>
   
exchanges between any of the money market funds and any of the Morgan Stanley
Dean Witter Multi-Class Funds, FSC Funds, Global Short-Term or any Exchange Fund
that is not a money market fund can be effected on the same basis.
    
 
   
    No CDSC is imposed at the time of any exchange of shares, although any
applicable CDSC will be imposed upon ultimate redemption. During the period of
time the shareholder remains invested in an Exchange Fund (calculated from the
last day of the month in which the Exchange Fund shares were acquired), the
holding period (for the purpose of determining the rate of the CDSC) is frozen.
If those shares are subsequently re-exchanged for shares of a Morgan Stanley
Dean Witter Multi-Class Fund or shares of Global Short-Term, the holding period
previously frozen when the first exchange was made resumes on the last day of
the month in which shares of a Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Multi-Class Fund or
shares of Global Short-Term are reacquired. Thus, the CDSC is based upon the
time (calculated as described above) the shareholder was invested in shares of a
Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Multi-Class Fund or in shares of Global Short-Term
(see "Purchase of Fund Shares"). In the case of exchanges of Class A shares
which are subject to a CDSC, the holding period also includes the time
(calculated as described above) the shareholder was invested in shares of a FSC
Fund. In the case of shares exchanged for shares of an Exchange Fund on or after
April 23, 1990, upon a redemption of shares which results in a CDSC being
imposed, a credit (not to exceed the amount of the CDSC) will be given in an
amount equal to the Exchange Fund 12b-1 distribution fees incurred on or after
that date which are attributable to those shares. (Exchange Fund 12b-1
distribution fees are described in the prospectuses for those funds.) Class B
shares of the Fund acquired in exchange for shares of Global Short-Term or Class
B shares of another Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Multi-Class Fund having a
different CDSC schedule than that of this Fund will be subject to the higher
CDSC schedule, even if such shares are subsequently re-exchanged for shares of
the fund with the lower CDSC schedule.
    
 
   
    ADDITIONAL INFORMATION REGARDING EXCHANGES. Purchases and exchanges should
be made for investment purposes only. A pattern of frequent exchanges may be
deemed by the Investment Manager to be abusive and contrary to the best
interests of the Fund's other shareholders and, at the Investment Manager's
discretion, may be limited by the Fund's refusal to accept additional purchases
and/ or exchanges from the investor. Although the Fund does not have any
specific definition of what constitutes a pattern of frequent exchanges, and
will consider all relevant factors in determining whether a particular situation
is abusive and contrary to the best interests of the Fund and its other
shareholders, investors should be aware that the Fund and each of the other
Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Funds may in their discretion limit or otherwise
restrict the number of times this Exchange Privilege may be exercised by any
investor. Any such restriction will be made by the Fund on a prospective basis
only, upon notice to the shareholder not later than ten days following such
shareholder's most recent exchange. Also, the Exchange Privilege may be
terminated or revised at any time by the Fund and/or any of such Morgan Stanley
Dean Witter Funds for which shares of the Fund have been exchanged, upon such
notice as may be required by applicable regulatory agencies. Shareholders
maintaining margin accounts with DWR or another Selected Broker-Dealer are
referred to their Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Financial Advisor or other Selected
Broker-Dealer representative regarding restrictions on exchange of shares of the
Fund pledged in the margin account.
    
 
    The current prospectus for each fund describes its investment objective(s)
and policies, and shareholders should obtain a copy and examine it carefully
before investing. Exchanges are subject to the minimum investment requirement of
each Class of shares and any other conditions imposed by each fund. In the case
of a shareholder holding a share certificate or certificates, no exchanges may
be made until all applicable share certificates have been received by the
Transfer Agent and deposited in the shareholder's account. In the case of any
 
                                       32
<PAGE>
shareholder holding a share certificate or certificates, no exchanges may be
made until all applicable share certificates have been received by the Transfer
Agent and deposited in the shareholder's account. An exchange will be treated
for federal income tax purposes the same as a repurchase or redemption of
shares, on which the shareholder may realize a capital gain or loss. However,
the ability to deduct capital losses on an exchange may be limited in situations
where there is an exchange of shares within ninety days after the shares are
purchased. The Exchange Privilege is only available in states where an exchange
may legally be made.
 
   
    If DWR or another Selected Broker-Dealer is the current dealer of record and
its account numbers are part of the account information, shareholders may
initiate an exchange of shares of the Fund for shares of any of the Morgan
Stanley Dean Witter Funds (for which the Exchange Privilege is available)
pursuant to this Exchange Privilege by contacting their Morgan Stanley Dean
Witter Financial Advisor or other Selected Broker-Dealer representative (no
Exchange Privilege Authorization Form is required). Other shareholders (and
those shareholders who are clients of DWR or another Selected Broker-Dealer but
who wish to make exchanges directly by writing or telephoning the Transfer
Agent) must complete and forward to the Transfer Agent an Exchange Privilege
Authorization Form, copies of which may be obtained from the Distributor, to
initiate an exchange. If the Authorization Form is used, exchanges may be made
in writing or by contacting the Transfer Agent at (800) 869-NEWS (toll-free).
    
 
   
    The Fund will employ reasonable procedures to confirm that exchange
instructions communicated over the telephone are genuine. Such procedures may
include requiring various forms of personal identification such as name, mailing
address, social security or other tax identification number and DWR or other
Selected Broker-Dealer account number (if any). Telephone instructions may also
be recorded. If such procedures are not employed, the Fund may be liable for any
losses due to unauthorized or fraudulent instructions. Telephone exchange
instructions will be accepted if received by the Transfer Agent between 9:00
a.m. and 4:00 p.m. New York time, on any day the New York Stock Exchange is
open. Any shareholder wishing to make an exchange who has previously filed an
Exchange Privilege Authorization Form and who is unable to reach the Fund by
telephone should contact his or her Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Financial Advisor
or other Selected Broker-Dealer representative, if appropriate, or make a
written exchange request. Shareholders are advised that during periods of
drastic economic or market changes, it is possible that the telephone exchange
procedures may be difficult to implement, although this has not been the case
with the Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Funds in the past.
    
 
   
    For further information regarding the Exchange Privilege, shareholders
should contact their Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Financial Advisor or other
Selected Broker-Dealer representative or the Transfer Agent.
    
 
REDEMPTIONS AND REPURCHASES
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
    REDEMPTION.  Shares of each Class of the Fund can be redeemed for cash at
any time at the net asset value per share next determined less the amount of any
applicable CDSC in the case of Class A, Class B or Class C shares (see "Purchase
of Fund Shares"). If shares are held in a shareholder's account without a share
certificate, a written request for redemption to the Fund's Transfer Agent at
P.O. Box 983, Jersey City, NJ 07303 is required. If certificates are held by the
shareholder, the shares may be redeemed by surrendering the certificates with a
written request for redemption, along with any additional documentation required
by the Transfer Agent.
 
                                       33
<PAGE>
    REPURCHASE.  DWR and other Selected Broker-Dealers are authorized to
repurchase shares represented by a share certificate which is delivered to any
of their offices. Shares held in a shareholder's account without a share
certificate may also be repurchased by DWR and other Selected Broker-Dealers
upon the telephonic request of the shareholder. The repurchase price is the net
asset value next computed (see "Purchase of Fund Shares") after such repurchase
order is received by DWR or other Selected Broker-Dealer reduced by any
applicable CDSC.
 
    The CDSC, if any, will be the only fee imposed by the Fund or the
Distributor. The offers by DWR and other Selected Broker-Dealers to repurchase
shares may be suspended without notice by them at any time. In that event,
shareholders may redeem their shares through the Fund's Transfer Agent as set
forth above under "Redemption."
 
   
    PAYMENT FOR SHARES REDEEMED OR REPURCHASED.  Payment for shares presented
for repurchase or redemption will be made by check within seven days after
receipt by the Transfer Agent of the certificate and/or written request in good
order. Such payment may be postponed or the right of redemption suspended under
unusual circumstances, e.g., when normal trading is not taking place on the New
York Stock Exchange. If the shares to be redeemed have recently been purchased
by check (including a government, certified or bank cashier's check), payment of
the redemption proceeds may be delayed for the minimum time needed to verify
that the check used for investment has been honored (not more than fifteen days
from the time of receipt of the check by the Transfer Agent). Shareholders
maintaining margin accounts with DWR or another Selected Broker-Dealer are
referred to their Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Financial Advisor or other Selected
Broker-Dealer representative regarding restrictions on redemption of shares of
the Fund pledged in the margin account.
    
 
    REINSTATEMENT PRIVILEGE.  A shareholder who has had his or her shares
redeemed or repurchased and has not previously exercised this reinstatement
privilege may, within 35 days after the date of the redemption or repurchase,
reinstate any portion or all of the proceeds of such redemption or repurchase in
shares of the Fund in the same Class from which such shares were redeemed or
repurchased, at net asset value next determined after a reinstatement request,
together with the proceeds, is received by the Transfer Agent and receive a pro-
rata credit for any CDSC paid in connection with such redemption or repurchase.
 
    INVOLUNTARY REDEMPTION.  The Fund reserves the right to redeem, on sixty
days' notice and at net asset value, the shares of any shareholder (other than
shares held in an Individual Retirement Account or custodial account under
Section 403(b)(7) of the Code) whose shares due to redemptions by the
shareholder have a value of less than $100 or such lesser amount as may be fixed
by the Directors or, in the case of an account opened through EasyInvest, if
after twelve months the shareholder has invested less than $1,000 in the
account. However, before the Fund redeems such shares and sends the proceeds to
the shareholder, it will notify the shareholder that the value of the shares is
less than the applicable amount and allow the shareholder sixty days to make an
additional investment in an amount which will increase the value of the account
to at least the applicable amount before the redemption is processed. No CDSC
will be imposed on any involuntary redemption.
 
                                       34
<PAGE>
DIVIDENDS, DISTRIBUTIONS AND TAXES
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
    DIVIDENDS AND DISTRIBUTIONS.  The Fund declares dividends separately for
each Class of shares and intends to pay dividends and to distribute
substantially all of the Fund's net investment income and net realized
short-term and long-term capital gains, if any, at least once each year. The
Fund may, however, determine either to distribute or to retain all or part of
any long-term capital gains in any year for reinvestment.
 
    All dividends and any capital gains distributions will be paid in additional
shares of the same Class and automatically credited to the shareholder's account
without issuance of a share certificate unless the shareholder requests in
writing that all dividends and/or distributions be paid in cash. Shares acquired
by dividend and distribution reinvestments will not be subject to any front-end
sales charge or CDSC. Class B shares acquired through dividend and distribution
reinvestments will become eligible for conversion to Class A shares on a pro
rata basis. Distributions paid on Class A and Class D shares will be higher than
for Class B and Class C shares because distribution fees paid by Class B and
Class C shares are higher. (See "Shareholder Services--Automatic Investment of
Dividends and Distributions.")
 
    TAXES.  Because the Fund intends to continue to distribute all of its net
investment income and any net short-term capital gains to shareholders and
otherwise qualify as a regulated investment company under Subchapter M of the
Code, it is not expected that the Fund will be required to pay any federal
income tax on such income and capital gains.
 
    Gains or losses on the Fund's transactions in certain listed options on
securities and on futures and options on futures generally are treated as 60%
long-term gain or loss and 40% short-term gain or loss. When the Fund engages in
options and futures transactions, various tax regulations applicable to the Fund
may have the effect of causing the Fund to recognize a gain or loss for tax
purposes before that gain or loss is realized, or to defer recognition of a
realized loss for tax purposes. Recognition, for tax purposes, of an unrealized
loss may result in a lesser amount of the Fund's realized net gains being
available for distribution.
 
    Shareholders will normally have to pay federal income taxes, and any
applicable state and/or local income taxes, on the dividends and distributions
they receive from the Fund. Such dividends and distributions, to the extent that
they are derived from net investment income and net short-term capital gains,
are taxable to the shareholder as ordinary dividend income regardless of whether
the shareholder receives such distributions in additional shares or in cash. Any
dividends declared in the last quarter of any calendar year which are paid in
the following calendar year prior to February 1, will be deemed, for tax
purposes, to have been received by the shareholder in the prior calendar year.
 
    Distributions of net long-term capital gains, if any, are taxable to
shareholders as long-term capital gains regardless of how long a shareholder has
held the Fund's shares and regardless of whether the distribution is received in
additional shares or in cash. It is anticipated that only a small portion, if
any, of the Fund's distributions will be eligible for the dividends received
deduction to corporate shareholders.
 
    The Fund may at times make payments from sources other than income or net
capital gains. Payments from such sources will, in effect, represent a return of
a portion of each shareholder's investment. All, or a portion, of such payments
will not be taxable to shareholders.
 
    After the end of the year, shareholders will receive full information on
their dividends and capital gains distributions for tax purposes. Shareholders
will also be notified of their proportionate share of long-term capital gains
distributions that are eligible for a reduced rate of tax under the Taxpayer
Relief Act of 1997.
 
                                       35
<PAGE>
    To avoid being subject to a 31% federal backup withholding tax on taxable
dividends, capital gains distributions and the proceeds of redemptions and
repurchases, shareholders' taxpayer identification numbers must be furnished and
certified as to their accuracy.
 
    Dividends, interest and gains received by the Fund may give rise to
withholding and other taxes imposed by foreign countries. If it qualifies for
and has made the appropriate election with the Internal Revenue Service, the
Fund will report annually to its shareholders the amount per share of such
taxes, to enable shareholders to deduct their pro rata portion of such taxes
from their taxable income or claim United States foreign tax credits with
respect to such taxes. In the absence of such an election, the Fund would deduct
foreign tax in computing the amount of its distributable income.
 
   
    The foregoing discussion relates solely to the federal income tax
consequences of an investment in the Fund. Distributions may also be subject to
state and local taxes; therefore, each shareholder is advised to consult his or
her own tax advisor.
    
 
PERFORMANCE INFORMATION
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
    From time to time the Fund may quote its "total return" in advertisements
and sales literature. These figures are computed separately for Class A, Class
B, Class C and Class D shares. The total return of the Fund is based on
historical earnings and is not intended to indicate future performance. The
"average annual total return" of the Fund refers to a figure reflecting the
average annualized percentage increase (or decrease) in the value of an initial
investment in a Class of the Fund of $1,000 over a period of one year and five
years, as well as over the life of the Fund. Average annual total return
reflects all income earned by the Fund, any appreciation or depreciation of the
Fund's assets, all expenses incurred by the applicable Class and all sales
charges which would be incurred by shareholders, for the stated periods. It also
assumes reinvestment of all dividends and distributions paid by the Fund.
 
    In addition to the foregoing, the Fund may advertise its total return for
each Class over different periods of time by means of aggregate, average, and
year-by-year or other types of total return figures. The Fund may also advertise
the growth of hypothetical investments of $10,000, $50,000 and $100,000 in each
Class of shares of the Fund. Such calculations may or may not reflect the
deduction of any sales charge which, if reflected, would reduce the performance
quoted. The Fund from time to time may also advertise its performance relative
to certain performance rankings and indexes compiled by independent
organizations (such as mutual fund performance rankings of Lipper Analytical
Services, Inc.).
 
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
    VOTING RIGHTS.  All shares of the Fund are of common stock of $0.01 par
value and are equal as to earnings, assets and voting privileges except that
each Class will have exclusive voting privileges with respect to matters
relating to distribution expenses borne solely by such Class or any other matter
in which the interests of one Class differ from the interests of any other
Class. In addition, Class B shareholders will have the right to vote on any
proposed material increase in Class A's expenses, if such proposal is submitted
separately to Class A shareholders. Also, as discussed herein, Class A, Class B
 
                                       36
<PAGE>
and Class C bear the expenses related to the distribution of their respective
shares. There are no conversion, pre-emptive or other subscription rights. In
the event of liquidation, each share of common stock of the Fund is entitled to
its portion of all of the Fund's assets after all debts and expenses have been
paid. The shares do not have cumulative voting rights.
 
    The Fund is not required to hold Annual Meetings of Shareholders and, in
ordinary circumstances, the Fund does not intend to hold such meetings. The
Directors may call Special Meetings of Shareholders for action by shareholder
vote as may be required by the Act or the Fund's By-Laws.
 
   
    CODE OF ETHICS.  Directors, officers and employees of MSDW Advisors, MSDW
Services and MSDW Distributors are subject to a strict Code of Ethics adopted by
those companies. The Code of Ethics is intended to ensure that the interests of
shareholders and other clients are placed ahead of any personal interest, that
no undue personal benefit is obtained from a person's employment activities and
that actual and potential conflicts of interest are avoided. To achieve these
goals and comply with regulatory requirements, the Code of Ethics requires,
among other things, that personal securities transactions by employees of the
companies be subject to an advance clearance process to monitor that no Morgan
Stanley Dean Witter Fund is engaged at the same time in a purchase or sale of
the same security. The Code of Ethics bans the purchase of securities in an
initial public offering, and also prohibits engaging in futures and options
transactions and profiting on short-term trading (that is, a purchase within
sixty days of a sale or a sale within sixty days of a purchase) of a security.
In addition, investment personnel may not purchase or sell a security for their
personal account within thirty days before or after any transaction in any
Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Fund managed by them. Any violations of the Code of
Ethics are subject to sanctions, including reprimand, demotion or suspension or
termination of employment. The Code of Ethics comports with regulatory
requirements and the recommendations in the 1994 report by the Investment
Company Institute Advisory Group on Personal Investing.
    
 
   
    The Fund's Sub-Advisor also has a Code of Ethics which complies with
regulatory requirements and, insofar as it relates to persons associated with
the Fund, the 1994 report by the Investment Company Institute Advisory Group on
Personal Investing.
    
 
    MASTER/FEEDER CONVERSION.  The Fund reserves the right to seek to achieve
its investment objective by investing all of its investable assets in a
diversified, open-end management investment company having the same investment
objective and policies and substantially the same investment restrictions as
those applicable to the Fund.
 
    SHAREHOLDER INQUIRIES.  All inquiries regarding the Fund should be directed
to the Fund at the telephone numbers or address set forth on the front cover of
this Prospectus.
 
                                       37
<PAGE>
   
Morgan Stanley Dean Witter
    
European Growth Fund Inc.
Two World Trade Center
New York, New York 10048
 
DIRECTORS
 
Michael Bozic
Charles A. Fiumefreddo
Edwin J. Garn
John R. Haire
Wayne E. Hedien
Dr. Manuel H. Johnson
Michael E. Nugent
Philip J. Purcell
John L. Schroeder
 
OFFICERS
 
Charles A. Fiumefreddo
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
 
Barry Fink
Vice President, Secretary and General Counsel
 
Thomas F. Caloia
Treasurer
 
CUSTODIAN
 
The Chase Manhattan Bank
One Chase Plaza
New York, New York 10005
 
TRANSFER AGENT AND
DIVIDEND DISBURSING AGENT
 
   
Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Trust FSB
Harborside Financial Center
Plaza Two
Jersey City, New Jersey 07311
    
 
   
INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS
 
INVESTMENT MANAGER
    
 
   
Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Advisors Inc.
    
 
   
SUB-ADVISOR
    
 
   
Morgan Stanley Asset Management Inc.
    
 
   
MORGAN STANLEY
    
DEAN WITTER
EUROPEAN
GROWTH FUND
 
   
                               [PHOTO]
                                                 PROSPECTUS -- DECEMBER   , 1998
    
<PAGE>
 
   
STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION                              MORGAN STANLEY
DECEMBER   , 1998                                                DEAN WITTER
                                                                 EUROPEAN GROWTH
                                                                 FUND INC.
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    
 
   
    Morgan Stanley Dean Witter European Growth Fund Inc. (the "Fund") is an
open-end, diversified management investment company, whose investment objective
is to maximize the capital appreciation of its investments. The Fund seeks to
achieve its investment objective by investing primarily in securities issued by
issuers located in Europe.
    
 
   
    A Prospectus for the Fund dated December   , 1998, which provides the basic
information you should know before investing in the Fund, may be obtained
without charge from the Fund at the address or telephone numbers listed below or
from the Fund's Distributor, Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Distributors Inc., or
from Dean Witter Reynolds Inc. at any of its branch offices. This Statement of
Additional Information is not a Prospectus. It contains information in addition
to and more detailed than that set forth in the Prospectus. It is intended to
provide additional information regarding the activities and operations of the
Fund, and should be read in conjunction with the Prospectus.
    
 
   
Morgan Stanley Dean Witter
European Growth Fund Inc.
Two World Trade Center
New York, New York 10048
(212) 392-2550 or
(800) 869-NEWS (toll-free)
    
<PAGE>
TABLE OF CONTENTS
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
   
<TABLE>
<S>                                                                                      <C>
The Fund and its Management............................................................          3
 
Directors and Officers.................................................................          8
 
Investment Practices and Policies......................................................         13
 
Investment Restrictions................................................................         26
 
Portfolio Transactions and Brokerage...................................................         28
 
The Distributor........................................................................         30
 
Determination of Net Asset Value.......................................................         34
 
Purchase of Fund Shares................................................................         35
 
Shareholder Services...................................................................         38
 
Redemptions and Repurchases............................................................         43
 
Dividends, Distributions and Taxes.....................................................         44
 
Performance Information................................................................         46
 
Description of Common Stock............................................................         47
 
Custodian and Transfer Agent...........................................................         48
 
Independent Accountants................................................................         48
 
Reports to Shareholders................................................................         48
 
Legal Counsel..........................................................................         48
 
Experts................................................................................         48
 
Registration Statement.................................................................         49
 
Financial Statements -- October 31, 1998...............................................         50
 
Report of Independent Accountants......................................................         65
</TABLE>
    
 
                                       2
<PAGE>
THE FUND AND ITS MANAGEMENT
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
THE FUND
 
   
    The Fund was incorporated under the laws of the state of Maryland on
February 13, 1990. The Fund was incorporated under Maryland Law on February 13,
1990, under the name Dean Witter European Growth Fund Inc. Its name was changed
to Morgan Stanley Dean Witter European Growth Fund Inc. on June 22, 1998.
    
 
THE INVESTMENT MANAGER
 
   
    Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Advisors Inc. (the "Investment Manager" or "MSDW
Advisors"), a Delaware corporation, whose address is Two World Trade Center, New
York, New York 10048, is the Fund's Investment Manager. MSDW Advisors is a
wholly-owned subsidiary of Morgan Stanley Dean Witter & Co. ("MSDW"), a Delaware
corporation. The daily management of the Fund is conducted by or under the
direction of officers of the Fund and of the Investment Manager and Morgan
Stanley Asset Management Inc. ("MSAM" or the "Sub-Advisor"), subject to review
by the Fund's Board of Directors. Information as to these Directors and Officers
is contained under the caption "Directors and Officers."
    
 
   
    MSDW Advisors is the investment manager or investment advisor of the
following investment companies, which are collectively referred to as the
"Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Funds":
    
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
OPEN-END FUNDS
 
<C>        <S>
        1  Active Assets California Tax-Free Trust
        2  Active Assets Government Securities Trust
        3  Active Assets Money Trust
        4  Active Assets Tax-Free Trust
        5  Morgan Stanley Dean Witter American Value Fund
        6  Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Balanced Growth Fund
        7  Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Balanced Income Fund
        8  Morgan Stanley Dean Witter California Tax-Free Daily Income Trust
        9  Morgan Stanley Dean Witter California Tax-Free Income Fund
       10  Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Capital Appreciation Fund
       11  Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Capital Growth Securities
       12  Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Competitive Edge Fund, "BEST IDEAS" Portfolio
       13  Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Convertible Securities Trust
       14  Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Developing Growth Securities Trust
       15  Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Diversified Income Trust
       16  Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Dividend Growth Securities Inc.
       17  Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Equity Fund
       18  Morgan Stanley Dean Witter European Growth Fund Inc.
       19  Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Federal Securities Trust
       20  Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Financial Services Trust
       21  Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Fund of Funds
       22  Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Global Dividend Growth Securities
       23  Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Global Short-Term Income Fund Inc.
       24  Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Global Utilities Fund
       25  Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Growth Fund
       26  Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Hawaii Municipal Trust
       27  Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Health Sciences Trust
       28  Morgan Stanley Dean Witter High Yield Securities Inc.
       29  Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Income Builder Fund
       30  Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Information Fund
       31  Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Intermediate Income Securities
       32  Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Intermediate Term U.S. Treasury Trust
</TABLE>
    
 
                                       3
<PAGE>
   
<TABLE>
<C>        <S>
       33  Morgan Stanley Dean Witter International SmallCap Fund
       34  Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Japan Fund
       35  Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Limited Term Municipal Trust
       36  Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Liquid Asset Fund Inc.
       37  Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Market Leader Trust
       38  Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Mid-Cap Dividend Growth Securities
       39  Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Mid-Cap Growth Fund
       40  Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Multi-State Municipal Series Trust
       41  Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Natural Resource Development Securities Inc.
       42  Morgan Stanley Dean Witter New York Municipal Money Market Trust
       43  Morgan Stanley Dean Witter New York Tax-Free Income Fund
       44  Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Pacific Growth Fund Inc.
       45  Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Precious Metals and Minerals Trust
       46  Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Select Dimensions Investment Series
       47  Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Select Municipal Reinvestment Fund
       48  Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Short-Term Bond Fund
       49  Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Short-Term U.S. Treasury Trust
       50  Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Special Value Fund
       51  Morgan Stanley Dean Witter S&P 500 Index Fund
       52  Morgan Stanley Dean Witter S&P 500 Select Fund
       53  Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Strategist Fund
       54  Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Tax-Exempt Securities Trust
       55  Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Tax-Free Daily Income Trust
       56  Morgan Stanley Dean Witter U.S. Government Money Market Trust
       57  Morgan Stanley Dean Witter U.S. Government Securities Trust
       58  Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Utilities Fund
       59  Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Value-Added Market Series
       60  Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Value Fund
       61  Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Variable Investment Series
       62  Morgan Stanley Dean Witter World Wide Income Trust
<CAPTION>
 
CLOSED-END FUNDS
<C>        <S>
 
        1  InterCapital California Insured Municipal Income Trust
        2  InterCapital California Quality Municipal Securities
        3  Dean Witter Government Income Trust
        4  High Income Advantage Trust
        5  High Income Advantage Trust II
        6  High Income Advantage Trust III
        7  InterCapital Income Securities Inc.
        8  InterCapital Insured California Municipal Securities
        9  InterCapital Insured Municipal Bond Trust
       10  InterCapital Insured Municipal Income Trust
       11  InterCapital Insured Municipal Securities
       12  InterCapital Insured Municipal Trust
       13  Municipal Income Opportunities Trust
       14  Municipal Income Opportunities Trust II
       15  Municipal Income Opportunities Trust III
       16  Municipal Income Trust
       17  Municipal Income Trust II
       18  Municipal Income Trust III
       19  Municipal Premium Income Trust
       20  InterCapital New York Quality Municipal Securities
</TABLE>
    
 
                                       4
<PAGE>
   
<TABLE>
<C>        <S>
       21  Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Prime Income Trust
       22  InterCapital Quality Municipal Income Trust
       23  InterCapital Quality Municipal Investment Trust
       24  InterCapital Quality Municipal Securities
</TABLE>
    
 
   
    In addition, Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Services Company Inc. ("MSDW
Services"), a wholly-owned subsidiary of MSDW Advisors, serves as manager for
the following investment companies for which TCW Funds Management, Inc. is the
investment advisor (the "TCW/DW Funds"):
    
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
OPEN-END FUNDS
 
<C>        <S>
        1  TCW/DW Emerging Markets Opportunities Trust
        2  TCW/DW Global Telecom Trust
        3  TCW/DW Income and Growth Fund
        4  TCW/DW Latin American Growth Fund
        5  TCW/DW Mid-Cap Equity Trust
        6  TCW/DW North American Government Income Trust
        7  TCW/DW Small Cap Growth Fund
        8  TCW/DW Total Return Trust
 
<CAPTION>
 
CLOSED-END FUNDS
<C>        <S>
 
        1  TCW/DW Term Trust 2000
        2  TCW/DW Term Trust 2002
        3  TCW/DW Term Trust 2003
</TABLE>
    
 
   
    MSDW Advisors also serves as: (i) administrator of The BlackRock Strategic
Term Trust Inc., a closed-end investment company; (ii) sub-administrator of
Templeton Global Governments Income Trust, a closed-end investment company; and
(iii) investment advisor of Offshore Dividend Growth Fund and Offshore Money
Market Fund, mutual funds established under the laws of the Cayman Islands and
available only to investors who are participants in the International Active
Assets Account program and are neither citizens nor residents of the United
States.
    
 
   
    Pursuant to an Investment Management Agreement (the "Management Agreement")
with the Investment Manager, the Fund has retained the investment Manager to
supervise the investment of the Fund's assets. The Investment Manager, through
consultation with Morgan Stanley Asset Management Inc. (the "Sub-Advisor") and
through its own portfolio management staff, obtains and evaluates such
information and advice relating to the economy, securities markets, and specific
securities as it considers necessary or useful to continuously oversee the
management of the assets of the Fund in a manner consistent with its investment
objective.
    
 
   
    Under the terms of the Management Agreement, the Investment Manager also
maintains certain of the Fund's books and records and furnishes, at its own
expense, such office space, facilities, equipment, clerical help and bookkeeping
and certain legal services as the Fund may reasonably require in the conduct of
its business, including the preparation of prospectuses, statements of
additional information, proxy statements and reports required to be filed with
federal and state securities commissions (except insofar as the participation or
assistance of independent accountants and attorneys is, in the opinion of the
Investment Manager, necessary or desirable). In addition, the Investment Manager
pays the salaries of all personnel, including officers of the Fund, who are
employees of the Investment Manager. The Investment Manager also bears the cost
of telephone service, heat, light, power and other utilities provided to the
Fund. The Investment Manager has retained MSDW Services to provide its
administrative services under the Management Agreement.
    
 
   
    Expenses not expressly assumed by the Investment Manager under the
Management Agreement, by the Sub-Advisor pursuant to the Sub-Advisory Agreement
(see below), or by the Distributor of the Fund's shares, Morgan Stanley Dean
Witter Distributors Inc. ("MSDW Distributors" or the "Distributor") (see "The
Distributor") will be paid by the Fund. These expenses will be allocated among
the four
    
 
                                       5
<PAGE>
   
classes of shares of the Fund (each, a "Class") pro rata based on the net assets
of the Fund attributable to each Class, except as described below. Such expenses
include, but are not limited to: expenses of the Plan of Distribution pursuant
to Rule 12b-1 (the "12b-1 fee") (see "The Distributor"), charges and expenses of
any registrar, custodian, stock transfer and dividend disbursing agent;
brokerage commissions; taxes; engraving and printing of share certificates;
registration costs of the Fund and its shares under federal and state securities
laws; the cost and expense of printing, including typesetting, and distributing
Prospectuses and Statements of Additional Information of the Fund and
supplements thereto to the Fund's shareholders; all expenses of shareholders'
and directors' meetings and of preparing, printing and mailing of proxy
statements and reports to shareholders; fees and travel expenses of directors or
members of any advisory board or committee who are not employees of the
Investment Manager or Sub-Advisor or any corporate affiliate of the Investment
Manager or Sub-Advisor; all expenses incident to any dividend, withdrawal or
redemption options; charges and expenses of any outside service used for pricing
of the Fund's shares; fees and expenses of the Fund's legal counsel, including
counsel to the directors who are not interested persons of the Fund or of the
Investment Manager or Sub-Advisor (not including compensation or expenses of
attorneys who are employees of the Investment Manager) and independent
accountants; membership dues of industry associations; interest on Fund
borrowings; postage; insurance premiums on property or personnel (including
officers and directors) of the Fund which inure to its benefit; extraordinary
expenses (including, but not limited to, legal claims and liabilities and
litigation costs and any indemnification relating thereto); and all other costs
of the Fund's operation. The 12b-1 fees relating to a particular Class will be
allocated directly to that Class. In addition, other expenses associated with a
particular Class (except advisory or custodial fees) may be allocated directly
to that Class, provided that such expenses are reasonably identified as
specifically attributable to that Class and the direct allocation to that Class
is approved by the Directors.
    
 
   
    The Management Agreement provides that in the absence of willful
misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence or reckless disregard of its
obligations thereunder, the Investment Manager is not liable to the Fund or any
of its investors for any act or omission by the Investment Manager or for any
losses sustained by the Fund or its investors. The Management Agreement in no
way restricts the Investment Manager from acting as investment manager or
advisor to others.
    
 
   
    Morgan Stanley Asset Management Inc. ("MSAM" or the "Sub-Advisor"), a
subsidiary of Morgan Stanley Dean Witter & Co. and an affiliate of the
Investment Manager, whose address is 1221 Avenue of the Americas, New York, New
York 10020, became the Fund's Sub-Advisor effective [December 1, 1998]. MSAM,
together with its affiliated asset management companies, conducts a worldwide
portfolio management business and provides a broad range of portfolio management
services to customers in the United States and abroad. As of October 31, 1998,
MSAM, together with its affiliated asset management companies, had approximately
$   billion in assets under management as an investment manager or as a
fiduciary advisor. MSAM has been managing international securities since 1986.
    
 
   
    Prior to December, 1998 the Fund was sub-advised by Morgan Grenfell
Investment Services Limited (the "Former Sub-Advisor") pursuant to a
sub-advisory agreement between the Investment Manager and the Former Sub-Advisor
(the "Prior Sub-Advisory Agreement"). In May 1998, the Former Sub-Advisor
indicated its intention to resign and on June 2, 1998, the Board of Directors
recommended that the Sub-Advisory Agreement with MSAM described above be
submitted to shareholders for approval. The shareholders of the Fund approved
the Sub-Advisory Agreement on August 18, 1998 and the Sub-Advisory Agreement
became effective on [December 1, 1998].
    
 
   
    At the same time that the Sub-Advisory Agreement took effect, the Investment
Manager and the Fund amended the Management Agreement between the Investment
Manager and the Fund to reduce the fee paid by the Fund to the Investment
Manager as full compensation for the services and facilities furnished to the
Fund and expenses of the Fund assumed by the Investment Manager from an annual
rate of 1.0% of the portion of daily net assets not exceeding $500 million;
0.95% of the portion of daily net assets exceeding $500 million but not
exceeding $2 billion; and 0.90% of the portion of daily net assets exceeding $2
billion, to an annual rate of 0.95% of the portion of daily net assets not
exceeding $500 million; 0.90% of the portion of daily net assets exceeding $500
million but not exceeding $2 billion;
    
 
                                       6
<PAGE>
   
and 0.85% of the portion of daily net assets exceeding $2 billion. The
management fee is allocated among the Classes pro rata based on the net assets
of the Fund attributable to each Class. For the fiscal years ended October 31,
1996, 1997 and 1998 the Fund accrued to the Investment Manager total
compensation under the Management Agreement in the amounts of $13,865,138,
$15,130,951 and $          , respectively (of which $9,903,670, $9,078,571 and
$          was retained by the Investment Manager, respectively).
    
 
   
    Both the Investment Manager and the Sub-Advisor have authorized any of their
directors, officers and employees who have been elected as Directors or officers
of the Fund to serve in the capacities in which they have been elected. Services
furnished by the Investment Manager and the Sub-Advisor may be furnished by
directors, officers and employees of the Investment Manager and the Sub-Advisor.
In connection with the services rendered by the Sub-Advisor, the Sub-Advisor
bears the following expenses: (a) the salaries and expenses of its personnel;
and (b) all expenses incurred by it in connection with performing the services
provided by it as Sub-Advisor, as described above.
    
 
   
    As full compensation for the services and facilities furnished to the Fund
and the Investment Manager and expenses of the Fund and the Investment Manager
assumed by the Sub-Advisor, the Investment Manager paid the Former Sub-Advisor
and will pay the Sub-Advisor monthly compensation equal to 40% of the Investment
Manager's monthly compensation payable under the Management Agreement. For the
fiscal years ended October 31, 1996, 1997 and 1998, the Investment Manager
informed the Fund that it accrued to the Former Sub-Advisor total compensation
of $3,961,468, $6,052,380 and $          , respectively.
    
 
   
    The Management Agreement and the Former Sub-Advisory Agreement (the
"Agreements") were initially approved by the Board of Directors on February 21,
1997 and by the shareholders of the Fund at a Special Meeting of Shareholders
held on May 21, 1997. The Agreements are substantially identical to prior
investment management and sub-advisory agreements which were initially approved
by the Board of Directors on October 30, 1992 and by the shareholders of the
Fund at a Special Meeting of Shareholders held on January 12, 1993 and amended
by the Board of Directors on April 24, 1997 to reduce the compensation received
by the Investment Manager. The Agreements took effect on May 31, 1997 upon the
consummation of the merger of Dean Witter, Discover & Co. with Morgan Stanley
Group Inc. The Management Agreement and the Sub-Advisory Agreement may be
terminated at any time, without penalty, on thirty days' notice by the Board of
Directors of the Fund, by the holders of a majority, as defined in the
Investment Company Act of 1940 (the "Act"), of the outstanding shares of the
Fund, or by the Investment Manager. The Management Agreement and the
Sub-Advisory Agreement will automatically terminate in the event of their
assignment (as defined in the Act).
    
 
   
    Under their terms, the Investment Management Agreement will continue in
effect until April 30, 1999 and the new Sub-Advisory Agreement will continue in
effect until April 30, 2000, and provide that each will continue from year to
year thereafter, provided continuance of the Agreements are approved at least
annually by the vote of the holders of a majority, as defined in the Act, of the
outstanding shares of the Fund, or by the Board of Directors of the Fund;
provided that in either event such continuance is approved annually by the vote
of a majority of the Directors of the Fund who are not parties to the Agreements
or "interested persons" (as defined in the Act) of any such party (the
"Independent Directors"), which votes must be cast in person at a meeting called
for the purpose of voting on such approval.
    
 
   
    The following owned 5% or more of the outstanding shares of Class A on
October 31, 1998:
    
 
   
    The following owned 5% or more of the outstanding shares of Class D on
October 31, 1998:
                                                                            .
    
 
                                       7
<PAGE>
   
    The Fund has acknowledged that the name "Morgan Stanley Dean Witter" is a
property right of MSDW. The Fund has agreed that MSDW, or any corporate
affiliate of MSDW, may use, or at any time permit others to use, the name
"Morgan Stanley Dean Witter." The Fund has also agreed that in the event the
investment management contract is terminated, or if the affiliation between MSDW
Advisors and its parent company is terminated, the Fund will eliminate the name
"Morgan Stanley Dean Witter" from its name if MSDW, or any corporate affiliate
of MSDW, shall so request.
    
 
DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
   
    The Directors and Executive Officers of the Fund, their principal business
occupations during the last five years and their affiliations, if any, with MSDW
Advisors and with the 86 Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Funds and the 11 TCW/DW
Funds are shown below.
    
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
  NAME, AGE, POSITION WITH FUND AND ADDRESS               PRINCIPAL OCCUPATIONS DURING LAST FIVE YEARS
- ---------------------------------------------  -------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                            <C>
Michael Bozic (57)                             Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Levitz Furniture
Director                                       Corporation (since November, 1995); Director or Trustee of the
c/o Levitz Furniture Corporation               Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Funds; formerly President and Chief
7887 N. Federal Highway                        Executive Officer of Hills Department Stores (May, 1991-July,
Boca Raton, Florida                            1995); formerly variously Chairman, Chief Executive Officer,
                                               President and Chief Operating Officer (1987-1991) of the Sears
                                               Merchandise Group of Sears, Roebuck and Co.; Director of Eaglemark
                                               Financial Services, Inc. and Weirton Steel Corporation.
 
Charles A. Fiumefreddo* (65)                   Chairman, Director or Trustee, President and Chief Executive
Chairman of the Board,                         Officer of the Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Funds; Chairman, Chief
President and Chief Executive                  Executive Officer and Trustee of the TCW/DW Funds; formerly
Officer and Director                           Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and Director of MSDW Advisors,
Two World Trade Center                         MSDW Distributors and MSDW Services, Executive Vice President and
New York, New York                             Director of Dean Witter Reynolds Inc. ("DWR"), Chairman and
                                               Director of Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Trust FSB ("MSDW Trust"),
                                               and Director and/or officer of various MSDW subsidiaries (until
                                               June, 1998).
 
Edwin J. Garn (65)                             Director or Trustee of the Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Funds;
Director                                       formerly United States Senator (R-Utah) (1974-1992) and Chairman,
c/o Huntsman Corporation                       Senate Banking Committee (1980-1986); formerly Mayor of Salt Lake
500 Huntsman Way                               City, Utah (1972-1974); formerly Astronaut, Space Shuttle Discovery
Salt Lake City, Utah                           (April 12-19, 1985); Vice Chairman, Huntsman Corporation (since
                                               January, 1993); Director of Franklin Covey (time management
                                               systems), John Alden Financial Corp. (health insurance), United
                                               Space Alliance (joint venture between Lockheed Martin and the
                                               Boeing Company) and Nuskin Asia Pacific (multilevel marketing);
                                               member of the board of various civic and charitable organizations.
</TABLE>
    
 
                                       8
<PAGE>
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
  NAME, AGE, POSITION WITH FUND AND ADDRESS               PRINCIPAL OCCUPATIONS DURING LAST FIVE YEARS
- ---------------------------------------------  -------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                            <C>
John R. Haire (73)                             Chairman of the Audit Committee and Director or Trustee of the
Director                                       Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Funds; Chairman of the Audit Committee
Two World Trade Center                         and Trustee of the TCW/DW Funds; formerly Chairman of the
New York, New York                             Independent Directors or Trustees of the Morgan Stanley Dean Witter
                                               Funds and the TCW/DW Funds (until June, 1998); formerly President,
                                               Council for Aid to Education (1978-1989) and Chairman and Chief
                                               Executive Officer of Anchor Corporation, an Investment Adviser
                                               (1964-1978).
 
Wayne E. Hedien (64)                           Retired; Director or Trustee of the Morgan Stanley Dean Witter
Director                                       Funds; Director of The PMI Group, Inc. (private mortgage
c/o Gordon Altman Butowsky                     insurance); Trustee and Vice Chairman of The Field Museum of
Weitzen Shalov & Wein                          Natural History; formerly associated with the Allstate Companies
Counsel to the Independent Directors           (1966-1994), most recently as Chairman of The Allstate Corporation
114 West 47th Street                           (March, 1993-December, 1994) and Chairman and Chief Executive
New York, New York                             Officer of its wholly-owned subsidiary, Allstate Insurance Company
                                               (July, 1989-December, 1994); director of various other business and
                                               charitable organizations.
 
Dr. Manuel H. Johnson (49)                     Senior Partner, Johnson Smick International, Inc., a consulting
Director                                       firm; Co-Chairman and a founder of the Group of Seven Council
c/o Johnson Smick International, Inc.          (G7C), an international economic commission; Director or Trustee of
1133 Connecticut Avenue, N.W.                  the Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Funds; Trustee of the TCW/DW Funds;
Washington, DC                                 Director of NASDAQ (since June, 1995); Director of Greenwich
                                               Capital Markets, Inc. (broker-dealer) and NVR, Inc. (home
                                               construction); Trustee of the Financial Accounting Foundation
                                               (oversight organization for the Financial Accounting Standards
                                               Board); formerly Vice Chairman of the Board of Governors of the
                                               Federal Reserve System (1986-1990) and Assistant Secretary of the
                                               U.S. Treasury (1982-1986).
 
Michael E. Nugent (62)                         General Partner, Triumph Capital, L.P., a private investment
Director                                       partnership; Director or Trustee of the Morgan Stanley Dean Witter
c/o Triumph Capital, L.P.                      Funds; Trustee of the TCW/DW Funds; formerly Vice President,
237 Park Avenue                                Bankers Trust Company and BT Capital Corporation (1984-1988);
New York, New York                             Director of various business organizations.
 
Philip J. Purcell* (55)                        Chairman of the Board of Directors and Chief Executive Officer of
Director                                       MSDW, DWR and Novus Credit Services Inc.; Director of MSDW
1585 Broadway                                  Distributors; Director or Trustee of the Morgan Stanley Dean Witter
New York, New York                             Funds; Director and/or officer of various MSDW subsidiaries.
</TABLE>
    
 
                                       9
<PAGE>
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
  NAME, AGE, POSITION WITH FUND AND ADDRESS               PRINCIPAL OCCUPATIONS DURING LAST FIVE YEARS
- ---------------------------------------------  -------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                            <C>
John L. Schroeder (68)                         Retired; Director or Trustee of the Morgan Stanley Dean Witter
Director                                       Funds; Trustee of the TCW/DW Funds; Director of Citizens Utilities
c/o Gordon Altman Butowsky                     Company; formerly Executive Vice President and Chief Investment
Weitzen Shalov & Wein                          Officer of the Home Insurance Company (August, 1991-September,
Counsel to the Independent Directors           1995).
114 West 47th Street
New York, New York
 
Barry Fink (43)                                Senior Vice President (since March, 1997), Secretary and General
Vice President, Secretary                      Counsel (since February, 1997) and Director (since July, 1998) of
and General Counsel                            MSDW Advisors and MSDW Services; Senior Vice President (since
Two World Trade Center                         March, 1997) and Assistant Secretary and Assistant General Counsel
New York, New York                             (since February, 1997) of MSDW Distributors; Assistant Secretary of
                                               DWR (since August, 1996); Vice President, Secretary and General
                                               Counsel of the Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Funds and the TCW/DW
                                               Funds (since February, 1997); previously First Vice President
                                               (June, 1993-February, 1997), Vice President (until June, 1993) and
                                               Assistant Secretary and Assistant General Counsel of MSDW Advisors
                                               and MSDW Services and Assistant Secretary of the Morgan Stanley
                                               Dean Witter Funds and the TCW/DW Funds.
 
