Pursuant to Rule 13a-16 or 15d-16 of the
São Paulo, SP, Brazil
04538-132
under cover Form 20-F or Form 40-F. Form 20-F ___X___ Form 40-F _______
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant by furnishing the information contained in this Form is also thereby furnishing the information to the Commission pursuant to Rule 12g3-2(b) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.
Yes _______ No ___X____
Rio de Janeiro, January 30, 2007.
| CSN is a leading global steel producer with operations in Latin America, North America, and Europe. The Company is a fully integrated steel producer, the largest coated steel producer in Brazil, with current capacity of 5.6 million tons of crude steel, 5.1 million tons of rolled products and 2.9 million tons of coated steel capacity. Over 50% of CSN’s production consists of high value added steel products. CSN is also the sole tin-plate producer in Brazil and the fifth largest producer of tin plate in the world. | CSN's process is based on the integrated steelworks concept that uses the Company's own sources of iron ore, limestone and dolomite. Besides its captive mines, CSN controls logistics assets - ports and railways – which enable an extremely cost efficient operation. This concept allows CSN to continuously capture important levels of synergies, thus assuring its position as one of the most cost competitive steel producers in the world. |
CSN ANNNOUCES IT WAS GRANTED CLEARENCE YESTERDAY BOTH BY THE EUROPEAN UNION COMISSION, AS WELL BY THE NORTH AMERICAN “HSR ACT” TO THE PROPOSED ACQUISITION OF CORUS
Rio de Janeiro/ São Paulo, 30 de Janeiro de 2007 --- Companhia Siderúrgica Nacional –CSN (BOVESPA: CSNA3; NYSE:SID) is pleased to announce that on January 29, 2007, the European Union Commission granted clearance to the proposed acquisition by CSN of the Anglo-Dutch steel company Corus Group plc. (“Corus”). As to the relevant antitrust filing made in the United States of America (“US”), the waiting period under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act of 1976 (the “HSR Act”) has expired, and CSN is now permitted to acquire Corus under the HSR Act.
| Investor Relations Team | ||||
| José Marcos Treiger | David Moise Salama | Cláudio Pontes | ||
| Head of Investor Relations | Investor Relations Manager | Investor Relations | ||
| treiger@csn.com.br | david.salama@csn.com.br | Cláudio.pontes@csn.com.br | ||
| (55 11) 3049-7502 | (55 11) 3049-7588 | (55 11) 3049-7592 | ||
COMPANHIA SIDERÚRGICA NACIONAL |
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By: |
/S/ Benjamin Steinbruch
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Benjamin Steinbruch
Chief Executive Officer and Acting Chief Financial Officer |
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This press release may contain forward-looking statements. These statements are statements that are not historical facts, and are based on management's current view and estimates of future economic circumstances, industry conditions, company performance and financial results. The words "anticipates", "believes", "estimates", "expects", "plans" and similar expressions, as they relate to the company, are intended to identify forward-looking statements. Statements regarding the declaration or payment of dividends, the implementation of principal operating and financing strategies and capital expenditure plans, the direction of future operations and the factors or trends affecting financial condition, liquidity or results of operations are examples of forward-looking statements. Such statements reflect the current views of management and are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties. There is no guarantee that the expected events, trends or results will actually occur. The statements are based on many assumptions and factors, including general economic and market conditions, industry conditions, and operating factors. Any changes in such assumptions or factors could cause actual results to differ materially from current expectations.