RIO DE JANEIRO, Brazil, Oct. 17 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Companhia Siderurgica Nacional (NYSE: SID; BOVESPA: CSNA3), is pleased to inform its respective shareholders and market participants that it established a strategic partnership with a consortium comprised by ITOCHU Corporation, Nippon Steel Corporation, JFE Steel Corporation, POSCO, Sumitomo Metal Industries, Ltd., Kobe Steel, Ltd. and Nisshin Steel Co., Ltd. (the "Consortium"). The transaction consists in the acquisition of 40% of the total capital of Nacional Minerios S.A. ("Namisa"), a subsidiary of CSN, for the aggregate amount of approximately US$ 3.12 billion, payable in cash, and the entering into certain mining products and related port services agreement to be provided by CSN to Namisa. Today the Consortium's members obtained their respective corporate approvals for the key terms and conditions of the transaction. CSN already obtained its approvals, which were conditioned on the parties reaching agreement on such key terms and conditions. The approvals are subject to the finalization and execution of the definitive transaction agreements. The parties expect to sign final documentation next Tuesday, October 21, 2008. Investor Relations Companhia Siderurgica Nacional Phone: 55 11 3049-7588 E-mail: http://www.csn.com.br/ir DATASOURCE: Companhia Siderurgica Nacional CONTACT: Companhia Siderurgica Nacional Investor Relations, +011-55-11-3049-7588, Web site: http://www.csn.com.br/ir

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