Thomas F. Caloia (52)                          First Vice President and Assistant Treasurer of MSDW Advisors and
Treasurer                                      MSDW Services; Treasurer of the Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Funds
Two World Trade Center                         and the TCW/DW Funds.
New York, New York
</TABLE>
    
 
- ------------------------
   
 * Denotes Directors who are "interested persons" of the Fund, as defined in the
Act.
    
 
   
    In addition, Mitchell M. Merin, President, Chief Executive Officer and
Director of MSDW Advisors and MSDW Services, Chairman and Director of MSDW
Distributors and MSDW Trust, Executive Vice President and Director of DWR, and
Director of SPS Transaction Services, Inc. and various other MSDW subsidiaries,
Robert M. Scanlan, President, Chief Operating Officer and Director of MSDW
Advisors and MSDW Services, Executive Vice President of MSDW Distributors and
MSDW Trust and Director of MSDW Trust, Robert S. Giambrone, Senior Vice
President of MSDW Advisors, MSDW Services, MSDW Distributors and MSDW Trust and
Director of MSDW Trust, Joseph J. McAlinden, Executive Vice President and Chief
Investment Officer of MSDW Advisors and Director of MSDW Trust and Mark Bavoso,
Kenton J. Hinchliffe, Ira N. Ross and Paul D. Vance, Senior Vice Presidents of
MSDW Advisors, are Vice Presidents of the Fund, and Marilyn K. Cranney and
Carsten Otto, First Vice Presidents and Assistant General Counsels of MSDW
Advisors and MSDW Services, Frank Bruttomesso, LouAnne D. McInnis and Ruth
Rossi, Vice Presidents and Assistant General Counsels of MSDW Advisors and MSDW
Services, and Todd Lebo, a staff attorney with MSDW Advisors, are Assistant
Secretaries of the Fund.
    
 
   
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS, THE INDEPENDENT DIRECTORS, AND THE COMMITTEES
    
 
   
    The Board of Directors consists of nine (9) directors. These same
individuals also serve as directors or trustees for all of the Morgan Stanley
Dean Witter Funds, and are referred to in this section as Directors. As of the
date of this Statement of Additional Information, there are a total of 86 Morgan
Stanley Dean Witter Funds, comprised of 122 portfolios. As of October 31, 1998,
the Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Funds had total net assets of approximately $
billion and more than six million shareholders.
    
 
   
    Seven Directors (77% of the total number) have no affiliation or business
connection with MSDW Advisors or any of its affiliated persons and do not own
any stock or other securities issued by MSDW
    
 
                                       10
<PAGE>
   
Advisors' parent company, MSDW. These are the "disinterested" or "independent"
Directors. Four of the seven Independent Directors are also Independent Trustees
of the TCW/DW Funds.
    
 
   
    Law and regulation establish both general guidelines and specific duties for
the Independent Directors. The Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Funds seek as
Independent Directors individuals of distinction and experience in business and
finance, government service or academia; these are people whose advice and
counsel are in demand by others and for whom there is often competition. To
accept a position on the Funds' Boards, such individuals may reject other
attractive assignments because the Funds make substantial demands on their time.
Indeed, by serving on the Funds' Boards, certain Directors who would otherwise
be qualified and in demand to serve on bank boards would be prohibited by law
from doing so.
    
 
   
    All of the Independent Directors serve as members of the Audit Committee.
Three of them also serve as members of the Derivatives Committee. In addition,
three of the Directors, including two Independent Directors, serve as members of
the Insurance Committee. During the calendar year ended December 31, 1997, the
Audit Committee, the Derivatives Committee and the Independent Directors held a
combined total of seventeen meetings.
    
 
   
    The Independent Directors are charged with recommending to the full Board
approval of management, advisory and administration contracts, Rule 12b-1 plans
and distribution and underwriting agreements; continually reviewing Fund
performance; checking on the pricing of portfolio securities, brokerage
commissions, transfer agent costs and performance, and trading among Funds in
the same complex; and approving fidelity bond and related insurance coverage and
allocations, as well as other matters that arise from time to time. The
Independent Directors are required to select and nominate individuals to fill
any Independent Director vacancy on the Board of any Fund that has a Rule 12b-1
plan of distribution. Most of the Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Funds have such a
plan.
    
 
   
    The Audit Committee is charged with recommending to the full Board the
engagement or discharge of the Fund's independent accountants; directing
investigations into matters within the scope of the independent accountants'
duties, including the power to retain outside specialists; reviewing with the
independent accountants the audit plan and results of the auditing engagement;
approving professional services provided by the independent accountants and
other accounting firms prior to the performance of such services; reviewing the
independence of the independent accountants; considering the range of audit and
non-audit fees; and reviewing the adequacy of the Fund's system of internal
controls.
    
 
   
    The Board of each Fund has formed a Derivatives Committee to approve
parameters for and monitor the activities of the Fund with respect to derivative
investments, if any, made by the Fund.
    
 
   
    Finally, the Board of each Fund has formed an Insurance Committee to review
and monitor the insurance coverage maintained by the Fund.
    
 
   
ADVANTAGES OF HAVING SAME INDIVIDUALS AS INDEPENDENT DIRECTORS FOR ALL MORGAN
STANLEY DEAN WITTER FUNDS
    
 
   
    The Independent Directors and the Funds' management believe that having the
same Independent Directors for each of the Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Funds
avoids the duplication of effort that would arise from having different groups
of individuals serving as Independent Directors for each of the Funds or even of
sub-groups of Funds. They believe that having the same individuals serve as
Independent Directors of all the Funds tends to increase their knowledge and
expertise regarding matters which affect the Fund complex generally and enhances
their ability to negotiate on behalf of each Fund with the Fund's service
providers. This arrangement also precludes the possibility of separate groups of
Independent Directors arriving at conflicting decisions regarding operations and
management of the Funds and avoids the cost and confusion that would likely
ensue. Finally, having the same Independent Directors serve on all Fund Boards
enhances the ability of each Fund to obtain, at modest cost to each separate
Fund, the services of Independent Directors of the caliber, experience and
business acumen of the individuals who serve as Independent Directors of the
Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Funds.
    
 
   
COMPENSATION OF INDEPENDENT DIRECTORS
    
 
   
    The Fund pays each Independent Director an annual fee of $800 plus a per
meeting fee of $50 for meetings of the Board of Directors, the Independent
Directors or Committees of the Board of Directors attended by the Director (the
Fund pays the Chairman of the Audit Committee an additional annual fee of $750).
If a Board meeting and a meeting of the Independent Directors or a Committee
meeting, or a
    
 
                                       11
<PAGE>
   
meeting of the Independent Directors and/or more than one Committee meeting,
take place on a single day, the Directors are paid a single meeting fee by the
Fund. The Fund also reimburses such Directors for travel and other out-of-pocket
expenses incurred by them in connection with attending such meetings. Directors
and officers of the Fund who are or have been employed by the Investment Manager
or an affiliated company receive no compensation or expense reimbursement from
the Fund for their services as Director. Mr. Haire currently serves as Chairman
of the Audit Committee. Prior to June 1, 1998, Mr. Haire also served as Chairman
of the Independent Directors, for which services the Fund paid him an additional
annual fee of $1,200.
    
 
   
    The following table illustrates the compensation paid to the Fund's
Independent Directors by the Fund for the fiscal year ended October 31, 1998.
    
 
   
                               FUND COMPENSATION
    
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                   AGGREGATE
                                                                 COMPENSATION
NAME OF INDEPENDENT DIRECTOR                                     FROM THE FUND
- --------------------------------------------------------------  ---------------
<S>                                                             <C>
Michael Bozic.................................................      $
Edwin J. Garn.................................................
John R. Haire.................................................
Wayne E. Hedien...............................................
Dr. Manuel H. Johnson.........................................
Michael E. Nugent.............................................
John L. Schroeder.............................................
</TABLE>
    
 
   
    The following table illustrates the compensation paid to the Fund's
Independent Directors for the calendar year ended December 31, 1997 for services
to the 84 Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Funds and, in the case of Messrs. Haire,
Johnson, Nugent and Schroeder, the 14 TCW/DW Funds that were in operation at
December 31, 1997. Mr. Haire serves as Chairman of the Audit Committee of each
Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Fund and each TCW/DW Fund and, prior to June 1, 1998,
also served as Chairman of the Independent Directors or Trustees of those Funds.
With respect to Messrs. Haire, Johnson, Nugent and Schroeder, the TCW/DW Funds
are included solely because of a limited exchange privilege between those Funds
and five Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Money Market Funds.
    
 
   
    CASH COMPENSATION FROM MORGAN STANLEY DEAN WITTER FUNDS AND TCW/DW FUNDS
    
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                               FOR SERVICE                          FOR SERVICE AS                           TOTAL CASH
                              AS DIRECTOR OR                          CHAIRMAN OF       FOR SERVICE AS      COMPENSATION
                               TRUSTEE AND                            INDEPENDENT         CHAIRMAN OF            FOR
                                COMMITTEE        FOR SERVICE AS    DIRECTORS/TRUSTEES     INDEPENDENT      SERVICES TO 84
                               MEMBER OF 84       TRUSTEE AND          AND AUDIT           TRUSTEES        MORGAN STANLEY
                              MORGAN STANLEY       COMMITTEE       COMMITTEES OF 84        AND AUDIT         DEAN WITTER
NAME OF                        DEAN WITTER        MEMBER OF 14      MORGAN STANLEY     COMMITTEES OF 14     FUNDS AND 14
INDEPENDENT DIRECTOR              FUNDS           TCW/DW FUNDS     DEAN WITTER FUNDS     TCW/DW FUNDS       TCW/DW FUNDS
- ---------------------------  ----------------   ----------------   -----------------   -----------------   ---------------
<S>                          <C>                <C>                <C>                 <C>                 <C>
Michael Bozic..............      $133,602           --                   --                  --                $133,602
Edwin J. Garn..............       149,702           --                   --                  --                 149,702
John R. Haire..............       149,702           $73,725              $157,463            $ 25,350           406,240
Wayne E. Hedien............        39,010           --                   --                  --                  39,010
Dr. Manuel H. Johnson......       145,702            71,125              --                  --                 216,827
Michael E. Nugent..........       149,702            73,725              --                  --                 223,427
John L. Schroeder..........       149,702            73,725              --                  --                 223,427
</TABLE>
    
 
   
    As of the date of this Statement of Additional Information, 57 of the Morgan
Stanley Dean Witter Funds, including the Fund, have adopted a retirement program
under which an Independent Director who retires after serving for at least five
years (or such lesser period as may be determined by the Board) as an
Independent Director or Trustee of any Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Fund that has
adopted the retirement program (each such Fund referred to as an "Adopting Fund"
and each such Director referred to as an "Eligible Director") is entitled to
retirement payments upon reaching the eligible retirement age (normally, after
attaining age 72). Annual payments are based upon length of service. Currently,
upon retirement, each Eligible Director is entitled to receive from the Adopting
Fund, commencing as of his or her retirement date and continuing for the
remainder of his or her life, an annual retirement benefit (the "Regular
Benefit") equal to 29.41% of his or her Eligible Compensation plus 0.4901667% of
such Eligible Compensation for each full month of service as an Independent
Director or Trustee of any Adopting Fund in excess of five years up to a maximum
of 58.82% after ten years of service. The foregoing
    
 
                                       12
<PAGE>
   
percentages may be changed by the Board.(1) "Eligible Compensation" is one-fifth
of the total compensation earned by such Eligible Director for service to the
Adopting Fund in the five year period prior to the date of the Eligible
Director's retirement. Benefits under the retirement program are not secured or
funded by the Adopting Funds.
    
 
   
    The following table illustrates the retirement benefits accrued to the
Fund's Independent Directors by the Fund for the fiscal year ended October 31,
1998 and by the 57 Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Funds (including the Fund) for the
year ended December 31, 1997, and the estimated retirement benefits for the
Fund's Independent Directors, to commence upon their retirement, from the Fund
as of October 31, 1998 and from the 57 Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Funds as of
December 31, 1997.
    
 
   
   RETIREMENT BENEFITS FROM THE FUND AND ALL MORGAN STANLEY DEAN WITTER FUNDS
    
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                  FOR ALL ADOPTING FUNDS
                                ---------------------------
                                 ESTIMATED
                                 CREDITED                                                               ESTIMATED ANNUAL
                                   YEARS                             RETIREMENT BENEFITS                    BENEFITS
                                OF SERVICE                               ACCRUED AS                    UPON RETIREMENT(2)
                                    AT          ESTIMATED                 EXPENSES                  ------------------------
                                RETIREMENT    PERCENTAGE OF   ---------------------------------       FROM        FROM ALL
                                 (MAXIMUM       ELIGIBLE          BY THE             BY ALL            THE        ADOPTING
NAME OF INDEPENDENT DIRECTOR        10)       COMPENSATION         FUND          ADOPTING FUNDS       FUND         FUNDS
- ------------------------------  -----------   -------------   --------------     --------------     ---------   ------------
<S>                             <C>           <C>             <C>                <C>                <C>         <C>
Michael Bozic.................          10           58.82%     $                  $     20,499     $             $   55,026
Edwin J. Garn.................          10           58.82                               30,878                       55,026
John R. Haire.................          10           58.82                              (19,823)(3)                  132,002
Wayne E. Hedien...............           9           50.00                                    0                       46,772
Dr. Manuel H. Johnson.........          10           58.82                               12,832                       55,026
Michael E. Nugent.............          10           58.82                               22,546                       55,026
John L. Schroeder.............           8           49.02                               39,350                       46,123
</TABLE>
    
 
- ------------------------
   
(1) An Eligible Director may elect alternate payments of his or her retirement
    benefits based upon the combined life expectancy of such Eligible Director
    and his or her spouse on the date of such Eligible Director's retirement.
    The amount estimated to be payable under this method, through the remainder
    of the later of the lives of such Eligible Director and spouse, will be the
    actuarial equivalent of the Regular Benefit. In addition, the Eligible
    Director may elect that the surviving spouse's periodic payment of benefits
    will be equal to either 50% or 100% of the previous periodic amount, an
    election that, respectively, increases or decreases the previous periodic
    amount so that the resulting payments will be the actuarial equivalent of
    the Regular Benefit.
    
 
   
(2) Based on current levels of compensation. Amount of annual benefits also
    varies depending on the Director's elections described in Footnote (1)
    above.
    
 
   
(3) This number also reflects the effect of the extension of Mr. Haire's term as
    Director or Trustee until May 1, 1999.
    
 
   
    As of the date of this Statement of Additional Information, the aggregate
number of shares of beneficial interest of the Fund owned by the Fund's officers
and Directors as a group was less than 1 percent of the Fund's shares of
beneficial interest outstanding.
    
 
INVESTMENT PRACTICES AND POLICIES
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
    As stated in the Prospectus, while the Fund currently anticipates investing
over 25% of its total assets in securities of issuers located in the United
Kingdom, it may also invest more than 25% of its total assets, at any time, in
the securities of issuers located in each of the following countries: France,
Germany, the Netherlands and Switzerland. While it is not anticipated that the
Fund will invest more than 25% of its total assets in the securities of issuers
located in any such country, the Fund's Registration Statement will be amended
to contain disclosure discussing the risks pertaining to a concentration of the
Fund's assets in such country at such time as the 25% level is exceeded.
 
                                       13
<PAGE>
    PRIVATE PLACEMENTS.  The Fund may invest up to 10% of its total assets in
securities which are subject to restrictions on resale because they have not
been registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities
Act"), or which are otherwise not readily marketable. (Securities eligible for
resale pursuant to Rule 144A of the Securities Act, and determined to be liquid
pursuant to the procedures discussed in the following paragraph, are not subject
to the foregoing restriction.) These securities are generally referred to as
private placements or restricted securities. Limitations on the resale of such
securities may have an adverse effect on their marketability, and may prevent
the Fund from disposing of them promptly at reasonable prices. The Fund may have
to bear the expense of registering such securities for resale and the risk of
substantial delays in effecting such registration.
 
    The Securities and Exchange Commission has adopted Rule 144A under the
Securities Act, which permits the Fund to sell restricted securities to
qualified institutional buyers without limitation. The Investment Manager,
pursuant to procedures adopted by the Directors of the Fund, will make a
determination as to the liquidity of each restricted security pruchased by the
Fund. If a restricted security is determined to be "liquid," such security will
not be included within the category "illiquid securities," which is limited by
the Fund's investment restrictions to 10% of the Fund's total assets.
 
    CONVERTIBLE SECURITIES.  The Fund may invest in fixed-income securities
which are convertible into common stock. Convertible securities rank senior to
common stocks in a corporation's capital structure and, therefore, entail less
risk than the corporation's common stock. The value of a convertible security is
a function of its "investment value" (its value as if it did not have a
conversion privilege), and its "conversion value" (the security's worth if it
were to be exchanged for the underlying security, at market value, pursuant to
its conversion privilege).
 
    To the extent that a convertible security's investment value is greater than
its conversion value, its price will be primarily a reflection of such
investment value and its price will be likely to increase when interest rates
fall and decrease when interest rates rise, as with a fixed-income security (the
credit standing of the issuer and other factors may also have an effect on the
convertible security's value). If the conversion value exceeds the investment
value, the price of the convertible security will rise above its investment
value and, in addition, will sell at some premium over its conversion value.
(This premium represents the price investors are willing to pay for the
privilege of purchasing a fixed-income security with a possibility of capital
appreciation due to the conversion privilege.) At such times the price of the
convertible security will tend to fluctuate directly with the price of the
underlying equity security. Convertible securities may be purchased by the Fund
at varying price levels above their investment values and/or their conversion
values in keeping with the Fund's objective.
 
   
    WARRANTS.  The Fund may acquire warrants, including warrants which are
attached to fixed-income securities purchased for its portfolio, and hold such
warrants until the Investment Manager and/or the Sub-Advisor determines it is
prudent to sell. Warrants are, in effect, an option to purchase equity
securities at a specific price, generally valid for a specific period of time,
and have no voting rights, pay no dividends and have no rights with respect to
the corporations issuing them.
    
 
    U.S. GOVERNMENT SECURITIES.  Securities issued by the U.S. Government, its
agencies or instrumentalities in which the Fund may invest include:
 
        (1)  U.S. Treasury bills (maturities of one year or less), U.S. Treasury
    notes (maturities of one to ten years) and U.S. Treasury bonds (generally
    maturities of greater than ten years), all of which are direct obligations
    of the U.S. Government and, as such, are backed by the "full faith and
    credit" of the United States.
 
        (2)  Securities issued by agencies and instrumentalities of the U.S.
    Government which are backed by the full faith and credit of the United
    States. Among the agencies and instrumentalities issuing such obligations
    are the Federal Housing Administration, the Government National Mortgage
    Association ("GNMA"), the Department of Housing and Urban Development, the
    Export-Import Bank, the Farmers Home Administration, the General Services
    Administration, the Maritime
 
                                       14
<PAGE>
    Administration and the Small Business Administration. The maturities of such
    obligations range from three months to 30 years.
 
    Neither the value nor the yield of the U.S. Government securities which may
be invested in by the Fund are guaranteed by the U.S. Government. Such values
and yield will fluctuate with changes in prevailing interest rates and other
factors. Generally, as prevailing interest rates rise, the value of any U.S.
Government securities held by the Fund will fall. Such securities with longer
maturities generally tend to produce higher yields and are subject to greater
market fluctuation as a result of changes in interest rates than debt securities
with shorter maturities.
 
    ZERO COUPON TREASURY SECURITIES.  A portion of the U.S. Government
securities purchased by the Fund may be "zero coupon" Treasury securities. These
are U.S. Treasury bills, notes and bonds which have been stripped of their
unmatured interest coupons and receipts or which are certificates representing
interests in such stripped debt obligations and coupons. Such securities are
purchased at a discount from their face amount, giving the purchaser the right
to receive their full value at maturity. A zero coupon security pays no interest
to its holder during its life. Its value to an investor consists of the
difference between its face value at the time of maturity and the price for
which it was acquired, which is generally an amount significantly less than its
face value (sometimes referred to as a "deep discount" price). The Fund intends
to invest in such zero coupon treasury securities as STRIPS, Treasury Receipts,
Physical Coupons, and Proprietary Receipts. However, the Fund does not intend,
during its current fiscal year, to invest in such securities in amounts
totalling more than 5% of its total assets.
 
    The interest earned on such securities is, implicitly, automatically
compounded and paid out at maturity. While such compounding at a constant rate
eliminates the risk of receiving lower yields upon reinvestment of interest if
prevailing interest rates decline, the owner of a zero coupon security will be
unable to participate in higher yields upon reinvestment of interest received if
prevailing interest rates rise. For this reason, zero coupon securities are
subject to substantially greater market price fluctuations during periods of
changing prevailing interest rates than are comparable debt securities which
make current distributions of interest. Current federal tax law requires that a
holder (such as the Fund) of a zero coupon security accrue a portion of the
discount at which the security was purchased as income each year even though the
Fund receives no interest payments in cash on the security during the year.
 
    Currently the only U.S. Treasury security issued without coupons is the
Treasury bill. However, in the last few years a number of banks and brokerage
firms have separated ("stripped") the principal portions from the coupon
portions of the U.S. Treasury bonds and notes and sold them separately in the
form of receipts or certificates representing undivided interests in these
instruments (which instruments are generally held by a bank in a custodial or
trust account).
 
    As stated in the Prospectus, the money market instruments which the Fund may
purchase include U.S. Government securities, bank obligations, Eurodollar
certificates of deposit, obligations of savings institutions, fully insured
certificates of deposit and commercial paper. Such securities are limited to:
 
    U.S. GOVERNMENT SECURITIES.  Obligations issued or guaranteed as to
principal and interest by the United States or its agencies (such as the
Export-Import Bank of the United States, Federal Housing Administration and
Government National Mortgage Association) or its instrumentalities (such as the
Federal Home Loan Bank), including Treasury bills, notes and bonds;
 
    BANK OBLIGATIONS.  Obligations (including certificates of deposit and
bankers' acceptances) of banks subject to regulation by the U.S. Government and
having total assets of $1,000,000,000 or more, and instruments secured by such
obligations, not including obligations of foreign branches of domestic banks
except to the extent below;
 
    EURODOLLAR CERTIFICATES OF DEPOSIT.  Eurodollar certificates of deposit
issued by foreign branches of domestic banks having total assets of
$1,000,000,000 or more;
 
    OBLIGATIONS OF SAVINGS INSTITUTIONS.  Certificates of deposit of savings
banks and savings and loan associations, having total assets of $1,000,000,000
or more;
 
                                       15
<PAGE>
    FULLY INSURED CERTIFICATES OF DEPOSIT.  Certificates of deposit of banks and
savings institutions, having total assets of less than $1,000,000,000, if the
principal amount of the obligation is insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance
Corporation, limited to $100,000 principal amount per certificate and to 10% or
less of the Fund's total assets in all such obligations and in all illiquid
assets, in the aggregate;
 
    COMMERCIAL PAPER.  Commercial paper rated within the two highest grades by
Standard & Poor's ("S&P") or Moody's Investors Service, Inc. ("Moody's") or, if
not rated, issued by a company having an outstanding debt issue rated at least
AA by S&P or Aa by Moody's.
 
FORWARD FOREIGN CURRENCY EXCHANGE CONTRACTS
 
    As discussed in the Prospectus, the Fund may enter into forward foreign
currency exchange contracts ("forward contracts") as a hedge against
fluctuations in future foreign exchange rates. The Fund will conduct its foreign
currency exchange transactions either on a spot (i.e., cash) basis at the spot
rate prevailing in the foreign currency exchange market, or through entering
into forward contracts to purchase or sell foreign currencies. A forward
contract involves an obligation to purchase or sell a specific currency at a
future date, which may be any fixed number of days from the date of the contract
agreed upon by the parties, at a price set at the time of the contract. These
contracts are traded in the interbank market conducted directly between currency
traders (usually large commercial banks and investment banks) and their
customers. Such forward contracts will only be entered into with United States
banks and their foreign branches or foreign banks whose assets total $1 billion
or more. A forward contract generally has no deposit requirement, and no
commissions are charged at any stage for trades.
 
    When management of the Fund believes that the currency of a particular
foreign country may suffer a substantial movement against the U.S. dollar, it
may enter into a forward contract to purchase or sell, for a fixed amount of
dollars or other currency, the amount of foreign currency approximating the
value of some or all of the Fund's portfolio securities denominated in such
foreign currency. The Fund will also not enter into such forward contracts or
maintain a net exposure to such contracts where the consummation of the
contracts would obligate the Fund to deliver an amount of foreign currency in
excess of the value of the Fund's portfolio securities or other assets
denominated in that currency. Under normal circumstances, consideration of the
prospect for currency parities will be incorporated into the longer term
investment decisions made with regard to overall diversification strategies.
However, the management of the Fund believes that it is important to have the
flexibility to enter into such forward contracts when it determines that the
best interests of the Fund will be served. The Fund's custodian bank will place
cash, U.S. Government securities or other appropriate liquid portfolio
securities in a segregated account of the Fund in an amount equal to the value
of the Fund's total assets committed to the consummation of forward contracts
entered into under the circumstances set forth above. If the value of the
securities placed in the segregated account declines, additional cash or
securities will be placed in the account on a daily basis so that the value of
the account will equal the amount of the Fund's commitments with respect to such
contracts.
 
    Where, for example, the Fund is hedging a portfolio position consisting of
foreign fixed-income securities denominated in a foreign currency against
adverse exchange rate moves vis-a-vis the U.S. dollar, at the maturity of the
forward contract for delivery by the Fund of a foreign currency, the Fund may
either sell the portfolio security and make delivery of the foreign currency, or
it may retain the security and terminate its contractual obligation to deliver
the foreign currency by purchasing an "offsetting" contract with the same
currency trader obligating it to purchase, on the same maturity date, the same
amount of the foreign currency. It is impossible to forecast the market value of
portfolio securities at the expiration of the contract. Accordingly, it may be
necessary for the Fund to purchase additional foreign currency on the spot
market (and bear the expense of such purchase) if the market value of the
security is less than the amount of foreign currency the Fund is obligated to
deliver and if a decision is made to sell the security and make delivery of the
foreign currency. Conversely, it may be necessary to sell on the spot market
some of the foreign currency received upon the sale of the portfolio securities
if its market value exceeds the amount of foreign currency the Fund is obligated
to deliver.
 
                                       16
<PAGE>
    If the Fund retains the portfolio securities and engages in an offsetting
transaction, the Fund will incur a gain or loss to the extent that there has
been movement in spot or forward contract prices. If the Fund engages in an
offsetting transaction, it may subsequently enter into a new forward contract to
sell the foreign currency. Should forward prices decline during the period
between the Fund's entering into a forward contract for the sale of a foreign
currency and the date it enters into an offsetting contract for the purchase of
the foreign currency, the Fund will realize a gain to the extent the price of
the currency it has agreed to sell exceeds the price of the currency it has
agreed to purchase. Should forward prices increase, the Fund will suffer a loss
to the extent the price of the currency it has agreed to purchase exceeds the
price of the currency it has agreed to sell.
 
    If the Fund purchases a fixed-income security which is denominated in U.S.
dollars but which will pay out its principal based upon a formula tied to the
exchange rate between the U.S. dollar and a foreign currency, it may hedge
against a decline in the principal value of the security by entering into a
forward contract to sell an amount of the relevant foreign currency equal to
some or all of the principal value of the security.
 
    At times when the Fund has written a call option on a fixed-income security
or the currency in which it is denominated, it may wish to enter into a forward
contract to purchase or sell the foreign currency in which the security is
denominated. A forward contract would, for example, hedge the risk of the
security on which a call option has been written declining in value to a greater
extent than the value of the premium received for the option. The Fund will
maintain with its Custodian at all times cash, U.S. Government securities and
liquid portfolio securities in a segregated account equal in value to all
forward contract obligations and option contract obligations entered into in
hedge situations such as this.
 
    Although the Fund values its assets daily in terms of U.S. dollars, it does
not intend to convert its holdings of foreign currencies into U.S. dollars on a
daily basis. It will, however, do so from time to time, and investors should be
aware of the costs of currency conversion. Although foreign exchange dealers do
not charge a fee for conversion, they do realize a profit based on the spread
between the prices at which they are buying and selling various currencies.
Thus, a dealer may offer to sell a foreign currency to the Fund at one rate,
while offering a lesser rate of exchange should the Fund desire to resell that
currency to the dealer.
 
OPTIONS AND FUTURES TRANSACTIONS
 
    As discussed in the Prospectus, the Fund may write covered call options
against securities held in its portfolio and purchase options of the same series
to effect closing transactions, and may hedge against potential changes in the
market value of its investments (or anticipated investments) by purchasing put
and call options on portfolio (or eligible portfolio) securities (and the
currencies in which they are denominated) and engaging in transactions involving
futures contracts and options on such contracts.
 
    OPTIONS ON FOREIGN CURRENCIES.  The Fund may purchase and write options on
foreign currencies for purposes similar to those involved with investing in
forward foreign currency exchange contracts. For example, in order to protect
against declines in the dollar value of portfolio securities which are
denominated in a foreign currency, the Fund may purchase put options on an
amount of such foreign currency equivalent to the current value of the portfolio
securities involved. As a result, the Fund would be enabled to sell the foreign
currency for a fixed amount of U.S. dollars, thereby "locking in" the dollar
value of the portfolio securities (less the amount of the premiums paid for the
options). Conversely, the Fund may purchase call options on foreign currencies
in which securities it anticipates purchasing are denominated to secure a set
U.S. dollar price for such securities and protect against a decline in the value
of the U.S. dollar against such foreign currency. The Fund may also purchase
call and put options to close out written option positions.
 
    The Fund may also write call options on foreign currency to protect against
potential declines in its portfolio securities which are denominated in foreign
currencies. If the U.S. dollar value of the portfolio securities falls as a
result of a decline in the exchange rate between the foreign currency in which
it is
 
                                       17
<PAGE>
denominated and the U.S. dollar, then a loss to the Fund occasioned by such
value decline would be ameliorated by receipt of the premium on the option sold.
At the same time, however, the Fund gives up the benefit of any rise in value of
the relevant portfolio securities above the exercise price of the option and, in
fact, only receives a benefit from the writing of the option to the extent that
the value of the portfolio securities falls below the price of the premium
received. The Fund may also write options to close out long call option
positions.
 
    The markets in foreign currency options are relatively new and the Fund's
ability to establish and close out positions on such options is subject to the
maintenance of a liquid secondary market. Although the Fund will not purchase or
write such options unless and until, in the opinion of the management of the
Fund, the market for them has developed sufficiently to ensure that the risks in
connection with such options are not greater than the risks in connection with
the underlying currency, there can be no assurance that a liquid secondary
market will exist for a particular option at any specific time. In addition,
options on foreign currencies are affected by all of those factors which
influence foreign exchange rates and investments generally.
 
    The value of a foreign currency option depends upon the value of the
underlying currency relative to the U.S. dollar. As a result, the price of the
option position may vary with changes in the value of either or both currencies
and have no relationship to the investment merits of a foreign security,
including foreign securities held in a "hedged" investment portfolio. Because
foreign currency transactions occurring in the interbank market involve
substantially larger amounts than those that may be involved in the use of
foreign currency options, investors may be disadvantaged by having to deal in an
odd lot market (generally consisting of transactions of less than $1 million)
for the underlying foreign currencies at prices that are less favorable than for
round lots.
 
    There is no systematic reporting of last sale information for foreign
currencies or any regulatory requirement that quotations available through
dealers or other market sources be firm or revised on a timely basis. Quotation
information available is generally representative of very large transactions in
the interbank market and thus may not reflect relatively smaller transactions
(i.e., less than $1 million) where rates may be less favorable. The interbank
market in foreign currencies is a global, around-the-clock market. To the extent
that the U.S. options markets are closed while the markets for the underlying
currencies remain open, significant price and rate movements may take place in
the underlying markets that are not reflected in the options market.
 
    COVERED CALL WRITING.  As stated in the Prospectus, the Fund is permitted to
write covered call options on portfolio securities and on the U.S. Dollar and
foreign currencies, without limit, in order to aid in achieving its investment
objectives. Generally, a call option is "covered" if the Fund owns, or has the
right to acquire, without additional cash consideration (or for additional cash
consideration held for the Fund by its Custodian in a segregated account) the
underlying security (currency) subject to the option except that in the case of
call options on U.S. Treasury Bills, the Fund might own U.S. Treasury Bills of a
different series from those underlying the call option, but with a principal
amount and value corresponding to the exercise price and a maturity date no
later than that of the security (currency) deliverable under the call option. A
call option is also covered if the Fund holds a call on the same security as the
underlying security (currency) of the written option, where the exercise price
of the call used for coverage is equal to or less than the exercise price of the
call written or greater than the exercise price of the call written if the
mark-to-market difference is maintained by the Fund in cash, U.S. Government
securities or other liquid portfolio securities which the Fund holds in a
segregated account maintained with its Custodian.
 
    The Fund will receive from the purchaser, in return for a call it has
written, a "premium"; i.e., the price of the option. Receipt of these premiums
may better enable the Fund to earn a higher level of current income than it
would earn from holding the underlying securities (currencies) alone. Moreover,
the premium received will offset a portion of the potential loss incurred by the
Fund if the securities (currencies) underlying the option are ultimately sold
(exchanged) by the Fund at a loss. The premium received will fluctuate with
varying economic market conditions. If the market value of the portfolio
 
                                       18
<PAGE>
securities (or the currencies in which they are denominated) upon which call
options have been written increases, the Fund may receive a lower total return
from the portion of its portfolio upon which calls have been written than it
would have had such calls not been written.
 
    As regards listed options and certain over-the-counter ("OTC") options,
during the option period, the Fund may be required, at any time, to deliver the
underlying security (currency) against payment of the exercise price on any
calls it has written (exercise of certain listed and OTC options may be limited
to specific expiration dates). This obligation is terminated upon the expiration
of the option period or at such earlier time when the writer effects a closing
purchase transaction. A closing purchase transaction is accomplished by
purchasing an option of the same series as the option previously written.
However, once the Fund has been assigned an exercise notice, the Fund will be
unable to effect a closing purchase transaction.
 
    Closing purchase transactions are ordinarily effected to realize a profit on
an outstanding call option, to prevent an underlying security (currency) from
being called, to permit the sale of an underlying security (or the exchange of
the underlying currency) or to enable the Fund to write another call option on
the underlying security (currency) with either a different exercise price or
expiration date or both. The Fund may realize a net gain or loss from a closing
purchase transaction depending upon whether the amount of the premium received
on the call option is more or less than the cost of effecting the closing
purchase transaction. Any loss incurred in a closing purchase transaction may be
wholly or partially offset by unrealized appreciation in the market value of the
underlying security (currency). Conversely, a gain resulting from a closing
purchase transaction could be offset in whole or in part or exceeded by a
decline in the market value of the underlying security (currency).
 
    If a call option expires unexercised, the Fund realizes a gain in the amount
of the premium on the option less the commission paid. Such a gain, however, may
be offset by depreciation in the market value of the underlying security
(currency) during the option period. If a call option is exercised, the Fund
realizes a gain or loss from the sale of the underlying security (currency)
equal to the difference between the purchase price of the underlying security
(currency) and the proceeds of the sale of the security (currency) plus the
premium received for the option less the commission paid.
 
    Options written by the Fund will normally have expiration dates of up to
eighteen months from the date written. The exercise price of a call option may
be below, equal to or above the current market value of the underlying security
at the time the option is written.
 
    PURCHASING CALL AND PUT OPTIONS.  As stated in the Prospectus, the Fund may
purchase listed and OTC call and put options in amounts equalling up to 5% of
its total assets. The Fund may purchase a call option in order to close out a
covered call position (see "Covered Call Writing" above), to protect against an
increase in price of a security it anticipates purchasing or, in the case of a
call option on foreign currency, to hedge against an adverse exchange rate move
of the currency in which the security it anticipates purchasing is denominated
vis-a-vis the currency in which the exercise price is denominated. The purchase
of the call option to effect a closing transaction on a call written
over-the-counter may be a listed or an OTC option. In either case, the call
purchased is likely to be on the same securities (currencies) and have the same
terms as the written option. If purchased over-the-counter, the option would
generally be acquired from the dealer or financial institution which purchased
the call written by the Fund.
 
    The Fund may purchase put options on securities (currencies) which it holds
in its portfolio only to protect itself against a decline in the value of the
security. If the value of the underlying security (currency) were to fall below
the exercise price of the put purchased in an amount greater than the premium
paid for the option, the Fund would incur no additional loss. In addition, the
Fund may sell a put option which it has previously purchased prior to the sale
of the securities (currencies) underlying such option. Such a sale would result
in a net gain or loss depending on whether the amount received on the sale is
more or less than the premium and other transaction costs paid on the put option
which is sold. And such gain or loss could be offset in whole or in part by a
change in the market value of the underlying security (currency). If a put
option purchased by the Fund expired without being sold or exercised, the
premium would be lost.
 
                                       19
<PAGE>
    RISKS OF OPTIONS TRANSACTIONS.  The successful use of options depends on the
ability of the Investment Manager to forecast correctly interest rates and
market movements. If the market value of the portfolio securities upon which
call options have been written increases, the Fund may receive a lower total
return from the portion of its portfolio upon which calls have been written than
it would have had such calls not been written. In writing puts, the Fund assumes
the risk of loss should the market value of the underlying securities decline
below the exercise price of the option (any loss being decreased by the receipt
of the premium on the option written). During the option period, the covered
call writer has, in return for the premium on the option, given up the
opportunity for capital appreciation above the exercise price should the market
price of the underlying security (or the value of its denominated currency)
increase, but has retained the risk of loss should the price of the underlying
security (or the value of its denominated currency) decline. The writer has no
control over the time when it may be required to fulfill its obligation as a
writer of the option. Once an option writer has received an exercise notice, it
cannot effect a closing purchase transaction in order to terminate its
obligation under the option and must deliver or receive the underlying
securities at the exercise price.
 
    Prior to exercise or expiration, an option position can only be terminated
by entering into a closing purchase or sale transaction. If a covered call
option writer is unable to effect a closing purchase transaction or to purchase
an offsetting OTC option, it cannot sell the underlying security until the
option expires or the option is exercised. Accordingly, a covered call option
writer may not be able to sell an underlying security at a time when it might
otherwise be advantageous to do so.
 
    As discussed in the Prospectus, the Fund's ability to close out its position
as a writer of an option is dependent upon the existence of a liquid secondary
market on Option Exchanges. There is no assurance that such a market will exist,
particularly in the case of OTC options, as such options will generally only be
closed out by entering into a closing purchase transaction with the purchasing
dealer. However, the Fund may be able to purchase an offsetting option which
does not close out its position as a writer but constitutes an asset of equal
value to the obligation under the option written. If the Fund is not able to
either enter into a closing purchase transaction or purchase an offsetting
position, it will be required to maintain the securities subject to the call, or
the collateral underlying the put, even though it might not be advantageous to
do so, until a closing transaction can be entered into (or the option is
exercised or expires).
 
    Among the possible reasons for the absence of a liquid secondary market on
an exchange are: (i) insufficient trading interest in certain options; (ii)
restrictions on transactions imposed by an exchange; (iii) trading halts,
suspensions or other restrictions imposed with respect to particular classes or
series of options or underlying securities; (iv) interruption of the normal
operations on an exchange; (v) inadequacy of the facilities of an exchange or
the Options Clearing Corporation ("OCC") to handle current trading volume; or
(vi) a decision by one or more exchanges to discontinue the trading of options
(or a particular class or series of options), in which event the secondary
market on that exchange (or in that class or series of options) would cease to
exist, although outstanding options on that exchange that had been issued by the
OCC as a result of trades on that Exchange would generally continue to be
excercisable in accordance with their terms.
 
    In the event of the bankruptcy of a broker through which the Fund engages in
transactions in options, the Fund could experience delays and/or losses in
liquidating open positions purchased or sold through the broker and/or incur a
loss of all or part of its margin deposits with the broker. Similarly, in the
event of the bankruptcy of the writer of an OTC option purchased by the Fund,
the Fund could experience a loss of all or part of the value of the option.
Transactions are entered into by the Fund only with brokers or financial
institutions deemed creditworthy by the Fund's management.
 
    Each of the exchanges has established limitations governing the maximum
number of options on the same underlying security or futures contract (whether
or not covered) which may be written by a single investor, whether acting alone
or in concert with others (regardless of whether such options are written on the
same or different exchange or are held or written on one or more accounts or
through one or more brokers). An exchange may order the liquidation of positions
found to be in violation of these
 
                                       20
<PAGE>
limits and it may impose other sanctions or restrictions. These position limits
may restrict the number of listed options which the Fund may write.
 
    The hours of trading for options may not conform to the hours during which
the underlying securities are traded. To the extent that the option markets
close before the markets for the underlying securities, significant price and
rate movements can take place in the underlying markets that cannot be reflected
in the option markets.
 
    FUTURES CONTRACTS.  As stated in the Prospectus, the Fund may purchase and
sell interest rate, currency, and index futures contracts ("futures contracts"),
that are traded on U.S. and foreign commodity exchanges, on such underlying
securities as U.S. Treasury bonds, notes and bills and/or any foreign government
fixed-income security ("interest rate" futures), on various currencies
("currency futures") and on such indexes of U.S. and foreign securities as may
exist or come into being ("index" futures).
 
    Although most interest rate futures contracts call for actual delivery or
acceptance of securities, the contracts usually are closed out before the
settlement date without the making or taking of delivery. A futures contract
sale is closed out by effecting a futures contract purchase for the same
aggregate amount of the specific type of security (currency) and the same
delivery date. If the sale price exceeds the offsetting purchase price, the
seller would be paid the difference and would realize a gain. If the offsetting
purchase price exceeds the sale price, the seller would pay the difference and
would realize a loss. Similarly, a futures contract purchase is closed out by
effecting a futures contract sale for the same aggregate amount of the specific
type of security (currency) and the same delivery date. If the offsetting sale
price exceeds the purchase price, the purchaser would realize a gain, whereas if
the purchase price exceeds the offsetting sale price, the purchaser would
realize a loss. There is no assurance that the Fund will be able to enter into a
closing transaction.
 
    INTEREST RATE FUTURES CONTRACTS.  When the Fund enters into an interest rate
futures contract, it is initially required to deposit with the Fund's Custodian,
in a segregated account in the name of the broker performing the transaction, an
"initial margin" of cash or U.S. Government securities or other liquid portfolio
securities equal to approximately 3% of the contract amount. Initial margin
requirements are established by the Exchanges on which futures contracts trade
and may, from time to time, change. In addition, brokers may establish margin
deposit requirements in excess of those required by the Exchanges.
 
    In addition, if the Fund holds a long position in a futures contract it will
hold cash, U.S. Government securities or other liquid portfolio securities equal
to the purchase price of the contract (less the amount of initial or variation
margin on deposit) in a segregated account maintained for the Fund by its
Custodian. Alternatively, the Fund could cover its long position by purchasing a
put option on the same futures contract with an exercise price as high or higher
than the price of the contract held by the Fund.
 
    Initial margin in futures transactions is different from margin in
securities transactions in that initial margin does not involve the borrowing of
funds by a brokers' client but is, rather, a good faith deposit on the futures
contract which will be returned to the Fund upon the proper termination of the
futures contract. The margin deposits made are marked to market daily and the
Fund may be required to make subsequent deposits of cash or U.S. Government
securities called "variation margin," with the Fund's futures contract clearing
broker, which are reflective of price fluctuations in the futures contract.
Currently, interest rate futures contracts can be purchased on debt securities
such as U.S. Treasury Bills and Bonds, U.S. Treasury Notes with Maturities
between 6 1/2 and 10 years, GNMA Certificates and Bank Certificates of Deposit.
 
    CURRENCY FUTURES.  Generally, foreign currency futures provide for the
delivery of a specified amount of a given currency, on the delivery date, for a
set exercise price denominated in U.S. dollars or other currency. Foreign
currency futures contracts would be entered into for the same reason and under
the same circumstances as forward foreign currency exchange contracts. The
Investment Manager will assess such factors as cost spreads, liquidity and
transaction costs in determining whether to
 
                                       21
<PAGE>
utilize futures contracts or forward contracts its in foreign currency
transactions and hedging strategy. Currently, currency futures exist for, among
other foreign currencies, the Japanese yen, German marks, Canadian dollars,
British pound, Swiss franc and European currency unit.
 
    Purchasers and sellers of foreign currency futures contracts are subject to
the same risks that apply to the buying and selling of futures generally. In
addition, there are risks associated with foreign currency futures contracts and
their use as a hedging device similar to those associated with options on
foreign currencies described above. Further, settlement of a foreign currency
futures contract must occur within the country issuing the underlying currency.
Thus, the Fund must accept or make delivery of the underlying foreign currency
in accordance with any U.S. or foreign restrictions or regulation regarding the
maintenance of foreign banking arrangements by U.S. residents and may be
required to pay any fees, taxes or charges associated with such delivery which
are assessed in the issuing country.
 
    Options on foreign currency futures contracts may involve certain additional
risks. The ability to establish and close out positions on such options is
subject to the maintenance of a liquid secondary market. To reduce this risk,
the Fund will not purchase or write options on foreign currency futures
contracts unless and until, in the Investment Manager's opinion, the market for
such options has developed sufficiently that the risks in connection with such
options are not greater than the risks in connection with transactions in the
underlying foreign currency futures contracts.
 
    INDEX FUTURES CONTRACTS.  As discussed in the Prospectus, the Fund may
invest in index futures contracts. An index futures contract sale creates an
obligation by the Fund, as seller, to deliver cash at a specified future time.
An index futures contract purchase would create an obligation by the Fund, as
purchaser, to take delivery of cash at a specified future time. Futures
contracts on indexes do not require the physical delivery of securities, but
provide for a final cash settlement on the expiration date which reflects
accumulated profits and losses credited or debited to each party's account.
 
    The Fund is required to maintain margin deposits with brokerage firms
through which it effects index futures contracts in a manner similar to that
described above for interest rate futures contracts. Currently, the initial
margin requirements range from 3% to 10% of the contract amount for index
futures. In addition, due to current industry practice, daily variations in
gains and losses on open contracts are required to be reflected in cash in the
form of variation margin payments. The Fund may be required to make additional
margin payments during the term of the contract.
 
    At any time prior to expiration of the futures contract, the Fund may elect
to close the position by taking an opposite position which will operate to
terminate the Fund's position in the futures contract. A final determination of
variation margin is then made, additional cash is required to be paid by or
released to the Fund and the Fund realizes a loss or gain.
 
    OPTIONS ON FUTURES CONTRACTS.  The writer of an option on a futures contract
is required to deposit initial and variation margin pursuant to requirements
similar to those applicable to futures contracts. Premiums received from the
writing of an option on a futures contract are included in initial margin
deposits.
 
    RISKS OF TRANSACTIONS IN FUTURES CONTRACTS AND RELATED OPTIONS.  The
successful use of futures and related options depends on the ability of the
Investment Manager to accurately predict market and interest rate movements. As
stated in the Prospectus, the Fund may sell a futures contract to protect
against the decline in the value of securities (or the currency in which they
are denominated) held by the Fund. However, it is possible that the futures
market may advance and the value of securities (or the currency in which they
are denominated) held in the portfolio of the Fund may decline. If this
occurred, the Fund would lose money on the futures contract and also experience
a decline in value of its portfolio securities. However, while this could occur
for a very brief period or to a very small degree, over time the value of a
diversified portfolio will tend to move in the same direction as the futures
contracts.
 
    If the Fund purchases a futures contract to hedge against the increase in
value of securities it intends to buy (or the currency in which they are
denominated), and the value of such securities
 
                                       22
<PAGE>
(currencies) decreases, then the Fund may determine not to invest in the
securities as planned and will realize a loss on the futures contract that is
not offset by a reduction in the price of the securities.
 
    In order to assure that the Fund is entering into transactions in futures
contracts for hedging purposes as such is defined by the Commodity Futures
Trading Commission either: 1) a substantial majority (i.e., approximately 75%)
of all anticipatory hedge transactions (transactions in which the Fund does not
own at the time of the transaction, but expects to acquire, the securities
underlying the relevant futures contract) involving the purchase of futures
contracts will be completed by the purchase of securities which are the subject
of the hedge or 2) the underlying value of all long positions in futures
contracts will not exceed the total value of a) all short-term debt obligations
held by the Fund; b) cash held by the Fund; c) cash proceeds due to the Fund on
investments within thirty days; d) the margin deposited on the contracts; and e)
any unrealized appreciation in the value of the contracts.
 
    If the Fund has sold a call option on a futures contract, it will cover this
position by holding, in a segregated account maintained at its Custodian, cash,
U.S. Government securities or other liquid portfolio securities equal in value
(when added to any initial or variation margin on deposit) to the market value
of the securities (currencies) underlying the futures contract or the exercise
price of the option. Such a position may also be covered by owning the
securities (currencies) underlying the futures contract, or by holding a call
option permitting the Fund to purchase the same contract at a price no higher
than the price at which the short position was established.
 
    Exchanges limit the amount by which the price of a futures contract may move
on any day. If the price moves equal the daily limit on successive days, then it
may prove impossible to liquidate a futures position until the daily limit moves
have ceased. In the event of adverse price movements, the Fund would continue to
be required to make daily cash payments of variation margin on open futures
positions. In such situations, if the Fund has insufficient cash, it may have to
sell portfolio securities to meet daily variation margin requirements at a time
when it may be disadvantageous to do so. In addition, the Fund may be required
to take or make delivery of the instruments underlying interest rate futures
contracts it holds at a time when it is disadvantageous to do so. The inability
to close out options and futures positions could also have an adverse impact on
the Fund's ability to effectively hedge its portfolio.
 
    Futures contracts and options thereon which are purchased or sold on foreign
commodities exchanges may have greater price volatility than their U.S.
counterparts. Furthermore, foreign commodities exchanges may be less regulated
and under less governmental scrutiny than U.S. exchanges. Brokerage commissions,
clearing costs and other transaction costs may be higher on foreign exchanges.
Greater margin requirements may limit the Fund's ability to enter into certain
commodity transactions on foreign exchanges. Moreover, differences in clearance
and delivery requirements on foreign exchanges may occasion delays in the
settlement of the Fund's transactions effected on foreign exchanges.
 
    In the event of the bankruptcy of a broker through which the Fund engages in
transactions in futures or options thereon, the Fund could experience delays
and/or losses in liquidating open positions purchased or sold through the broker
and/or incur a loss of all or part of its margin deposits with the broker.
Similarly, in the event of the bankruptcy of the writer of an OTC option
purchased by the Fund, the Fund could experience a loss of all or part of the
value of the option. Transactions are entered into by the Fund only with brokers
or financial institutions deemed creditworthy by the Investment Manager.
 
    While the futures contracts and options transactions to be engaged in by the
Fund for the purpose of hedging the Fund's portfolio securities are not
speculative in nature, there are risks inherent in the use of such instruments.
One such risk which may arise in employing futures contracts to protect against
the price volatility of portfolio securities (and the currencies in which they
are denominated) is that the prices of securities and indexes subject to futures
contracts (and thereby the futures contract prices) may correlate imperfectly
with the behavior of the cash prices of the Fund's portfolio securities (and the
currencies in which they are denominated). Another such risk is that prices of
interest rate futures contracts may not move in tandem with the changes in
prevailing interest rates against which the Fund
 
                                       23
<PAGE>
seeks a hedge. A correlation may also be distorted by the fact that the futures
market is dominated by short-term traders seeking to profit from the difference
between a contract or security price objective and their cost of borrowed funds.
Such distortions are generally minor and would diminish as the contract
approached maturity.
 
    As stated in the Prospectus, there may exist an imperfect correlation
between the price movements of futures contracts purchased by the Fund and the
movements in the prices of the securities (currencies) which are the subject of
the hedge. If participants in the futures market elect to close out their
contracts through offsetting transactions rather than meet margin deposit
requirements, distortions in the normal relationship between the debt securities
or currency markets and futures markets could result. Price distortions could
also result if investors in futures contracts opt to make or take delivery of
underlying securities rather than engage in closing transactions due to the
resultant reduction in the liquidity of the futures market. In addition, due to
the fact that, from the point of view of speculators, the deposit requirements
in the futures markets are less onerous than margin requirements in the cash
market, increased participation by speculators in the futures market could cause
temporary price distortions. Due to the possibility of price distortions in the
futures market and because of the imperfect correlation between movements in the
prices of securities and movements in the prices of futures contracts, a correct
forecast of interest rate trends may still not result in a successful hedging
transaction.
 
    As stated in the Prospectus, there is no assurance that a liquid secondary
market will exist for futures contracts and related options in which the Fund
may invest. In the event a liquid market does not exist, it may not be possible
to close out a futures position, and in the event of adverse price movements,
the Fund would continue to be required to make daily cash payments of variation
margin. In addition, limitations imposed by an exchange or board of trade on
which futures contracts are traded may compel or prevent the Fund from closing
out a contract which may result in reduced gain or increased loss to the Fund.
The absence of a liquid market in futures contracts might cause the Fund to make
or take delivery of the underlying securities (currencies) at a time when it may
be disadvantageous to do so.
 
    Compared to the purchase or sale of futures contracts, the purchase of call
or put options on futures contracts involves less potential risk to the Fund
because the maximum amount at risk is the premium paid for the options (plus
transaction costs). However, there may be circumstances when the purchase of a
call or put option on a futures contract would result in a loss to the Fund
notwithstanding that the purchase or sale of a futures contract would not result
in a loss, as in the instance where there is no movement in the prices of the
futures contract or underlying securities (currencies).
 
OTHER INVESTMENT POLICIES
 
    REPURCHASE AGREEMENTS.  When cash may be available for only a few days, it
may be invested by the Fund in repurchase agreements until such time as it may
otherwise be invested or used for payments of obligations of the Fund. A
repurchase agreement may be viewed as a type of secured lending by the Fund
which typically involves the acquisition by the Fund of government securities
from a selling financial institution such as a bank, savings and loan
association or broker-dealer. The agreement provides that the Fund will sell
back to the institution, and that the institution will repurchase, the
underlying security ("collateral") at a specified price and at a fixed time in
the future, usually not more than seven days from the date of purchase. The
collateral will be maintained in a segregated account and will be
marked-to-market daily to determine that the full value of the collateral, as
specified in the agreement, is always at least equal to the purchase price plus
accrued interest. If required, additional collateral will be added to the
account to maintain full collateralization. In the event the original seller
defaults on its obligations to repurchase, as a result of its bankruptcy or
otherwise, the Fund will seek to sell the collateral, which action could involve
costs or delays. In such case, the Fund's ability to dispose of the collateral
to recover its investment may be restricted or delayed.
 
    The Fund will accrue interest from the institution until the time when the
repurchase is to occur. Although such date is deemed by the Fund to be the
maturity date of a repurchase agreement, the
 
                                       24
<PAGE>
maturities of securities subject to repurchase agreements are not subject to any
limits and may exceed one year.
 
    While repurchase agreements involve certain risks not associated with direct
investments in debt securities, the Fund follows procedures designed to minimize
such risks. Repurchase agreements will be transacted only with large,
well-capitalized and well-established financial institutions whose financial
condition will be continuously monitored by the management of the Fund subject
to procedures established by the Directors. The procedures also require that the
collateral underlying the agreement be specified. The Fund has not to date nor
does it presently intend to enter into repurchase agreements so that more than
5% of the Fund's net assets are subject to such agreements.
 
    REVERSE REPURCHASE AGREEMENTS.  The Fund may also use reverse repurchase
agreements for purposes of meeting redemptions or as part of its investment
strategy. Reverse repurchase agreements involve sales by the Fund of portfolio
assets concurrently with an agreement by the Fund to repurchase the same assets
at a later date at a fixed price. Generally, the effect of such a transaction is
that the Fund can recover all or most of the cash invested in the portfolio
securities involved during the term of the reverse repurchase agreement, while
it will be able to keep the interest income associated with those portfolio
securities. Such transactions are only advantageous if the interest cost to the
Fund of the reverse repurchase transaction is less than the cost of obtaining
the cash otherwise. Opportunities to achieve this advantage may not always be
available, and the Fund intends to use the reverse repurchase technique only
when it will be to its advantage to do so. The Fund will establish a segregated
account with its custodian bank in which it will maintain cash or cash
equivalents or other portfolio securities (i.e., U.S. Government securities)
equal in value to its obligations in respect of reverse repurchase agreements.
Reverse repurchase agreements are considered borrowings by the Fund and, in
accordance with legal requirements, the Fund will maintain an asset coverage
(including the proceeds) of at least 300% with respect to all reverse repurchase
agreements. Reverse repurchase agreements may not exceed 10% of the Fund's total
assets. The Fund will make no purchases, during its current fiscal year, of
portfolio securities while it is still subject to a reverse repurchase
agreement. The Fund has not to date nor does it presently intend to enter into
any reverse repurchase agreements.
 
   
    WHEN-ISSUED AND DELAYED DELIVERY SECURITIES AND FORWARD COMMITMENTS.  As
discussed in the Prospectus, from time to time, in the ordinary course of
business, the Fund may purchase securities on a when-issued or delayed delivery
basis and may purchase or sell securities on a forward commitment basis. When
such transactions are negotiated, the price is fixed at the time of the
commitment, but delivery and payment can take place a month or more after the
date of the commitment. The securities so purchased are subject to market
fluctuation and no interest accrues to the purchaser during this period. While
the Fund will only purchase securities on a when-issued, delayed delivery or
forward commitment basis with the intention of acquiring the securities, the
Fund may sell the securities before the settlement date, if it is deemed
advisable. At the time the Fund makes the commitment to purchase securities on a
when-issued or delayed delivery basis, the Fund will record the transaction and
thereafter reflect the value, each day, of such security in determining the net
asset value of the Fund. At the time of delivery of the securities, the value
may be more or less than the purchase price. The Fund will also establish a
segregated account with the Fund's custodian bank in which it will continuously
maintain cash or U.S. Government securities or other liquid portfolio securities
equal in value to commitments for such when-issued or delayed delivery
securities; subject to this requirement, the Fund may purchase securities on
such basis without limit. An increase in the percentage of the Fund's assets
committed to the purchase of securities on a when-issued or delayed delivery
basis may increase the volatility of the Fund's net asset value.
    
 
    WHEN, AS AND IF ISSUED SECURITIES.  As discussed in the Prospectus, the Fund
may purchase securities on a "when, as and if issued" basis under which the
issuance of the security depends upon the occurrence of a subsequent event, such
as approval of a merger, corporate reorganization, leveraged buyout or debt
restructuring. The commitment for the purchase of any such security will not be
recognized in the portfolio of the Fund until the Investment Manager determines
that issuance of the security is probable. At such time, the Fund will record
the transaction and, in determining its net asset
 
                                       25
<PAGE>
   
value, will reflect the value of the security daily. At such time, the Fund will
also establish a segregated account with its custodian bank in which it will
continuously maintain cash or U.S. Government securities or other liquid
portfolio securities equal in value to recognized commitments for such
securities. Settlement of the trade will occur within five business days of the
occurrence of the subsequent event. The value of the Fund's commitments to
purchase the securities of any one issuer, together with the value of all
securities of such issuer owned by the Fund, may not exceed 5% of the value of
the Fund's total assets at the time the initial commitment to purchase such
securities is made (see "Investment Restrictions"). Subject to the foregoing
restrictions, the Fund may purchase securities on such basis without limit. An
increase in the percentage of the Fund's assets committed to the purchase of
securities on a "when, as and if issued" basis may increase the volatility of
its net asset value. The Fund may also sell securities on a "when, as and if
issued" basis provided that the issuance of the security will result
automatically from the exchange or conversion of a security owned by the Fund at
the time of the sale.
    
 
    LENDING OF PORTFOLIO SECURITIES.  Consistent with applicable regulatory
requirements, the Fund may lend its portfolio securities to brokers, dealers and
other financial institutions, provided that such loans are callable at any time
by the Fund (subject to notice provisions described below), and are at all times
secured by cash or appropriate high-grade debt obligations, which are maintained
in a segregated account pursuant to applicable regulations and that are at least
equal to the market value, determined daily, of the loaned securities. The
advantage of such loans is that the Fund continues to receive the income on the
loaned securities while at the same time earning interest on the cash amounts
deposited as collateral, which will be invested in short-term obligations. The
Fund will not lend its portfolio securities if such loans are not permitted by
the laws or regulations of any state in which its shares are qualified for sale
and will not lend more than 25% of the value of its total assets. A loan may be
terminated by the borrower on one business days' notice, or by the Fund on two
business days' notice. If the borrower fails to deliver the loaned securities
within two days after receipt of notice, the Fund could use the collateral to
replace the securities while holding the borrower liable for any excess of
replacement cost over collateral. As with any extensions of credit, there are
risks of delay in recovery and in some cases even loss of rights in the
collateral should the borrower of the securities fail financially. However,
these loans of portfolio securities will only be made to firms deemed by the
Fund's management to be creditworthy and when the income which can be earned
from such loans justifies the attendant risks. Upon termination of the loan, the
borrower is required to return the securities to the Fund. Any gain or loss in
the market price during the loan period would inure to the Fund. The
creditworthiness of firms to which the Fund lends its portfolio securities will
be monitored on an ongoing basis by the Fund's management pursuant to procedures
adopted and reviewed, on an ongoing basis, by the Board of Directors of the
Fund.
 
    When voting or consent rights which accompany loaned securities pass to the
borrower, the Fund will follow the policy of calling the loaned securities, to
be delivered within one day after notice, to permit the exercise of such rights
if the matters involved would have a material effect on the Fund's investment in
such loaned securities. The Fund will pay reasonable finder's, administrative
and custodial fees in connection with a loan of its securities. The Fund has not
to date nor does it presently intend to lend any of its portfolio securities.
 
INVESTMENT RESTRICTIONS
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
    In addition to the investment restrictions enumerated in the Prospectus, the
investment restrictions listed below have been adopted by the Fund as
fundamental policies, except as otherwise indicated. Under the Act, a
fundamental policy may not be changed without the vote of a majority of the
outstanding voting securities of the Fund, as defined in the Act. Such a
majority is defined as the lesser of (a) 67% or more of the shares present at a
meeting of shareholders, if the holders of 50% of the outstanding shares of the
Fund are present or represented by proxy or (b) more than 50% of the outstanding
shares of the Fund.
 
                                       26
<PAGE>
    The Fund may not:
 
        1.  Purchase or sell real estate or interests therein, although the Fund
    may purchase securities of issuers which engage in real estate operations
    and securities secured by real estate or interests therein.
 
        2.  Purchase oil, gas or other mineral leases, rights or royalty
    contracts or exploration or development programs, except that the Fund may
    invest in the securities of companies which operate, invest in, or sponsor
    such programs.
 
        3.  Purchase securities of other investment companies, except in
    connection with a merger, consolidation, reorganization or acquisition of
    assets or in accordance with the provisions of Section 12(d) of the Act and
    any Rules promulgated thereunder. The Fund, however, has no present
    intention to make any investments, during the current fiscal year, in
    securities issued by other investment companies.
 
        The Fund anticipates that it will incur any indirect expenses incurred
    through investment in an investment company, such as the payment of a
    management fee. Furthermore, it should be noted that foreign investment
    companies are not subject to the U.S. securities laws and may be subject to
    fewer or less stringent regulations than U.S. investment companies.
 
        4.  Borrow money (except insofar as the Fund may be deemed to have
    borrowed by entrance into a reverse repurchase agreement up to an amount not
    exceeding 10% of the Fund's total assets), except that the Fund may borrow
    from a bank for temporary or emergency purposes in amounts not exceeding 5%
    (taken at the lower of cost or current value) of its total assets (not
    including the amount borrowed).
 
        5.  Issue senior securities as defined in the Act except insofar as the
    Fund may be deemed to have issued a senior security by reason of (a)
    entering into any repurchase or reverse repurchase agreement; (b) purchasing
    any securities on a when-issued or delayed delivery basis; (c) purchasing or
    selling futures contracts, forward foreign exchange contracts or options;
    (d) borrowing money in accordance with restrictions described above; or (e)
    lending portfolio securities.
 
        6.  Make loans of money or securities, except: (a) by the purchase of
    publicly distributed debt obligations in which the Fund may invest
    consistent with its investment objectives and policies; (b) by investment in
    repurchase or reverse repurchase agreements; or (c) by lending its portfolio
    securities.
 
        7.  Make short sales of securities or maintain a short position, unless
    at all times when a short position is open it either owns an equal amount of
    such securities or owns securities which, without payment of any further
    consideration, are convertible into or exchangeable for securities of the
    same issue as, and equal in amount to, the securities sold short.
 
        8.  Engage in the underwriting of securities, except insofar as the Fund
    may be deemed an underwriter under the Securities Act of 1933 in disposing
    of a portfolio security.
 
        9.  Invest for the purpose of exercising control or management of any
    other issuer.
 
    As a nonfundamental policy, the Fund will not invest in other investment
companies in reliance on Sections 12(d)(1)(F), 12(d)(1)(G) or 12(d)(1)(J) of the
Act.
 
    If a percentage restriction is adhered to at the time of investment, a later
increase or decrease in percentage resulting from a change in values of
portfolio securities or amount of total or net assets will not be considered a
violation of any of the foregoing restrictions.
 
    Notwithstanding any other investment policy or restriction, the Fund may
seek to achieve its investment objective by investing all or substantially all
of its assets in another investment company having substantially the same
investment objective and policies as the Fund.
 
                                       27
<PAGE>
PORTFOLIO TRANSACTIONS AND BROKERAGE
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
   
    Subject to the general supervision of the Fund's Directors, the Investment
Manager and the Sub-Advisor are responsible for decisions to buy and sell
securities of the Fund, the selection of brokers and dealers to effect the
transactions, and the negotiation of brokerage commissions, if any. Purchases
and sales of securities on a stock exchange are effected through brokers who
charge a commission for their services. In the over-the-counter market,
securities are generally traded on a "net" basis with non-affiliated dealers
acting as principal for their own accounts without a stated commission, although
the price of the security usually includes a profit to the dealer. The Fund also
expects that securities will be purchased at times in underwritten offerings
where the price includes a fixed amount of compensation, generally referred to
as the underwriter's concession or discount. In the underwritten offerings,
securities are purchased at a fixed price which includes an amount of
compensation equal to the underwriter's concession. On occasion, certain money
market instruments may be purchased directly from an issuer, in which case no
commissions or discounts are paid. During the fiscal years ended October 31,
1996, 1997 and 1998, the Fund paid $2,545,689, $3,392,662 and $          ,
respectively, in brokerage commissions.
    
 
   
    The Investment Manager and the Sub-Advisor currently serve as investment
advisors to a number of clients, including, in the case of the Investment
Manager, other investment companies, and may in the future act as investment
manager or adviser to others. It is the practice of each of the Investment
Manager and the Sub-Advisor to cause purchase and sale transactions to be
allocated among the Fund and others whose assets it manages in such manner as it
deems equitable. In making such allocations among the Fund and other client
accounts, various factors may be considered, including the respective investment
objectives, the relative size of portfolio holdings of the same or comparable
securities, the availability of cash for investment, the size of investment
commitments generally held and the opinions of the persons responsible for
managing the portfolios of the Fund and other client accounts. In the case of
certain initial and secondary public offerings, the Investment Manager utilizes
a pro rata allocation process based on the size of the Morgan Stanley Dean
Witter Funds involved and the number of shares available from the public
offering.
    
 
   
    The policy of the Fund regarding purchases and sales of securities for its
portfolio is that primary consideration will be given to obtaining the most
favorable prices and efficient executions of transactions. Consistent with this
policy, when securities transactions are effected on a stock exchange, the
Fund's policy is to pay commissions which are considered fair and reasonable
without necessarily determining that the lowest possible commissions are paid in
all circumstances. The Fund believes that a requirement always to seek the
lowest possible commission cost could impede effective portfolio management and
preclude the Fund and the Investment Manager and the Sub-Advisor from obtaining
a high quality of brokerage and research services. In seeking to determine the
reasonableness of brokerage commissions paid in any transaction, the Investment
Manager and the Sub-Advisor rely upon their experience and knowledge regarding
commissions generally charged by various brokers and on their judgment in
evaluating the brokerage and research services received from the broker
effecting the transaction. Such determinations are necessarily subjective and
imprecise, as in most cases an exact dollar value for those services is not
ascertainable.
    
 
    The Fund anticipates that certain of its transactions involving foreign
securities will be effected on securities exchanges. Fixed commissions on such
transactions are generally higher than negotiated commissions on domestic
transactions. There is also generally less government supervision and regulation
of foreign securities exchanges and brokers than in the United States.
 
   
    In seeking to implement the Fund's policies, the Investment Manager and the
Sub-Advisor effect transactions with those brokers and dealers who the
Investment Manager and the Sub-Advisor believe provide the most favorable prices
and are capable of providing efficient executions. If the Investment Manager
and/or the Sub-Advisor believe such prices and executions are obtainable from
more than one broker or dealer, they may give consideration to placing portfolio
transactions with those brokers and dealers who also furnish research and other
services to the Fund or the Investment Manager and/or the
    
 
                                       28
<PAGE>
   
Sub-Advisor. Such services may include, but are not limited to, any one or more
of the following: information as to the availability of securities for purchase
or sale; statistical or factual information or opinions pertaining to
investment; wire services; and appraisals or evaluations of portfolio
securities.
    
 
   
    The information and services received by the Investment Manager and the
Sub-Advisor from brokers and dealers may be of benefit to the Investment Manager
and the Sub-Advisor in the management of accounts of some of their other clients
and may not in all cases benefit the Fund directly. While the receipt of such
information and services is useful in varying degrees and would generally reduce
the amount of research or services otherwise performed by the Investment Manager
and the Sub-Advisor and thereby reduce their expenses, it is of indeterminable
value and the fees paid to the Investment Manager and the Sub-Advisor are not
reduced by any amount that may be attributable to the value of such services.
    
 
    Pursuant to an order of the Securities and Exchange Commission, the Fund may
effect principal transactions in certain money market instruments with DWR. The
Fund will limit its transactions with DWR to U.S. Government and Government
Agency Securities, Bank Money Instruments (i.e., Certificates of Deposit and
Bankers' Acceptances) and Commercial Paper. Such transactions will be effected
with DWR only when the price available from DWR is better than that available
from other dealers.
 
   
    Consistent with the policy described above, brokerage transactions in
securities listed on exchanges or admitted to unlisted trading privileges may be
effected through DWR, Morgan Stanley and Co. Incorporated ("MS & Co.") and other
affiliated brokers and dealers and/or affiliated broker-dealers of the
Sub-Advisor. In order for an affiliated broker or dealer to effect any portfolio
transactions for the Fund, the commissions, fees or other remuneration received
by the affiliated broker or dealer must be reasonable and fair compared to the
commissions, fees or other remuneration paid to other brokers in connection with
comparable transactions involving similar securities being purchased or sold on
an exchange during a comparable period of time. This standard would allow the
affiliated broker or dealer to receive no more than the remuneration which would
be expected to be received by an unaffiliated broker in a commensurate
arm's-length transaction. Furthermore, the Directors of the Fund, including a
majority of the Directors who are not "interested" persons of the Fund, as
defined in the Act, have adopted procedures which are reasonably designed to
provide that any commissions, fees or other remuneration paid to an affiliated
broker or dealer are consistent with the foregoing standard. The Fund does not
reduce the management fee it pays to the Investment Manager by any amount of the
brokerage commissions it may pay to an affiliated broker or dealer. During the
period June 1, 1997 through October 31, 1997 and the year ended October 31,
1998, the Fund paid a total of $          and $          , respectively, in
brokerage commissions to MS & Co., which broker-dealer became an affiliate of
the Investment Manager on May 31, 1997 upon consummation of the merger of Dean
Witter, Discover & Co. with Morgan Stanley Group Inc. During the fiscal year
ended October 31, 1998 the brokerage commissions paid to MS & Co. represented
approximately    % of the total brokerage commissions paid by the Fund for this
period and were paid on account of transactions having an aggregate dollar value
equal to approximately    % of the aggregate dollar value of all portfolio
transactions of the Fund during the period for which commissions were paid.
    
 
   
    The Fund paid brokerage commission to affiliates of the Former Sub-Advisor,
Morgan Grenfell Investment Services Ltd., in the amount of $          and
$          for the fiscal years ended October 31, 1997 and 1998, respectively.
The Fund did not pay any brokerage commissions to affiliates of the Former
Sub-Advisor during the fiscal year ended October 31, 1996. During the fiscal
year ended
    
 
                                       29
<PAGE>
   
October 31, 1998, the Fund paid affiliated broker-dealers of the Former
Sub-Advisor for transactions as follows:
    
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                                      PERCENTAGE OF
                                                                                                    AGGREGATE DOLLAR
                                                                                                        AMOUNT OF
                                                            BROKERAGE                                EXECUTED TRADES
                                                         COMMISSIONS PAID        PERCENTAGE OF          ON WHICH
                                                          TO AFFILIATED            AGGREGATE            BROKERAGE
                                                         BROKER OF FORMER          BROKERAGE           COMMISSIONS
                                                           SUB-ADVISOR          COMMISSIONS FOR       WERE PAID FOR
                                                         FOR FISCAL YEAR          FISCAL YEAR          FISCAL YEAR
                                                              ENDED                  ENDED                ENDED
                   NAME OF BROKER                            10/31/98              10/31/98             10/31/98
- ----------------------------------------------------  ----------------------  -------------------  -------------------
<S>                                                   <C>                     <C>                  <C>
Deutsche Bank AG....................................        $                               %                    %
Morgan Grenfell & Co. Limited.......................
</TABLE>
    
 
THE DISTRIBUTOR
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
   
    As discussed in the Prospectus, shares of the Fund are distributed by Morgan
Stanley Dean Witter Distributors Inc. (the "Distributor"). The Distributor has
entered into a selected dealer agreement with DWR, which through its own sales
organization sells shares of the Fund. In addition, the Distributor may enter
into selected dealer agreements with other selected broker-dealers. The
Distributor, a Delaware corporation, is a wholly-owned subsidiary of MSDW. The
Directors of the Fund, including a majority of the Directors who are not, and
were not at the time they voted, interested persons of the Fund, as defined in
the Act (the "Independent Directors"), approved, at their meeting held on June
30, 1997, the current Distribution Agreement appointing the Distributor as
exclusive distributor of the Fund's shares and providing for the Distributor to
bear distribution expenses not borne by the Fund. By its terms, the Distribution
Agreement had an initial term ending April 30, 1998 and will remain in effect
from year to year thereafter if approved by the Board. At their meeting held on
April 30, 1998, the Directors of the Fund, including a majority of the
Independent Directors, approved the continuation of the Distribution Agreement
until April 30, 1999.
    
 
   
    The Distributor bears all expenses it may incur in providing services under
the Distribution Agreement. Such expenses include the payment of commissions for
sales of the Fund's shares and incentive compensation to Morgan Stanley Dean
Witter Financial Advisors and other selected broker-dealer representatives. The
Distributor also pays certain expenses in connection with the distribution of
the Fund's shares, including the costs of preparing, printing and distributing
advertising or promotional materials, and the costs of printing and distributing
prospectuses and supplements thereto used in connection with the offering and
sale of the Fund's shares. The Fund bears the costs of initial typesetting,
printing and distribution of prospectuses and supplements thereto to
shareholders. The Fund also bears the costs of registering the Fund and its
shares under federal securities laws and pays filing fees in accordance with
state securities laws. The Fund and the Distributor have agreed to indemnify
each other against certain liabilities, including liabilities under the
Securities Act of 1933, as amended. Under the Distribution Agreement, the
Distributor uses its best efforts in rendering services to the Fund, but in the
absence of willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence or reckless
disregard of its obligations, the Distributor is not liable to the Fund or any
of its shareholders for any error of judgment or mistake of law or for any act
or omission or for any losses sustained by the Fund or its shareholders.
    
 
PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION
 
   
    The Fund has adopted a Plan of Distribution pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the
Act (the "Plan") pursuant to which each Class, other than Class D, pays the
Distributor compensation accrued daily and payable monthly at the following
annual rates: 0.25% and 1.0% of the average daily net assets of Class A and
Class C, respectively, and, with respect to Class B, 1.0% of the lesser of: (a)
the average daily aggregate gross sales of the Fund's Class B shares since the
inception of the Fund (not including reinvestments of dividends or capital gains
distributions), less the average daily aggregate net asset value of the Fund's
Class B shares redeemed since the Fund's inception upon which a contingent
    
 
                                       30
<PAGE>
   
deferred sales charge has been imposed or upon which such charge has been
waived; or (b) the average daily net assets of Class B. The Distributor also
receives the proceeds of front-end sales charges and of contingent deferred
sales charges imposed on certain redemptions of shares, which are separate and
apart from payments made pursuant to the Plan (see "Purchase of Fund Shares" in
the Prospectus).
    
 
   
    The Distributor has informed the Fund that it and/or DWR received (a)
approximately $1,047,000, $1,853,492 and $          in contingent deferred sales
charges from Class B for the fiscal years ended October 31, 1996, 1997 and 1998,
respectively, (b) approximately $0 and $          in contingent deferred sales
charges from Class A for the fiscal years ended October 31, 1997 and 1998,
respectively, (c) approximately $440 and $          in contingent deferred sales
charges from Class C for the fiscal years ended October 31, 1997 and 1998,
respectively, and (d) approximately $34,000 and $          in front-end sales
charges from Class A for the fiscal years ended October 31, 1997 and 1998,
respectively, none of which was retained by the Distributor.
    
 
    The Distributor has informed the Fund that the entire fee payable by Class A
and a portion of the fees payable by each of Class B and Class C each year
pursuant to the Plan equal to 0.25% of such Class's average daily net assets are
currently each characterized as a "service fee" under the Rules of the
Association of the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. (of which
the Distributor is a member). The "service fee" is a payment made for personal
service and/or the maintenance of shareholder accounts. The remaining portion of
the Plan fees payable by a Class, if any, is characterized as an "asset-based
sales charge" as defined in the aforementioned Rules of the Association.
 
   
    The Plan was adopted by a majority vote of the Board of Directors, including
all of the Directors of the Fund who are not "interested persons" of the Fund
(as defined in the Act) and who have no direct or indirect financial interest in
the operation of the Plan (the "Independent 12b-1 Directors"), cast in person at
a meeting called for the purpose of voting on the Plan, on March 16, 1990 and by
MSDW Advisors, as sole stockholder of the Fund on March 28, 1990.
    
 
    At their meeting held on October 30, 1992, the Directors of the Fund,
including all of the independent 12b-1 Directors, had approved certain
amendments to the Plan which took effect in January, 1993 and were designed to
reflect the facts that, upon an internal reorganization, the share distribution
activities theretofore performed for the Fund by DWR were assumed by the
Distributor and that DWR's sales activities are now being performed pursuant to
the terms of a selected dealer agreement between the Distributor rather than by
DWR as they had been before the amendment, and that the Distributor in turn is
authorized to make payments to DWR, its affiliates or other selected
broker-dealers (or direct that the Fund pay such entities directly). The
Distributor is also authorized to retain part of such fee as compensation for
its own distribution-related expenses. At their meeting held on April 28, 1993,
the Directors, including a majority of the independent 12b-1 Directors, had also
approved certain technical amendments to the Plan in connection with amendments
adopted by the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. to its Rules of
the Association. At their meeting held on October 26, 1995, the Directors of the
Fund, including all of the Independent 12b-1 Directors, approved an amendment to
the Plan to permit payments to be made under the Plan with respect to certain
distribution expenses incurred in connection with the distribution of shares,
including personal services to shareholders with respect to holdings of such
shares, of an investment company whose assets are acquired by the Fund in a
tax-free reorganization. At their meeting held on June 30, 1997, the Directors,
including a majority of the Independent 12b-1 Directors, approved amendments to
the Plan to reflect the multiple-class structure for the Fund, which took effect
on July 28, 1997.
 
   
    Under the Plan and as required by Rule 12b-1, the Directors receive and
review promptly after the end of each calendar quarter a written report provided
by the Distributor of the amounts expended by the Distributor under the Plan and
the purpose for which such expenditures were made. Class B shares of the Fund
accrued amounts payable to the Distributor under the Plan, during the fiscal
year ended October 31, 1998 of $          . This amount is equal to    % of the
average daily net assets of Class B for the fiscal year and was calculated
pursuant to clause [(a)] of the compensation formula
    
 
                                       31
<PAGE>
   
under the Plan. For the fiscal year ended October 31, 1998, Class A and Class C
shares of the Fund accrued payments under the Plan amounting to $          and
$          , respectively, which amounts are equal to 0.25% and 1.00% of the
average daily net assets of Class A and Class C, respectively, for the fiscal
year.
    
 
    The Plan was adopted in order to permit the implementation of the Fund's
method of distribution. Under this distribution method the Fund offers four
Classes of shares, each with a different distribution arrangement as set forth
in the Prospectus.
 
   
    With respect to Class A shares, DWR compensates its Financial Advisors by
paying them, from proceeds of the front-end sales charge, commissions for the
sale of Class A shares, currently a gross sales credit of up to 5.0% of the
amount sold (except as provided in the following sentence) and an annual
residual commission, currently a residual of up to 0.25% of the current value of
the respective accounts for which they are the Financial Advisors or dealers of
record in all cases. On orders of $1 million or more (for which no sales charge
was paid) or net asset value purchases by employer-sponsored 401(k) and other
plans qualified under Section 401(a) of the Internal Revenue Code ("Qualified
Retirement Plans") for which Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Trust FSB ("MSDW Trust")
serves as Trustee or DWR's Retirement Plan Services serves as recordkeeper
pursuant to a written Recordkeeping Services Agreement, the Investment Manager
compensates DWR's Financial Advisors by paying them, from its own funds, a gross
sales credit of 1.0% of the amount sold.
    
 
   
    With respect to Class B shares, DWR compensates its Financial Advisors by
paying them, from its own funds, commissions for the sale of Class B shares,
currently a gross sales credit of up to 5.0% of the amount sold (except as
provided in the following sentence) and an annual residual commission, currently
a residual of up to 0.25% of the current value (not including reinvested
dividends or distributions) of the amount sold in all cases. In the case of
Class B shares purchased on or after July 28, 1997 by Qualified Retirement Plans
for which MSDW Trust serves as Trustee or DWR's Retirement Plan Services serves
as recordkeeper pursuant to a written Recordkeeping Services Agreement, DWR
compensates its Financial Advisors by paying them, from its own funds, a gross
sales credit of 3.0% of the amount sold.
    
 
   
    With respect to Class C shares, DWR compensates its Financial Advisors by
paying them, from its own funds, commissions for the sale of Class C shares,
currently a gross sales credit of up to 1.0% of the amount sold and an annual
residual commission, currently a residual of up to 1.0% of the current value of
the respective accounts for which they are the Financial Advisors of record.
    
 
   
    With respect to Class D shares other than shares held by participants in the
MSDW Advisors mutual fund asset allocation program, the Investment Manager
compensates DWR's Financial Advisors by paying them, from its own funds,
commissions for the sale of Class D shares, currently a gross sales credit of up
to 1.0% of the amount sold. There is a chargeback of 100% of the amount paid if
the Class D shares are redeemed in the first year and a chargeback of 50% of the
amount paid if the Class D shares are redeemed in the second year after
purchase. The Investment Manager also compensates DWR's Financial Advisors by
paying them, from its own funds, an annual residual commission, currently a
residual of up to 0.10% of the current value of the respective accounts for
which they are the Financial Advisors of record (not including accounts of
participants in the MSDW Advisors mutual fund asset allocation program).
    
 
   
    The gross sales credit is a charge which reflects commissions paid by DWR to
its Financial Advisors and DWR's Fund associated distribution-related expenses,
including sales compensation, and overhead and other branch office
distribution-related expenses including: (a) the expenses of operating DWR's
branch offices in connection with the sale of Fund shares, including lease
costs, the salaries and employee benefits of operations and sales support
personnel, utility costs, communications costs and the costs of stationery and
supplies; (b) the costs of client sales seminars; (c) travel expenses of mutual
fund sales coordinators to promote the sale of Fund shares; and (d) other
expenses relating to branch promotion of Fund share sales. The distribution fee
that the Distributor receives from the Fund under the Plan, in effect, offsets
distribution expenses incurred on behalf of the Fund and, in the case of Class B
    
 
                                       32
<PAGE>
shares, opportunity costs, such as the gross sales credit and an assumed
interest charge thereon ("carrying charge"). In the Distributor's reporting of
its distribution expenses to the Fund, in the case of Class B shares, such
assumed interest (computed at the "broker's call rate") has been calculated on
the gross sales credit as it is reduced by amounts received by the Distributor
under the Plan and any contingent deferred sales charges received by the
Distributor upon redemption of shares of the Fund. No other interest charge is
included as a distribution expense in the Distributor's calculation of its
distribution costs for this purpose. The broker's call rate is the interest rate
charged to securities brokers on loans secured by exchange-listed securities.
 
   
    The Fund is authorized to reimburse expenses incurred or to be incurred in
promoting the distribution of the Fund's Class A and Class C shares and in
servicing shareholder accounts. Reimbursement will be made through payments at
the end of each month. The amount of each monthly payment may in no event exceed
an amount equal to a payment at the annual rate of 0.25%, in the case of Class
A, and 1.0%, in the case of Class C, of the average net assets of the respective
Class during the month. No interest or other financing charges, if any, incurred
on any distribution expenses on behalf of Class A and Class C will be
reimbursable under the Plan. With respect to Class A, in the case of all
expenses other than expenses representing the service fee, and, with respect to
Class C, in the case of all expenses other than expenses representing a gross
sales credit or a residual to Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Financial Advisors and
other selected broker-dealer representatives, such amounts shall be determined
at the beginning of each calendar quarter by the Directors, including a majority
of the Independent 12b-1 Directors. Expenses representing the service fee (for
Class A) or a gross sales credit or a residual to Morgan Stanley Dean Witter
Financial Advisors and other selected broker-dealer representatives (for Class
C) may be reimbursed without prior determination. In the event that the
Distributor proposes that monies shall be reimbursed for other than such
expenses, then in making quarterly determinations of the amounts that may be
reimbursed by the Fund, the Distributor will provide and the Directors will
review a quarterly budget of projected distribution expenses to be incurred on
behalf of the Fund, together with a report explaining the purposes and
anticipated benefits of incurring such expenses. The Directors will determine
which particular expenses, and the portions thereof, that may be borne by the
Fund, and in making such a determination shall consider the scope of the
Distributor's commitment to promoting the distribution of the Fund's Class A and
Class C shares.
    
 
   
    Each Class paid 100% of the amounts accrued under the Plan with respect to
that Class for the fiscal year ended October 31, 1998 to the Distributor. The
Distributor and DWR estimate that they have spent, pursuant to the Plan,
$          on behalf of Class B since the inception of the Plan. It is estimated
that this amount was spent in approximately the following ways; (i)    %
($          ) -- advertising and promotional expenses; (ii)    % ($          )
- -- printing of prospectuses for distribution to other than current shareholders;
and (iii)    % ($          ) -- other expenses, including the gross sales credit
and the carrying charge, of which    % ($          ) represents carrying
charges,    % ($          ) represents commission credits to DWR branch offices
and other selected broker-dealers for payments of commissions to Morgan Stanley
Dean Witter Financial Advisors and other selected broker-dealer representatives,
and    % ($          ) represents overhead and other branch office
distribution-related expenses. The amounts accrued by Class A and Class C for
distribution during the fiscal year ended October 31, 1998 were for expenses
which relate to compensation of sales personnel and associated overhead
expenses.
    
 
   
    In the case of Class B shares, at any given time, the expenses of
distributing shares of the Fund may be more or less than the total of (i) the
payments made by the Fund pursuant to the Plan and (ii) the proceeds of
contingent deferred sales charges paid by investors upon redemption of shares.
The Distributor has advised the Fund that in the case of Class B shares such
excess amount, including the carrying charge designed to approximate the
opportunity costs incurred by DWR which arise from it having advanced monies
without having received the amount of any sales charges imposed at the time of
sale of the Fund's Class B shares, totalled $          as of October 31, 1998.
Because there is no requirement under the Plan that the Distributor be
reimbursed for all distribution expenses with respect to Class B shares or any
requirement that the Plan be continued from year to year, this excess amount
    
 
                                       33
<PAGE>
does not constitute a liability of the Fund. Although there is no legal
obligation for the Fund to pay expenses in excess of payments made to the
Distributor under the Plan and the proceeds of contingent deferred sales charges
paid by investors upon redemption of shares, if for any reason the Plan is
terminated, the Directors will consider at that time the manner in which to
treat such expenses. Any cumulative expenses incurred, but not yet recovered
through future distribution fees or contingent deferred sales charges, may or
may not be recovered through future distribution fees or contingent deferred
sales charges.
 
   
    No interested person of the Fund, nor any Director of the Fund who is not an
interested person of the Fund, as defined in the Act, has any direct or indirect
financial interest in the operation of the Plan except to the extent that the
Distributor, MSDW Advisors, MSDW Services, DWR or certain of its employees may
be deemed to have such an interest as a result of benefits derived from the
successful operation of the Plan or as a result of receiving a portion of the
amounts expended thereunder by the Fund.
    
 
   
    Under its terms, the Plan had an initial term ending April 30, 1990, and
provided that it will remain in effect from year to year thereafter, provided
such continuance is approved annually by a vote of the Directors in the manner
described above. The most recent continuance of the Plan for one year, until
April 30, 1999, was approved by the Directors of the Fund, including a majority
of the Independent 12b-1 Directors, at a meeting of the Directors held on April
30, 1998. Prior to approving the continuation of the Plan, the Directors
requested and received from the Distributor and reviewed all information which
they deemed necessary to arrive at an informed determination. In making their
determination to continue the Plan, the Directors considered: (1) the Fund's
experience under the Plan and whether such experience indicates that the Plan is
operating as anticipated; (2) the benefits the Fund had obtained, was obtaining
and would be likely to obtain under the Plan; and (3) what services had been
provided and were continuing to be provided under the Plan to the Fund and its
shareholders. Based upon their review, the Directors of the Fund, including each
of the Independent 12b-1 Directors, determined that continuation of the Plan
would be in the best interest of the Fund and would have a reasonable likelihood
of continuing to benefit the Fund and its shareholders. In the Directors'
quarterly review of the Plan, they will consider its continued appropriateness
and the level of compensation provided therein.
    
 
   
    The Plan may not be amended to increase materially the amount to be spent
for the services described therein without approval of the shareholders of the
affected Class or Classes of the Fund, and all material amendments of the Plan
must also be approved by the Directors in the manner described above. The Plan
may be terminated at any time, without payment of any penalty, by vote of a
majority of the Independent 12b-1 Directors or by a vote of a majority of the
outstanding voting securities of the Fund (as defined in the Act) on not more
than thirty days' written notice to any other party to the Plan. So long as the
Plan is in effect, the election and nomination of Independent Directors shall be
committed to the discretion of the Independent 12b-1 Directors.
    
 
DETERMINATION OF NET ASSET VALUE
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
    The net asset value per share for each Class of shares of the Fund is
determined once daily at 4:00 p.m., New York time (or, on days when the New York
Stock Exchange closes prior to 4:00 p.m., at such earlier time) on each day that
the New York Stock Exchange is open. The New York Stock Exchange currently
observes the following holidays: New Year's Day, Reverend Dr. Martin Luther
King, Jr. Day, President's Day, Good Friday, Memorial Day, Independence Day,
Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day.
 
    Short-term debt securities with remaining maturities of sixty days or less
at the time of purchase are valued at amortized cost, unless the Directors
determine such does not reflect the securities' fair value, in which case these
securities will be valued at their fair value as determined by the Directors.
Other short-term debt securities will be valued on a mark-to-market basis until
such time as they reach a remaining maturity of 60 days, whereupon they will be
valued at amortized cost using their value on the 61st day unless the Directors
determine such does not reflect the securities' fair value, in which case these
securities will be valued at their fair value as determined by the Directors.
Options are valued at the
 
                                       34
<PAGE>
mean between their latest bid and asked prices. Futures are valued at the last
sale price as of the close of the commodities exchange on which they trade
unless the Directors determine that such price does not reflect their market
value, in which case they will be valued at their fair value as determined by
the Directors. All other securities and other assets are valued at their fair
value as determined in good faith under procedures established by and under the
supervision of the Directors.
 
   
    Generally, trading in foreign securities, as well as corporate bonds, United
States government securities and money market instruments, is substantially
completed each day at various times prior to the close of the New York Stock
Exchange. The values of such securities used in computing the net asset value of
the Fund's shares are determined as of such times. Foreign currency exchange
rates are also generally determined prior to the close of the New York Stock
Exchange. Occasionally, events which may affect the values of such securities
and such exchange rates may occur between the times at which they are determined
and the close of the New York Stock Exchange, and will therefore not be
reflected in the computation of the Fund's net asset value. If events that may
affect the value of such securities occur during such period, then these
securities may be valued at their fair value as determined in good faith under
procedures established by and under the supervision of the Directors.
    
 
PURCHASE OF FUND SHARES
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
    As discussed in the Prospectus, the Fund offers four Classes of shares as
follows:
 
INITIAL SALES CHARGE ALTERNATIVE--CLASS A SHARES
 
    Class A shares are sold to investors with an initial sales charge that
declines to zero for larger purchases; however, Class A shares sold without an
initial sales charge are subject to a contingent deferred sales charge ("CDSC")
of 1.0% if redeemed within one year of purchase, except in the circumstances
discussed in the Prospectus.
 
   
    RIGHT OF ACCUMULATION.  As discussed in the Prospectus, investors may
combine the current value of shares purchased in separate transactions for
purposes of benefitting from the reduced sales charges available for purchases
of shares of the Fund totalling at least $25,000 in net asset value. For
example, if any person or entity who qualifies for this privilege holds Class A
shares of the Fund and/or other Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Funds that are
multiple class funds ("Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Multi-Class Funds") or shares
of other Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Funds sold with a front-end sales charge
purchased at a price including a front-end sales charge having a current value
of $5,000, and purchases $20,000 of additional shares of the Fund, the sales
charge applicable to the $20,000 purchase would be 4.75% of the offering price.
    
 
   
    The Distributor must be notified by the selected broker-dealer or the
shareholder at the time a purchase order is placed that the purchase qualifies
for the reduced charge under the Right of Accumulation. Similar notification
must be made in writing by the selected broker-dealer or shareholder when such
an order is placed by mail. The reduced sales charge will not be granted if: (a)
such notification is not furnished at the time of the order; or (b) a review of
the records of the Distributor or Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Trust FSB (the
"Transfer Agent") fails to confirm the investor's represented holdings.
    
 
    LETTER OF INTENT.  As discussed in the Prospectus, reduced sales charges are
available to investors who enter into a written Letter of Intent providing for
the purchase, within a thirteen-month period, of Class A shares of the Fund from
the Distributor or from a single Selected Broker-Dealer.
 
    A Letter of Intent permits an investor to establish a total investment goal
to be achieved by any number of purchases over a thirteen-month period. Each
purchase of Class A shares made during the period will receive the reduced sales
commission applicable to the amount represented by the goal, as if it were a
single purchase. A number of shares equal in value to 5% of the dollar amount of
the Letter of Intent will be held in escrow by the Transfer Agent, in the name
of the shareholder. The initial purchase under a Letter of Intent must be equal
to at least 5% of the stated investment goal.
 
                                       35
<PAGE>
    The Letter of Intent does not obligate the investor to purchase, nor the
Fund to sell, the indicated amount. In the event the Letter of Intent goal is
not achieved within the thirteen-month period, the investor is required to pay
the difference between the sales charge otherwise applicable to the purchases
made during this period and sales charges actually paid. Such payment may be
made directly to the Distributor or, if not paid, the Distributor is authorized
by the shareholder to liquidate a sufficient number of his or her escrowed
shares to obtain such difference.
 
   
    If the goal is exceeded and purchases pass the next sales charge level, the
sales charge on the entire amount of the purchase that results in passing that
level and on subsequent purchases will be subject to further reduced sales
charges in the same manner as set forth above under "Right of Accumulation," but
there will be no retroactive reduction of sales charges on previous purchases.
For the purpose of determining whether the investor is entitled to a further
reduced sales charge applicable to purchases at or above a sales charge level
which exceeds the stated goal of a Letter of Intent, the cumulative current net
asset value of any shares owned by the investor in any other Morgan Stanley Dean
Witter Funds held by the shareholder which were previously purchased at a price
including a front-end sales charge (including shares of the Fund and other
Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Funds acquired in exchange for those shares, and
including in each case shares acquired through reinvestment of dividends and
distributions) will be added to the cost or net asset value of shares of the
Fund owned by the investor. However, shares of "Exchange Funds" (see
"Shareholder Services--Exchange Privilege") and the purchase of shares of other
Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Funds will not be included in determining whether the
stated goal of a Letter of Intent has been reached.
    
 
    At any time while a Letter of Intent is in effect, a shareholder may, by
written notice to the Distributor, increase the amount of the stated goal. In
that event, only shares purchased during the previous 90-day period and still
owned by the shareholder will be included in the new sales charge reduction. The
5% escrow and minimum purchase requirements will be applicable to the new stated
goal. Investors electing to purchase shares of the Fund pursuant to a Letter of
Intent should carefully read such Letter of Intent.
 
CONTINGENT DEFERRED SALES CHARGE ALTERNATIVE--CLASS B SHARES
 
   
    Class B shares are sold without an initial sales charge but are subject to a
CDSC payable upon most redemptions within six years after purchase. As stated in
the Prospectus, a CDSC will be imposed on any redemption by an investor if after
such redemption the current value of the investor's Class B shares of the Fund
is less than the dollar amount of all payments by the shareholder for the
purchase of Class B shares during the preceding six years (or, in the case of
shares held by certain Qualified Retirement Plans, three years). However, no
CDSC will be imposed to the extent that the net asset value of the shares
redeemed does not exceed: (a) the current net asset value of shares purchased
more than six years (or, in the case of shares held by certain Qualified
Retirement Plans, three years) prior to the redemption, plus (b) the current net
asset value of shares purchased through reinvestment of dividends or
distributions of the Fund or another Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Fund (see
"Shareholder Services-- Targeted Dividends"), plus (c) the current net asset
value of shares acquired in exchange for (i) shares of Morgan Stanley Dean
Witter front-end sales charge funds, or (ii) shares of other Morgan Stanley Dean
Witter Funds for which shares of front-end sales charge funds have been
exchanged (see "Shareholder Services--Exchange Privilege"), plus (d) increases
in the net asset value of the investor's shares above the total amount of
payments for the purchase of Fund shares made during the preceding six (three)
years. The CDSC will be paid to the Distributor.
    
 
    In determining the applicability of the CDSC to each redemption, the amount
which represents an increase in the net asset value of the investor's shares
above the amount of the total payments for the purchase of shares within the
last six years (or, in the case of shares held by certain Qualified Retirement
Plans, three years) will be redeemed first. In the event the redemption amount
exceeds such increase in value, the next portion of the amount redeemed will be
the amount which represents the net asset value of the investor's shares
purchased more than six (three) years prior to the redemption and/or shares
purchased through reinvestment of dividends or distributions and/or shares
acquired in exchange for
 
                                       36
<PAGE>
   
shares of Morgan Stanley Dean Witter front-end sales charge funds, or for shares
of other Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Funds for which shares of front-end sales
charge funds have been exchanged. A portion of the amount redeemed which exceeds
an amount which represents both such increase in value and the value of shares
purchased more than six years (or, in the case of shares held by certain
Qualified Retirement Plans, three years) prior to the redemption and/or shares
purchased through reinvestment of dividends or distributions and/or shares
acquired in the above-described exchanges will be subject to a CDSC.
    
 
    The amount of the CDSC, if any, will vary depending on the number of years
from the time of payment for the purchase of Class B shares of the Fund until
the time of redemption of such shares. For purposes of determining the number of
years from the time of any payment for the purchase of shares, all payments made
during a month will be aggregated and deemed to have been made on the last day
of the month. The following table sets forth the rates of the CDSC applicable to
most Class B shares of the Fund:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                           CDSC AS A
               YEAR SINCE                  PERCENTAGE
                PURCHASE                   OF AMOUNT
              PAYMENT MADE                  REDEEMED
- ----------------------------------------  ------------
<S>                                       <C>
First...................................          5.0%
Second..................................          4.0%
Third...................................          3.0%
Fourth..................................          2.0%
Fifth...................................          2.0%
Sixth...................................          1.0%
Seventh and thereafter..................          None
</TABLE>
 
   
    The following table sets forth the rates of the CDSC applicable to Class B
shares of the Fund purchased on or after July 28, 1997 by Qualified Retirement
Plans for which MSDW Trust serves as Trustee or DWR's Retirement Plan Services
serves as recordkeeper pursuant to a written Recordkeeping Services Agreement:
    
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                           CDSC AS A
               YEAR SINCE                  PERCENTAGE
                PURCHASE                   OF AMOUNT
              PAYMENT MADE                  REDEEMED
- ----------------------------------------  ------------
<S>                                       <C>
First...................................          2.0%
Second..................................          2.0%
Third...................................          1.0%
Fourth and thereafter...................          None
</TABLE>
 
    In determining the rate of the CDSC, it will be assumed that a redemption is
made of shares held by the investor for the longest period of time within the
applicable six-year or three-year period. This will result in any such CDSC
being imposed at the lowest possible rate. The CDSC will be imposed, in
accordance with the table shown above, on any redemptions within six years (or,
in the case of shares held by certain Qualified Retirement Plans, three years)
of purchase which are in excess of these amounts and which redemptions do not
qualify for waiver of the CDSC, as described in the Prospectus.
 
LEVEL LOAD ALTERNATIVE--CLASS C SHARES
 
    Class C shares are sold without a sales charge but are subject to a CDSC of
1.0% on most redemptions made within one year after purchase, except in the
circumstances discussed in the Prospectus.
 
NO LOAD ALTERNATIVE--CLASS D SHARES
 
    Class D shares are offered without any sales charge on purchase or
redemption. Class D shares are offered only to those persons meeting the
qualifications set forth in the Prospectus.
 
                                       37
<PAGE>
SHAREHOLDER SERVICES
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
    Upon the purchase of shares of the Fund, a Shareholder Investment Account is
opened for the investor on the books of the Fund and maintained by the Transfer
Agent. This is an open account in which shares owned by the investor are
credited by the Transfer Agent in lieu of issuance of a share certificate. If a
share certificate is desired, it must be requested in writing for each
transaction. Certificates are issued only for full shares and may be redeposited
in the account at any time. There is no charge to the investor for issuance of a
certificate. Whenever a shareholder instituted transaction takes place in the
Shareholder Investment Account, the shareholder will be mailed a confirmation of
the transaction from the Fund or from DWR or other selected broker-dealer.
 
    AUTOMATIC INVESTMENT OF DIVIDENDS AND DISTRIBUTIONS.  As stated in the
Prospectus, all income dividends and capital gains distributions are
automatically paid in full and fractional shares of the applicable Class of the
Fund, unless the shareholder requests that they be paid in cash. Each purchase
of shares of the Fund is made upon the condition that the Transfer Agent is
thereby automatically appointed as agent of the investor to receive all
dividends and capital gains distributions on shares owned by the investor. Such
dividends and distributions will be paid, at the net asset value per share in
shares of the applicable Class of the Fund (or in cash if the shareholder so
requests) as of the close of business on the record date. At any time an
investor may request the Transfer Agent, in writing, to have subsequent
dividends and/or capital gains distributions paid to him or her in cash rather
than shares. To assure sufficient time to process the change, such request
should be received by the Transfer Agent at least five business days prior to
the record date of the dividend or distribution. In the case of recently
purchased shares for which registration instructions have not been received on
the record date, cash payments will be made to DWR or other selected
broker-dealer, and will be forwarded to the shareholder, upon the receipt of
proper instructions. It has been and remains the Fund's policy and practice
that, if checks for dividends or distributions paid in cash remain uncashed, no
interest will accrue on amounts represented by such uncashed checks.
 
   
    TARGETED DIVIDENDS-SM-.  In states where it is legally permissible,
shareholders may also have all income dividends and capital gains distributions
automatically invested in shares of any Class of an open-end Morgan Stanley Dean
Witter Fund other than Morgan Stanley Dean Witter European Growth Fund Inc. or
in another Class of Morgan Stanley Dean Witter European Growth Fund Inc. Such
investment will be made as described above for automatic investment in shares of
the applicable Class of the Fund, at the net asset value per share of the
selected Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Fund as of the close of business on the
payment date of the dividend or distribution and will begin to earn dividends,
if any, in the selected Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Fund the next business day.
To participate in the Targeted Dividends program, shareholders should contact
their Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Financial Advisor or other selected
broker-dealer representative or the Transfer Agent. Shareholders of the Fund
must be shareholders of the selected Class of the Morgan Stanley Dean Witter
Fund targeted to receive investments from dividends at the time they enter the
Targeted Dividends program. Investors should review the prospectus of the
targeted Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Fund before entering the program.
    
 
   
    EASYINVEST-SM-.  Shareholders may subscribe to EasyInvest, an automatic
purchase plan which provides for any amount from $100 to $5,000 to be
transferred automatically from a checking or savings account or following
redemption of shares of a Morgan Stanley Dean Witter money market fund, on a
semi-monthly, monthly or quarterly basis, to the Transfer Agent for investment
in shares of the Fund. Shares purchased through EasyInvest will be added to the
shareholder's existing account at the net asset value calculated the same
business day the transfer of funds is effected (subject to any applicable sales
charges). Shares of the Morgan Stanley Dean Witter money market funds redeemed
in connection with EasyInvest are redeemed on the business day preceding the
transfer of funds. For further information or to subscribe to EasyInvest,
shareholders should contact their Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Financial Advisor
or other selected broker-dealer representative or the Transfer Agent.
    
 
    INVESTMENT OF DIVIDENDS OR DISTRIBUTIONS RECEIVED IN CASH.  As discussed in
the Prospectus, any shareholder who receives a cash payment representing a
dividend or distribution may invest such
 
                                       38
<PAGE>
dividend or distribution in shares of the applicable Class at the net asset
value next determined after receipt by the Transfer Agent, without the
imposition of a CDSC upon redemption, by returning the check or the proceeds to
the Transfer Agent within 30 days after the payment date. If the shareholder
returns the proceeds of a dividend or distribution, such funds must be
accompanied by a signed statement indicating that the proceeds constitute a
dividend or distribution to be invested. Such investment will be made at the net
asset value per share next determined after receipt of the check or proceeds by
the Transfer Agent.
 
   
    SYSTEMATIC WITHDRAWAL PLAN.  As discussed in the Prospectus, a systematic
withdrawal plan (the "Withdrawal Plan") is available for shareholders whose
shares of Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Funds have an aggregate value of $10,000 or
more. Shares of any Fund from which redemptions will be made pursuant to the
Plan must have a value of $1,000 or more (referred to as a "SWP Fund"). The
required share values are determined on the date the shareholder establishes the
Withdrawal Plan. The Withdrawal Plan provides for monthly, quarterly,
semi-annual or annual payments in any amount not less than $25, or in any whole
percentage of the value of the SWP Funds' shares, on an annualized basis. Any
applicable Contingent Deferred Sales Charge ("CDSC") will be imposed on shares
redeemed under the Withdrawal Plan (see "Purchase of Fund Shares"), except that
the CDSC, if any, will be waived on redemptions under the Withdrawal Plan of up
to 12% annually of the value of each SWP Fund account, based on the share values
next determined after the shareholder establishes the Withdrawal Plan.
Redemptions for which this CDSC waiver policy applies may be in amounts up to 1%
per month, 3% per quarter, 6% semi-annually or 12% annually. Under this CDSC
waiver policy, amounts withdrawn each period will be paid by first redeeming
shares not subject to a CDSC because the shares were purchased by the
reinvestment of dividends or capital gains distributions, the CDSC period has
elapsed or some other waiver of the CDSC applies. If shares subject to a CDSC
must be redeemed, shares held for the longest period of time will be redeemed
first and continuing with shares held the next longest period of time until
shares held the shortest period of time are redeemed. Any shareholder
participating in the
Withdrawal Plan will have sufficient shares redeemed from his or her account so
that the proceeds (net of any applicable CDSC) to the shareholder will be the
designated monthly, quarterly, semi-annual or annual amount.
    
 
   
    A shareholder may suspend or terminate participation in the Withdrawal Plan
at any time. A shareholder who has suspended participation may resume payments
under the Withdrawal Plan, without requiring a new determination of the account
value for the 12% CDSC waiver. The Withdrawal Plan may be terminated or revised
at any time by the Fund.
    
 
   
    Prior to adding an additional SWP Fund to an existing Withdrawal Plan, the
required $10,000/$1,000 share values must be met, to be calculated on the date
the shareholder adds the additional SWP Fund. However, the addition of a new SWP
Fund will not change the account value for the 12% CDSC waiver for the SWP Funds
already participating in the Withdrawal Plan.
    
 
   
    The Transfer Agent acts as agent for the shareholder in tendering to the
Fund for redemption sufficient full and fractional shares to provide the amount
of the periodic withdrawal payment designated in the application. The shares
will be redeemed at their net asset value determined, at the shareholder's
option, on the tenth or twenty-fifth day (or next following business day) of the
relevant month, quarter, or semi-annual or annual period and normally a check
for the proceeds will be mailed by the Transfer Agent, or amounts credited to a
shareholder's Dean Witter Reynolds Inc. or other selected broker-dealer
brokerage account, or amounts deposited electronically into the shareholder's
bank account via the Automated Clearing House, within five business days after
the date of redemption.
    
 
   
    Withdrawal Plan payments should not be considered as dividends, yields or
income. If periodic withdrawal plan payments continuously exceed net investment
income and net capital gains, the shareholder's original investment will be
correspondingly reduced and ultimately exhausted. Each withdrawal constitutes a
redemption of shares and any gain or loss realized must be recognized for
federal income tax purposes. Although a shareholder may make additional
investments while participating in the Withdrawal Plan, withdrawals made
concurrently with purchases of additional shares are
    
 
                                       39
<PAGE>
   
inadvisable because of sales charges applicable to purchases or redemptions of
shares (see "Purchase of Fund Shares" in the Prospectus).
    
 
   
    Any shareholder who wishes to have payments under the Withdrawal Plan made
to a third party or sent to an address other than the one listed on the account
must send complete written instructions to the Transfer Agent to enroll in the
Withdrawal Plan. The shareholder's signature on such instructions must be
guaranteed by an eligible guarantor acceptable to the Transfer Agent
(shareholders should contact the Transfer Agent for a determination as to
whether a particular institution is such an eligible guarantor). A shareholder
may, at any time, change the amount and interval of withdrawal payments through
his or her Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Financial Advisor or other selected
broker-dealer representative or by written notification to the Transfer Agent.
In addition, the party and/or the address to which checks are mailed may be
changed by written notification to the Transfer Agent, with signature guarantees
required in the manner described above. The shareholder may also terminate the
Withdrawal Plan at any time by written notice to the Transfer Agent. In the
event of such termination, the account will be continued as a regular
Shareholder Investment Account. The shareholder may also redeem all or part of
the shares held in the Withdrawal Plan account (see "Redemptions and
Repurchases" in the Prospectus) at any time.
    
 
   
    DIRECT INVESTMENTS THROUGH TRANSFER AGENT.  As discussed in the Prospectus,
a shareholder may make additional investments in any Class of shares of the Fund
for which they qualify at any time by sending a check in any amount, not less
than $100, payable to Morgan Stanley Dean Witter European Growth Fund Inc., and
indicating the selected Class, directly to the Fund's Transfer Agent. In the
case of Class A shares, after deduction of any applicable sales charge, the
balance will be applied to the purchase of Fund shares, and, in the case of
shares of the other Classes, the entire amount will be applied to the purchase
of Fund shares, at the net asset value per share next computed after receipt of
the check or purchase payment by the Transfer Agent. The shares so purchased
will be credited to the investor's account.
    
 
EXCHANGE PRIVILEGE
 
   
    As discussed in the Prospectus, the Fund makes available to its shareholders
an Exchange Privilege whereby shareholders of each Class of shares of the Fund
may exchange their shares for shares of the same Class of shares of any other
Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Multi-Class Fund without the imposition of any
exchange fee. Shares may also be exchanged for shares of any of the following
funds: Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Short-Term U.S. Treasury Trust, Morgan Stanley
Dean Witter Limited Term Municipal Trust, Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Short-Term
Bond Fund, and five Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Funds which are money market
funds (the foregoing eight non-CDSC funds are referred to hereinafter as
"Exchange Funds"). Class A shares may also be exchanged for shares of Morgan
Stanley Dean Witter Multi-State Municipal Series Trust and Morgan Stanley Dean
Witter Hawaii Municipal Trust, which are Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Funds sold
with a front-end sales charge ("FSC Funds"). Class B shares may also be
exchanged for shares of Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Global Short-Term Income Fund
Inc. ("Global Short-Term"), which is a Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Fund offered
with a CDSC. Exchanges may be made after the shares of the Fund acquired by
purchase (not by exchange or dividend reinvestment) have been held for thirty
days. There is no waiting period for exchanges of shares acquired by exchange or
dividend reinvestment. An exchange will be treated for federal income tax
purposes the same as a repurchase or redemption of shares, on which the
shareholder may realize a capital gain or loss.
    
 
    Any new account established through the Exchange Privilege will have the
same registration and cash dividend or dividend reinvestment plan as the present
account, unless the Transfer Agent receives written notification to the
contrary. For telephone exchanges, the exact registration of the existing
account and the account number must be provided.
 
    Any shares held in certificate form cannot be exchanged but must be
forwarded to the Transfer Agent and deposited into the shareholder's account
before being eligible for exchange. (Certificates mailed in for deposit should
not be endorsed.)
 
                                       40
<PAGE>
   
    As described below, and in the Prospectus under the caption "Purchase of
Fund Shares," a CDSC may be imposed upon a redemption, depending on a number of
factors, including the number of years from the time of purchase until the time
of redemption or exchange ("holding period"). When shares of a Morgan Stanley
Dean Witter Multi-Class Fund or Global Short-Term are exchanged for shares of an
Exchange Fund, the exchange is executed at no charge to the shareholder without
the imposition of the CDSC at the time of the exchange. During the period of
time the shareholder remains in the Exchange Fund (calculated from the last day
of the month in which the Exchange Fund shares were acquired), the holding
period or "year since purchase payment made" is frozen. When shares are redeemed
out of the Exchange Fund, they will be subject to a CDSC which would be based
upon the period of time the shareholder held shares in a Morgan Stanley Dean
Witter Multi-Class Fund or in Global Short-Term. However, in the case of shares
exchanged for shares of an Exchange Fund on or after April 23, 1990, upon a
redemption of shares which results in a CDSC being imposed, a credit (not to
exceed the amount of the CDSC) will be given in an amount equal to the Exchange
Fund 12b-1 distribution fees incurred on or after that date which are
attributable to those shares. Shareholders acquiring shares of the Exchange Fund
pursuant to this exchange privilege may exchange those shares back into a Morgan
Stanley Dean Witter Multi-Class Fund or Global Short-Term from the money market
fund, with no CDSC being imposed on such exchange. The investment period
previously frozen when shares were first exchanged for shares of the Exchange
Fund resumes on the last day of the month in which shares of a Morgan Stanley
Dean Witter Multi-Class Fund or of Global Short-Term are reacquired. A CDSC is
imposed only upon an ultimate redemption, based upon the time (calculated as
described above) the shareholder was invested in a Morgan Stanley Dean Witter
Multi-Class Fund or in Global Short-Term. In the case of exchanges of Class A
shares which are subject to a CDSC, the holding period also includes the time
(calculated as described above) the shareholder was invested in a FSC Fund.
    
 
   
    When shares initially purchased in a Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Multi-Class
Fund or in Global Short-Term are exchanged for shares of a Morgan Stanley Dean
Witter Multi-Class Fund, shares of Global Short-Term, shares of a FSC Fund, or
for shares of an Exchange Fund, the date of purchase of the shares of the fund
exchanged into, for purposes of the CDSC upon redemption, will be the last day
of the month in which the shares being exchanged were originally purchased. In
allocating the purchase payments between funds for purposes of the CDSC, the
amount which represents the current net asset value of shares at the time of the
exchange which were (i) purchased more than one, three or six years (depending
on the CDSC schedule applicable to the shares) prior to the exchange, (ii)
originally acquired through reinvestment of dividends or distributions and (iii)
acquired in exchange for shares of FSC Funds, or for shares of other Dean Witter
Funds for which shares of FSC Funds have been exchanged (all such shares called
"Free Shares"), will be exchanged first. Shares of Morgan Stanley Dean Witter
Strategist Fund acquired prior to November 8, 1989, shares of Morgan Stanley
Dean Witter American Value Fund acquired prior to April 30, 1984, and shares of
Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Dividend Growth Securities Inc. and Morgan Stanley
Dean Witter Natural Resource Development Securities Inc. acquired prior to July
2, 1984, will be the first Free Shares to be exchanged. After an exchange, all
dividends earned on shares in an Exchange Fund will be considered Free Shares.
If the exchanged amount exceeds the value of such Free Shares, an exchange is
made, on a block-by-block basis, of non-Free Shares held for the longest period
of time (except that, with respect to Class B shares, if shares held for
identical periods of time but subject to different CDSC schedules are held in
the same Exchange Privilege account, the shares of that block that are subject
to a lower CDSC rate will be exchanged prior to the shares of that block that
are subject to a higher CDSC rate). Shares equal to any appreciation in the
value of non-Free Shares exchanged will be treated as Free Shares, and the
amount of the purchase payments for the non-Free Shares of the fund exchanged
into will be equal to the lesser of (a) the purchase payments for, or (b) the
current net asset value of, the exchanged non-Free Shares. If an exchange
between funds would result in exchange of only part of a particular block of
non-Free Shares, then shares equal to any appreciation in the value of the block
(up to the amount of the exchange) will be treated as Free Shares and exchanged
first, and the purchase payment for that block will be allocated on a pro-rata
basis between the non-Free Shares of that block to be retained and the non-Free
Shares to be exchanged. The prorated amount of such purchase payment
attributable to the retained non-Free
    
 
                                       41
<PAGE>
Shares will remain as the purchase payment for such shares, and the amount of
purchase payment for the exchanged non-Free Shares will be equal to the lesser
of (a) the prorated amount of the purchase payment for, or (b) the current net
asset value of, those exchanged non-Free Shares. Based upon the procedures
described in the Prospectus under the caption "Purchase of Fund Shares," any
applicable CDSC will be imposed upon the ultimate redemption of shares of any
fund, regardless of the number of exchanges since those shares were originally
purchased.
 
    With respect to the redemption or repurchase of shares of the Fund, the
application of proceeds to the purchase of new shares in the Fund or any other
of the funds and the general administration of the Exchange Privilege, the
Transfer Agent acts as agent for the Distributor and for the shareholder's
selected broker-dealer, if any, in the performance of such functions. With
respect to exchanges, redemptions or repurchases, the Transfer Agent shall be
liable for its own negligence and not for the default or negligence of its
correspondents or for losses in transit. The Fund shall not be liable for any
default or negligence of the Transfer Agent, the Distributor or any selected
broker-dealer.
 
    The Distributor and any selected broker-dealer have authorized and appointed
the Transfer Agent to act as their agent in connection with the application of
proceeds of any redemption of Fund shares to the purchase of shares of any other
fund and the general administration of the Exchange Privilege. No commission or
discounts will be paid to the Distributor or any selected broker-dealer for any
transactions pursuant to this Exchange Privilege.
 
   
    Exchanges are subject to the minimum investment requirement and any other
conditions imposed by each fund. (The minimum initial investment for the
Exchange Privilege account of each Class is $5,000 for Morgan Stanley Dean
Witter Liquid Asset Fund Inc., Morgan Stanley Dean Witter New York Municipal
Money Market Trust, Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Tax-Free Daily Income Trust and
Morgan Stanley Dean Witter California Tax-Free Daily Income Trust although those
funds may, at their discretion, accept initial investments of as low as $1,000.
The minimum initial investment for the Exchange Privilege account of each Class
is $10,000 for Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Short-Term U.S. Treasury Trust,
although that fund, in its discretion, may accept initial purchases of as low as
$5,000. The minimum investment for the Exchange Privilege account of each Class
is $5,000 for Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Special Value Fund. The minimum initial
investment for the Exchange Privilege account of each Class for all other Morgan
Stanley Dean Witter Funds for which the Exchange Privilege is available is
$1,000.) Upon exchange into an Exchange Fund, the shares of that fund will be
held in a special Exchange Privilege Account separately from accounts of those
shareholders who have acquired their shares directly from that fund. As a
result, certain services normally available to shareholders of money market
funds, including the check writing feature, will not be available for funds held
in that account.
    
 
   
    The Fund and each of the other Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Funds may limit
the number of times this Exchange Privilege may be exercised by any investor
within a specified period of time. Also, the Exchange Privilege may be
terminated or revised at any time by the Fund and/or any of the Morgan Stanley
Dean Witter Funds for which shares of the Fund have been exchanged, upon such
notice as may be required by applicable regulatory agencies (presently sixty
days for termination or material revision), provided that six months' prior
written notice of termination will be given to the shareholders who hold shares
of Exchange Funds, pursuant to the Exchange Privilege, and provided further that
the Exchange Privilege may be terminated or materially revised without notice at
times (a) when the New York Stock Exchange is closed for other than customary
weekends and holidays, (b) when trading on that Exchange is restricted, (c) when
an emergency exists as a result of which disposal by the Fund of securities
owned by it is not reasonably practicable or it is not reasonably practicable
for the Fund fairly to determine the value of its net assets, (d) during any
other period when the Securities and Exchange Commission by order so permits
(provided that applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange
Commission shall govern as to whether the conditions prescribed in (b) or (c)
exist) or (e) if the Fund would be unable to invest amounts effectively in
accordance with its investment objective(s), policies and restrictions.
    
 
                                       42
<PAGE>
   
    For further information regarding the Exchange Privilege, shareholders
should contact their Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Financial Advisor or other
selected broker-dealer representative or the Transfer Agent.
    
 
REDEMPTIONS AND REPURCHASES
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
    REDEMPTION.  As stated in the Prospectus, shares of each Class of the Fund
can be redeemed for cash at any time at the net asset value per share next
determined; however, such redemption proceeds will be reduced by the amount of
any applicable CDSC. If shares are held in a shareholder's account without a
share certificate, a written request for redemption to the Fund's Transfer Agent
at P.O. Box 983, Jersey City, NJ 07303 is required. If certificates are held by
the shareholder, the shares may be redeemed by surrendering the certificates
with a written request for redemption. The share certificate, or an accompanying
stock power, and the request for redemption, must be signed by the shareholder
or shareholders exactly as the shares are registered. Each request for
redemption, whether or not accompanied by a share certificate, must be sent to
the Fund's Transfer Agent, which will redeem the shares at their net asset value
next computed (see "Purchase of Fund Shares") after it receives the request, and
certificate, if any, in good order. Any redemption request received after such
computation will be redeemed at the next determined net asset value. The term
"good order" means that the share certificate, if any, and request for
redemption are properly signed, accompanied by any documentation required by the
Transfer Agent, and bear signature guarantees when required by the Fund or the
Transfer Agent. If redemption is requested by a corporation, partnership, trust
or fiduciary, the Transfer Agent may require that written evidence of authority
acceptable to the Transfer Agent be submitted before such request is accepted.
 
    Whether certificates are held by the shareholder or shares are held in a
shareholder's account, if the proceeds are to be paid to any person other than
the record owner, or if the proceeds are to be paid to a corporation (other than
the Distributor or a selected broker-dealer for the account of the shareholder),
partnership, trust or fiduciary, or sent to the shareholder at an address other
than the registered address, signatures must be guaranteed by an eligible
guarantor acceptable to the Transfer Agent (shareholders should contact the
Transfer Agent for a determination as to whether a particular institution is
such an eligible guarantor). A stock power may be obtained from any dealer or
commercial bank. The Fund may change the signature guarantee requirements from
time to time upon notice to shareholders, which may be by means of a supplement
to the prospectus or a new prospectus.
 
    REPURCHASE.  As stated in the Prospectus, DWR and other selected
broker-dealers are authorized to repurchase shares represented by a share
certificate which is delivered to any of their offices. Shares held in a
shareholder's account without a share certificate may also be repurchased by DWR
and other selected broker-dealers upon the telephonic request of the
shareholder. The repurchase price is the net asset value next computed after
such purchase order is received by DWR or other selected broker-dealer reduced
by any applicable CDSC.
 
    PAYMENT FOR SHARES REDEEMED OR REPURCHASED.  As discussed in the Prospectus,
payment for shares of any Class presented for repurchase or redemption will be
made by check within seven days after receipt by the Transfer Agent of the
certificate and/or written request in good order. Such payment may be postponed
or the right of redemption suspended at times (a) when the New York Stock
Exchange is closed for other than customary weekends and holidays, (b) when
trading on that Exchange is restricted, (c) when an emergency exists as a result
of which disposal by the Fund of securities owned by it is not reasonably
practicable or it is not reasonably practicable for the Fund fairly to determine
the value of its net assets, or (d) during any other period when the Securities
and Exchange Commission by order so permits; provided that applicable rules and
regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission shall govern as to whether
the conditions prescribed in (b) or (c) exist. If the shares to be redeemed have
recently been purchased by check (including a certified or bank cashier's
check), payment of the redemption proceeds may be delayed for the minimum time
needed to verify that the check used for investment has been honored (not more
than fifteen days from the time of receipt of
 
                                       43
<PAGE>
   
the check by the Transfer Agent). It has been and remains the Fund's policy and
practice that, if checks for redemption proceeds remain uncashed, no interest
will accrue on amounts represented by such uncashed checks. Shareholders
maintaining margin accounts with DWR or another selected broker-dealer are
referred to their Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Financial Advisor or other selected
broker-dealer representative regarding restrictions on redemption of shares of
the Fund pledged in the margin account.
    
 
    TRANSFERS OF SHARES.  In the event a shareholder requests a transfer of any
shares to a new registration, such shares will be transferred without sales
charge at the time of transfer. With regard to the status of shares which are
either subject to the CDSC or free of such charge (and with regard to the length
of time shares subject to the charge have been held), any transfer involving
less than all of the shares in an account will be made on a pro rata basis (that
is, by transferring shares in the same proportion that the transferred shares
bear to the total shares in the account immediately prior to the transfer). The
transferred shares will continue to be subject to any applicable CDSC as if they
had not been so transferred.
 
    REINSTATEMENT PRIVILEGE.  As discussed in the Prospectus, a shareholder who
has had his or her shares redeemed or repurchased and has not previously
exercised this reinstatement privilege may within 35 days after the date of
redemption or repurchase reinstate any portion or all of the proceeds of such
redemption or repurchase in shares of the Fund in the same Class at the net
asset value next determined after a reinstatement request, together with such
proceeds, is received by the Transfer Agent.
 
    Exercise of the reinstatement privilege will not affect the federal income
tax treatment of any gain or loss realized upon the redemption or repurchase,
except that if the redemption or repurchase resulted in a loss and reinstatement
is made in shares of the Fund, some or all of the loss, depending on the amount
reinstated, will not be allowed as a deduction for federal income tax purposes,
but will be applied to adjust the cost basis of the shares acquired upon
reinstatement.
 
DIVIDENDS, DISTRIBUTIONS AND TAXES
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
    As discussed in the Prospectus, the Fund will determine either to distribute
or to retain all or part of any net long-term capital gains in any year for
reinvestment. If any such gains are retained, the Fund will pay federal income
tax thereon, and, if the Fund makes an election, the shareholders would include
such undistributed gains in their income and shareholders will be able to claim
their share of the tax paid by the Fund as a credit against their individual
federal income tax.
 
   
    Gains or losses on the Fund's transactions, if any, in futures and
non-equity options generally are treated as 60% long-term and 40% short-term
capital gains or losses. When the Fund engages in futures transactions, various
tax regulations applicable to the Fund may have the effect of causing the Fund
to recognize a gain or loss for tax purposes before that gain or loss is
realized, or to defer recognition of a realized loss for tax purposes.
Recognition, for tax purposes, of an unrealized loss may result in a lesser
amount of the Fund's realized net gains being available for distribution.
    
 
    Gains or losses on sales of securities by the Fund will generally be
long-term capital gains or losses if the securities have been held by the Fund
for more than twelve months. Gains or losses on the sale of securities held for
twelve months or less will be generally short-term gains or losses.
 
   
    Distributions of net long-term capital gains, if any, are taxable to
shareholders as long-term capital gains regardless of how long a shareholder has
held the Fund's shares and regardless of whether the distribution is received in
additional shares or in cash. The Taxpayer Relief Act reduces the maximum tax
rate on long-term capital gains from 28% to 20%. It also lengthens the required
holding period to obtain the lower rate from more than twelve months to more
than eighteen months. However, the IRS Restructuring and Reform Act of 1998
reduces the holding period requirement for the lower capital gain rate to more
than twelve months for transactions occurring after January 1, 1998. The lower
rates do not apply
    
 
                                       44
<PAGE>
   
to collectibles and certain other assets. Additionally, the maximum capital gain
rate for assets that are held more than five years and that are acquired after
December 31, 2000 is 18%.
    
 
    The Fund intends to remain qualified as a regulated investment company under
Subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (the "Code"). As such, the
Fund will not be subject to federal income tax on its net investment income and
capital gains, if any, realized during any fiscal year in which it distributes
such income and capital gains to its shareholders. In addition, the Fund intends
to distribute to its shareholders each calendar year a sufficient amount of
ordinary income and capital gains to avoid the imposition of a 4% excise tax.
Shareholders will normally have to pay federal income taxes, and any state
and/or local income taxes, on the dividends and distributions they receive from
the Fund. Such dividends and distributions, to the extent that they are derived
from net investment income or short-term capital gains, are taxable to the
shareholder as ordinary income regardless of whether the shareholder receives
such payments in additional shares or in cash. Any dividends declared in the
last quarter of any calendar year which are paid in the following year prior to
February 1 will be deemed received by the shareholder in the prior year.
 
    Any dividend or capital gains distribution received by a shareholder from
any investment company will have the effect of reducing the net asset value of
the shareholder's stock in that company by the exact amount of the dividend or
capital gains distribution. Furthermore, capital gains distributions and
dividends are subject to federal income taxes. If the net asset value of the
shares should be reduced below a shareholder's cost as a result of the payment
of dividends or the distribution of realized net long-term capital gains, such
payment or distribution would be in part a return of the shareholder's
investment to the extent of such reduction below the shareholder's cost, but
nonetheless would be fully taxable. Therefore, an investor should consider the
tax implications of purchasing Fund shares immediately prior to a distribution
record date.
 
    Any loss realized by shareholders upon a redemption of shares within six
months of the date of their purchase will be treated as a long-term capital loss
to the extent of any distributions of net long-term capital gains during the
six-month period.
 
    Dividends, interest and capital gains received by the Fund may give rise to
withhholding and other taxes imposed by foreign countries. Tax conventions
between certain countries and the United States may reduce or eliminate such
taxes. Investors may be entitled to claim United States foreign tax credits with
respect to such taxes, subject to certain provisions and limitations contained
in the Code. If more than 50% of the Fund's total assets at the close of its
fiscal year consist of securities of foreign corporations, the Fund would be
eligible and would determine whether or not to file an election with the
Internal Revenue Service pursuant to which shareholders of the Fund will be
required to include their respective pro rata portions of such withholding taxes
in their United States income tax returns as gross income, treat such respective
pro rata portions as taxes paid by them, and deduct such respective pro rata
portions in computing their taxable income or, alternatively, use them as
foreign tax credits against their United States income taxes. If the Fund does
elect to file the election with the Internal Revenue Service, the Fund will
report annually to its shareholders the amount per share of such withholding.
 
    SPECIAL RULES FOR CERTAIN FOREIGN CURRENCY TRANSACTIONS.  In general, gains
from foreign currencies and from foreign currency options, foreign currency
futures and forward foreign exchange contracts relating to investments in stock,
securities or foreign currencies are currently considered to be qualifying
income for purposes of determining whether the Fund qualifies as a regulated
investment company. It is currently unclear, however, who will be treated as the
issuer of certain foreign currency instruments or how foreign currency options,
futures, or forward foreign currency contracts will be valued for purposes of
the regulated investment company diversification requirements applicable to the
Fund.
 
    Under Code Section 988, special rules are provided for certain transactions
in a foreign currency other than the taxpayer's functional currency (I.E.,
unless certain special rules apply, currencies other than the U.S. dollar). In
general, foreign currency gains or losses from forward contracts, from futures
contracts that are not "regulated futures contracts", and from unlisted options
will be treated as ordinary income or loss under Code Section 988. Also, certain
foreign exchange gains or losses derived with
 
                                       45
<PAGE>
respect to foreign fixed-income securities are also subject to Section 988
treatment. In general, therefore, Code Section 988 gains or losses will increase
or decrease the amount of the Fund's investment company taxable income available
to be distributed to shareholders as ordinary income, rather than increasing or
decreasing the amount of the Fund's net capital gain. Additionally, if Code
Section 988 losses exceed other investment company taxable income during a
taxable year, the Fund would not be able to make any ordinary dividend
distributions.
 
    The Fund may be subject to taxes in foreign countries in which it invests.
In addition, if the Fund were deemed to be a resident of the United Kingdom for
United Kingdom tax purposes or if the Fund were treated as being engaged in a
trading activity through an agent in the United Kingdom, there is a risk that
the United Kingdom would attempt to tax all or a portion of the Fund's gains or
income. In light of the structure of the Fund and the terms and conditions of
the Investment Management and Sub-Advisory Agreements, it is believed that any
such risk is minimal.
 
    If the Fund invests in an entity which is classified as a "passive foreign
investment company" ("PFIC") for U.S. tax purposes, the application of certain
technical tax provisions applying to such companies could result in the
imposition of federal income tax with respect to such investments at the Fund
level which could not be eliminated by distributions to shareholders. The
Taxpayer Relief Act of 1997 establishes a mark-to-market regime which allows
taxpayers investing in PFIC's to avoid most, if not all of the difficulties
posed by the PFIC rules. In any event, it is not anticipated that any taxes on
the Fund with respect to investments in PFIC's would be significant.
 
    Shareholders are urged to consult their attorneys or tax advisers regarding
specific questions as to federal, state or local taxes.
 
   
PERFORMANCE INFORMATION
    
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
   
    As discussed in the Prospectus, from time to time the Fund may quote its
"total return" in advertisements and sales literature. These figures are
computed separately for Class A, Class B, Class C and Class D shares. The Fund's
"average annual total return" represents an annualization of the Fund's total
return over a particular period and is computed by finding the annual percentage
rate which will result in the ending redeemable value of a hypothetical $1,000
investment made at the beginning of a one, five or ten year period, or for the
period from the date of commencement of the Fund's operations, if shorter than
any of the foregoing. The ending redeemable value is reduced by any CDSC at the
end of the one, five or ten year or other period. For the purpose of this
calculation, it is assumed that all dividends and distributions are reinvested.
The formula for computing the average annual total return involves a percentage
obtained by dividing the ending redeemable value by the amount of the initial
investment, taking a root of the quotient (where the root is equivalent to the
number of years in the period) and subtracting 1 from the result. The average
annual total returns of Class B for the fiscal year ended October 31, 1998, for
the five year period ended October 31, 1998 and for the period June 1, 1990
(commencement of operations) through October 31, 1998 were     ,      % and
     %, respectively. The average annual total returns of Class A for the fiscal
year ended October 31, 1998 and for the period July 28, 1997 (inception of the
Class) through October 31, 1998 were    % and    %, respectively. The average
annual total returns of Class C for the fiscal year ended October 31, 1998 and
for the period July 28, 1997 (inception of the Class) through October 31, 1998
were    % and    %, respectively. The average annual total returns of Class D
for the fiscal year ended October 31, 1998 and for the period July 28, 1997
(inception of the Class) through October 31, 1998 were    % and    %,
respectively.
    
 
   
    In addition to the foregoing, the Fund may advertise its total return for
each Class over different periods of time by means of aggregate, average,
year-by-year or other types of total return figures. Such calculations may or
may not reflect the imposition of the maximum front-end sales charge for Class A
or the deduction of the CDSC for each of Class B and Class C which, if
reflected, would reduce the performance quoted. For example, the average annual
total return of the Fund may be calculated in the manner described above, but
without deduction for any applicable sales charge. Based on this
    
 
                                       46
<PAGE>
   
calculation, the average annual total returns of Class B for the fiscal year
ended October 31, 1998, for the five year period ended October 31, 1998 and for
the period June 1, 1990 through October 31, 1998 were    %,    % and    %,
respectively. Based on this calculation, the average annual total returns of
Class A for the fiscal year ended October 31, 1998 and for the period July 28,
1997 through October 31, 1998 were    % and    %, respectively, the average
annual total returns of Class C for the fiscal year ended October 31, 1998 and
for the period July 28, 1997 through October 31, 1998 were    % and    %,
respectively, and the average annual total returns of Class D for the fiscal
year ended October 31, 1998 and for the period July 28, 1997 through October 31,
1998 were    % and    %, respectively.
    
 
   
    In addition, the Fund may compute its aggregate total return for each Class
for specified periods by determining the aggregate percentage rate which will
result in the ending value of a hypothetical $1,000 investment made at the
beginning of the period. For the purpose of this calculation, it is assumed that
all dividends and distributions are reinvested. The formula for computing
aggregate total return involves a percentage obtained by dividing the ending
value (without the reduction for any sales charge) by the initial $1,000
investment and subtracting 1 from the result. Based on the foregoing
calculation, the total returns for Class B for the fiscal year ending October
31, 1998, for the five year period ended October 31, 1998 and for the period
June 1, 1990 through October 31, 1998 were    %,    % and    %, respectively.
Based on the foregoing calculations, the total returns for Class A for the
fiscal year ended October 31, 1998 and for the period July 28, 1997 through
October 31, 1998 were    % and    %, respectively, the total returns of Class C
for the fiscal year ended October 31, 1998 and for the period July 28, 1997
through October 31, 1998 were    % and    %, respectively, and the total returns
of Class D for the fiscal year ended October 31, 1998 and for the period July
28, 1997 through October 31, 1998 were    % and    %, respectively.
    
 
   
    The Fund may also advertise the growth of hypothetical investments of
$10,000, $50,000 and $100,000 in each Class of shares of the Fund by adding 1 to
the Fund's aggregate total return to date (expressed as a decimal and without
taking into account the effect of any applicable CDSC) and multiplying by
$9,475, $48,000 and $97,000 in the case of Class A (investments of $10,000,
$50,000 and $100,000 adjusted for the initial sales charge) or by $10,000,
$50,000 and $100,000 in the case of each of Class B, Class C and Class D, as the
case may be. Investments of $10,000, $50,000 and $100,000 in each Class at
inception of the Class would have grown to the following amounts at October 31,
1998:
    
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                          INVESTMENT AT INCEPTION OF:
                          INCEPTION   -----------------------------------
CLASS                        DATE      $10,000     $50,000     $100,000
- ------------------------  ----------  ---------  -----------  -----------
<S>                       <C>         <C>        <C>          <C>
Class A.................   7/28/97    $          $            $
Class B.................    6/1/90
Class C.................   7/28/97
Class D.................   7/28/97
</TABLE>
    
 
   
    The Fund from time to time may also advertise its performance relative to
certain performance rankings and indexes compiled by independent organizations.
    
 
DESCRIPTION OF COMMON STOCK
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
    The Fund is authorized to issue 2,000,000,000 shares of common stock of
$0.01 par value. Shares of the Fund, when issued, are fully paid,
non-assessable, fully transferable and redeemable at the option of the holder.
All shares are equal as to earnings, assets and voting privileges. There are no
conversion, preemptive or other subscription rights. In the event of
liquidation, each share of common stock of the Fund is entitled to its portion
of all of the Fund's assets after all debts and expenses have been paid. Except
for agreements entered into by the Fund in its ordinary course of business
within the limitations of the Fund's fundamental investment policies (which may
be modified only by shareholder vote), the Fund will not issue any securities
other than common stock.
 
    The shares of the Fund do not have cumulative voting rights, which means
that the holders of more than 50% of the shares voting for the election of
directors can elect 100% of the directors if they choose
 
                                       47
<PAGE>
to do so, and in such event, the holders of the remaining less than 50% of the
shares voting for the election of directors will not be able to elect any person
or persons to the Board of Directors.
 
    The Fund's By-Laws provide that one or more of the Fund's Directors may be
removed, either with or without cause, at any time by the affirmative vote of
the Fund's shareholders holding a majority of the outstanding shares entitled to
vote for the election of Directors. A special meeting of the shareholders of the
Fund will be called by the Fund's Secretary upon the written request of
shareholders entitled to vote at least 25% of the Fund's outstanding shares.
 
CUSTODIAN AND TRANSFER AGENT
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
    The Chase Manhattan Bank, One Chase Plaza, New York, New York 10005 is the
Custodian of the Fund's assets in the United States and around the world. As
Custodian, The Chase Manhattan Bank has contracted with various foreign banks
and depositaries to hold portfolio securities of non-U.S. issuers on behalf of
the Fund. Any of the Fund's cash balances with the Custodian in excess of
$100,000 are unprotected by federal deposit insurance. Such balances may, at
times, be substantial.
 
   
    Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Trust FSB ("MSDW Trust"), Harborside Financial
Center, Plaza Two, Jersey City, New Jersey 07311 is the Transfer Agent of the
Fund's shares and Dividend Disbursing Agent for payment of dividends and
distributions on Fund shares and Agent for shareholders under various investment
plans described herein. MSDW Trust is an affiliate of Morgan Stanley Dean Witter
Advisors Inc., the Fund's Investment Manager and Morgan Stanley Dean Witter
Distributors Inc., the Fund's Distributor. As Transfer Agent and Dividend
Disbursing Agent, MSDW Trust's responsibilities include maintaining shareholder
accounts, disbursing cash dividends and reinvesting dividends, processing
account registration changes, handling purchase and redemption transactions,
mailing prospectuses and reports, mailing and tabulating proxies, processing
share certificate transactions, and maintaining shareholder records and lists.
For these services MSDW Trust receives a per shareholder account fee.
    
 
INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
   
                               serves as the independent accountants of the
Fund. The independent accountants are responsible for auditing the annual
financial statements of the Fund.
    
 
REPORTS TO SHAREHOLDERS
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
    The Fund will send to shareholders, at least semi-annually, reports showing
the Fund's portfolio and other information. An annual report containing
financial statements audited by independent accountants will be sent to
shareholders each year.
 
    The Fund's fiscal year ends on October 31. The financial statements of the
Fund must be audited at least once a year by independent accountants whose
selection is made annually by the Fund's Board of Directors.
 
LEGAL COUNSEL
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
    Barry Fink, Esq., who is an officer and the General Counsel of the
Investment Manager, is an officer and the General Counsel of the Fund.
 
EXPERTS
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
   
    The financial statements of the Fund for the fiscal year ended October 31,
1998 included in this Statement of Additional Information and incorporated by
reference in the Prospectus have been so included and incorporated in reliance
on the report of ___________________ independent accountants, given on the
authority of said firm as experts in auditing and accounting.
    
 
                                       48
<PAGE>
REGISTRATION STATEMENT
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
    This Statement of Additional Information and the Prospectus do not contain
all of the information set forth in the Registration Statement the Fund has
filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The complete Registration
Statement may be obtained from the Securities and Exchange Commission upon
payment of the fee prescribed by the rules and regulations of the Commission.
 
                                       49
<PAGE>
                    1998 Financials to be filed by Amendment
 
                                       50
<PAGE>

                MORGAN STANLEY DEAN WITTER EUROPEAN GROWTH FUND INC.
                                          
                              PART C OTHER INFORMATION


Item 24.    Financial Statements and Exhibits


     a)     FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

     (1)    Financial statements and schedules included in Prospectus (Part A):
            None

     (2)    Financial statements included in the Statement of Additional 
            Information (Part B):
            None

     (3)    Financial statements included in Part C:
            None

     b)     Exhibits

     1.     Form of Articles of Amendment of the Registrant.

     5(a)   Form of Amended Investment Management Agreement between the
            Registrant and Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Advisors Inc.

     5(b)   Form of Sub-Advisory Agreement between Morgan Stanley Dean Witter
            Advisors Inc. and Morgan Stanley Asset Management Inc.

     6.     Form of Amended Distribution Agreement between Registrant and
            MorganStanley Dean Witter Distributors Inc.

     8.     Form of Amended and Restated Transfer Agency and Service Agreement
            between the Registrant and Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Trust FSB.

     9.     Form of Amended Services Agreement between Morgan Stanley Dean
            Witter Advisors Inc. and Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Services Company
            Inc.

     18.    Amended Multiple-Class Plan pursuant to rule 18f-3.


- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
     All other exhibits were previously filed via EDGAR and are hereby
     incorporated by reference.


Item 25.    PERSONS CONTROLLED BY OR UNDER COMMON CONTROL WITH REGISTRANT

            None

<PAGE>

Item 26.    NUMBER OF HOLDERS OF SECURITIES

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
            (1)                             (2)
                                 Number of Record Holders
          Title of Class            at August 30, 1998
          --------------         ------------------------
          <S>                    <C>
          Class A                          960
          Class B                      167,184
          Class C                         1778
          Class D                           60
</TABLE>

Item 27.    INDEMNIFICATION

     Reference is made to Section 3.15 of the Registrant's By-Laws and
Section 2-418 of the Maryland General Corporation Law.

     Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act
of 1933 ( the "Act") may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling
persons of the Registrant pursuant to the foregoing provisions or otherwise, the
Registrant has been advised that in the opinion of the Securities and Exchange 
Commission such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Act
and is, therefore, unenforceable.  In the event that a claim for indemnification
against such liabilities ( other than the payment by the registrant of expenses
incurred or paid by a director, officer, or controlling person of the Registrant
in connection with the successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is
asserted against the Registrant by such director, officer or controlling person
in connection with the shares being registered, the Registrant will, unless in
the opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled by controlling precedent,
submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the question whether such
indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in the Act, and will
be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.

     The Registrant hereby undertakes that it will apply the indemnification
provision of its by-laws in a manner consistent with release 11330 of the
Securities and Exchange Commission under the Investment Company Act of 1940, so
long as the interpretation of Sections 17 (h) and 17 (I) of such Act remains in
effect.

     Registrant, in conjunction with the Investment Manager, Registrant's
Directors, and other registered investment management companies managed by the
Investment Manager, maintains insurance on behalf of any person who is or was a
Director, officer, employee, or agent of registrant, or who is or was serving at
the request of registrant as a trustee, director, officer, employee or agent of
another trust or corporation, against any liability asserted against him and
incurred by him or arising out of his position.  However, in no event will
registrant maintain insurance to indemnify any such person for any act for which
Registrant itself is not permitted to indemnify him. 

Item 28. BUSINESS AND OTHER CONNECTIONS OF INVESTMENT ADVISOR

     See "The Fund and Its Management" in the Prospectus regarding the business
of the investment advisor.  The following information is given regarding
officers of Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Advisors Inc. ("MSDW Advisors").  MSDW
Advisors is a wholly-owned subsidiary of


                                          2
<PAGE>

Morgan Stanley Dean Witter & Co.  The principal address of the Morgan Stanley
Dean Witter Funds is Two World Trade Center, New York, New York 10048.

     The term "Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Funds" refers to the following
registered investment companies:

Closed-End Investment Companies
- -------------------------------
(1)    Dean Witter Government Income Trust
(2)    High Income Advantage Trust
(3)    High Income Advantage Trust II
(4)    High Income Advantage Trust III
(5)    InterCapital California Insured Municipal Income Trust
(6)    InterCapital California Quality Municipal Securities
(7)    InterCapital Income Securities Inc.
(8)    InterCapital Insured California Municipal Securities
(9)    InterCapital Insured Municipal Bond Trust
(10)   InterCapital Insured Municipal Income Trust
(11)   InterCapital Insured Municipal Securities
(12)   InterCapital Insured Municipal Trust
(13)   InterCapital New York Quality Municipal Securities
(14)   InterCapital Quality Municipal Income Trust
(15)   InterCapital Quality Municipal Investment Trust
(16)   InterCapital Quality Municipal Securities
(17)   Municipal Income Opportunities Trust
(18)   Municipal Income Opportunities Trust II
(19)   Municipal Income Opportunities Trust III
(20)   Municipal Income Trust
(21)   Municipal Income Trust II
(22)   Municipal Income Trust III
(23)   Municipal Premium Income Trust
(24)   Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Prime Income Trust

Open-end Investment Companies
- -----------------------------
(1)    Active Assets California Tax-Free Trust
(2)    Active Assets Government Securities Trust
(3)    Active Assets Money Trust
(4)    Active Assets Tax-Free Trust
(5)    Morgan Stanley Dean Witter American Value Fund
(6)    Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Balanced Growth Fund
(7)    Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Balanced Income Fund
(8)    Morgan Stanley Dean Witter California Tax-Free Daily Income Trust
(9)    Morgan Stanley Dean Witter California Tax-Free Income Fund
(10)   Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Capital Appreciation Fund
(11)   Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Capital Growth Securities
(12)   Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Competitive Edge Fund, "BEST IDEAS PORTFOLIO"
(13)   Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Convertible Securities Trust
(14)   Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Developing Growth Securities Trust
(15)   Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Diversified Income Trust 
(16)   Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Dividend Growth Securities Inc.
(17)   Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Equity Fund
(18)   Morgan Stanley Dean Witter European Growth Fund Inc.


                                          3
<PAGE>

(19)   Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Federal Securities Trust
(20)   Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Financial Services Trust
(21)   Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Fund of Funds
(22)   Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Global Dividend Growth Securities
(23)   Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Global Short-Term Income Fund Inc.
(24)   Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Global Utilities Fund
(25)   Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Growth Fund
(26)   Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Hawaii Municipal Trust
(27)   Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Health Sciences Trust
(28)   Morgan Stanley Dean Witter High Yield Securities Inc.
(29)   Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Income Builder Fund
(30)   Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Information Fund
(31)   Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Intermediate Income Securities
(32)   Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Intermediate Term U.S. Treasury Trust
(33)   Morgan Stanley Dean Witter International SmallCap Fund
(34)   Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Japan Fund
(35)   Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Limited Term Municipal Trust
(36)   Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Liquid Asset Fund Inc.
(37)   Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Market Leader Trust
(38)   Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Mid-Cap Dividend Growth Securities
(39)   Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Mid-Cap Growth Fund
(40)   Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Multi-State Municipal Series Trust
(41)   Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Natural Resource Development Securities Inc.
(42)   Morgan Stanley Dean Witter New York Municipal Money Market Trust
(43)   Morgan Stanley Dean Witter New York Tax-Free Income Fund
(44)   Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Pacific Growth Fund Inc.
(45)   Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Precious Metals and Minerals Trust
(46)   Morgan Stanley Dean Witter S&P 500 Index Fund
(47)   Morgan Stanley Dean Witter S&P 500 Select Fund
(48)   Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Select Dimensions Investment Series
(49)   Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Select Municipal Reinvestment Fund
(50)   Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Short-Term Bond Fund
(51)   Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Short-Term U.S. Treasury Trust
(52)   Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Special Value Fund
(53)   Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Strategist Fund 
(54)   Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Tax-Exempt Securities Trust
(55)   Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Tax-Free Daily Income Trust
(56)   Morgan Stanley Dean Witter U.S. Government Money Market Trust
(57)   Morgan Stanley Dean Witter U.S. Government Securities Trust
(58)   Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Utilities Fund
(59)   Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Value-Added Market Series
(60)   Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Value Fund
(61)   Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Variable Investment Series
(62)   Morgan Stanley Dean Witter World Wide Income Trust

       The term "TCW/DW Funds" refers to the following registered investment
companies:

Open-End Investment Companies
- -----------------------------
(1)    TCW/DW Emerging Markets Opportunities Trust
(2)    TCW/DW Global Telecom Trust
(3)    TCW/DW Income and Growth Fund


                                          4
<PAGE>

(4)    TCW/DW Latin American Growth Fund
(5)    TCW/DW Mid-Cap Equity Trust
(6)    TCW/DW North American Government Income Trust
(7)    TCW/DW Small Cap Growth Fund
(8)    TCW/DW Total Return Trust

Closed-End Investment Companies
- -------------------------------
(1)    TCW/DW Term Trust 2000
(2)    TCW/DW Term Trust 2002 
(3)    TCW/DW Term Trust 2003

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

NAME AND POSITION             OTHER SUBSTANTIAL BUSINESS, PROFESSION, VOCATION WITH 
MORGAN STANLEY DEAN           OR EMPLOYMENT, INCLUDING NAME, PRINCIPAL ADDRESS
WITTER ADVISORS INC.          AND NATURE OF CONNECTION
- --------------------          ------------------------------------------------------
<S>                           <C>
Mitchell M. Merin             Chairman and Director of Morgan Stanley Dean Witter
President, Chief              Distributors Inc. ("MSDW Distributors") and Morgan
Executive Officer and         Stanley Dean Witter Trust FSB ("MSDW Trust");
Director                      President, Chief Executive Officer and Director of Morgan Stanley
                              Dean Witter Services Company Inc. ("MSDW Services"); Executive
                              Vice President and Director of Dean Witter Reynolds Inc. ("DWR");
                              Director of SPS Transaction Services, Inc. and various other
                              Morgan Stanley Dean Witter & Co. ("MSDW") subsidiaries.

Thomas C. Schneider           Executive Vice President and Chief Strategic and
Executive Vice                Administrative Officer of MSDW; Executive Vice
President and Chief           President and Chief Financial Officer of MSDW Services;
Financial Officer             Director of DWR and MSDW.

Robert M. Scanlan             President, Chief Operating Officer and Director of MSDW 
President, Chief              Services, Executive Vice President of MSDW
Operating Officer             Distributors; Executive Vice President and Director of
and Director                  MSDW Trust; Vice President of the Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Funds
                              and the TCW/DW Funds.

Joseph J. McAlinden           Vice President of the Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Funds 
Executive Vice                and Director of MSDW Trust.
President and Chief
Investment Officer

Ronald E. Robison
Executive Vice
President And Chief
Administrative
Officer

Edward C. Oelsner, III
Executive Vice President


                                            5
<PAGE>

NAME AND POSITION             OTHER SUBSTANTIAL BUSINESS, PROFESSION, VOCATION WITH 
MORGAN STANLEY DEAN           OR EMPLOYMENT, INCLUDING NAME, PRINCIPAL ADDRESS
WITTER ADVISORS INC.          AND NATURE OF CONNECTION
- --------------------          ------------------------------------------------------

Barry Fink                    Assistant Secretary of DWR; Senior Vice President,
Senior Vice President,        Secretary, General Counsel and Director of MSDW Services;
Secretary, General            Senior Vice President, Assistant Secretary and Assistant
Counsel and Director          General Counsel of MSDW Distributors; Vice President, 
                              Secretary and General Counsel of the Morgan Stanley Dean 
                              Witter Funds and the TCW/DW Funds.

Peter M. Avelar               Vice President of various Morgan Stanley Dean Witter 
Senior Vice President         Funds.

Mark Bavoso                   Vice President of various Morgan Stanley Dean Witter 
Senior Vice President         Funds.

Richard Felegy
Senior Vice President

Edward F. Gaylor              Vice President of various Morgan Stanley Dean Witter 
Senior Vice President         Funds.

Robert S. Giambrone           Senior Vice President of MSDW Services, MSDW 
Senior Vice President         Distributors and MSDW Trust and Director of MSDW Trust; Vice President 
                              of the Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Funds and the TCW/DW Funds. 

Rajesh Gupta                  Vice President of various Morgan Stanley Dean Witter 
Senior Vice President         Funds.

Kenton J. Hinchliffe          Vice President of various Morgan Stanley Dean Witter 
Senior Vice President         Funds.

Kevin Hurley                  Vice President of various Morgan Stanley Dean Witter 
Senior Vice President         Funds.

Margaret Iannuzzi
Senior Vice President

Jenny Beth Jones              Vice President of various Morgan Stanley Dean Witter 
Senior Vice President         Funds.

John B. Kemp, III             President of MSDW Distributors.
Senior Vice President

Anita H. Kolleeny             Vice President of various Morgan Stanley Dean Witter 
Senior Vice President         Funds.

Jonathan R. Page              Vice President of various Morgan Stanley Dean Witter 
Senior Vice President         Funds.


                                        6

<PAGE>

NAME AND POSITION             OTHER SUBSTANTIAL BUSINESS, PROFESSION, VOCATION WITH 
MORGAN STANLEY DEAN           OR EMPLOYMENT, INCLUDING NAME, PRINCIPAL ADDRESS
WITTER ADVISORS INC.          AND NATURE OF CONNECTION
- --------------------          ------------------------------------------------------

Ira N. Ross                   Vice President of various Morgan Stanley Dean Witter 
Senior Vice President         Funds.

Guy G. Rutherfurd, Jr.        Vice President of various Morgan Stanley Dean Witter
Senior Vice President         Funds.

Rochelle G. Siegel            Vice President of various Morgan Stanley Dean Witter
Senior Vice President         Funds.

Jayne M. Stevlingson          Vice President of various Morgan Stanley Dean Witter 
Senior Vice President         Funds.

Paul D. Vance                 Vice President of various Morgan Stanley Dean Witter 
Senior Vice President         Funds.

Elizabeth A. Vetell
Senior Vice President

James F. Willison             Vice President of various Morgan Stanley Dean Witter 
Senior Vice President         Funds.

Ronald J. Worobel             Vice President of various Morgan Stanley Dean Witter 
Senior Vice President         Funds.

Douglas Brown
First Vice President

Thomas F. Caloia              First Vice President and Assistant Treasurer of
First Vice President          MSDW Services; Assistant Treasurer of MSDW 
and Assistant                 Distributors; Treasurer and Chief Financial Officer of the
Treasurer                     Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Funds and the TCW/DW 
                              Funds.

Thomas Chronert
First Vice President

Rosalie Clough
First Vice President

Marilyn K. Cranney            Assistant Secretary of DWR; First Vice President and
First Vice President          Assistant Secretary of MSDW Services; Assistant 
and Assistant Secretary       Secretary of the Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Funds and
                              the TCW/DW Funds.

Salvatore DeSteno             Vice President of MSDW Services.
First Vice President


                                      7

<PAGE>

NAME AND POSITION             OTHER SUBSTANTIAL BUSINESS, PROFESSION, VOCATION WITH 
MORGAN STANLEY DEAN           OR EMPLOYMENT, INCLUDING NAME, PRINCIPAL ADDRESS
WITTER ADVISORS INC.          AND NATURE OF CONNECTION
- --------------------          ------------------------------------------------------

Michael Interrante            First Vice President and Controller of MSDW Services; 
First Vice President          Assistant Treasurer of MSDW Distributors; First Vice
and Controller                President and Treasurer of MSDW Trust. 

David Johnson
First Vice President

Stanley Kapica
First Vice President

Carsten Otto                  First Vice President and Assistant Secretary of MSDW
First Vice President          Services; Assistant Secretary of the Morgan Stanley
and Assistant Secretary       Dean Witter Funds and the TCW/DW Funds.


Robert Zimmerman
First Vice President

Dale Albright
Vice President

Joan G. Allman
Vice President

Andrew Arbenz
Vice President

Joseph Arcieri                Vice President of various Morgan Stanley Dean Witter 
Vice President                Funds.

Nancy Belza
Vice President

Maurice Bendrihem
Vice President and
Assistant Controller

Frank Bruttomesso             Vice President and Assistant Secretary of MSDW 
Vice President and            Services; Assistant Secretary of the Morgan Stanley 
Assistant Secretary           Dean Witter Funds and the TCW/DW Funds.

Ronald Caldwell
Vice President

Joseph Cardwell
Vice President


                                               8

<PAGE>

NAME AND POSITION             OTHER SUBSTANTIAL BUSINESS, PROFESSION, VOCATION WITH 
MORGAN STANLEY DEAN           OR EMPLOYMENT, INCLUDING NAME, PRINCIPAL ADDRESS
WITTER ADVISORS INC.          AND NATURE OF CONNECTION
- --------------------          ------------------------------------------------------

Philip Casparius
Vice President

David Dineen                  Vice President of Dean Witter Global Asset Allocation
Vice President                Fund.

Bruce Dunn
Vice President

Michael Durbin
Vice President

Sheila Finnerty
Vice President

Jeffrey D. Geffen
Vice President

Michael Geringer
Vice President

Ellen Gold
Vice President

Stephen Greenhut
Vice President

Sandra Grossman
Vice President

Peter W. Gurman
Vice President

Matthew Haynes                Vice President of various Morgan Stanley Dean Witter
Vice President                Funds.

Peter Hermann                 Vice President of various Morgan Stanley Dean Witter
Vice President                Funds.

Elizabeth Hinchman
Vice President

David Hoffman
Vice President

Christopher Jones
Vice President


                                                 9

<PAGE>

NAME AND POSITION             OTHER SUBSTANTIAL BUSINESS, PROFESSION, VOCATION WITH 
MORGAN STANLEY DEAN           OR EMPLOYMENT, INCLUDING NAME, PRINCIPAL ADDRESS
WITTER ADVISORS INC.          AND NATURE OF CONNECTION
- --------------------          ------------------------------------------------------

Kevin Jung
Vice President

Carol Espejo Kane
Vice President

James P. Kastberg
Vice President

Michelle Kaufman              Vice President of various Morgan Stanley Dean Witter
Vice President                Funds.

Paula LaCosta                 Vice President of various Morgan Stanley Dean Witter 
Vice President                Funds.

Thomas Lawlor
Vice President

Gerard J. Lian                Vice President of various Morgan Stanley Dean Witter
Vice President                Funds.

Nancy Login
Vice President

Steven MacNamara
Vice President

Catherine Maniscalco          Vice President of Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Natural 
Vice President                Resource Development Securities Inc.

Albert McGarity
Vice President

LouAnne D. McInnis            Vice President and Assistant Secretary of MSDW 
Vice President and            Services; Assistant Secretary of the Morgan Stanley Dean 
Assistant Secretary           Witter Funds and the TCW/DW Funds.

Sharon K. Milligan
Vice President

Julie Morrone
Vice President

Mary Beth Mueller
Vice President


                                         10

<PAGE>

NAME AND POSITION             OTHER SUBSTANTIAL BUSINESS, PROFESSION, VOCATION WITH 
MORGAN STANLEY DEAN           OR EMPLOYMENT, INCLUDING NAME, PRINCIPAL ADDRESS
WITTER ADVISORS INC.          AND NATURE OF CONNECTION
- --------------------          ------------------------------------------------------

David Myers                   Vice President of Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Natural
Vice President                Resource Development Securities Inc.

Richard Norris
Vice President

George Paoletti
Vice President

Anne Pickrell                 Vice President of various  Morgan Stanley Dean Witter 
Vice President                Funds.

Michael Roan
Vice President

John Roscoe
Vice President

Hugh Rose
Vice President

Robert Rossetti               Vice President of various Morgan Stanley Dean Witter 
Vice President                Funds.

Ruth Rossi                    Vice President and Assistant Secretary of MSDW 
Vice President and            Services; Assistant Secretary of the Morgan Stanley Dean
Assistant Secretary           Witter Funds and the TCW/DW Funds.

Carl F. Sadler
Vice President

Deborah Santaniello
Vice President

Peter J. Seeley               Vice President of various Morgan Stanley Dean Witter 
Vice President                Funds.

Robert Stearns
Vice President

Naomi Stein
Vice President

Kathleen H. Stromberg         Vice President of various Morgan Stanley Dean Witter 
Vice President                Funds.


                                      11

<PAGE>

NAME AND POSITION             OTHER SUBSTANTIAL BUSINESS, PROFESSION, VOCATION WITH 
MORGAN STANLEY DEAN           OR EMPLOYMENT, INCLUDING NAME, PRINCIPAL ADDRESS
WITTER ADVISORS INC.          AND NATURE OF CONNECTION
- --------------------          ------------------------------------------------------

Marybeth Swisher
Vice President

Robert Vanden Assem
Vice President

James P. Wallin
Vice President

Alice Weiss                   Vice President of various Morgan Stanley Dean Witter 
Vice President                Funds.

John Wong
Vice President
</TABLE>

Item 29.    PRINCIPAL UNDERWRITERS

(a) Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Distributors Inc. ("MSDW Distributors"), a
Delaware corporation, is the principal underwriter of the Registrant. MSDW
Distributors is also the principal underwriter of the following investment
companies:

(1)    Active Assets California Tax-Free Trust
(2)    Active Assets Government Securities Trust
(3)    Active Assets Money Trust
(4)    Active Assets Tax-Free Trust
(5)    Morgan Stanley Dean Witter American Value Fund
(6)    Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Balanced Growth Fund
(7)    Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Balanced Income Fund
(8)    Morgan Stanley Dean Witter California Tax-Free Daily Income Trust
(9)    Morgan Stanley Dean Witter California Tax-Free Income Fund
(10)   Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Capital Appreciation Fund
(11)   Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Capital Growth Securities
(12)   Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Competitive Edge Fund, "BEST IDEAS PORTFOLIO"
(13)   Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Convertible Securities Trust
(14)   Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Developing Growth Securities Trust
(15)   Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Diversified Income Trust 
(16)   Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Dividend Growth Securities Inc.
(17)   Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Equity Fund
(18)   Morgan Stanley Dean Witter European Growth Fund Inc.
(19)   Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Federal Securities Trust
(20)   Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Financial Services Trust
(21)   Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Fund of Funds
(22)   Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Global Dividend Growth Securities
(23)   Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Global Short-Term Income Fund Inc.
(24)   Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Global Utilities Fund
(25)   Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Growth Fund


                                          12

<PAGE>

(26)   Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Hawaii Municipal Trust
(27)   Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Health Sciences Trust
(28)   Morgan Stanley Dean Witter High Yield Securities Inc.
(29)   Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Income Builder Fund
(30)   Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Information Fund
(31)   Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Intermediate Income Securities
(32)   Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Intermediate Term U.S. Treasury Trust
(33)   Morgan Stanley Dean Witter International SmallCap Fund
(34)   Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Japan Fund
(35)   Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Limited Term Municipal Trust
(36)   Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Liquid Asset Fund Inc.
(37)   Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Market Leader Trust
(38)   Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Mid-Cap Dividend Growth Securities
(39)   Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Mid-Cap Growth Fund
(40)   Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Multi-State Municipal Series Trust
(41)   Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Natural Resource Development Securities Inc.
(42)   Morgan Stanley Dean Witter New York Municipal Money Market Trust
(43)   Morgan Stanley Dean Witter New York Tax-Free Income Fund
(44)   Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Pacific Growth Fund Inc.
(45)   Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Precious Metals and Minerals Trust
(46)   Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Prime Income Trust
(47)   Morgan Stanley Dean Witter S&P 500 Index Fund
(48)   Morgan Stanley Dean Witter S&P 500 Select Fund
(49)   Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Short-Term Bond Fund
(50)   Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Short-Term U.S. Treasury Trust
(51)   Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Special Value Fund
(52)   Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Strategist Fund 
(53)   Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Tax-Exempt Securities Trust
(54)   Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Tax-Free Daily Income Trust
(55)   Morgan Stanley Dean Witter U.S. Government Money Market Trust
(56)   Morgan Stanley Dean Witter U.S. Government Securities Trust
(57)   Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Utilities Fund
(58)   Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Value-Added Market Series
(59)   Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Value Fund
(60)   Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Variable Investment Series
(61)   Morgan Stanley Dean Witter World Wide Income Trust
(1)    TCW/DW Emerging Markets Opportunities Trust 
(2)    TCW/DW Global Telecom Trust
(3)    TCW/DW Income and Growth
(4)    TCW/DW Latin American Growth Fund
(5)    TCW/DW Mid-Cap Equity Trust
(6)    TCW/DW North American Government Income Trust
(7)    TCW/DW Small Cap Growth Fund
(8)    TCW/DW Total Return Trust 

(b) The following information is given regarding directors and officers of MSDW
    Distributors not listed in Item 28 above.  The principal address of MSDW
    Distributors is Two World Trade Center, New York, New York 10048.  None of
    the following persons has any position or office with the Registrant.


                                          13
<PAGE>

Name                          Positions and Office with MSDW Distributors 
- ----                          --------------------------------------------

Richard M. DeMartini          Director

Christine Edwards             Executive Vice President, Secretary, Director and
                              Chief Legal Officer. 

Michael T. Gregg              Vice President and Assistant Secretary.

James F. Higgins              Director

Fredrick K. Kubler            Senior Vice President, Assistant Secretary and
                              Chief Compliance Officer.

Philip J. Purcell             Director

John Schaeffer                Director

Charles Vidala                Senior Vice President and Financial Principal

Item 30.  LOCATION OF ACCOUNTS AND RECORDS

    All accounts, books and other documents required to be maintained by
Section 31(a) of the Investment Company Act of 1940 and the Rules thereunder are
maintained by the Investment Manager at its offices, except records relating to
holders of shares issued by the Registrant, which are maintained by the
Registrant's Transfer Agent, at its place of business as shown in the
prospectus.

Item 31.  MANAGEMENT SERVICES

    Registrant is not a party to any such management-related service contract.


                                          14
<PAGE>
                                     SIGNATURES

     Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933 and the
Investment Company Act of 1940, the Registrant certifies that it has duly caused
this Post-Effective Amendment to the Registration Statement to be signed on its
behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of New York
and State of New York on the 9th day of October 1998.


                        MORGAN STANLEY DEAN WITTER EUROPEAN GROWTH FUND INC.
                                                              
                                   By  /s/   Barry Fink               
                                      --------------------------------
                                             Barry Fink
                                             Vice President and Secretary

     Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this
Post-Effective Amendment No. 10 has been signed below by the following persons
in the capacities and on the dates indicated.

     Signatures                    Title                              Date
     ----------                    --------------------               ----

(1) Principal Executive Officer    President, Chief 
                                   Executive Officer,
                                   Director and Chairman
By  /s/   Charles A. Fiumefreddo                                       10/9/98
    -----------------------------
     Charles A. Fiumefreddo                                           
                                                            
(2) Principal Financial Officer    Treasurer and Principal                 
                                   Accounting Officer                 
                                                            
By  /s/   Thomas F. Caloia                                             10/9/98
    -----------------------------
     Thomas F. Caloia                                            
                                                                 
(3) Majority of the Directors                                              
                                                            
     Charles A. Fiumefreddo (Chairman)                                
     Philip J. Purcell                                                
                                                            
By  /s/   Barry Fink                                                   10/9/98
    -----------------------------
     Barry Fink                                                  
     Attorney-in-Fact                                                 
                                                            
     Michael Bozic                                               
     Edwin J. Garn                                               
     John R. Haire                                               
     Wayne E. Hedien                                             
     Dr. Manuel H. Johnson                                                 
     Michael E. Nugent                                           
     John L. Schroeder                                                     
     
                                                                 
By  /s/   David M. Butowsky                                            10/9/98
    -----------------------------
     David M. Butowsky  
     Attorney-in-Fact 
<PAGE>

                MORGAN STANLEY DEAN WITTER EUROPEAN GROWTH FUND INC.
                                   EXHIBIT INDEX
                                                 
                                          

1.        Form of Articles of Amendment of the Registrant.

5(a)      Form of Amended Investment Management Agreement between the Registrant
          and Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Advisors Inc.
                   
5(b)      Form of Sub-Advisory Agreement between Morgan Stanley Dean Witter
          Advisors Inc. and Morgan Stanley Asset Management Inc.
                    
6.        Form of Amended Distribution Agreement between Registrant and Morgan
          Stanley Dean Witter Distributors Inc.

8.        Form of Amended and Restated Transfer Agency and Service Agreement   
          between the Registrant and Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Trust FSB.

9.        Form of Amended Services Agreement between Morgan Stanley Dean Witter
          Advisors Inc. and Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Services Company Inc.

18.       Amended Multiple-Class Plan pursuant to rule 18f-3.

          

                                          1


<PAGE>

                                                                       EXHIBIT 1

                       DEAN WITTER EUROPEAN GROWTH FUND INC.
                                          
                                          
                               ARTICLES OF AMENDMENT
                            CHANGING NAME OF CORPORATION
                       PURSUANT TO MGCL SECTION 2-605 (a)(4)
                                          
                                          
                                          
     Dean Witter European Growth Fund Inc., a Maryland corporation, having 
its principal office in Baltimore City, Maryland (hereinafter called the 
"Corporation"), hereby certifies to the State Department of Assessments and 
Taxation of Maryland that:
                                          
     FIRST:    The Charter of the Corporation is hereby amended by striking out
ARTICLE II of the Articles of Incorporation and inserting in lieu thereof the
following:                               

                                    "ARTICLE II
     The name of the Corporation is Morgan Stanley Dean Witter European Growth
Fund Inc."
     
     SECOND:   The foregoing amendment to the Charter of the Corporation has
been approved by the Board of Directors and is limited to a change expressly
permitted by Section 2-605 of the Maryland General Corporation Law.

     THIRD:    The Corporation is registered as an open-end management
investment company under the Investment Company Act of 1940.

     FOURTH:   These Articles of Amendment shall become effective at 9:00 a.m.,
Eastern Time, on June 22, 1998.

<PAGE>

     IN WITNESS WHEROF, the Corporation has caused these presents to be 
signed in its name and on its behalf by its President and attested by its 
Secretary on this 19th day of June 1998.
          
                                        DEAN WITTER EUROPEAN GROWTH FUND INC.
     
     
     
                                        By:     Charles A. Fiumefreddo     
                                                -----------------------
                                        Name:   Charles A. Fiumefreddo
                                        Title:  President
     
     
     ATTESTED:
     
     
     
            Barry Fink
            ----------
     Name:  Barry Fink
     Title: Secretary
     
          THE UNDERSIGNED, the President of Dean Witter European Growth Fund
     Inc. who executed on behalf of the Corporation the foregoing Articles of
     Amendment of which this certificate is made a part, hereby acknowledges in
     the name and on behalf of the Corporation the foregoing Articles of
     Amendment to be the corporate act of the Corporation and hereby certifies
     that to the best of his knowledge, information and belief the matters and
     facts set forth therein with respect to the authorization and approval
     thereof are true in all material respects under the penalties of perjury.
     
     
     
     
                                               Charles A. Fiumefreddo
                                               ----------------------
                                        Name:  Charles A. Fiumefreddo
                                        Title: President


                                          2

<PAGE>
                        INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT AGREEMENT
 
    AGREEMENT made as of the 31st day of May, 1997, and amended as of April 30,
1998 and as of December 1, 1998, by and between Dean Witter European Growth 
Fund Inc., a Maryland corporation (hereinafter called the "Fund"), and Dean 
Witter InterCapital Inc., a Delaware corporation (hereinafter called the 
"Investment Manager"):
 
    WHEREAS, The Fund is engaged in business as an open-end management
investment company and is registered as such under the Investment Company Act of
1940, as amended (the "Act"); and
 
    WHEREAS, The Investment Manager is registered as an investment adviser under
the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, and engages in the business of acting as
investment adviser; and
 
    WHEREAS, The Fund desires to retain the Investment Manager to render
management and investment advisory services in the manner and on the terms and
conditions hereinafter set forth; and
 
    WHEREAS, The Investment Manager desires to be retained to perform services
on said terms and conditions:
 
    Now, Therefore, this Agreement
 
                              W I T N E S S E T H:
 
that in consideration of the premises and the mutual covenants hereinafter
contained, the Fund and the Investment Manager agree as follows:
 
     1. The Fund hereby retains the Investment Manager to act as investment
manager of the Fund and, subject to the supervision of the Directors, to
supervise the investment activities of the Fund as hereinafter set forth.
Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the Investment Manager shall
obtain and evaluate such information and advice relating to the economy,
securities and commodities markets and securities and commodities as it deems
necessary or useful to discharge its duties hereunder; shall continuously
supervise the management of the assets of the Fund in a manner consistent with
the investment objectives and policies of the Fund and subject to such other
limitations and directions as the Directors of the Fund may from time to time
prescribe; and shall take such further action as the Investment Manager shall
deem necessary or appropriate. The Investment Manager shall also furnish to or
place at the disposal of the Fund such of the information, evaluations, analyses
and opinions formulated or obtained by the Investment Manager in the discharge
of its duties as the Fund may, from time to time, reasonably request.
 
     2. The Investment Manager shall, at its own expense, enter into a
Sub-Advisory Agreement with a Sub-Advisor to make determinations as to the
securities and commodities to be purchased, sold or otherwise disposed of by the
Fund and the timing of such purchases, sales and dispositions and to take such
further action, including the placing of purchase and sale orders on behalf of
the Fund, as the Sub-Advisor, in consultation with the Investment Manager, shall
deem necessary or appropriate; provided that the Investment Manager shall be
responsible for monitoring compliance by such Sub-Advisor with the investment
policies and restrictions of the Fund and with such other limitations or
directions as the Directors of the Fund may from time to time prescribe.
 
     3. The Investment Manager shall, at its own expense, maintain such staff 
and employ or retain such personnel and consult with such other persons as it 
shall from time to time determine to be necessary or useful to the 
performance of its obligations under this Agreement. Without limiting the 
generality of the foregoing, the staff and personnel of the Investment 
Manager shall be deemed to include persons employed or otherwise retained by 
the Investment Manager to furnish statistical and other factual data, advice 
regarding economic factors and trends, information with respect to technical 
and scientific developments, and such other information, advice and 
assistance as the Investment Manager may desire. The Investment Manager 
shall, as agent for the Fund, maintain the Fund's records and books of 
account (other than those maintained by the Fund's transfer agent, registrar, 
custodian and other agencies). All such books and records so maintained shall 
be the property of the Fund and, upon request therefor, the Investment 
Manager shall surrender to the Fund such of the books and records so 
requested.

<PAGE>
 
     4. The Fund will, from time to time, furnish or otherwise make available to
the Investment Manager such financial reports, proxy statements and other
information relating to the business and affairs of the Fund as the Investment
Manager may reasonably require in order to discharge its duties and obligations
hereunder.
 
     5. The Investment Manager shall bear the cost of rendering the investment
management and supervisory services to be performed by it under this Agreement,
and shall, at its own expense, pay the compensation of the officers and
employees, if any, of the Fund who are also directors, officers or employees of
the Investment Manager, and provide such office space, facilities and equipment
and such clerical help and bookkeeping services as the Fund shall reasonably
require in the conduct of its business. The Investment Manager shall also bear
the cost of telephone service, heat, light, power and other utilities provided
to the Fund.
 
     6. The Fund assumes and shall pay or cause to be paid all other expenses of
the Fund, including without limitation: fees pursuant to any plan of
distribution that the Fund may adopt; the charges and expenses of any registrar,
any custodian or depository appointed by the Fund for the safekeeping of its
cash, portfolio securities or commodities and other property, and any stock
transfer or dividend agent or agents appointed by the Fund; brokers' commissions
chargeable to the Fund in connection with portfolio transactions to which the
Fund is a party; all taxes, including securities or commodities issuance and
transfer taxes, and fees payable by the Fund to federal, state or other
governmental agencies; the cost and expense of engraving or printing
certificates representing shares of the Fund; all costs and expenses in
connection with the registration and maintenance of registration of the Fund and
its shares with the Securities and Exchange Commission and various states and
other jurisdictions (including filing fees and legal fees and disbursements of
counsel); the cost and expense of printing (including typesetting) and
distributing prospectuses and statements of additional information of the Fund
and supplements thereto to the Fund's shareholders; all expenses of
shareholders' and Directors' meetings and of preparing, printing and mailing
proxy statements and reports to shareholders; fees and travel expenses of
Directors or members of any advisory board or committee who are not employees of
the Investment Manager or any corporate affiliate of the Investment Manager; all
expenses incident to the payment of any dividend, distribution, withdrawal or
redemption, whether in shares or in cash; charges and expenses of any outside
service used for pricing of the Fund's shares; charges and expenses of legal
counsel, including counsel to the Directors of the Fund who are not interested
persons (as defined in the Act) of the Fund or the Investment Manager, and of
independent accountants, in connection with any matter relating to the Fund;
membership dues of industry associations; interest payable on Fund borrowings;
postage; insurance premiums on property or personnel (including officers and
Directors) of the Fund which inure to its benefit; extraordinary expenses
(including but not limited to legal claims and liabilities and litigation costs
and any indemnification related thereto); and all other charges and costs of the
Fund's operation unless otherwise explicitly provided herein.
 
     7. For the services to be rendered, the facilities furnished, and the
expenses assumed by the Investment Manager, the Fund shall pay to the Investment
Manager monthly compensation determined by applying the following annual rates
to the Fund's daily net assets: 0.95% of daily net assets up to $500 million;
0.90% of the next $1.5 billion; and 0.85% of daily net assets over $2 billion.
Except as hereinafter set forth, compensation under this Agreement shall be
calculated and accrued daily and the amounts of the daily accruals shall be paid
monthly. Such calculations shall be made by applying 1/365ths of the annual
rates to the Fund's net assets each day determined as of the close of business
on that day or the last previous business day. If this Agreement becomes
effective subsequent to the first day of a month or shall terminate before the
last day of a month, compensation for that part of the month this Agreement is
in effect shall be prorated in a manner consistent with the calculation of the
fees as set forth above.

    Subject to the provisions of paragraph 8 hereof, payment of the Investment
Manager's compensation for the preceding month shall be made as promptly as
possible after completion of the computations contemplated by paragraph 8
hereof.
 
     8. In the event the operating expenses of the Fund, including amounts
payable to the Investment Manager pursuant to paragraph 7 hereof, for any fiscal
year ending on a date on which this Agreement is in

                                       2
<PAGE>
effect, exceed the expense limitations applicable to the Fund imposed by 
state securities laws or regulations thereunder, as such limitations may be 
raised or lowered from time to time, the Investment Manager shall reduce its 
management fee to the extent of such excess and, if required, pursuant to any 
such laws or regulations, will reimburse the Fund for annual operating 
expenses in excess of any expense limitation that may be applicable; 
provided, however, there shall be excluded from such expenses the amount of 
any interest, taxes, brokerage commissions, distribution fees and 
extraordinary expenses (including but not limited to legal claims and 
liabilities and litigation costs and any indemnification related thereto) 
paid or payable by the Fund. Such reduction, if any, shall be computed and 
accrued daily, shall be settled on a monthly basis, and shall be based upon 
the expense limitation applicable to the Fund as at the end of the last 
business day of the month. Should two or more such expense limitations be 
applicable as at the end of the last business day of the month, that expense 
limitation which results in the largest reduction in the Investment Manager's 
fee shall be applicable.

    For purposes of this provision, should any applicable expense limitation be
based upon the gross income of the Fund, such gross income shall include, but
not be limited to, interest on debt securities in the Fund's portfolio accrued
to and including the last day of the Fund's fiscal year, and dividends declared
on equity securities in the Fund's portfolio, the record dates for which fall on
or prior to the last day of such fiscal year, but shall not include gains from
the sale of securities.
 
     9. The Investment Manager will use its best efforts in the supervision and
management of the investment activities of the Fund, but in the absence of
willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence or reckless disregard of its
obligations hereunder, the Investment Manager shall not be liable to the Fund or
any of its investors for any error of judgment or mistake of law or for any act
or omission by the Investment Manager or for any losses sustained by the Fund or
its investors.
 
    10. Nothing contained in this Agreement shall prevent the Investment Manager
or any affiliated person of the Investment Manager from acting as investment
adviser or manager for any other person, firm or corporation and shall not in
any way bind or restrict the Investment Manager or any such affiliated person
from buying, selling or trading any securities or commodities for their own
accounts or for the account of others for whom they may be acting. Nothing in
this Agreement shall limit or restrict the right of any Director, officer or
employee of the Investment Manager to engage in any other business or to devote
his or her time and attention in part to the management or other aspects of any
other business whether of a similar or dissimilar nature.
 
    11. This Agreement shall remain in effect until April 30, 1999 and from 
year to year thereafter provided such continuance is approved at least 
annually by the vote of holders of a majority, as defined in the Investment 
Company Act (the "Act"), of the outstanding voting securities of the Fund or 
by the Directors of the Fund; provided that in either event such continuance 
is also approved annually by the vote of a majority of the Directors of the 
Fund who are not parties to this Agreement or "interested persons" (as 
defined in the Act) of any such party, which vote must be cast in person at a 
meeting called for the purpose of voting on such approval; provided, however, 
that (a) the Fund may, at any time and without the payment of any penalty, 
terminate this Agreement upon thirty days' written notice to the Investment 
Manager, either by majority vote of the Directors of the Fund or by the vote 
of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the Fund; (b) this 
Agreement shall immediately terminate in the event of its assignment (to the 
extent required by the Act and the rules thereunder) unless such automatic 
terminations shall be prevented by an exemptive order of the Securities and 
Exchange Commission; and (c) the Investment Manager may terminate this 
Agreement without payment of penalty on thirty days' written notice to the 
Fund. Any notice under this Agreement shall be given in writing, addressed 
and delivered, or mailed post-paid, to the other party at the principal 
office of such party.

    12. This Agreement may be amended by the parties without the vote or consent
of the shareholders of the Fund to supply any omission, to cure, correct or
supplement any ambiguous, defective or inconsistent provision hereof, or if they
deem it necessary to conform this Agreement to the requirements of applicable
federal laws or regulations, but neither the Fund nor the Investment Manager
shall be liable for failing to do so.

                                       3
<PAGE>
    13. This Agreement shall be construed in accordance with the laws of the
State of New York and the applicable provisions of the Act. To the extent the
applicable law of the State of New York, or any of the provisions herein,
conflicts with the applicable provisions of the Act, the latter shall control.
 
    14. The Investment Manager and the Fund each agree that the name "Dean
Witter," which comprises a component of the Fund's name, is a property right of
Dean Witter Reynolds, Inc., The Fund agrees and consents that (i) it will only
use the name "Dean Witter" as a component of its name and for no other purpose,
(ii) it will not purport to grant to any third party the right to use the name
"Dean Witter" for any purpose, (iii) the Investment Manager or its parent,
Morgan Stanley Dean Witter & Co., or any corporate affiliate of the Investment
Manager's parent, may use or grant to others the right to use the name "Dean
Witter," or any combination or abbreviation thereof, as all or a portion of a
corporate or business name or for any commercial purpose, including a grant of
such right to any other investment company, (iv) at the request of the
Investment Manager or its parent, the Fund will take such action as may be
required to provide its consent to the use of the name "Dean Witter," or any
combination or abbreviation thereof, by the Investment Manager or its parent or
any corporate affiliate of the Investment Manager's parent, or by any person to
whom the Investment Manager or its parent or any corporate affiliate of the
Investment Manager's parent shall have granted the right to such use, and (v)
upon the termination of any investment advisory agreement into which the
Investment Manager and the Fund may enter, or upon termination of affiliation of
the Investment Manager with its parent, the Fund shall, upon request by the
Investment Manager or its parent, cease to use the name "Dean Witter" as a
component of its name, and shall not use the name, or any combination or
abbreviation thereof, as a part of its name or for any other commercial purpose,
and shall cause its officers, Directors and shareholders to take any and all
actions which the Investment Manager or its parent may request to effect the
foregoing and to reconvey to the Investment Manager or its parent any and all
rights to such name.
 
    IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed and delivered this
Agreement, as amended, on December 1, 1998 in New York, New York.
 
<TABLE>
<S>                                             <C>
                                                MORGAN STANLEY DEAN WITTER EUROPEAN GROWTH
                                                 FUND INC.
 
                                                By:              
                                                ..............................................
 
Attest:
 
            
 .............................................
 
                                                MORGAN STANLEY DEAN WITTER ADVISORS INC.
 
                                                By:        
                                                ..............................................
 
Attest:
 
           
 .............................................
</TABLE>
 
                                       4

<PAGE>
                                                                       EXHIBIT A
 
                       FORM OF NEW SUB-ADVISORY AGREEMENT
 
    AGREEMENT made as of December 1, 1998 by and between Morgan Stanley Dean
Witter Advisors, Inc., a Delaware corporation (herein referred to as the
"Investment Manager"), and Morgan Stanley Asset Management Inc., a Delaware
Corporation, (herein referred to as the "Sub-Advisor").
 
    WHEREAS, Morgan Stanley Dean Witter European Growth Fund Inc. (herein
referred to as the "Fund") is engaged in business as an open-end management
investment company and is registered as such under the Investment Company Act of
1940, as amended (the "Act"); and
 
    WHEREAS, the Investment Manager has entered into an Investment Management
Agreement with the Fund (the "Investment Management Agreement") wherein the
Investment Manager has agreed to provide investment management services to the
Fund; and
 
    WHEREAS, the Sub-Advisor is registered as an investment advisor under the
Investment Advisors Act of 1940, and engages in the business of acting as an
investment advisor; and
 
    WHEREAS, the Investment Manager desires to retain the services of the
Sub-Advisor to render investment advisory services for the Fund in the manner
and on the terms and conditions hereinafter set forth; and
 
    WHEREAS, the Sub-Advisor desires to be retained by the Investment Manager to
perform services on said terms and conditions:
 
    NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants and agreements of
the parties hereto as herein set forth, the parties covenant and agree as
follows:
 
     1. Subject to the supervision of the Fund, its officers and Directors, and
the Investment Manager, and in accordance with the investment objectives,
policies and restrictions set forth in the then-current Registration Statement
relating to the Fund, and such investment objectives, policies and restrictions
from time to time prescribed by the Directors of the Fund and communicated by
the Investment Manager to the Sub-Advisor, the Sub-Advisor agrees to provide the
Fund with investment advisory services with respect to the Fund's investments to
obtain and evaluate such information and advice relating to the economy,
securities markets and securities as it deems necessary or useful to discharge
its duties hereunder; to continuously manage the assets of the Fund in a manner
consistent with the investment objective and policies of the Fund; to make
decisions as to foreign currency matters and make determinations as to forward
foreign exchange contracts and options and futures contracts in foreign
currencies; shall determine the securities to be purchased, sold or otherwise
disposed of by the Fund and the timing of such purchases, sales and
dispositions; to take such further action, including the placing of purchase and
sale orders on behalf of the Fund, as it shall deem necessary or appropriate; to
furnish to or place at the disposal of the Fund and the Investment Manager such
of the information, evaluations, analyses and opinions formulated or obtained by
it in the discharge of its duties as the Fund and the Investment Manager may,
from time to time, reasonably request. The Investment Manager and the
Sub-Advisor shall each make its officers and employees available to the other
from time to time at reasonable times to review investment policies of the Fund
and to consult with each other.
 
     2. The Sub-Advisor shall, at its own expense, maintain such staff and
employ or retain such personnel and consult with such other persons as it shall
from time to time determine to be necessary or useful to the performance of its
obligations under this Agreement. Without limiting the generality of the
foregoing, the staff
 
                                      A-1
<PAGE>
and personnel of the Sub-Advisor shall be deemed to include persons employed or
otherwise retained by the Sub-Advisor to furnish statistical and other factual
data, advice regarding economic factors and trends, information with respect to
technical and scientific developments, and such other information, advice and
assistance as the Investment Manager may desire. The Sub-Advisor shall maintain
whatever records as may be required to be maintained by it under the Act. All
such records so maintained shall be made available to the Fund, upon the request
of the Investment Manager or the Fund.
 
     3. The Fund will, from time to time, furnish or otherwise make available to
the Sub-Advisor such financial reports, proxy statements and other information
relating to the business and affairs of the Fund as the Sub-Advisor may
reasonably require in order to discharge its duties and obligations hereunder or
to comply with any applicable law and regulations and the investment objectives,
policies and restrictions from time to time prescribed by the Trustees of the
Fund.
 
     4. The Sub-Advisor shall bear the cost of rendering the investment advisory
services to be performed by it under this Agreement, and shall, at its own
expense, pay the compensation of the officers and employees, if any, of the
Fund, employed by the Sub-Advisor, and such clerical help and bookkeeping
services as the Sub-Advisor shall reasonably require in performing its duties
hereunder.
 
     5. The Fund assumes and shall pay or cause to be paid all other expenses of
the Fund, including, without limitation: any fees paid to the Investment
Manager; fees pursuant to any plan of distribution that the Fund may adopt; the
charges and expenses of any registrar, any custodian, sub-custodian or
depository appointed by the Fund for the safekeeping of its cash, portfolio
securities and other property, and any stock transfer or dividend agent or
agents appointed by the Fund; brokers' commissions chargeable to the Fund in
connection with portfolio securities transactions to which the Fund is a party;
all taxes, including securities issuance and transfer taxes, and fees payable by
the Fund to federal, state or other governmental agencies or pursuant to any
foreign laws; the cost and expense of engraving or printing certificates
representing shares of the Fund; all costs and expenses in connection with the
registration and maintenance of registration of the Fund and its shares with the
Securities and Exchange Commission and various states and other jurisdictions or
pursuant to any foreign laws (including filing fees and legal fees and
disbursements of counsel); the cost and expense of printing (including
typesetting) and distributing prospectuses of the Fund and supplements thereto
to the Fund's shareholders; all expenses of shareholders' and Directors'
meetings and of preparing, printing and mailing proxy statements and reports to
shareholders; fees and travel expenses of Directors or members of any advisory
board or committee who are not employees of the Investment Manager or
Sub-Advisor; all expenses incident to the payment of any dividend, distribution,
withdrawal or redemption whether in shares or in cash; charges and expenses of
any outside service used for pricing of the Fund's shares; charges and expenses
of legal counsel, including counsel to the Trustees of the Fund who are not
interested persons (as defined in the Act) of the Fund, the Investment Manager
or the Sub-Advisor, and of independent accountants, in connection with any
matter relating to the Fund; membership dues of industry associations; interest
payable on Fund borrowings; postage; insurance premiums on property or personnel
(including officers and Trustees) of the Fund which inure to its benefit;
extraordinary expenses (including but not limited to legal claims and
liabilities and litigation costs and any indemnification related thereto); and
all other charges and costs of the Fund's operation unless otherwise explicitly
provided herein.
 
     6. For the services to be rendered, the facilities furnished, and the
expenses assumed by the Sub-Advisor, the Investment Manager shall pay to the
Sub-Advisor monthly compensation equal to 40% of its monthly compensation
receivable pursuant to the Investment Management Agreement. Any subsequent
change in the Investment Management Agreement which has the effect of raising or
lowering the compensation of the Investment Manager will have the concomitant
effect of raising or lowering the fee payable to the Sub-Advisor under
 
                                      A-2
<PAGE>
this Agreement. In addition, if the Investment Manager has undertaken in the
Fund's Registration Statement as filed under the Act (the "Registration
Statement") or elsewhere to waive all or part of its fee under the Investment
Management Agreement, the Sub-Advisor's fee payable under this Agreement will be
proportionately waived in whole or in part. The calculation of the fee payable
to the Sub-Advisor pursuant to this Agreement will be made, each month, at the
time designated for the monthly calculation of the fee payable to the Investment
Manager pursuant to the Investment Management Agreement. If this Agreement
becomes effective subsequent to the first day of a month or shall terminate
before the last day of a month, compensation for the part of the month this
Agreement is in effect shall be prorated in a manner consistent with the
calculation of the fee as set forth above.
 
     7. In the event the operating expenses of the Fund, including amounts
payable to the Investment Manager pursuant to the Investment Management
Agreement, for any fiscal year ending on a date on which this Agreement is in
effect, exceed the expense limitations applicable to the Fund imposed by state
securities laws or regulations thereunder, as such limitations may be raised or
lowered from time to time, the Sub-Advisor shall reduce its advisory fee to the
extent of 40% of such excess and, if required, pursuant to any such laws or
regulations, will reimburse the Investment Manager for annual operating expenses
in the amount of 40% of such excess of any expense limitation that may be
applicable, it being understood that the Investment Manager has agreed to effect
a reduction and reimbursement of 100% of such excess in accordance with the
terms of the Investment Management Agreement; provided, however, there shall be
excluded from such expenses the amount of any interest, taxes, brokerage
commissions, distribution fees and extraordinary expenses (including but not
limited to legal claims and liabilities and litigation costs and any
indemnification related thereto) paid or payable by the Fund. Such reduction, if
any, shall be computed and accrued daily, shall be settled on a monthly basis,
and shall be based upon the expense limitation applicable to the Fund as at the
end of the last business day of the month. Should two or more such expense
limitations be applicable as at the end of the last business day of the month,
that expense limitation which results in the largest reduction in the Investment
Manager's fee or the largest expense reimbursement shall be applicable.
 
    For purposes of this provision, should any applicable expense limitation be
based upon the gross income of the Fund, such gross income shall include, but
not be limited to, interest on debt securities in the Fund's portfolio accrued
to and including the last day of the Fund's fiscal year, and dividends declared
on equity securities in the Fund's portfolio, the record dates for which fall on
or prior to the last day of such fiscal year, but shall not include gains from
the sale of securities.
 
     8. The Sub-Advisor will use its best efforts in the performance of
investment activities on behalf of the Fund, but in the absence of willful
misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence or reckless disregard of its
obligations hereunder, the Sub-Advisor shall not be liable to the Investment
Manager or the Fund or any of its investors for any error of judgment or mistake
of law or for any act or omission by the Sub-Advisor or for any losses sustained
by the Fund or its investors.
 
     9. It is understood that any of the shareholders, Directors, officers and
employees of the Fund may be a shareholder, director, officer or employee of, or
be otherwise interested in, the Sub-Advisor, and in any person controlled by or
under common control with the Sub-Advisor, and that the Sub-Advisor and any
person controlled by or under common control with the Sub-Advisor may have an
interest in the Fund. It is also understood that the Sub-Advisor and any
affiliated persons thereof or any persons controlled by or under common control
with the
 
                                      A-3
<PAGE>
Sub-Advisor have and may have advisory, management service or other contracts
with other organizations and persons, and may have other interests and
businesses, and further may purchase, sell or trade any securities or
commodities for their own accounts or for the account of others for whom they
may be acting.
 
    10. This Agreement shall remain in effect until April 30, 2000 and from year
to year thereafter provided such continuance is approved at least annually by
the vote of holders of a majority, as defined in the Act, of the outstanding
voting securities of the Fund or by the Directors of the Fund; provided, that in
either event such continuance is also approved annually by the vote of a
majority of the Directors of the Fund who are not parties to this Agreement or
"interested persons" (as defined in the Act) of any such party, which vote must
be cast in person at a meeting called for the purpose of voting on such
approval; provided, however, that (a) the Fund may, at any time and without the
payment of any penalty, terminate this Agreement upon thirty days' written
notice to the Investment Manager and the Sub-Advisor, either by majority vote of
the Directors of the Fund or by the vote of a majority of the outstanding voting
securities of the Fund; (b) this Agreement shall immediately terminate in the
event of its assignment (within the meaning of the Act) unless such automatic
termination shall be prevented by an exemptive order of the Securities and
Exchange Commission; (c) this Agreement shall immediately terminate in the event
of the termination of the Investment Management Agreement; (d) the Investment
Manager may terminate this Agreement without payment of penalty on thirty days'
written notice to the Fund and the Sub-Advisor and; (e) the Sub-Advisor may
terminate this Agreement without the payment of penalty on thirty days' written
notice to the Fund and the Investment Manager. Any notice under this Agreement
shall be given in writing, addressed and delivered, or mailed post-paid, to the
other party at the principal office of such party.
 
    11. This Agreement may be amended by the parties without the vote or consent
of the shareholders of the Fund to supply any omission, to cure, correct or
supplement any ambiguous, defective or inconsistent provision hereof, or if they
deem it necessary to conform this Agreement to the requirements of applicable
federal laws or regulations, but neither the Fund, the Investment Manager nor
the Sub-Advisor shall be liable for failing to do so.
 
    12. This Agreement shall be construed in accordance with the law of the
State of New York and the applicable provisions of the Act. To the extent the
applicable law of the State of New York, or any of the provisions herein,
conflict with the applicable provisions of the Act, the latter shall control.
 
                                      A-4
<PAGE>
    IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed and delivered this
Agreement on the day and year first above written in New York, New York.
 
                                          MORGAN STANLEY DEAN WITTER
                                          ADVISORS INC.
 
                                          By: ..................................
 
                                          Attest: ..............................
 
                                          MORGAN STANLEY
                                          ASSET MANAGEMENT INC.
 
                                          By: ..................................
 
                                          Attest: ..............................
 
Accepted and agreed to as of
the day and year first above written:
 
MORGAN STANLEY DEAN WITTER
EUROPEAN GROWTH FUND INC.
 
By: ..................................
 
Attest: ..............................
 
                                      A-5

<PAGE>
                        MORGAN STANLEY DEAN WITTER FUNDS
                             DISTRIBUTION AGREEMENT
 
    AGREEMENT made as of this 28th day of July, 1997, and amended as of June 22,
1998, between each of the open-end investment companies to which Morgan Stanley
Dean Witter Advisors Inc. acts as investment manager, that are listed on
Schedule A, as may be amended from time to time (each, a "Fund" and
collectively, the "Funds"), and Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Distributors Inc., a
Delaware corporation (the "Distributor").
 
                              W I T N E S S E T H:
 
    WHEREAS, each Fund is registered as an open-end investment company under the
Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the "1940 Act"), and it is in the
interest of each Fund to offer its shares for sale continuously, and
 
    WHEREAS, each Fund and the Distributor wish to enter into an agreement with
each other with respect to the continuous offering of each Fund's transferable
shares, of $0.01 par value (the "Shares"), to commence on the date listed above,
in order to promote the growth of each Fund and facilitate the distribution of
its shares.
 
    NOW, THEREFORE, the parties agree as follows:
 
    SECTION 1.  APPOINTMENT OF THE DISTRIBUTOR.
 
    (a) Each Fund hereby appoints the Distributor as the principal underwriter
and distributor of the Fund to sell Shares to the public on the terms set forth
in this Agreement and that Fund's prospectus and the Distributor hereby accepts
such appointment and agrees to act hereunder. Each Fund, during the term of this
Agreement, shall sell Shares to the Distributor upon the terms and conditions
set forth herein.
 
    (b) The Distributor agrees to purchase Shares, as principal for its own
account, from each Fund and to sell Shares as principal to investors, and
securities dealers, including Dean Witter Reynolds Inc. ("DWR"), an affiliate of
the Distributor, upon the terms described herein and in that Fund's prospectus
(the "Prospectus") and statement of additional information included in the
Fund's registration statement (the "Registration Statement") most recently filed
from time to time with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC") and
effective under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "1933 Act"), and the
1940 Act or as the Prospectus may be otherwise amended or supplemented and filed
with the SEC pursuant to Rule 497 under the 1933 Act.
 
    SECTION 2.  EXCLUSIVE NATURE OF DUTIES.  The Distributor shall be the
exclusive principal underwriter and distributor of each Fund, except that the
exclusive rights granted to the Distributor to sell the Shares shall not apply
to Shares issued by each Fund: (i) in connection with the merger or
consolidation of any other investment company or personal holding company with
the Fund or the acquisition by purchase or otherwise of all (or substantially
all) the assets or the outstanding shares of any such company by the Fund; (ii)
pursuant to reinvestment of dividends or capital gains distributions; or (iii)
pursuant to the reinstatement privilege afforded redeeming shareholders.
 
    SECTION 3.  PURCHASE OF SHARES FROM EACH FUND.  The Shares are offered in
four classes (each, a "Class"), as described in the Prospectus, as amended or
supplemented from time to time.
 
    (a) The Distributor shall have the right to buy from each Fund the Shares of
the particular class needed, but not more than the Shares needed (except for
clerical errors in transmission), to fill unconditional orders for Shares of the
applicable class placed with the Distributor by investors or securities dealers.
The price which the Distributor shall pay for the Shares so purchased from the
Fund shall be the net asset value, determined as set forth in the Prospectus,
used in determining the public offering price on which such orders were based.
 
    (b) The Shares are to be resold by the Distributor at the public offering
price of Shares of the applicable class as set forth in the Prospectus, to
investors or to securities dealers, including DWR, who
 
                                       1
<PAGE>
have entered into selected dealer agreements with the Distributor upon the terms
and conditions set forth in Section 7 hereof ("Selected Dealers").
 
    (c) Each Fund shall have the right to suspend the sale of the Shares at
times when redemption is suspended pursuant to the conditions set forth in
Section 4(f) hereof. Each Fund shall also have the right to suspend the sale of
the Shares if trading on the New York Stock Exchange shall have been suspended,
if a banking moratorium shall have been declared by federal or New York
authorities, or if there shall have been some other extraordinary event which,
in the judgment of a Fund, makes it impracticable to sell its Shares.
 
    (d) Each Fund, or any agent of a Fund designated in writing by the Fund,
shall be promptly advised of all purchase orders for Shares received by the
Distributor. Any order may be rejected by a Fund; provided, however, that a Fund
will not arbitrarily or without reasonable cause refuse to accept orders for the
purchase of Shares. The Distributor will confirm orders upon their receipt, and
each Fund (or its agent) upon receipt of payment therefor and instructions will
deliver share certificates for such Shares or a statement confirming the
issuance of Shares. Payment shall be made to the Fund in New York Clearing House
funds. The Distributor agrees to cause such payment and such instructions to be
delivered promptly to the Fund (or its agent).
 
    (e) With respect to Shares sold by any Selected Dealer, the Distributor is
authorized to direct each Fund's transfer agent to receive instructions directly
from the Selected Dealer on behalf of the Distributor as to registration of
Shares in the names of investors and to confirm issuance of the Shares to such
investors. The Distributor is also authorized to instruct the transfer agent to
receive payment directly from the Selected Dealer on behalf of the Distributor,
for prompt transmittal to each Fund's custodian, of the purchase price of the
Shares. In such event the Distributor shall obtain from the Selected Dealer and
maintain a record of such registration instructions and payments.
 
    SECTION 4.  REPURCHASE OR REDEMPTION OF SHARES.
 
    (a) Any of the outstanding Shares of a Fund may be tendered for redemption
at any time, and each Fund agrees to redeem its Shares so tendered in accordance
with the applicable provisions set forth in its Prospectus. The price to be paid
to redeem the Shares shall be equal to the net asset value determined as set
forth in the Prospectus less any applicable contingent deferred sales charge
("CDSC"). Upon any redemption of Shares the Fund shall pay the total amount of
the redemption price in New York Clearing House funds in accordance with
applicable provisions of the Prospectus.
 
    (b) The redemption by a Fund of any of its Class A Shares purchased by or
through the Distributor will not affect the applicable front-end sales charge
secured by the Distributor or any Selected Dealer in the course of the original
sale, except that if any Class A Shares are tendered for redemption within seven
business days after the date of the confirmation of the original purchase, the
right to the applicable front-end sales charge shall be forfeited by the
Distributor and the Selected Dealer which sold such Shares.
 
    (c) The proceeds of any redemption of Class A, Class B or Class C Shares
shall be paid by each Fund as follows: (i) any applicable CDSC shall be paid to
the Distributor or to the Selected Dealer, or, when applicable, pursuant to the
Rules of the Association of the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc.
("NASD"), retained by the Fund and (ii) the balance shall be paid to the
redeeming shareholders, in each case in accordance with applicable provisions of
its Prospectus in New York Clearing House funds. The Distributor is authorized
to direct a Fund to pay directly to the Selected Dealer any CDSC payable by a
Fund to the Distributor in respect of Class A, Class B, or Class C Shares sold
by the Selected Dealer to the redeeming shareholders.
 
    (d) The Distributor is authorized, as agent for the Fund, to repurchase
Shares, represented by a share certificate which is delivered to any office of
the Distributor in accordance with applicable provisions set forth in each
Fund's Prospectus. The Distributor shall promptly transmit to the transfer agent
of the Fund for redemption all Shares so delivered. The Distributor shall be
responsible for the accuracy of instructions transmitted to the Fund's transfer
agent in connection with all such repurchases.
 
                                       2
<PAGE>
    (e) The Distributor is authorized, as agent for each Fund, to repurchase
Shares held in a shareholder's account with a Fund for which no share
certificate has been issued, upon the telephonic request of the shareholders, or
at the discretion of the Distributor. The Distributor shall promptly transmit to
the transfer agent of the Fund, for redemption, all such orders for repurchase
of Shares. Payment for Shares repurchased may be made by a Fund to the
Distributor for the account of the shareholder. The Distributor shall be
responsible for the accuracy of instructions transmitted to the Fund's transfer
agent in connection with all such repurchases.
 
    (f) Redemption of its Shares or payment by a Fund may be suspended at times
when the New York Stock Exchange is closed, when trading on said Exchange is
restricted, when an emergency exists as a result of which disposal by a Fund of
securities owned by it is not reasonably practicable or it is not reasonably
practicable for a Fund fairly to determine the value of its net assets, or
during any other period when the SEC, by order, so permits.
 
    (g) With respect to its Shares tendered for redemption or repurchase by any
Selected Dealer on behalf of its customers, the Distributor is authorized to
instruct the transfer agent of a Fund to accept orders for redemption or
repurchase directly from the Selected Dealer on behalf of the Distributor and to
instruct the Fund to transmit payments for such redemptions and repurchases
directly to the Selected Dealer on behalf of the Distributor for the account of
the shareholder. The Distributor shall obtain from the Selected Dealer, and
shall maintain, a record of such orders. The Distributor is further authorized
to obtain from the Fund, and shall maintain, a record of payment made directly
to the Selected Dealer on behalf of the Distributor.
 
    SECTION 5.  DUTIES OF THE FUND.
 
    (a) Each Fund shall furnish to the Distributor copies of all information,
financial statements and other papers which the Distributor may reasonably
request for use in connection with the distribution of its Shares, including one
certified copy, upon request by the Distributor, of all financial statements
prepared by the Fund and examined by independent accountants. Each Fund shall,
at the expense of the Distributor, make available to the Distributor such number
of copies of its Prospectus as the Distributor shall reasonably request.
 
    (b) Each Fund shall take, from time to time, but subject to the necessary
approval of its shareholders, all necessary action to fix the number of its
authorized Shares and to register Shares under the 1933 Act, to the end that
there will be available for sale such number of Shares as investors may
reasonably be expected to purchase.
 
    (c) Each Fund shall use its best efforts to pay the filing fees for an
appropriate number of its Shares to be sold under the securities laws of such
states as the Distributor and the Fund may approve. Any qualification to sell
its Shares in a state may be withheld, terminated or withdrawn by a Fund at any
time in its discretion. As provided in Section 8(c) hereof, such filing fees
shall be paid by the Fund. The Distributor shall furnish any information and
other material relating to its affairs and activities as may be required by a
Fund in connection with the sale of its Shares in any state.
 
    (d) Each Fund shall, at the expense of the Distributor, furnish, in
reasonable quantities upon request by the Distributor, copies of its annual and
interim reports.
 
    SECTION 6.  DUTIES OF THE DISTRIBUTOR.
 
    (a) The Distributor shall sell shares of each Fund through DWR and may sell
shares through other securities dealers and its own Financial Advisors, and
shall devote reasonable time and effort to promote sales of the Shares, but
shall not be obligated to sell any specific number of Shares. The services of
the Distributor hereunder are not exclusive and it is understood that the
Distributor may act as principal underwriter for other registered investment
companies, so long as the performance of its obligations hereunder is not
impaired thereby. It is also understood that Selected Dealers, including DWR,
may also sell shares for other registered investment companies.
 
                                       3
<PAGE>
    (b) Neither the Distributor nor any Selected Dealer shall give any
information or make any representations, other than those contained in the
Registration Statement or related Prospectus and any sales literature
specifically approved by the appropriate Fund.
 
    (c) The Distributor agrees that it will at all times comply with the
applicable terms and limitations of the Rules of the Association of the NASD.
 
    SECTION 7.  SELECTED DEALERS AGREEMENTS.
 
    (a) The Distributor shall have the right to enter into selected dealer
agreements with Selected Dealers for the sale of Shares. In making agreements
with Selected Dealers, the Distributor shall act only as principal and not as
agent for a Fund. Shares sold to Selected Dealers shall be for resale by such
dealers only at the public offering price set forth in the Prospectus. With
respect to Class A Shares, in such agreement the Distributor shall have the
right to fix the portion of the applicable front-end sales charge which may be
allocated to the Selected Dealers.
 
    (b) Within the United States, the Distributor shall offer and sell Shares
only to Selected Dealers that are members in good standing of the NASD.
 
    (c) The Distributor shall adopt and follow procedures, as approved by each
Fund, for the confirmation of sales of its Shares to investors and Selected
Dealers, the collection of amounts payable by investors and Selected Dealers on
such sales, and the cancellation of unsettled transactions, as may be necessary
to comply with the requirements of the NASD, as such requirements may from time
to time exist.
 
    SECTION 8.  PAYMENT OF EXPENSES.
 
    (a) Each Fund shall bear all costs and expenses of the Fund, including fees
and disbursements of legal counsel including counsel to the Directors/Trustees
of each Fund who are not interested persons (as defined in the 1940 Act) of the
Fund or the Distributor, and independent accountants, in connection with the
preparation and filing of any required Registration Statements and Prospectuses
and all amendments and supplements thereto, and the expense of preparing,
printing, mailing and otherwise distributing prospectuses and statements of
additional information, annual or interim reports or proxy materials to
shareholders.
 
    (b) The Distributor shall bear all expenses incurred by it in connection
with its duties and activities under this Agreement including the payment to
Selected Dealers of any sales commissions, service fees and other expenses for
sales of a Fund's Shares (except such expenses as are specifically undertaken
herein by a Fund) incurred or paid by Selected Dealers, including DWR. The
Distributor shall bear the costs and expenses of preparing, printing and
distributing any supplementary sales literature used by the Distributor or
furnished by it for use by Selected Dealers in connection with the offering of
the Shares for sale. Any expenses of advertising incurred in connection with
such offering will also be the obligation of the Distributor. It is understood
and agreed that, so long as a Fund's Plan of Distribution pursuant to Rule 12b-1
under the 1940 Act ("Rule 12b-1 Plan") continues in effect, any expenses
incurred by the Distributor hereunder may be paid in accordance with the terms
of such Rule 12b-1 Plan.
 
    (c) Each Fund shall pay the filing fees, and, if necessary or advisable in
connection therewith, bear the cost and expense of qualifying each Fund as a
broker or dealer, in such states of the United States or other jurisdictions as
shall be selected by the Fund and the Distributor pursuant to Section 5(c)
hereof and the cost and expenses payable to each such state for continuing to
offer Shares therein until the Fund decides to discontinue selling Shares
pursuant to Section 5(c) hereof.
 
    SECTION 9.  INDEMNIFICATION.
 
    (a) Each Fund shall indemnify and hold harmless the Distributor and each
person, if any, who controls the Distributor against any loss, liability, claim,
damage or expense (including the reasonable cost of investigating or defending
any alleged loss, liability, claim, damage or expense and reasonable counsel
fees incurred in connection therewith) arising by reason of any person acquiring
any Shares, which may be based upon the 1933 Act, or on any other statute or at
common law, on the ground that the Registration Statement or related Prospectus
and Statement of Additional Information, as from time to time amended
 
                                       4
<PAGE>
and supplemented, or the annual or interim reports to shareholders of a Fund,
includes an untrue statement of a material fact or omits to state a material
fact required to be stated therein or necessary in order to make the statements
therein not misleading, unless such statement or omission was made in reliance
upon, and in conformity with, information furnished to the Fund in connection
therewith by or on behalf of the Distributor; provided, however, that in no case
(i) is the indemnity of a Fund in favor of the Distributor and any such
controlling persons to be deemed to protect the Distributor or any such
controlling persons thereof against any liability to a Fund or its security
holders to which the Distributor or any such controlling persons would otherwise
be subject by reason of willful misfeasance, bad faith or gross negligence in
the performance of its duties or by reason of reckless disregard of its
obligations and duties under this Agreement; or (ii) is a Fund to be liable
under its indemnity agreement contained in this paragraph with respect to any
claim made against the Distributor or any such controlling persons, unless the
Distributor or any such controlling persons, as the case may be, shall have
notified the Fund in writing within a reasonable time after the summons or other
first legal process giving information of the nature of the claim shall have
been served upon the Distributor or uch controlling persons (or after the
Distributor or such controlling persons shall have received notice of such
service on any designated agent), but failure to notify the Fund of any such
claim shall not relieve it from any liability which it may have to the person
against whom such action is brought otherwise than on account of its indemnity
agreement contained in this paragraph. Each Fund will be entitled to participate
at its own expense in the defense, or, if it so elects, to assume the defense,
of any such suit brought to enforce any such liability, but if a Fund elects to
assume the defense, such defense shall be conducted by counsel chosen by it and
satisfactory to the Distributor or such controlling person or persons, defendant
or defendants in the suit. In the event the Fund elects to assume the defense of
any such suit and retain such counsel, the Distributor or such controlling
person or persons, defendant or defendants in the suit, shall bear the fees and
expenses of any additional counsel retained by them, but, in case the Fund does
not elect to assume the defense of any such suit, it will reimburse the
Distributor or such controlling person or persons, defendant or defendants in
the suit, for the reasonable fees and expenses of any counsel retained by them.
Each Fund shall promptly notify the Distributor of the commencement of any
litigation or proceedings against it or any of its officers or
Directors/Trustees in connection with the issuance or sale of the Shares.
 
    (b) (i) The Distributor shall indemnify and hold harmless each Fund and each
of its Directors/ Trustees and officers and each person, if any, who controls
the Fund against any loss, liability, claim, damage, or expense described in the
indemnity contained in subsection (a) of this Section, but only with respect to
statements or omissions made in reliance upon, and in conformity with,
information furnished to a Fund in writing by or on behalf of the Distributor
for use in connection with the Registration Statement or related Prospectus and
Statement of Additional Information, as from time to time amended, or the annual
or interim reports to shareholders.
 
        (ii) The Distributor shall indemnify and hold harmless each Fund and
each Fund's transfer agent, individually and in its capacity as the Fund's
transfer agent, from and against any claims, damages and liabilities which arise
as a result of actions taken pursuant to instructions from, or on behalf of, the
Distributor to: (1) redeem all or a part of shareholder accounts in the Fund
pursuant to Section 4(g) hereof and pay the proceeds to, or as directed by, the
Distributor for the account of each shareholder whose Shares are so redeemed;
and (2) register Shares in the names of investors, confirm the issuance thereof
and receive payment therefor pursuant to Section 3(e) hereof.
 
        (iii) In case any action shall be brought against a Fund or any person
so indemnified by this Section 9(b) in respect of which indemnity may be sought
against the Distributor, the Distributor shall have the rights and duties given
to a Fund, and the Fund and each person so indemnified shall have the rights and
duties given to the Distributor, by the provisions of subsection (a) of this
Section 9.
 
    (c) If the indemnification provided for in this Section 9 is unavailable or
insufficient to hold harmless an indemnified party under subsection (a) or (b)
above in respect of any losses, claims, damages, liabilities or expenses (or
actions in respect thereof) referred to herein, then each indemnifiying party
shall contribute to the amount paid or payable by such indemnified party as a
result of such losses, claims, damages, liabilities or expenses (or actions in
respect thereof) in such proportion as is appropriate to reflect the relative
benefits received by a Fund on the one hand and the Distributor on the other
from the
 
                                       5
<PAGE>
offering of the Shares. If, however, the allocation provided by the immediately
preceding sentence is not permitted by applicable law, then each indemnifying
party shall contribute to such amount paid or payable by such indemnified party
in such proportion as is appropriate to reflect not only such relative benefits
but also the relative fault of a Fund on the one hand and the Distributor on the
other in connection with the statements or omissions which resulted in such
losses, claims, damages, liabilities or expenses (or actions in respect
thereof), as well as any other relevant equitable considerations. The relative
benefits received by a Fund on the one hand and the Distributor on the other
shall be deemed to be in the same proportion as the total net proceeds from the
offering (before deducting expenses) received by the Fund bear to the total
compensation received by the Distributor, in each case as set forth in the
Prospectus. The relative fault shall be determined by reference to, among other
things, whether the untrue or alleged untrue statement of a material fact or the
omission or alleged omission to state a material fact relates to information
supplied by a Fund or the Distributor and the parties' relative intent,
knowledge, access to information and opportunity to correct or prevent such
statement or omission. Each Fund and the Distributor agree that it would not be
just and equitable ifcontribution were determined by pro rata allocation or by
any other method of allocation which does not take into account the equitable
considerations referred to above. The amount paid or payable by an indemnified
party as a result of the losses, claims, damages, liabilities or expenses (or
actions in respect thereof) referred to above shall be deemed to include any
legal or other expenses reasonably incurred by such indemnified party in
connection with investigating or defending any such claim. Notwithstanding the
provisions of this subsection (c), the Distributor shall not be required to
contribute any amount in excess of the amount by which the total price at which
the Shares distributed by it to the public were offered to the public exceeds
the amount of any damages which it has otherwise been required to pay by reason
of such untrue or alleged untrue statement or omission or alleged omission. No
person guilty of fraudulent misrepresentation (within the meaning of Section
11(f) of the 1933 Act) shall be entitled to contribution from any person who was
not guilty of such fraudulent misrepresentation.
 
    SECTION 10.  DURATION AND TERMINATION OF THIS AGREEMENT.  This Agreement
shall remain in force until April 30, 1999, and thereafter, but only so long as
such continuance is specifically approved at least annually by (i) the Board of
Directors/Trustees of each Fund, or by the vote of a majority of the outstanding
voting securities of the Fund, cast in person or by proxy, and (ii) a majority
of those Directors/ Trustees who are not parties to this Agreement or interested
persons of any such party and who have no direct or indirect financial interest
in this Agreement or in the operation of the Fund's Rule 12b-1 Plan or in any
agreement related thereto, cast in person at a meeting called for the purpose of
voting upon such approval.
 
    This Agreement may be terminated at any time without the payment of any
penalty, by the Directors/ Trustees of a Fund, by a majority of the
Directors/Trustees of a Fund who are not interested persons of the Fund and who
have no direct or indirect financial interest in this Agreement, or by vote of a
majority of the outstanding voting securities of a Fund, or by the Distributor,
on sixty days' written notice to the other party. This Agreement shall
automatically terminate in the event of its assignment.
 
    The terms "vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities,"
"assignment" and "interested person," when used in this Agreement, shall have
the respective meanings specified in the 1940 Act.
 
    SECTION 11.  AMENDMENTS OF THIS AGREEMENT.  This Agreement may be amended by
the parties only if such amendment is specifically approved by (i) the
Directors/Trustees of a Fund, or by the vote of a majority of outstanding voting
securities of a Fund, and (ii) a majority of those Directors/Trustees of a Fund
who are not parties to this Agreement or interested persons of any such party
and who have no direct or indirect financial interest in this Agreement or in
any Agreement related to the Fund's Rule 12b-1 Plan, cast in person at a meeting
called for the purpose of voting on such approval.
 
    SECTION 12.  ADDITIONAL FUNDS.  If at any time another Fund desires to
appoint the Distributor as its principal underwriter and distributor under this
Agreement, it shall notify the Distributor in writing. If the Distributor is
willing to serve as the Fund's principal underwriter and distributor under this
Agreement, it shall notify the Fund in writing, whereupon such other Fund shall
become a Fund hereunder.
 
    SECTION 13.  GOVERNING LAW.  This Agreement shall be construed in accordance
with the law of the State of New York and the applicable provisions of the 1940
Act. To the extent the applicable law of the
 
                                       6
<PAGE>
State of New York, or any of the provisions herein, conflicts with the
applicable provisions of the 1940 Act, the latter shall control.
 
    SECTION 14.  PERSONAL LIABILITY.  With respect to any Fund that is organized
as an unincorporated business trust under the laws of the Commonwealth of
Massachusetts, its Declaration of the Trust (each, a "Declaration") is on file
in the office of the Secretary of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Each
Declaration provides that the name of the Fund refers to the Trustees under the
Declaration collectively as Trustees, but not as individuals or personally; and
no Trustee, shareholder, officer, employee or agent of any Fund shall be held to
any personal liability, nor shall resort be had to their private property for
the satisfaction of any obligation or claim or otherwise, in connection with the
affairs of any Fund, but the Trust Estate only shall be liable.
 
    IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed and delivered this
Agreement, as amended, on June 22, 1998 in New York, New York.
 
                                          ON BEHALF OF THE FUNDS SET FORTH ON
                                          SCHEDULE A, ATTACHED HERETO
 
                                          By: ..................................
 
                                          MORGAN STANLEY DEAN WITTER
                                          DISTRIBUTORS INC.
 
                                          By: ..................................
 
                                       7
<PAGE>
                        MORGAN STANLEY DEAN WITTER FUNDS
                             DISTRIBUTION AGREEMENT
                                   SCHEDULE A
                                AT JULY 22, 1998
 
<TABLE>
<S>        <C>
1)         Morgan Stanley Dean Witter American Value Fund
2)         Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Balanced Growth Fund
3)         Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Balanced Income Fund
4)         Morgan Stanley Dean Witter California Tax-Free Income Fund
5)         Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Capital Appreciation Fund
6)         Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Capital Growth Securities
7)         Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Competitive Edge Fund
8)         Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Convertible Securities Trust
9)         Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Developing Growth Securities Trust
10)        Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Diversified Income Trust
11)        Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Dividend Growth Securities Inc.
12)        Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Equity Fund
13)        Morgan Stanley Dean Witter European Growth Fund Inc.
14)        Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Federal Securities Trust
15)        Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Financial Services Trust
16)        Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Fund of Funds
17)        Dean Witter Global Asset Allocation Fund
18)        Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Global Dividend Growth Securities
19)        Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Global Utilities Fund
20)        Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Growth Fund
21)        Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Health Sciences Trust
22)        Morgan Stanley Dean Witter High Yield Securities Inc.
23)        Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Income Builder Fund
24)        Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Information Fund
25)        Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Intermediate Income Securities
26)        Morgan Stanley Dean Witter International SmallCap Fund
27)        Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Japan Fund
28)        Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Market Leader Trust
29)        Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Mid-Cap Dividend Growth Securities
30)        Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Mid-Cap Growth Fund
31)        Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Natural Resource Development Securities Inc.
32)        Morgan Stanley Dean Witter New York Tax-Free Income Fund
33)        Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Pacific Growth Fund Inc.
34)        Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Precious Metals and Minerals Trust
35)        Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Research Fund
36)        Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Special Value Fund
37)        Morgan Stanley Dean Witter S&P 500 Index Fund
38)        Morgan Stanley Dean Witter S&P 500 Select Fund
39)        Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Strategist Fund
40)        Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Tax-Exempt Securities Trust
41)        Morgan Stanley Dean Witter U.S. Government Securities Trust
42)        Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Utilities Fund
43)        Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Value-Added Market Series
44)        Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Value Fund
45)        Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Worldwide High Income Fund
46)        Morgan Stanley Dean Witter World Wide Income Trust
</TABLE>
 
                                       8

<PAGE>

                                                                    EXHIBIT 8


                                AMENDED AND RESTATED
                       TRANSFER AGENCY AND SERVICE AGREEMENT

                                        with

                        MORGAN STANLEY DEAN WITTER TRUST FSB












                                                                [open-end funds]


<PAGE>

                                 TABLE OF CONTENTS

<TABLE>
                                                                            Page
                                                                            ----
<S>                                                                         <C>
Article 1  Terms of Appointment. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .    1

Article 2  Fees and Expenses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .    5

Article 3  Representations and Warranties of MSDW TRUST. . . . . . . . . .    6

Article 4  Representations and Warranties of the Fund. . . . . . . . . . .    7

Article 5  Duty of Care and Indemnification. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .    7

Article 6  Documents and Covenants of the Fund and MSDW TRUST. . . . . . .   10

Article 7  Duration and Termination of Agreement . . . . . . . . . . . . .   13

Article 8  Assignment. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   14

Article 9  Affiliations. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   14

Article 10 Amendment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   15

Article 11 Applicable Law. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   15

Article 12 Miscellaneous . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   15

Article 13 Merger of Agreement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   17

Article 14 Personal Liability. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   17
</TABLE>


                                         -i-
<PAGE>


             AMENDED AND RESTATED TRANSFER AGENCY AND SERVICE AGREEMENT


          AMENDED AND RESTATED AGREEMENT made as of the 22nd day of June, 1998
by and between each of the Funds listed on the signature pages hereof, each of
such Funds acting severally on its own behalf and not jointly with any of such
other Funds (each such Fund hereinafter referred to as the "Fund"), each such
Fund having its principal office and place of business at Two World Trade
Center, New York, New York, 10048, and MORGAN STANLEY DEAN WITTER TRUST FSB
("MSDW TRUST"), a federally chartered savings bank, having its principal office
and place of business at Harborside Financial Center, Plaza Two, Jersey City,
New Jersey 07311.


          WHEREAS, the Fund desires to appoint MSDW TRUST as its transfer agent,
dividend disbursing agent and shareholder servicing agent and MSDW TRUST desires
to accept such appointment;


          NOW THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants herein
contained, the parties hereto agree as follows:


Article 1      TERMS OF APPOINTMENT; DUTIES OF MSDW TRUST


               1.1  Subject to the terms and conditions set forth in this
Agreement, the Fund hereby employs and appoints MSDW TRUST to act as, and MSDW
TRUST agrees to act as, the transfer agent for each series and class of shares
of the Fund, whether now or hereafter authorized or issued ("Shares"), dividend
disbursing agent and shareholder servicing agent in


                                         -1-
<PAGE>

connection with any accumulation, open-account or similar plans provided to the
holders of such Shares ("Shareholders") and set out in the currently effective
prospectus and statement of additional information ("prospectus") of the Fund,
including without limitation any periodic investment plan or periodic withdrawal
program.


               1.2  MSDW TRUST agrees that it will perform the following
services:


               (a)  In accordance with procedures established from time to time
by agreement between the Fund and MSDW TRUST, MSDW TRUST shall:


               (i)  Receive for acceptance, orders for the purchase of Shares,
and promptly deliver payment and appropriate documentation therefor to the
custodian of the assets of the Fund (the "Custodian");


               (ii) Pursuant to purchase orders, issue the appropriate number of
Shares and issue certificates therefor or hold such Shares in book form in the
appropriate Shareholder account;


              (iii) Receive for acceptance redemption requests and redemption
directions and deliver the appropriate documentation therefor to the Custodian;


               (iv) At the appropriate time as and when it receives monies paid
to it by the Custodian with respect to any redemption, pay over or cause to be
paid over in the appropriate manner such monies as instructed by the redeeming
Shareholders;


                                         -2-
<PAGE>

               (v)  Effect transfers of Shares by the registered owners thereof
upon receipt of appropriate instructions;


               (vi) Prepare and transmit payments for dividends and
distributions declared by the Fund;


              (vii) Calculate any sales charges payable by a Shareholder on
purchases and/or redemptions of Shares of the Fund as such charges may be
reflected in the prospectus;


             (viii) Maintain records of account for and advise the Fund and its
Shareholders as to the foregoing; and


               (ix) Record the issuance of Shares of the Fund and maintain
pursuant to Rule 17Ad-10(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 ("1934
Act") a record of the total number of Shares of the Fund which are authorized,
based upon data provided to it by the Fund, and issued and outstanding.  MSDW
TRUST shall also provide to the Fund on a regular basis the total number of
Shares that are authorized, issued and outstanding and shall notify the Fund in
case any proposed issue of Shares by the Fund would result in an overissue.  In
case any issue of Shares would result in an overissue, MSDW TRUST shall refuse
to issue such Shares and shall not countersign and issue any certificates
requested for such Shares.  When recording the issuance of Shares, MSDW TRUST
shall have no obligation to take cognizance of any Blue Sky laws relating to the
issue of sale of such Shares, which functions shall be the sole responsibility
of the Fund.


               (b)   In addition to and not in lieu of the services set forth in
the above paragraph (a), MSDW TRUST shall:


                                         -3-
<PAGE>

               (i)  perform all of the customary services of a transfer agent,
dividend disbursing agent and, as relevant, shareholder servicing agent in
connection with dividend reinvestment, accumulation, open-account or similar
plans (including without limitation any periodic investment plan or periodic
withdrawal program), including but not limited to, maintaining all Shareholder
accounts, preparing Shareholder meeting lists, mailing proxies, receiving and
tabulating proxies, mailing shareholder reports and prospectuses to current
Shareholders, withholding taxes on U.S. resident and non-resident alien
accounts, preparing and filing appropriate forms required with respect to
dividends and distributions by federal tax authorities for all Shareholders,
preparing and mailing confirmation forms and statements of account to
Shareholders for all purchases and redemptions of Shares and other confirmable
transactions in Shareholder accounts, preparing and mailing activity statements
for Shareholders and providing Shareholder account information;


               (ii) open any and all bank accounts which may be necessary or
appropriate in order to provide the foregoing services; and


              (iii) provide a system that will enable the Fund to monitor the
total number of Shares sold in each State or other jurisdiction.


               (c)  In addition, the Fund shall:


               (i)  identify to MSDW TRUST in writing those transactions and
assets to be treated as exempt from Blue Sky reporting for each State; and


                                         -4-
<PAGE>

               (ii) verify the inclusion on the system prior to activation of
each State in which Fund shares may be sold and thereafter monitor the daily
purchases and sales for shareholders in each State.  The responsibility of MSDW
TRUST for the Fund's status under the securities laws of any State or other
jurisdiction is limited to the inclusion on the system of each State as to which
the Fund has informed MSDW TRUST that shares may be sold in compliance with
state securities laws and the reporting of purchases and sales in each such
State to the Fund as provided above and as agreed from time to time by the Fund
and MSDW TRUST.


               (d)  MSDW TRUST shall provide such additional services and
functions not specifically described herein as may be mutually agreed between
MSDW TRUST and the Fund.  Procedures applicable to such services may be
established from time to time by agreement between the Fund and MSDW TRUST.


Article 2      FEES AND EXPENSES

               2.1  For performance by MSDW TRUST pursuant to this Agreement,
each Fund agrees to pay MSDW TRUST an annual maintenance fee for each
Shareholder account and certain transactional fees, if applicable, as set out in
the respective fee schedule attached hereto as Schedule A.  Such fees and
out-of-pocket expenses and advances identified under Section 2.2 below may be
changed from time to time subject to mutual written agreement between the Fund
and MSDW TRUST.


               2.2  In addition to the fees paid under Section 2.1 above, the
Fund agrees to reimburse MSDW TRUST for out of pocket expenses in connection
with the services rendered


                                         -5-
<PAGE>

by MSDW TRUST hereunder.  In addition, any other expenses incurred by MSDW TRUST
at the request or with the consent of the Fund will be reimbursed by the Fund.


               2.3  The Fund agrees to pay all fees and reimbursable expenses
within a reasonable period of time following the mailing of the respective
billing notice.  Postage for mailing of dividends, proxies, Fund reports and
other mailings to all Shareholder accounts shall be advanced to MSDW TRUST by
the Fund upon request prior to the mailing date of such materials.


Article 3      REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF MSDW TRUST

               MSDW TRUST represents and warrants to the Fund that:

               3.1  It is a federally chartered savings bank whose principal
office is in New Jersey.


               3.2  It is and will remain registered with the U.S. Securities
and Exchange Commission ("SEC") as a Transfer Agent pursuant to the requirements
of Section 17A of the 1934 Act.


               3.3  It is empowered under applicable laws and by its charter and
By-Laws to enter into and perform this Agreement.


               3.4  All requisite corporate proceedings have been taken to
authorize it to enter into and perform this Agreement.


               3.5  It has and will continue to have access to the necessary
facilities, equipment and personnel to perform its duties and obligations under
this Agreement.


                                         -6-
<PAGE>

Article 4      REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF THE FUND

               The Fund represents and warrants to MSDW TRUST that:


               4.1  It is a corporation duly organized and existing and in good
standing under the laws of Delaware or Maryland or a trust duly organized and
existing and in good standing under the laws of Massachusetts, as the case may
be.


               4.2  It is empowered under applicable laws and by its Articles of
Incorporation or Declaration of Trust, as the case may be, and under its By-Laws
to enter into and perform this Agreement.


               4.3  All corporate proceedings necessary to authorize it to enter
into and perform this Agreement have been taken.


               4.4  It is an investment company registered with the SEC under
the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the "1940 Act").


               4.5  A registration statement under the Securities Act of 1933
(the "1933 Act") is currently effective and will remain effective, and
appropriate state securities law filings have been made and will continue to be
made, with respect to all Shares of the Fund being offered for sale.


Article 5      DUTY OF CARE AND INDEMNIFICATION

               5.1  MSDW TRUST shall not be responsible for, and the Fund shall
indemnify and hold MSDW TRUST harmless from and against, any and all losses,
damages, costs,


                                         -7-
<PAGE>

charges, counsel fees, payments, expenses and liability arising out of or
attributable to:


               (a)  All actions of MSDW TRUST or its agents or subcontractors
required to be taken pursuant to this Agreement, provided that such actions are
taken in good faith and without negligence or willful misconduct.


               (b)  The Fund's refusal or failure to comply with the terms of
this Agreement, or which arise out of the Fund's lack of good faith, negligence
or willful misconduct or which arise out of breach of any representation or
warranty of the Fund hereunder.


               (c)  The reliance on or use by MSDW TRUST or its agents or
subcontractors of information, records and documents which (i) are received by
MSDW TRUST or its agents or subcontractors and furnished to it by or on behalf
of the Fund, and (ii) have been prepared and/or maintained by the Fund or any
other person or firm on behalf of the Fund.


               (d)  The reliance on, or the carrying out by MSDW TRUST or its
agents or subcontractors of, any instructions or requests of the Fund.


               (e)  The offer or sale of Shares in violation of any requirement
under the federal securities laws or regulations or the securities or Blue Sky
laws of any State or other jurisdiction that notice of offering of such Shares
in such State or other jurisdiction or in violation of any stop order or other
determination or ruling by any federal agency or any State or other jurisdiction
with respect to the offer or sale of such Shares in such State or other
jurisdiction.


                                         -8-
<PAGE>

               5.2  MSDW TRUST shall indemnify and hold the Fund harmless from
or against any and all losses, damages, costs, charges, counsel fees, payments,
expenses and liability arising out of or attributable to any action or failure
or omission to act by MSDW TRUST as a result of the lack of good faith,
negligence or willful misconduct of MSDW TRUST, its officers, employees or
agents.


               5.3  At any time, MSDW TRUST may apply to any officer of the Fund
for instructions, and may consult with legal counsel to the Fund, with respect
to any matter arising in connection with the services to be performed by MSDW
TRUST under this Agreement, and MSDW TRUST and its agents or subcontractors
shall not be liable and shall be indemnified by the Fund for any action taken or
omitted by it in reliance upon such instructions or upon the opinion of such
counsel.  MSDW TRUST, its agents and subcontractors shall be protected and
indemnified in acting upon any paper or document furnished by or on behalf of
the Fund, reasonably believed to be genuine and to have been signed by the
proper person or persons, or upon any instruction, information, data, records or
documents provided to MSDW TRUST or its agents or subcontractors by machine
readable input, telex, CRT data entry or other similar means authorized by the
Fund, and shall not be held to have notice of any change of authority of any
person, until receipt of written notice thereof from the Fund.  MSDW TRUST, its
agents and subcontractors shall also be protected and indemnified in recognizing
stock certificates which are reasonably believed to bear the proper manual or
facsimile signature of the officers of the Fund, and the proper countersignature
of any former transfer agent or registrar, or of a co-transfer agent or
co-registrar.



                                         -9-
<PAGE>

               5.4  In the event either party is unable to perform its
obligations under the terms of this Agreement because of acts of God, strikes,
equipment or transmission failure or damage reasonably beyond its control, or
other causes reasonably beyond its control, such party shall not be liable for
damages to the other for any damages resulting from such failure to perform or
otherwise from such causes.


               5.5  Neither party to this Agreement shall be liable to the other
party for consequential damages under any provision of this Agreement or for any
act or failure to act hereunder.


               5.6  In order that the indemnification provisions contained in
this Article 5 shall apply, upon the assertion of a claim for which either party
may be required to indemnify the other, the party seeking indemnification shall
promptly notify the other party of such assertion, and shall keep the other
party advised with respect to all developments concerning such claim.  The party
who may be required to indemnify shall have the option to participate with the
party seeking indemnification in the defense of such claim.  The party seeking
indemnification shall in no case confess any claim or make any compromise in any
case in which the other party may be required to indemnify it except with the
other party's prior written consent.


Article 6      DOCUMENTS AND COVENANTS OF THE FUND AND MSDW TRUST

               6.1  The Fund shall promptly furnish to MSDW TRUST the following,
unless previously furnished to Dean Witter Trust Company, the prior transfer
agent of the Fund:


                                         -10-
<PAGE>

               (a)  If a corporation:

               (i)  A certified copy of the resolution of the Board of Directors
of the Fund authorizing the appointment of MSDW TRUST and the execution and
delivery of this Agreement;


               (ii) A certified copy of the Articles of Incorporation and
By-Laws of the Fund and all amendments thereto;


              (iii) Certified copies of each vote of the Board of Directors
designating persons authorized to give instructions on behalf of the Fund and
signature cards bearing the signature of any officer of the Fund or any other
person authorized to sign written instructions on behalf of the Fund;


               (iv) A specimen of the certificate for Shares of the Fund in the
form approved by the Board of Directors, with a certificate of the Secretary of
the Fund as to such approval;


               (b)  If a business trust:


               (i)  A certified copy of the resolution of the Board of Trustees
of the Fund authorizing the appointment of MSDW TRUST and the execution and
delivery of this Agreement;


               (ii) A certified copy of the Declaration of Trust and By-Laws of
the Fund and all amendments thereto;


                                         -11-
<PAGE>

              (iii) Certified copies of each vote of the Board of Trustees
designating persons authorized to give instructions on behalf of the Fund and
signature cards bearing the signature of any officer of the Fund or any other
person authorized to sign written instructions on behalf of the Fund;


               (iv) A specimen of the certificate for Shares of the Fund in the
form approved by the Board of Trustees, with a certificate of the Secretary of
the Fund as to such approval;


               (c)  The current registration statements and any amendments and
supplements thereto filed with the SEC pursuant to the requirements of the 1933
Act or the 1940 Act;

               (d)  All account application forms or other documents relating to
Shareholder accounts and/or relating to any plan, program or service offered or
to be offered by the Fund; and


               (e)  Such other certificates, documents or opinions as MSDW TRUST
deems to be appropriate or necessary for the proper performance of its duties.


               6.2  MSDW TRUST hereby agrees to establish and maintain
facilities and procedures reasonably acceptable to the Fund for safekeeping of
Share certificates, check forms and facsimile signature imprinting devices, if
any; and for the preparation or use, and for keeping account of, such
certificates, forms and devices.


                                         -12-
<PAGE>

               6.3  MSDW TRUST shall prepare and keep records relating to the
services to be performed hereunder, in the form and manner as it may deem
advisable and as required by applicable laws and regulations.  To the extent
required by Section 31 of the 1940 Act, and the rules and regulations
thereunder, MSDW TRUST agrees that all such records prepared or maintained by
MSDW TRUST relating to the services performed by MSDW TRUST hereunder are the
property of the Fund and will be preserved, maintained and made available in
accordance with such Section 31 of the 1940 Act, and the rules and regulations
thereunder, and will be surrendered promptly to the Fund on and in accordance
with its request.


               6.4  MSDW TRUST and the Fund agree that all books, records,
information and data pertaining to the business of the other party which are
exchanged or received pursuant to the negotiation or the carrying out of this
Agreement shall remain confidential and shall not be voluntarily disclosed to
any other person except as may be required by law or with the prior consent of
MSDW TRUST and the Fund.


               6.5  In case of any request or demands for the inspection of the
Shareholder records of the Fund, MSDW TRUST will endeavor to notify the Fund and
to secure instructions from an authorized officer of the Fund as to such
inspection.  MSDW TRUST reserves the right, however, to exhibit the Shareholder
records to any person whenever it is advised by its counsel that it may be held
liable for the failure to exhibit the Shareholder records to such person.


Article 7      DURATION AND TERMINATION OF AGREEMENT

               7.1  This Agreement shall remain in full force and effect until
August 1,


                                         -13-
<PAGE>

2000 and from year-to-year thereafter unless terminated by either party as
provided in Section 7.2 hereof.


               7.2  This Agreement may be terminated by the Fund on 60 days
written notice, and by MSDW TRUST on 90 days written notice, to the other party
without payment of any penalty.


               7.3  Should the Fund exercise its right to terminate, all
out-of-pocket expenses associated with the movement of records and other
materials will be borne by the Fund.  Additionally, MSDW TRUST reserves the
right to charge for any other reasonable fees and expenses associated with such
termination.


Article 8      ASSIGNMENT

               8.1  Except as provided in Section 8.3 below, neither this
Agreement nor any rights or obligations hereunder may be assigned by either
party without the written consent of the other party.


               8.2  This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and be binding
upon the parties and their respective permitted successors and assigns.


               8.3  MSDW TRUST may, in its sole discretion and without further
consent by the Fund, subcontract, in whole or in part, for the performance of
its obligations and duties hereunder with any person or entity including but not
limited to companies which are affiliated with MSDW TRUST; PROVIDED, HOWEVER,
that such person or entity has and maintains the qualifications, if any,
required to perform such obligations and duties, and that MSDW TRUST


                                         -14-
<PAGE>

shall be as fully responsible to the Fund for the acts and omissions of any
agent or subcontractor as it is for its own acts or omissions under this
Agreement.


Article 9      AFFILIATIONS

               9.1  MSDW TRUST may now or hereafter, without the consent of or
notice to the Fund, function as transfer agent and/or shareholder servicing
agent for any other investment company registered with the SEC under the 1940
Act and for any other issuer, including without limitation any investment
company whose adviser, administrator, sponsor or principal underwriter is or may
become affiliated with Morgan Stanley Dean Witter & Co. or any of its direct or
indirect subsidiaries or affiliates.


               9.2  It is understood and agreed that the Directors or Trustees
(as the case may be), officers, employees, agents and shareholders of the Fund,
and the directors, officers, employees, agents and shareholders of the Fund's
investment adviser and/or distributor, are or may be interested in MSDW TRUST as
directors, officers, employees, agents and shareholders or otherwise, and that
the directors, officers, employees, agents and shareholders of MSDW TRUST may be
interested in the Fund as Directors or Trustees (as the case may be), officers,
employees, agents and shareholders or otherwise, or in the investment adviser
and/or distributor as directors, officers, employees, agents, shareholders or
otherwise.


Article 10          AMENDMENT

               10.1 This Agreement may be amended or modified by a written
agreement executed by both parties and authorized or approved by a resolution of
the Board of Directors or the Board of Trustees (as the case may be) of the
Fund.


                                         -15-
<PAGE>

Article 11          APPLICABLE LAW

               11.1 This Agreement shall be construed and the provisions thereof
interpreted under and in accordance with the laws of the State of New York.


Article 12          MISCELLANEOUS

               12.1 In the event that one or more additional investment
companies managed or administered by Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Advisors Inc. or
any of its affiliates ("Additional Funds") desires to retain MSDW TRUST to act
as transfer agent, dividend disbursing agent and/or shareholder servicing agent,
and MSDW TRUST desires to render such services, such services shall be provided
pursuant to a letter agreement, substantially in the form of Exhibit A hereto,
between MSDW TRUST and each Additional Fund.


               12.2 In the event of an alleged loss or destruction of any Share
certificate, no new certificate shall be issued in lieu thereof, unless there
shall first be furnished to MSDW TRUST an affidavit of loss or non-receipt by
the holder of Shares with respect to which a certificate has been lost or
destroyed, supported by an appropriate bond satisfactory to MSDW TRUST and the
Fund issued by a surety company satisfactory to MSDW TRUST, except that MSDW
TRUST may accept an affidavit of loss and indemnity agreement executed by the
registered holder (or legal representative) without surety in such form as MSDW
TRUST deems appropriate indemnifying MSDW TRUST and the Fund for the issuance of
a replacement certificate, in cases where the alleged loss is in the amount of
$1,000 or less.


          12.3 In the event that any check or other order for payment of money
on the


                                         -16-
<PAGE>

account of any Shareholder or new investor is returned unpaid for any reason,
MSDW TRUST will (a) give prompt notification to the Fund's distributor
("Distributor") (or to the Fund if the Fund acts as its own distributor) of such
non-payment; and (b) take such other action, including imposition of a
reasonable processing or handling fee, as MSDW TRUST may, in its sole
discretion, deem appropriate or as the Fund and, if applicable, the Distributor
may instruct MSDW TRUST.


          12.4 Any notice or other instrument authorized or required by this
Agreement to be given in writing to the Fund or to MSDW TRUST shall be
sufficiently given if addressed to that party and received by it at its office
set forth below or at such other place as it may from time to time designate in
writing.

To the Fund:

[Name of Fund]
Two World Trade Center
New York, New York  10048

Attention:  General Counsel

To MSDW TRUST:

Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Trust FSB
Harborside Financial Center
Plaza Two
Jersey City, New Jersey  07311

Attention:  President

Article 13          MERGER OF AGREEMENT

               13.1 This Agreement constitutes the entire agreement between the
parties hereto and supersedes any prior agreement with respect to the subject
matter hereof whether oral or written.


                                         -17-
<PAGE>

Article 14          PERSONAL LIABILITY

               14.1 In the case of a Fund organized as a Massachusetts business
trust, a copy of the Declaration of Trust of the Fund is on file with the
Secretary of The Commonwealth of Massachusetts, and notice is hereby given that
this instrument is executed on behalf of the Board of Trustees of the Fund as
Trustees and not individually and that the obligations of this instrument are
not binding upon any of the Trustees or shareholders individually but are
binding only upon the assets and property of the Fund; provided, however, that
the Declaration of Trust of the Fund provides that the assets of a particular
Series of the Fund shall under no circumstances be charged with liabilities
attributable to any other Series of the Fund and that all persons extending
credit to, or contracting with or having any claim against, a particular Series
of the Fund shall look only to the assets of that particular Series for payment
of such credit, contract or claim.


          IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Amended and
Restated Agreement to be executed in their names and on their behalf by and
through their duly authorized officers, as of the day and year first above
written.


     MORGAN STANLEY DEAN WITTER FUNDS

     MONEY MARKET FUNDS

 1. Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Liquid Asset Fund Inc.
 2. Active Assets Money Trust
 3. Morgan Stanley Dean Witter U.S. Government Money Market Trust
 4. Active Assets Government Securities Trust
 5. Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Tax-Free Daily Income Trust
 6. Active Assets Tax-Free Trust
 7. Morgan Stanley Dean Witter California Tax-Free Daily Income Trust
 8. Morgan Stanley Dean Witter New York Municipal Money Market Trust
 9. Active Assets California Tax-Free Trust


                                         -18-
<PAGE>

     EQUITY FUNDS

10. Morgan Stanley Dean Witter American Value Fund
11. Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Mid-Cap Growth Fund
12. Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Dividend Growth Securities Inc.
13. Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Capital Growth Securities
14. Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Global Dividend Growth Securities
15. Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Income Builder Fund
16. Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Natural Resource Development Securities Inc.
17. Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Precious Metals and Minerals Trust
18. Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Developing Growth Securities Trust
19. Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Health Sciences Trust
20. Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Capital Appreciation Fund
21. Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Information Fund
22. Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Value-Added Market Series
23. Morgan Stanley Dean Witter European Growth Fund Inc.
24. Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Pacific Growth Fund Inc.
25. Morgan Stanley Dean Witter International SmallCap Fund
26. Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Japan Fund
27. Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Utilities Fund
28. Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Global Utilities Fund
29. Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Special Value Fund
30. Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Financial Services Trust
31. Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Market Leader Trust
32. Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Fund of Funds
33. Morgan Stanley Dean Witter S&P 500 Index Fund
34. Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Competitive Edge Fund
35. Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Mid-Cap Dividend Growth Securities
36. Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Equity Fund
37. Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Growth Fund
38. Morgan Stanley Dean Witter S&P 500 Select Fund
     BALANCED FUNDS

39. Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Balanced Growth Fund
40. Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Balanced Income Trust

     ASSET ALLOCATION FUNDS

41. Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Strategist Fund
42. Dean Witter Global Asset Allocation Fund


                                         -19-
<PAGE>

     FIXED INCOME FUNDS

43. Morgan Stanley Dean Witter High Yield Securities Inc.
44. Morgan Stanley Dean Witter High Income Securities
45. Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Convertible Securities Trust
46. Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Intermediate Income Securities
47. Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Short-Term Bond Fund
48. Morgan Stanley Dean Witter World Wide Income Trust
49. Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Global Short-Term Income Fund Inc.
50. Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Diversified Income Trust
51. Morgan Stanley Dean Witter U.S. Government Securities Trust
52. Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Federal Securities Trust
53. Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Short-Term U.S. Treasury Trust
54. Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Intermediate Term U.S. Treasury Trust
55. Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Tax-Exempt Securities Trust
56. Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Limited Term Municipal Trust
57. Morgan Stanley Dean Witter California Tax-Free Income Fund
58. Morgan Stanley Dean Witter New York Tax-Free Income Fund
59. Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Hawaii Municipal Trust
60. Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Multi-State Municipal Series Trust
61. Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Select Municipal Reinvestment Fund

     SPECIAL PURPOSE FUNDS

62. Dean Witter Retirement Series
63. Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Variable Investment Series
64. Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Select Dimensions Investment Series

     TCW/DW FUNDS

65. TCW/DW North American Government Income Trust
66. TCW/DW Latin American Growth Fund
67. TCW/DW Income and Growth Fund
68. TCW/DW Small Cap Growth Fund
69. TCW/DW Total Return Trust


                                         -20-
<PAGE>

70. TCW/DW Global Telecom Trust
71. TCW/DW Mid-Cap Equity Trust
72. TCW/DW Emerging Markets Opportunities Trust


                              By:
                                 -------------------------------------
                                   Barry Fink
                                   Vice President and General Counsel

ATTEST:

- --------------------------
Assistant Secretary

                              MORGAN STANLEY DEAN WITTER TRUST FSB

                              By:
                                 -------------------------------------
                                   John Van Heuvelen
                                   President

ATTEST:

- --------------------------
Executive Vice President


                                         -21-
<PAGE>

                                      EXHIBIT A


Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Trust FSB
Harborside Financial Center
Plaza Two
Jersey City, NJ 07311


Gentlemen:

          The undersigned, (INSET NAME OF INVESTMENT COMPANY) a (Massachusetts
business trust/Maryland corporation) (the "Fund"), desires to employ and appoint
Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Trust FSB ("MSDW TRUST") to act as transfer agent for
each series and class of shares of the Fund, whether now or hereafter authorized
or issued ("Shares"), dividend disbursing agent and shareholder servicing agent,
registrar and agent in connection with any accumulation, open-account or similar
plan provided to the holders of Shares, including without limitation any
periodic investment plan or periodic withdrawal plan.


          The Fund hereby agrees that, in consideration for the payment by the
Fund to MSDW TRUST of fees as set out in the fee schedule attached hereto as
Schedule A, MSDW TRUST shall provide such services to the Fund pursuant to the
terms and conditions set forth in the Transfer Agency and Service Agreement
annexed hereto, as if the Fund was a signatory thereto.


                                         -22-
<PAGE>

          Please indicate MSDW TRUST's acceptance of employment and appointment
by the Fund in the capacities set forth above by so indicating in the space
provided below.

                         Very truly yours,


                         (NAME OF FUND)



                         By:
                            ----------------------------------
                              Barry Fink
                              Vice President and General Counsel


ACCEPTED AND AGREED TO:



MORGAN STANLEY DEAN WITTER TRUST FSB



By:
   -----------------------
Its:
    ----------------------
Date:
     ---------------------


Secs\Allfnds\MSDWtrans2/6/98


                                         -23-
<PAGE>

                                     SCHEDULE A


Fund:          Morgan Stanley Dean Witter European Growth Fund Inc.

Fees:          (1)  Annual maintenance fee of $12.65 per shareholder account,
               payable monthly.

               (2)  A fee equal to 1/12 of the fee set forth in (1) above, for
               providing Forms 1099 for accounts closed during the year, payable
               following the end of the calendar year.

               (3)  Out-of-pocket expenses in accordance with Section 2.2 of the
               Agreement.

               (4)  Fees for additional services not set forth in this Agreement
               shall be as negotiated between the parties.

<PAGE>
                               SERVICES AGREEMENT
 
    AGREEMENT made as of the 17th day of April, 1995, and amended as of June 22,
1998, by and between Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Advisors Inc., a Delaware
corporation (herein referred to as "MSDW Advisors"), and Morgan Stanley Dean
Witter Services Company Inc., a Delaware corporation (herein referred to as
"MSDW Services").
 
    WHEREAS, MSDW Advisors has entered into separate agreements (each such
agreement being herein referred to as an "Investment Management Agreement") with
certain investment companies as set forth on Schedule A (each such investment
company being herein referred to as a "Fund" and, collectively, as the "Funds")
pursuant to which MSDW Advisors is to perform, or supervise the performance of,
among other services, administrative services for the Funds (and, in the case of
Funds with multiple portfolios, the Series or Portfolios of the Funds (such
Series and Portfolio being herein individually referred to as "a Series" and,
collectively, as "the Series"));
 
    WHEREAS, MSDW Advisors desires to retain MSDW Services to perform the
administrative services as described below; and
 
    WHEREAS, MSDW Services desires to be retained by MSDW Advisors to perform
such administrative services:
 
    Now, therefore, in consideration of the mutual covenants and agreements of
the parties hereto as herein set forth, the parties covenant and agree as
follows:
 
    1. MSDW Services agrees to provide administrative services to each Fund as
hereinafter set forth. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, MSDW
Services shall (i) administer the Fund's business affairs and supervise the
overall day-to-day operations of the Fund (other than rendering investment
advice); (ii) provide the Fund with full administrative services, including the
maintenance of certain books and records, such as journals, ledger accounts and
other records required under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the
"Act"), the notification to the Fund and MSDW Advisors of available funds for
investment, the reconciliation of account information and balances among the
Fund's custodian, transfer agent and dividend disbursing agent and MSDW
Advisors, and the calculation of the net asset value of the Fund's shares; (iii)
provide the Fund with the services of persons competent to perform such
supervisory, administrative and clerical functions as are necessary to provide
effective operation of the Fund; (iv) oversee the performance of administrative
and professional services rendered to the Fund by others, including its
custodian, transfer agent and dividend disbursing agent, as well as accounting,
auditing and other services; (v) provide the Fund with adequate general office
space and facilities; (vi) assist in the preparation and the printing of the
periodic updating of the Fund's registration statement and prospectus (and, in
the case of an open-end Fund, the statement of additional information), tax
returns, proxy statements, and reports to its shareholders and the Securities
and Exchange Commission; and (vii) monitor the compliance of the Fund's
investment policies and restrictions.
 
    In the event that MSDW Advisors enters into an Investment Management
Agreement with another investment company, and wishes to retain MSDW Services to
perform administrative services hereunder, it shall notify MSDW Services in
writing. If MSDW Services is willing to render such services, it shall notify
MSDW Advisors in writing, whereupon such other Fund shall become a Fund as
defined herein.
 
    2. MSDW Services shall, at its own expense, maintain such staff and employ
or retain such personnel and consult with such other persons as it shall from
time to time determine to be necessary or useful to the performance of its
obligations under this Agreement. Without limiting the generality of the
foregoing, the staff and personnel of MSDW Services shall be deemed to include
officers of MSDW Services and persons employed or otherwise retained by MSDW
Services (including officers and employees of MSDW Advisors, with the consent of
MSDW Advisors) to furnish services, statistical and other factual data,
information with respect to technical and scientific developments, and such
other information, advice and assistance as MSDW Services may desire. MSDW
Services shall maintain each Fund's records and books of account
 
                                       1
 
98NYC8262
<PAGE>
(other than those maintained by the Fund's transfer agent, registrar, custodian
and other agencies). All such books and records so maintained shall be the
property of the Fund and, upon request therefor, MSDW Services shall surrender
to MSDW Advisors or to the Fund such of the books and records so requested.
 
    3. MSDW Advisors will, from time to time, furnish or otherwise make
available to MSDW Services such financial reports, proxy statements and other
information relating to the business and affairs of the Fund as MSDW Services
may reasonably require in order to discharge its duties and obligations to the
Fund under this Agreement or to comply with any applicable law and regulation or
request of the Board of Directors/Trustees of the Fund.
 
    4. For the services to be rendered, the facilities furnished, and the
expenses assumed by MSDW Services, MSDW Advisors shall pay to MSDW Services
monthly compensation calculated daily (in the case of an open-end Fund) or
weekly (in the case of a closed-end Fund) by applying the annual rate or rates
set forth on Schedule B to the net assets of each Fund. Except as hereinafter
set forth, (i) in the case of an open-end Fund, compensation under this
Agreement shall be calculated by applying 1/365th of the annual rate or rates to
the Fund's or the Series' daily net assets determined as of the close of
business on that day or the last previous business day and (ii) in the case of a
closed-end Fund, compensation under this Agreement shall be calculated by
applying the annual rate or rates to the Fund's average weekly net assets
determined as of the close of the last business day of each week. If this
Agreement becomes effective subsequent to the first day of a month or shall
terminate before the last day of a month, compensation for that part of the
month this Agreement is in effect shall be prorated in a manner consistent with
the calculation of the fees as set forth on Schedule B. Subject to the
provisions of paragraph 5 hereof, payment of MSDW Services' compensation for the
preceding month shall be made as promptly as possible after completion of the
computations contemplated by paragraph 5 hereof.
 
    5. In the event the operating expenses of any open-end Fund and/or any
Series thereof, or of InterCapital Income Securities Inc., including amounts
payable to MSDW Advisors pursuant to the Investment Management Agreement, for
any fiscal year ending on a date on which this Agreement is in effect, exceed
the expense limitations applicable to the Fund and/or any Series thereof imposed
by state securities laws or regulations thereunder, as such limitations may be
raised or lowered from time to time, or, in the case of InterCapital Income
Securities Inc. or Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Variable Investment Series or any
Series thereof, the expense limitation specified in the Fund's Investment
Management Agreement, the fee payable hereunder shall be reduced on a pro rata
basis in the same proportion as the fee payable by the Fund under the Investment
Management Agreement is reduced.
 
    6. MSDW Services shall bear the cost of rendering the administrative
services to be performed by it under this Agreement, and shall, at its own
expense, pay the compensation of the officers and employees, if any, of the Fund
employed by MSDW Services, and such clerical help and bookkeeping services as
MSDW Services shall reasonably require in performing its duties hereunder.
 
    7. MSDW Services will use its best efforts in the performance of
administrative activitives on behalf of each Fund, but in the absence of willful
misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence or reckless disregard of its
obligations hereunder, MSDW Services shall not be liable to the Fund or any of
its investors for any error of judgment or mistake of law or for any act or
omission by MSDW Services or for any losses sustained by the Fund or its
investors. It is understood that, subject to the terms and conditions of the
Investment Management Agreement between each Fund and MSDW Advisors, MSDW
Advisors shall retain ultimate responsibility for all services to be performed
hereunder by MSDW Services. MSDW Services shall indemnify MSDW Advisors and hold
it harmless from any liability that MSDW Advisors may incur arising out of any
act or failure to act by MSDW Services in carrying out its responsibilities
hereunder.
 
    8. It is understood that any of the shareholders, Directors/Trustees,
officers and employees of the Fund may be a shareholder, director, officer or
employee of, or be otherwise interested in, MSDW Services, and in any person
controlling, controlled by or under common control with MSDW Services, and that
MSDW Services and any person controlling, controlled by or under common control
with MSDW
 
                                       2
<PAGE>
Services may have an interest in the Fund. It is also understood that MSDW
Services and any affiliated persons thereof or any persons controlling,
controlled by or under common control with MSDW Services have and may have
advisory, management, administration service or other contracts with other
organizations and persons, and may have other interests and businesses, and
further may purchase, sell or trade any securities or commodities for their own
accounts or for the account of others for whom they may be acting.
 
    9. This Agreement shall continue until April 30, 1999, and thereafter shall
continue automatically for successive periods of one year unless terminated by
either party by written notice delivered to the other party within 30 days of
the expiration of the then-existing period. Notwithstanding the foregoing, this
Agreement may be terminated at any time, by either party on 30 days' written
notice delivered to the other party. In the event that the Investment Management
Agreement between any Fund and MSDW Advisors is terminated, this Agreement will
automatically terminate with respect to such Fund.
 
    10. This Agreement may be amended or modified by the parties in any manner
by written agreement executed by each of the parties hereto.
 
    11. This Agreement may be assigned by either party with the written consent
of the other party.
 
    12. This Agreement shall be construed and interpreted in accordance with the
laws of the State of New York.
 
    IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed and delivered this
Agreement, as amended, on June 22, 1998 in New York, New York.
 
<TABLE>
<S>                                            <C>
                                               MORGAN STANLEY DEAN WITTER ADVISORS INC.
 
                                               By: -----------------------------------------
 
Attest:
- ---------------------------------------------
 
                                               MORGAN STANLEY DEAN WITTER SERVICES COMPANY
                                               INC.
 
                                               By: -----------------------------------------
 
Attest:
- ---------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
 
                                       3
<PAGE>
                                   SCHEDULE A
                        MORGAN STANLEY DEAN WITTER FUNDS
                         AS AMENDED AS OF JULY 22, 1998
 
                                 OPEN-END FUNDS
 
<TABLE>
<C>        <S>
       1.  Active Assets California Tax-Free Trust
       2.  Active Assets Government Securities Trust
       3.  Active Assets Money Trust
       4.  Active Assets Tax-Free Trust
       5.  Dean Witter Retirement Series
       6.  Morgan Stanley Dean Witter American Value Fund
       7.  Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Balanced Growth Fund
       8.  Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Balanced Income Fund
       9.  Morgan Stanley Dean Witter California Tax-Free Daily Income Trust
      10.  Morgan Stanley Dean Witter California Tax-Free Income Fund
      11.  Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Capital Appreciation Fund
      12.  Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Capital Growth Securities
      13.  Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Competitive Edge Fund, "BEST IDEAS" Portfolio
      14.  Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Convertible Securities Trust
      15.  Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Developing Growth Securities Trust
      16.  Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Diversified Income Trust
      17.  Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Dividend Growth Securities Inc.
      18.  Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Equity Fund
      19.  Morgan Stanley Dean Witter European Growth Fund Inc.
      20.  Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Federal Securities Trust
      21.  Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Financial Services Trust
      22.  Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Fund of Funds
           (i)  Domestic Portfolio
           (ii) International Portfolio
      23.  Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Global Dividend Growth Securities
      24.  Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Global Short-Term Income Fund Inc.
      25.  Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Global Utilities Fund
      26.  Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Growth Fund
      27.  Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Hawaii Municipal Trust
      28.  Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Health Sciences Trust
      29.  Morgan Stanley Dean Witter High Yield Securities Inc.
      30.  Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Income Builder Fund
      31.  Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Information Fund
      32.  Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Intermediate Income Securities
      33.  Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Intermediate Term U.S. Treasury Trust
      34.  Morgan Stanley Dean Witter International SmallCap Fund
      35.  Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Japan Fund
      36.  Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Limited Term Municipal Trust
      37.  Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Liquid Asset Fund Inc.
      38.  Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Market Leader Trust
      39.  Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Mid-Cap Dividend Growth Securities
      40.  Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Mid-Cap Growth Fund
      41.  Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Multi-State Municipal Series Trust
      42.  Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Natural Resource Development Securities Inc.
      43.  Morgan Stanley Dean Witter New York Municipal Money Market Trust
</TABLE>
 
                                      A-1
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<C>        <S>
      44.  Morgan Stanley Dean Witter New York Tax-Free Income Fund
      45.  Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Pacific Growth Fund Inc.
      46.  Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Precious Metals and Minerals Trust
      47.  Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Select Dimensions Investment Series
           (i)   American Value Portfolio
           (ii)  Balanced Growth Portfolio
           (iii) Developing Growth Portfolio
           (iv)  Diversified Income Portfolio
           (v)   Dividend Growth Portfolio
           (vi)  Emerging Markets Portfolio
           (vii) Global Equity Portfolio
           (viii) Growth Portfolio
           (ix)  Mid-Cap Growth Portfolio
           (x)   Money Market Portfolio
           (xi)  North American Government Securities Portfolio
           (xii) Utilities Portfolio
           (xiii) Value-Added Market Portfolio
      48.  Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Select Municipal Reinvestment Fund
      49.  Morgan Stanley Dean Witter U.S. Government Money Market Trust
      50.  Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Utilities Fund
      51.  Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Short-Term Bond Fund
      52.  Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Short-Term U.S. Treasury Trust
      53.  Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Special Value Fund
      54.  Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Strategist Fund
      55.  Morgan Stanley Dean Witter S&P 500 Index Fund
      56.  Morgan Stanley Dean Witter S&P 500 Select Fund
      57.  Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Tax-Exempt Securities Trust
      58.  Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Tax-Free Daily Income Trust
      59.  Morgan Stanley Dean Witter U.S. Government Securities Trust
      60.  Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Value Fund
      61.  Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Value-Added Market Series
      62.  Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Variable Investment Series
           (i)   Capital Appreciation Portfolio
           (ii)  Capital Growth Portfolio
           (iii) Competitive Edge "Best Ideas" Portfolio
           (iv)  Dividend Growth Portfolio
           (v)   Equity Portfolio
           (vi)  European Growth Portfolio
           (vii) Global Dividend Growth Portfolio
           (viii) High Yield Portfolio
           (ix)  Income Builder Portfolio
           (x)   Money Market Portfolio
           (xi)  Quality Income Plus Portfolio
           (xii) Pacific Growth Portfolio
           (xiii) S&P 500 Index Portfolio
           (xiv) Strategist Portfolio
           (xv)  Utilities Portfolio
      63.  Morgan Stanley Dean Witter World Wide Income Trust
      64.  Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Worldwide High Income Fund
      65.  Dean Witter Global Asset Allocation Fund
</TABLE>
 
                                      A-2
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                              CLOSED-END FUNDS
<C>        <S>
      66.  High Income Advantage Trust
      67.  High Income Advantage Trust II
      68.  High Income Advantage Trust III
      69.  InterCapital Income Securities Inc.
      70.  Dean Witter Government Income Trust
      71.  InterCapital Insured Municipal Bond Trust
      72.  InterCapital Insured Municipal Trust
      73.  InterCapital Insured Municipal Income Trust
      74.  InterCapital California Insured Municipal Income Trust
      75.  InterCapital Insured Municipal Securities
      76.  InterCapital Insured California Municipal Securities
      77.  InterCapital Quality Municipal Investment Trust
      78.  InterCapital Quality Municipal Income Trust
      79.  InterCapital Quality Municipal Securities
      80.  InterCapital California Quality Municipal Securities
      81.  InterCapital New York Quality Municipal Securities
</TABLE>
 
                                      A-3
<PAGE>
                                                                      SCHEDULE B
 
                MORGAN STANLEY DEAN WITTER SERVICES COMPANY INC.
                        SCHEDULE OF ADMINISTRATIVE FEES
                         AS AMENDED AS OF JUNE 22, 1998
 
    Monthly compensation calculated daily by applying the following annual rates
to a fund's daily net assets:
 
<TABLE>
<S>                                            <C>
FIXED INCOME FUNDS
 
Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Balanced Income     0.060% of the daily net assets.
  Fund
 
Morgan Stanley Dean Witter California          0.055% of the portion of the daily net assets not exceeding
  Tax-Free Income Fund                         $500 million; 0.0525% of the portion of the daily net assets
                                               exceeding $500 million but not exceeding $750 million;
                                               0.050% of the portion of the daily net assets exceeding $750
                                               million but not exceeding $1 billion; 0.0475% of the portion
                                               of the daily net assets exceeding $1 billion but not
                                               exceeding $1.25 billion; and 0.045% of the portion of the
                                               daily net assets exceeding $1.25 billion.
 
Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Convertible         0.060% of the portion of the daily net assets not exceeding
  Securities Trust                             $750 million; 0.055% of the portion of the daily net assets
                                               exceeding $750 million but not exceeding $1 billion; 0.050%
                                               of the portion of the daily net assets of the exceeding $1
                                               billion but not exceeding $1.5 billion; 0.0475% of the
                                               portion of the daily net assets exceeding $1.5 billion but
                                               not exceeding $2 billion; 0.045% of the portion of the daily
                                               net assets exceeding $2 billion but not exceeding $3
                                               billion; and 0.0425% of the portion of the daily net assets
                                               exceeding $3 billion.
 
Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Diversified Income  0.040% of the daily net assets.
  Trust
 
Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Federal Securities  0.055% of the portion of the daily net assets not exceeding
  Trust                                        $1 billion; 0.0525% of the portion of the daily net assets
                                               exceeding $1 billion but not exceeding $1.5 billion; 0.050%
                                               of the portion of the daily net assets exceeding $1.5
                                               billion but not exceeding $2 billion; 0.0475% of the portion
                                               of the daily net assets exceeding $2 billion but not
                                               exceeding $2.5 billion; 0.045% of the portion of the daily
                                               net assets exceeding $2.5 billion but not exceeding $5
                                               billion; 0.0425% of the portion of the daily net assets
                                               exceeding $5 billion but not exceeding $7.5 billion; 0.040%
                                               of the portion of the daily net assets exceeding $7.5
                                               billion but not exceeding $10 billion; 0.0375% of the
                                               portion of the daily net assets exceeding $10 billion but
                                               not exceeding $12.5 billion; and 0.035% of the portion of
                                               the daily net assets exceeding $12.5 billion.
 
Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Global Short-Term   0.055% of the portion of the daily net assets not exceeding
  Income Fund Inc.                             $500 million; and 0.050% of the portion of the daily net
                                               assets exceeding $500 million.
</TABLE>
 
                                      B-1
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<S>                                            <C>
Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Hawaii Municipal    0.035% of the daily net assets.
  Trust
 
Morgan Stanley Dean Witter High Yield          0.050% of the portion of the daily net assets not exceeding
  Securities Inc.                              $500 million; 0.0425% of the portion of the daily net assets
                                               exceeding $500 million but not exceeding $750 million;
                                               0.0375% of the portion of the daily net assets exceeding
                                               $750 million but not exceeding $1 billion; 0.035% of the
                                               portion of the daily net assets exceeding $1 billion but not
                                               exceeding $2 billion; 0.0325% of the portion of the daily
                                               net assets exceeding $2 billion but not exceeding $3
                                               billion; and 0.030% of the portion of daily net assets
                                               exceeding $3 billion.
 
Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Intermediate        0.060% of the portion of the daily net assets not exceeding
  Income Securities                            $500 million; 0.050% of the portion of the daily net assets
                                               exceeding $500 million but not exceeding $750 million;
                                               0.040% of the portion of the daily net assets exceeding $750
                                               million but not exceeding $1 billion; and 0.030% of the
                                               portion of the daily net assets exceeding $1 billion.
 
Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Intermediate Term   0.035% of the daily net assets.
  U.S. Treasury Trust
 
Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Limited Term        0.050% of the daily net assets.
  Municipal Trust
 
Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Multi-State         0.035% of the daily net assets.
  Municipal Series Trust (10 Series)
 
Morgan Stanley Dean Witter New York Tax-Free   0.055% of the portion of the daily net assets not exceeding
  Income Fund                                  $500 million; and 0.0525% of the portion of the daily net
                                               assets exceeding $500 million.
 
Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Retirement          0.065% of the daily net assets.
  Series--Intermediate Income Securities
  Series
  U.S. Government Securities Series            0.065% of the daily net assets.
 
Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Select Dimensions   0.039% of the daily net assets.
  Investment Series-- North American
  Government Securities Portfolio
 
Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Select Municipal    0.050% of the daily net assets.
  Reinvestment Fund
 
Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Short-Term Bond     0.070% of the daily net assets.
  Fund
 
Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Short-Term U.S.     0.035% of the daily net assets.
  Treasury Trust
</TABLE>
 
                                      B-2
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<S>                                            <C>
Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Tax-Exempt          0.050% of the portion of the daily net assets not exceeding
  Securities Trust                             $500 million; 0.0425% of the portion of the daily net assets
                                               exceeding $500 million but not exceeding $750 million;
                                               0.0375% of the portion of the daily net assets exceeding
                                               $750 million but not exceeding $1 billion; and 0.035% of the
                                               portion of the daily net assets exceeding $1 billion but not
                                               exceeding $1.25 billion; .0325% of the portion of the daily
                                               net assets exceeding $1.25 billion.
 
Morgan Stanley Dean Witter U.S. Government     0.050% of the portion of the daily net assets not exceeding
  Securities Trust                             $1 billion; 0.0475% of the portion of the daily net assets
                                               exceeding $1 billion but not exceeding $1.5 billion; 0.045%
                                               of the portion of the daily net assets exceeding $1.5
                                               billion but not exceeding $2 billion; 0.0425% of the portion
                                               of the daily net assets exceeding $2 billion but not
                                               exceeding $2.5 billion; 0.040% of the portion of the daily
                                               net assets exceeding $2.5 billion but not exceeding $5
                                               billion; 0.0375% of the portion of the daily net assets
                                               exceeding $5 billion but not exceeding $7.5 billion; 0.035%
                                               of the portion of the daily net assets exceeding $7.5
                                               billion but not exceeding $10 billion; 0.0325% of the
                                               portion of the daily net assets exceeding $10 billion but
                                               not exceeding $12.5 billion; and 0.030% of the portion of
                                               the daily net assets exceeding $12.5 billion.
 
Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Variable            0.050% of the portion of the daily net assets not exceeding
  Investment Series--High Yield Portfolio      $500 million; and 0.0425% of the daily net assets exceeding
                                               $500 million.
  Quality Income Plus Portfolio                0.050% of the portion of the daily the net assets up to $500
                                               million; and 0.045% of the portion of the daily net assets
                                               exceeds $500 million.
 
Morgan Stanley Dean Witter World Wide Income   0.075% of the portion of the daily net assets up to $250
  Trust                                        million; 0.060% of the portion of the daily net assets
                                               exceeding $250 million but not exceeding $500 million;
                                               0.050% of the portion of the daily net assets of the
                                               exceeding $500 million but not exceeding $750 million;
                                               0.040% of the portion of the daily net assets exceeding $750
                                               million but not exceeding $1 billion; and 0.030% of the
                                               portion of the daily net assets exceeding $1 billion.
 
Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Worldwide High      0.060% of the daily net assets.
  Income Fund
 
EQUITY FUNDS
 
Morgan Stanley Dean Witter American Value      0.0625% of the portion of the daily net assets not exceeding
  Fund                                         $250 million; 0.050% of the portion of the daily net assets
                                               exceeding $250 million but not exceeding $2.25 billion;
                                               0.0475% of the portion of the daily net assets exceeding
                                               $2.25 billion but not exceeding $3.5 billion; 0.0450% of the
                                               portion of the daily net assets exceeding $3.5 billion but
                                               not exceeding $4.5 billion; and 0.0425% of the portion of
                                               the daily net assets exceeding $4.5 billion.
</TABLE>
 
                                      B-3
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<S>                                            <C>
Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Balanced Growth     0.060% of the daily net assets.
  Fund
 
Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Capital             0.075% of the portion of the daily net assets not exceeding
  Appreciation Fund                            $500 million; and 0.0725% of the portion of the daily net
                                               assets exceeding $500 million.
 
Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Capital Growth      0.065% of the portion of the daily net assets not exceeding
  Securities                                   $500 million; 0.055% of the portion exceeding $500 million
                                               but not exceeding $1 billion; 0.050% of the portion of the
                                               daily net assets exceeding $1 billion but not exceeding $1.5
                                               billion; and 0.0475% of the portion of the daily net assets
                                               exceeding $1.5 billion.
 
Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Competitive Edge    0.065% of the portion of the daily net assets not exceeding
  Fund, "BEST IDEAS" Portfolio                 $1.5 billion; and 0.0625% of the portion of the daily net
                                               assets exceeding $1.5 billion.
 
Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Developing Growth   0.050% of the portion of the daily net assets not exceeding
  Securities Trust                             $500 million; and 0.0475% of the portion of the daily net
                                               assets exceeding $500 million.
 
Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Dividend Growth     0.0625% of the portion of the daily net assets not exceeding
  Securities Inc.                              $250 million; 0.050% of the portion of the daily net assets
                                               exceeding $250 million but not exceeding $1 billion; 0.0475%
                                               of the portion of the daily net assets exceeding $1 billion
                                               but not exceeding $2 billion; 0.045% of the portion of the
                                               daily net assets exceeding $2 billion but not exceeding $3
                                               billion; 0.0425% of the portion of the daily net assets
                                               exceeding $3 billion but not exceeding $4 billion; 0.040% of
                                               the portion of the daily net assets exceeding $4 billion but
                                               not exceeding $5 billion; 0.0375% of the portion of the
                                               daily net assets exceeding $5 billion but not exceeding $6
                                               billion; 0.035% of the portion of the daily net assets
                                               exceeding $6 billion but not exceeding $8 billion; 0.0325%
                                               of the portion of the daily net assets exceeding $8 billion
                                               but not exceeding $10 billion; 0.030% of the portion of the
                                               daily net assets exceeding $10 billion but not exceeding $15
                                               billion; and 0.0275% of the portion of the daily net assets
                                               exceeding $15 billion.
 
Morgan Stanley Dean Witter                     0.051% of the daily net assets.
  Equity Fund
 
Morgan Stanley Dean Witter European Growth     0.060% of the portion of the daily net assets not exceeding
  Fund Inc.                                    $500 million; 0.057% of the portion of the daily net assets
                                               exceeding $500 million but not exceeding $2 billion; and
                                               0.054% of the portion of the daily net assets exceeding $2
                                               billion.
 
Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Financial Services  0.075% of the daily net assets.
  Trust
 
Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Fund of Funds-
  Domestic Portfolio                           None
  International Portfolio                      None
</TABLE>
 
                                      B-4
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<S>                                            <C>
Dean Witter Global Asset Allocation Fund       0.070% of the daily net assets.
 
Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Global Dividend     0.075% of the portion of the daily net assets not exceeding
  Growth Securities                            $1 billion; 0.0725% of the portion of the daily net assets
                                               exceeding $1 billion but not exceeding $1.5 billion; 0.070%
                                               of the portion of the daily net assets exceeding $1.5
                                               billion but not exceeding $2.5 billion; 0.0675% of the
                                               portion of the daily net assets exceeding $2.5 billion but
                                               not exceeding $3.5 billion; 0.0650% of the portion of the
                                               daily net assets exceeding $3.5 billion but not exceeding
                                               $4.5 billion; and 0.0625% of the portion of the daily net
                                               assets exceeding $4.5 billion.
 
Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Global Utilities    0.065% of the portion of the daily net assets not exceeding
  Fund                                         $500 million; and 0.0625% of the portion of the daily net
                                               assets exceeding $500 million.
 
Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Growth Fund         0.048% of the portion of daily net assets not exceeding $750
                                               million; 0.045% of the portion of daily net assets exceeding
                                               $750 million but not exceeding $1.5 billion; and 0.042% of
                                               the portion of daily net assets exceeding $1.5 billion.
 
Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Health Sciences     0.10% of the portion of daily net assets not exceeding $500
  Trust                                        million; and 0.095% of the portion of daily net assets
                                               exceeding $500 million.
 
Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Income Builder      0.075% of the portion of the net assets not exceeding $500
  Fund                                         million; and 0.0725% of the portion of daily net assets
                                               exceeding $500 million.
 
Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Information Fund    0.075% of the portion of the daily net assets not exceeding
                                               $500 million; and 0.0725% of the portion of the daily net
                                               assets exceeding $500 million.
 
Morgan Stanley Dean Witter International       0.075% of the daily net assets.
  SmallCap Fund
 
Morgan Stanley Dean Witter                     0.060% of the daily net assets.
  Japan Fund
 
Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Market Leader       0.075% of the daily net assets.
  Trust
 
Morgan Stanley Dean Witter                     0.075 of the daily net assets.
  Mid-Cap Dividend Growth Securities
 
Morgan Stanley Dean Witter                     0.075% of the portion of the daily net assets not exceeding
  Mid-Cap Growth Fund                          $500 million; and 0.0725% of the portion of the daily net
                                               assets exceeding $500 million.
 
Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Natural Resource    0.0625% of the portion of the daily net assets not exceeding
  Development Securities Inc.                  $250 million and 0.050% of the portion of the daily net
                                               assets exceeding $250 million.
</TABLE>
 
                                      B-5
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<S>                                            <C>
Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Pacific Growth      0.060% of the portion of the daily net assets not exceeding
  Fund Inc.                                    $1 billion; 0.057% of the portion of the daily net assets
                                               exceeding $1 billion but not exceeding $2 billion; and
                                               0.054% of the portion of the daily net assets exceeding $2
                                               billion.
 
Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Precious Metals     0.080% of the daily net assets.
  and
  Minerals Trust
 
Dean Witter Retirement Series--
  American Value Series                        0.085% of the daily net assets.
  Capital Growth Series                        0.085% of the daily net assets.
  Dividend Growth Series                       0.075% of the daily net assets.
  Global Equity Series                         0.10% of the daily net assets.
  Strategist Series                            0.085% of the daily net assets.
  Utilities Series                             0.075% of the daily net assets.
  Value Added Market Series                    0.050% of the daily net assets.
 
Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Select Dimensions
  Investment Series--
  American Value Portfolio                     0.0625% of the daily net assets.
  Balanced Growth Portfolio                    0.065% of the daily net assets.
  Developing Growth Portfolio                  0.050% of the daily net assets.
  Diversified Income Portfolio                 0.040% of the daily net assets.
  Dividend Growth Portfolio                    0.0625% of the portion of the daily net assets not exceeding
                                               $500 million; and 0.050% of the portion of the daily net
                                               assets exceeding $500 million.
  Emerging Markets Portfolio                   0.075% of the daily net assets.
  Global Equity Portfolio                      0.10% of the daily net assets.
  Growth Portfolio                             0.048% of the daily net assets.
  Mid-Cap Growth Portfolio                     0.075% of the daily net assets
  Utilities Portfolio                          0.065% of the daily net assets.
  Value-Added Market Portfolio                 0.050% of the daily net assets.
 
Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Special Value Fund  0.075% of the daily net assets.
 
Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Strategist Fund     0.060% of the portion of the daily net assets not exceeding
                                               $500 million; 0.055% of the portion of the daily net assets
                                               exceeding $500 million but not exceeding $1 billion; 0.050%
                                               of the portion of the daily net assets exceeding $1 billion
                                               but not exceeding $1.5 billion; 0.0475% of the portion of
                                               the daily net assets exceeding $1.5 billion but not
                                               exceeding $2.0 billion; and 0.045% of the portion of the
                                               daily net assets exceeding $2.0 billion.
 
Morgan Stanley Dean Witter                     0.040% of the daily net assets.
  S&P 500 Index Fund
 
Morgan Stanley Dean Witter                     0.060% of the daily net assets.
  S&P 500 Select Fund
</TABLE>
 
                                      B-6
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<S>                                            <C>
Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Utilities Fund      0.065% of the portion of the daily net assets not exceeding
                                               $500 million; 0.055% of the portion of the daily net assets
                                               exceeding $500 million but not exceeding $1 billion; 0.0525%
                                               of the portion of the daily net assets exceeding $1 billion
                                               but not exceeding $1.5 billion; 0.050% of the portion of the
                                               daily net assets exceeding $1.5 billion but not exceeding
                                               $2.5 billion; 0.0475% of the portion of the daily net assets
                                               exceeding $2.5 billion but not exceeding $3.5 billion;
                                               0.045% of the portion of the daily net assets exceeding $3.5
                                               but not exceeding $5 billion; and 0.0425% of the daily net
                                               assets exceeding $5 billion.
 
Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Value Fund          0.10% of the daily net assets.
 
Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Value-Added Market  0.050% of the portion of the daily net assets not exceeding
  Series                                       $500 million; 0.45% of the portion of the daily net assets
                                               exceeding $500 million but not exceeding $1 billion; 0.0425%
                                               of the portion of the daily net assets exceeding $1.0
                                               billion but not exceeding $2.0 billion; and 0.040% of the
                                               portion of the daily net assets exceeding $2 billion.
 
Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Variable
  Investment Series--
  Capital Appreciation Portfolio               0.075% of the daily net assets.
  Capital Growth Portfolio                     0.065% of the daily net assets.
  Competitive Edge "Best Ideas" Portfolio      0.065% of the daily net assets.
  Dividend Growth Portfolio                    0.0625% of the portion of the daily net assets not exceeding
                                               $500 million; and 0.050% of the portion of the daily net
                                               assets exceeding $500 million but not exceeding $1 billion;
                                               0.0475% of the portion of the daily net assets exceeding
                                               $1.0 billion but not exceeding $2.0 billion; and 0.045% of
                                               the portion of the daily net assets exceeding $2 billion.
  Equity Portfolio                             0.050% of the portion of the daily net assets not exceeding
                                               $1 billion; and 0.0475% of the portion of the daily net
                                               assets exceeding $1 billion.
  European Growth Portfolio                    0.060% of the portion of the daily net assets not exceeding
                                               $500 million; and 0.057% of the portion of the daily net
                                               assets exceeding $500 million.
  Income Builder Portfolio                     0.075% of the daily net assets.
  S&P 500 Index Portfolio                      0.040% of the daily net assets.
  Strategist Portfolio                         0.050% of the daily net assets.
  Utilities Portfolio                          0.065% of the portion of the daily net assets not exceeding
                                               $500 million and 0.055% of the portion of the daily net
                                               assets exceeding $500 million.
</TABLE>
 
                                      B-7
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<S>                                            <C>
MONEY MARKET FUNDS
 
Active Assets Trusts:                          0.050% of the portion of the daily net assets not exceeding
  (1) Active Assets Money Trust                $500 million; 0.0425% of the portion of the daily net assets
  (2) Active Assets Tax-Free Trust             exceeding $500 million but not exceeding $750 million;
  (3) Active Assets California Tax-Free Trust  0.0375% of the portion of the daily net assets exceeding
  (4) Active Assets Government Securities      $750 million but not exceeding $1 billion; 0.035% of the
      Trust                                    portion of the daily net assets exceeding $1 billion but not
                                               exceeding $1.5 billion; 0.0325% of the portion of the daily
                                               net assets exceeding $1.5 billion but not exceeding $2
                                               billion; 0.030% of the portion of the daily net assets
                                               exceeding $2 billion but not exceeding $2.5 billion; 0.0275%
                                               of the portion of the daily net assets exceeding $2.5
                                               billion but not exceeding $3 billion; and 0.025% of the
                                               portion of the daily net assets exceeding $3 billion.
 
Morgan Stanley Dean Witter California          0.050% of the portion of the daily net assets not exceeding
  Tax-Free Daily                               $500 million; 0.0425% of the portion of the daily net assets
  Income Trust                                 exceeding $500 million but not exceeding $750 million;
                                               0.0375% of the portion of the daily net assets exceeding
                                               $750 million but not exceeding $1 billion; 0.035% of the
                                               portion of the daily net assets exceeding $1 billion but not
                                               exceeding $1.5 billion; 0.0325% of the portion of the daily
                                               net assets exceeding $1.5 billion but not exceeding $2
                                               billion; 0.030% of the portion of the daily net assets
                                               exceeding $2 billion but not exceeding $2.5 billion; 0.0275%
                                               of the portion of the daily net assets exceeding $2.5
                                               billion but not exceeding $3 billion; and 0.025% of the
                                               portion of the daily net assets exceeding $3 billion.
 
Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Liquid Asset Fund   0.050% of the portion of the daily net assets not exceeding
  Inc.                                         $500 million; 0.0425% of the portion of the daily net assets
                                               exceeding $500 million but not exceeding $750 million;
                                               0.0375% of the portion of the daily net assets exceeding
                                               $750 million but not exceeding $1 billion; 0.035% of the
                                               portion of the daily net assets exceeding $1 billion but not
                                               exceeding $1.35 billion; 0.0325% of the portion of the daily
                                               net assets exceeding $1.35 billion but not exceeding $1.75
                                               billion; 0.030% of the portion of the daily net assets
                                               exceeding $1.75 billion but not exceeding $2.15 billion;
                                               0.0275% of the portion of the daily net assets exceeding
                                               $2.15 billion but not exceeding $2.5 billion; 0.025% of the
                                               portion of the daily net assets exceeding $2.5 billion but
                                               not exceeding $15 billion; 0.0249% of the portion of the
                                               daily net assets exceeding $15 billion but not exceeding
                                               $17.5 billion; and 0.0248% of the portion of the daily net
                                               assets exceeding $17.5 billion.
</TABLE>
 
                                      B-8
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<S>                                            <C>
Morgan Stanley Dean Witter                     0.050% of the portion of the daily net assets not exceeding
  New York Municipal Money                     $500 million; 0.0425% of the portion of the daily net assets
  Market Trust                                 exceeding $500 million but not exceeding $750 million;
                                               0.0375% of the portion of the daily net assets exceeding
                                               $750 million but not exceeding $1 billion; 0.035% of the
                                               portion of the daily net assets exceeding $1 billion but not
                                               exceeding $1.5 billion; 0.0325% of the portion of the daily
                                               net assets exceeding $1.5 billion but not exceeding $2
                                               billion; 0.030% of the portion of the daily net assets
                                               exceeding $2 billion but not exceeding $2.5 billion; 0.0275%
                                               of the portion of the daily net assets exceeding $2.5
                                               billion but not exceeding $3 billion; and 0.025% of the
                                               portion of the daily net assets exceeding $3 billion.
 
Dean Witter Retirement Series--
  Liquid Asset Series                          0.050% of the daily net assets.
  U.S. Government Money                        0.050% of the daily net assets.
    Market Series
 
Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Select Dimensions
  Investment Series--
  Money Market Portfolio                       0.050% of the daily net assets.
 
Morgan Stanley Dean Witter                     0.050% of the portion of the daily net assets not exceeding
  Tax-Free Daily Income Trust                  $500 million; 0.0425% of the portion of the daily net assets
                                               exceeding $500 million but not exceeding $750 million;
                                               0.0375% of the portion of the daily net assets exceeding
                                               $750 million but not exceeding $1 billion; 0.035% of the
                                               portion of the daily net assets exceeding $1 billion but not
                                               exceeding $1.5 billion; 0.0325% of the portion of the daily
                                               net assets exceeding $1.5 billion but not exceeding $2
                                               billion; 0.030% of the portion of the daily net assets
                                               exceeding $2 billion but not exceeding $2.5 billion; 0.0275%
                                               of the portion of the daily net assets exceeding $2.5
                                               billion but not exceeding $3 billion; and 0.025% of the
                                               portion of the daily net assets exceeding $3 billion.
 
Morgan Stanley Dean Witter U.S. Government     0.050% of the portion of the daily net assets not exceeding
  Money Market Trust                           $500 million; 0.0425% of the portion of the daily net assets
                                               exceeding $500 million but not exceeding $750 million;
                                               0.0375% of the portion of the daily net assets exceeding
                                               $750 million but not exceeding $1 billion; 0.035% of the
                                               portion of the daily net assets exceeding $1 billion but not
                                               exceeding $1.5 billion; 0.0325% of the portion of the daily
                                               net assets exceeding $1.5 billion but not exceeding $2
                                               billion; 0.030% of the portion of the daily net assets
                                               exceeding $2 billion but not exceeding $2.5 billion; 0.0275%
                                               of the portion of the daily net assets exceeding $2.5
                                               billion but not exceeding $3 billion; and 0.025% of the
                                               portion of the daily net assets exceeding $3 billion.
 
Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Variable            0.050% of the daily net assets.
  Investment Series-- Money Market Portfolio
</TABLE>
 
                                      B-9
<PAGE>
    Monthly compensation calculated weekly by applying the following annual
rates to a fund's weekly net assets:
 
<TABLE>
<S>                                            <C>
CLOSED-END FUNDS
 
Dean Witter Government                         0.060% of the average weekly net assets.
  Income Trust
 
High Income Advantage Trust                    0.075% of the portion of the average weekly net assets not
                                               exceeding $250 million; 0.060% of the portion of average
                                               weekly net assets exceeding $250 million and not exceeding
                                               $500 million; 0.050% of the portion of average weekly net
                                               assets exceeding $500 million and not exceeding $750
                                               million; 0.040% of the portion of average weekly net assets
                                               exceeding $750 million and not exceeding $1 billion; and
                                               0.030% of the portion of average weekly net assets exceeding
                                               $1 billion.
 
High Income Advantage Trust II                 0.075% of the portion of the average weekly net assets not
                                               exceeding $250 million; 0.060% of the portion of average
                                               weekly net assets exceeding $250 million and not exceeding
                                               $500 million; 0.050% of the portion of average weekly net
                                               assets exceeding $500 million and not exceeding $750
                                               million; 0.040% of the portion of average weekly net assets
                                               exceeding $750 million and not exceeding $1 billion; and
                                               0.030% of the portion of average weekly net assets exceeding
                                               $1 billion.
 
High Income Advantage Trust III                0.075% of the portion of the average weekly net assets not
                                               exceeding $250 million; 0.060% of the portion of average
                                               weekly net assets exceeding $250 million and not exceeding
                                               $500 million; 0.050% of the portion of average weekly net
                                               assets exceeding $500 million and not exceeding $750
                                               million; 0.040% of the portion of the average weekly net
                                               assets exceeding $750 million and not exceeding $1 billion;
                                               and 0.030% of the portion of average weekly net assets
                                               exceeding $1 billion.
 
InterCapital Income Securities Inc.            0.050% of the average weekly net assets.
 
InterCapital Insured Municipal Bond Trust      0.035% of the average weekly net assets.
 
InterCapital Insured Municipal Trust           0.035% of the average weekly net assets.
 
InterCapital Insured Municipal Income Trust    0.035% of the average weekly net assets.
 
InterCapital California Insured Municipal      0.035% of the average weekly net assets.
  Income Trust
 
InterCapital Quality Municipal Investment      0.035% of the average weekly net assets.
  Trust
 
InterCapital New York Quality Municipal        0.035% of the average weekly net assets.
  Securities
 
InterCapital Quality Municipal Income Trust    0.035% of the average weekly net assets.
</TABLE>
 
                                      B-10
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<S>                                            <C>
InterCapital Quality Municipal Securities      0.035% of the average weekly net assets.
 
InterCapital California Quality Municipal      0.035% of the average weekly net assets.
  Securities
 
InterCapital Insured Municipal Securities      0.035% of the average weekly net assets.
 
InterCapital Insured California Municipal      0.035% of the average weekly net assets.
  Securities
</TABLE>
 
                                      B-11


<PAGE>
                        MORGAN STANLEY DEAN WITTER FUNDS
                              MULTIPLE CLASS PLAN
                             PURSUANT TO RULE 18f-3
 
INTRODUCTION
 
    This plan (the "Plan") is adopted pursuant to Rule 18f-3(d) of the
Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the "1940 Act"), effective as of
July 28, 1997, and amended as of June 22, 1998. The Plan relates to shares of
the open-end investment companies to which Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Advisors
Inc. acts as investment manager, that are listed on Schedule A, as may be
amended from time to time (each, a "Fund" and collectively, the "Funds"). The
Funds are distributed pursuant to a system (the "Multiple Class System") in
which each class of shares (each, a "Class" and collectively, the "Classes") of
a Fund represents a pro rata interest in the same portfolio of investments of
the Fund and differs only to the extent outlined below.
 
I.  DISTRIBUTION ARRANGEMENTS
 
    One or more Classes of shares of the Funds are offered for purchase by
investors with the sales load structures described below. In addition, pursuant
to Rule 12b-1 under the 1940 Act, the Funds have each adopted a Plan of
Distribution (the "12b-1 Plan") under which shares of certain Classes are
subject to the service and/or distribution fees ("12b-1 fees") described below.
 
1.  CLASS A SHARES
 
    Class A shares are offered with a front-end sales load ("FESL"). The
schedule of sales charges applicable to a Fund and the circumstances under which
the sales charges are subject to reduction are set forth in each Fund's current
prospectus. As stated in each Fund's current prospectus, Class A shares may be
purchased at net asset value (without a FESL): (i) in the case of certain large
purchases of such shares; and (ii) by certain limited categories of investors,
in each case, under the circumstances and conditions set forth in each Fund's
current prospectus. Class A shares purchased at net asset value may be subject
to a contingent deferred sales charge ("CDSC") on redemptions made within one
year of purchase. Further information relating to the CDSC, including the manner
in which it is calculated, is set forth in paragraph 6 below. Class A shares are
also subject to payments under each Fund's 12b-1 Plan to reimburse Morgan
Stanley Dean Witter Distributors Inc., Dean Witter Reynolds Inc. ("DWR"), its
affiliates and other broker-dealers for distribution expenses incurred by them
specifically on behalf of the Class, assessed at an annual rate of up to 0.25%
of average daily net assets. The entire amount of the 12b-1 fee represents a
service fee within the meaning of National Association of Securities Dealers,
Inc. ("NASD") guidelines.
 
2.  CLASS B SHARES
 
    Class B shares are offered without a FESL, but will in most cases be subject
to a six-year declining CDSC which is calculated in the manner set forth in
paragraph 6 below. Class B shares purchased by certain qualified
employer-sponsored benefit plans are subject to a three-year declining CDSC
which is calculated in the manner set forth in paragraph 6 below. The schedule
of CDSC charges applicable to each Fund is set forth in each Fund's current
prospectus. With the exception of certain of the Funds which have a different
formula described below (Morgan Stanley Dean Witter American Value Fund, Morgan
Stanley Dean Witter Natural Resource Development Securities Inc., Morgan Stanley
Dean Witter Strategist Fund and Morgan
 
                                       1
<PAGE>
Stanley Dean Witter Dividend Growth Securities Inc.)(1), Class B shares are also
subject to a fee under each Fund's respective 12b-1 Plan, assessed at the annual
rate of up to 1.0% of either: (a) the lesser of (i) the average daily aggregate
gross sales of the Fund's Class B shares since the inception of the Fund (not
including reinvestment of dividends or capital gains distributions), less the
average daily aggregate net asset value of the Fund's Class B shares redeemed
since the Fund's inception upon which a CDSC has been imposed or waived, or (ii)
the average daily net assets of Class B; or (b) the average daily net assets of
Class B. A portion of the 12b-1 fee equal to up to 0.25% of the Fund's average
daily net assets is characterized as a service fee within the meaning of the
NASD guidelines and the remaining portion of the 12b-1 fee, if any, is
characterized as an asset-based sales charge. Also, Class B shares have a
conversion feature ("Conversion Feature") under which such shares convert to
Class A shares after a certain holding period. Details of the Conversion Feature
are set forth in Section IV below.
 
3.  CLASS C SHARES
 
    Class C shares are offered without imposition of a FESL, but will in most
cases be subject to a CDSC of 1.0% on redemptions made within one year after
purchase. Further information relating to the CDSC is set forth in paragraph 6
below. In addition, Class C shares, under each Fund's 12b-1 Plan, are subject to
12b-1 payments to reimburse Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Distributors Inc., DWR,
its affiliates and other broker-dealers for distribution expenses incurred by
them specifically on behalf of the Class, assessed at the annual rate of up to
1.0% of the average daily net assets of the Class. A portion of the 12b-1 fee
equal to up to 0.25% of the Fund's average daily net assets is characterized as
a service fee within the meaning of NASD guidelines. Unlike Class B shares,
Class C shares do not have the Conversion Feature.
 
4.  CLASS D SHARES
 
    Class D shares are offered without imposition of a FESL, CDSC or a 12b-1 fee
for purchases of Fund shares by (i) investors meeting an initial minimum
investment requirement and (ii) certain other limited categories of investors,
in each case, as may be approved by the Boards of Directors/Trustees of the
Funds and as disclosed in each Fund's current prospectus.
 
5.  ADDITIONAL CLASSES OF SHARES
 
    The Boards of Directors/Trustees of the Funds have the authority to create
additional Classes, or change existing Classes, from time to time, in accordance
with Rule 18f-3 under the 1940 Act.
 
- ------------
 
(1)The payments under the 12b-1 Plan for each of Morgan Stanley Dean Witter
American Value Fund, Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Natural Resource Development
Securities Inc. and Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Dividend Growth Securities Inc.
are assessed at the annual rate of 1.0% of the lesser of: (a) the average daily
aggregate gross sales of the Fund's Class B shares since the inception of the
Fund's Plan (not including reinvestment of dividends or capital gains
distributions), less the average daily aggregate net asset value of the Fund's
Class B shares redeemed since the Plan's inception upon which a contingent
deferred sales charge has been imposed or waived, or (b) the average daily net
assets of Class B attributable to shares issued, net of related shares redeemed,
since inception of the Plan. The payments under the 12b-1 Plan for the Morgan
Stanley Dean Witter Strategist Fund are assessed at the annual rate of: (i) 1%
of the lesser of (a) the average daily aggregate gross sales of the Fund's Class
B shares since the effectiveness of the first amendment of the Plan on November
8, 1989 (not including reinvestment of dividends or capital gains
distributions), less the average daily aggregate net asset value of the Fund's
Class B shares redeemed since the effectiveness of the first amended Plan, upon
which a contingent deferred sales charge has been imposed or waived, or (b) the
average daily net assets of Class B attributable to shares issued, net of
related shares redeemed, since the effectiveness of the first amended Plan; plus
(ii) 0.25% of the average daily net assets of Class B attributable to shares
issued, net of related shares redeemed, prior to effectiveness of the first
amended Plan.
 
                                       2
<PAGE>
6.  CALCULATION OF THE CDSC
 
    Any applicable CDSC is calculated based upon the lesser of net asset value
of the shares at the time of purchase or at the time of redemption. The CDSC
does not apply to amounts representing an increase in share value due to capital
appreciation and shares acquired through the reinvestment of dividends or
capital gains distributions. The CDSC schedule applicable to a Fund and the
circumstances in which the CDSC is subject to waiver are set forth in each
Fund's prospectus.
 
II.  EXPENSE ALLOCATIONS
 
    Expenses incurred by a Fund are allocated among the various Classes of
shares pro rata based on the net assets of the Fund attributable to each Class,
except that 12b-1 fees relating to a particular Class are allocated directly to
that Class. In addition, other expenses associated with a particular Class
(except advisory or custodial fees), may be allocated directly to that Class,
provided that such expenses are reasonably identified as specifically
attributable to that Class and the direct allocation to that Class is approved
by the Fund's Board of Directors/Trustees.
 
III.  CLASS DESIGNATION
 
    All shares of the Funds held prior to July 28, 1997 (other than the shares
held by certain employee benefit plans established by DWR and its affiliate, SPS
Transaction Services, Inc., shares of Funds offered with a FESL, and shares of
Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Balanced Growth Fund and Morgan Stanley Dean Witter
Balanced Income Fund) have been designated Class B shares. Shares held prior to
July 28, 1997 by such employee benefit plans have been designated Class D
shares. Shares held prior to July 28, 1997 of Funds offered with a FESL have
been designated Class D shares. In addition, shares of Morgan Stanley Dean
Witter American Value Fund purchased prior to April 30, 1984, shares of Morgan
Stanley Dean Witter Strategist Fund purchased prior to November 8, 1989 and
shares of Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Natural Resource Development Securities
Inc. and Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Dividend Growth Securities Inc. purchased
prior to July 2, 1984 (with respect to such shares of each Fund, including such
proportion of shares acquired through reinvestment of dividends and capital
gains distributions as the total number of shares acquired prior to each of the
preceding dates in this sentence bears to the total number of shares purchased
and owned by the shareholder of that Fund) have been designated Class D shares.
Shares of Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Balanced Growth Fund and Morgan Stanley
Dean Witter Balanced Income Fund held prior to July 28, 1997 have been
designated Class C shares except that shares of Morgan Stanley Dean Witter
Balanced Growth Fund and Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Balanced Income Fund held
prior to July 28, 1997 that were acquired in exchange for shares of an
investment company offered with a CDSC have been designated Class B shares and
those that were acquired in exchange for shares of an investment company offered
with a FESL have been designated Class A shares.
 
IV.  THE CONVERSION FEATURE
 
    Class B shares held before May 1, 1997 will convert to Class A shares in
May, 2007, except that Class B shares which were purchased before July 28, 1997
by trusts for which Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Trust FSB ("MSDW Trust") provides
discretionary trustee services converted to Class A shares on August 29, 1997
(the CDSC was not applicable to such shares upon the conversion). In all other
instances, Class B shares of each Fund will automatically convert to Class A
shares, based on the relative net asset values of the shares of the two Classes
on the conversion date, which will be approximately ten (10) years after the
date of the original purchase. Conversions will be effected once a month. The 10
year period will be calculated from the last day of the month in which the
shares were purchased or, in the case of Class B shares acquired through an
exchange or a series of exchanges, from the last day of the month in which the
original Class B shares were purchased, provided that shares originally
purchased before May 1, 1997 will convert to Class A shares in May, 2007. Except
as set forth below, the conversion of shares purchased on or after May 1, 1997
will take place in the month following the tenth anniversary of the purchase.
There will also be converted at that time such proportion of Class B shares
acquired through automatic reinvestment of dividends owned by the shareholder as
the total number of his or her Class B shares converting at the time bears to
the total number of outstanding Class B shares purchased and owned by the
shareholder. In the case of Class B shares held by a 401(k) plan or other plan
qualified under Section 401(a) of the Internal Revenue Code (the "Code") and
 
                                       3
<PAGE>
for which MSDW Trust serves as Trustee or DWR's Retirement Plan Services serves
as recordkeeper pursuant to a written Recordkeeping Services Agreement, all
Class B shares will convert to Class A shares on the conversion date of the
first shares of a Fund purchased by that plan. In the case of Class B shares
previously exchanged for shares of an "Exchange Fund" (as such term is defined
in the prospectus of each Fund), the period of time the shares were held in the
Exchange Fund (calculated from the last day of the month in which the Exchange
Fund shares were acquired) is excluded from the holding period for conversion.
If those shares are subsequently re-exchanged for Class B shares of a Fund, the
holding period resumes on the last day of the month in which Class B shares are
reacquired.
 
    Effectiveness of the Conversion Feature is subject to the continuing
availability of a ruling of the Internal Revenue Service or an opinion of
counsel to the effect that (i) the conversion of shares does not constitute a
taxable event under the Code; (ii) Class A shares received on conversion will
have a basis equal to the shareholder's basis in the converted Class B shares
immediately prior to the conversion; and (iii) Class A shares received on
conversion will have a holding period that includes the holding period of the
converted Class B shares. The Conversion Feature may be suspended if the Ruling
or opinion is no longer available. In such event, Class B shares would continue
to be subject to Class B fees under the applicable Fund's 12b-1 Plan.
 
V.  EXCHANGE PRIVILEGES
 
    Shares of each Class may be exchanged for shares of the same Class of the
other Funds and for shares of certain other investment companies without the
imposition of an exchange fee as described in the prospectuses and statements of
additional information of the Funds. The exchange privilege of each Fund may be
terminated or revised at any time by the Fund upon such notice as may be
required by applicable regulatory agencies as described in each Fund's
prospectus.
 
VI.  VOTING
 
    Each Class shall have exclusive voting rights on any matter that relates
solely to its 12b-1 Plan, except that Class B shareholders will have the right
to vote on any proposed material increase in Class A's expenses, including
payments under the Class A 12b-1 Plan, if such proposal is submitted separately
to Class A shareholders. If the amount of expenses, including payments under the
Class A 12b-1 Plan, is increased materially without the approval of Class B
shareholders, the Fund will establish a new Class A for Class B shareholders
whose shares automatically convert on the same terms as applied to Class A
before the increase. In addition, each Class shall have separate voting rights
on any matter submitted to shareholders in which the interests of one Class
differ from the interests of any other Class.
 
                                       4
<PAGE>
                        MORGAN STANLEY DEAN WITTER FUNDS
                   MULTIPLE CLASS PLAN PURSUANT TO RULE 18f-3
                                   SCHEDULE A
                                AT JULY 22, 1998
 
<TABLE>
<S>        <C>
1)         Morgan Stanley Dean Witter American Value Fund
2)         Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Balanced Growth Fund
3)         Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Balanced Income Fund
4)         Morgan Stanley Dean Witter California Tax-Free Income Fund
5)         Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Capital Appreciation Fund
6)         Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Capital Growth Securities
7)         Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Competitive Edge Fund
8)         Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Convertible Securities Trust
9)         Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Developing Growth Securities Trust
10)        Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Diversified Income Trust
11)        Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Dividend Growth Securities Inc.
12)        Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Equity Fund
13)        Morgan Stanley Dean Witter European Growth Fund Inc.
14)        Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Federal Securities Trust
15)        Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Financial Services Trust
16)        Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Fund of Funds
17)        Dean Witter Global Asset Allocation Fund
18)        Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Global Dividend Growth Securities
19)        Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Global Utilities Fund
20)        Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Growth Fund
21)        Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Health Sciences Trust
22)        Morgan Stanley Dean Witter High Yield Securities Inc.
23)        Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Income Builder Fund
24)        Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Information Fund
25)        Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Intermediate Income Securities
26)        Morgan Stanley Dean Witter International SmallCap Fund
27)        Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Japan Fund
28)        Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Market Leader Trust
29)        Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Mid-Cap Dividend Growth Securities
30)        Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Mid-Cap Growth Fund
31)        Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Natural Resource Development Securities Inc.
32)        Morgan Stanley Dean Witter New York Tax-Free Income Fund
33)        Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Pacific Growth Fund Inc.
34)        Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Precious Metals and Minerals Trust
35)        Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Research Fund
36)        Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Special Value Fund
37)        Morgan Stanley Dean Witter S&P 500 Index Fund
38)        Morgan Stanley Dean Witter S&P 500 Select Fund
39)        Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Strategist Fund
40)        Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Tax-Exempt Securities Trust
41)        Morgan Stanley Dean Witter U.S. Government Securities Trust
42)        Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Utilities Fund
43)        Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Value-Added Market Series
44)        Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Value Fund
45)        Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Worldwide High Income Fund
46)        Morgan Stanley Dean Witter World Wide Income Trust
</TABLE>
 
                                       5


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