20-F/A 1 sidform20f2008a.htm FORM 20-F A
As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 17, 2010

UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 20-F/A
(Amendment No. 1)

| REGISTRATION STATEMENT PURSUANT TO SECTION 12(b) OR (g) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 OR

| ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2008 OR

| TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 OR

| SHELL COMPANY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 Comission file number: 1-14732

COMPANHIA SIDERÚRGICA NACIONAL
(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in its Charter)
NATIONAL STEEL COMPANY
(Translation of Registrant's name into English)
THE FEDERATIVE REPUBLIC OF BRAZIL
(Jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)

Paulo Penido Pinto Marques, Chief Financial Officer
Phone: +55 11 3049-7100 Fax: +55 11 3049-7212
Av. Brigadeiro Faria Lima, 3,400 – 20th floor
04.538-132, São Paulo-SP, Brazil
(Address of principal executive offices)

Securities registered or to be registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act.

Title of each class | Name of each exchange on which registered
Common Shares without par value | New York Stock Exchange*
American Depositary Shares, (as evidenced | New York Stock Exchange
by American Depositary Receipts), each |
representing one share of Common Stock |

______________
* | Not for trading purposes, but only in connection with the registration of American Depositary Shares pursuant to the requirements of the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Securities registered or to be registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act:
None
Securities for which there is a reporting obligation pursuant to Section 15(d) of the Act:
None

Indicate the number of outstanding shares of each of the issuer’s classes of capital or common stock as of the period covered by the annual report:

Common Shares, without par value. | 793,403,838, including 34,734,384 common shares held in treasury. This amount considers the cancellation of shares and takes into account the one-for-three stock split that took place in January 2008, whereby each common share of our capital stock as of December 31, 2007 became represented by three common shares. For further information, see “Item 7A. Major Shareholders,” “Item 9A. Offer and Listing Details” and “Item 10B. Memorandum and Articles of Association.”

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act.

Yes No

If this report is an annual or transition report, indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.

Yes No

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.

Yes No

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).

Yes No

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, or a non- accelerated filer. See definition of “accelerated filer and large accelerated filer” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):

Large Accelerated Filer Accelerated Filer Non-accelerated Filer

Indicate by check mark which basis of accounting the registrant has used to prepare the financial statements included in this filing:

U.S. GAAP | International Financial Reporting Standards as issued by the International Accounting Standards Board | Other

If “Other” has been checked in response to the previous question, indicate by check mark which financial statement item the registrant has elected to follow:

Item 17 Item 18

If this is an annual report, indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).

Yes No

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EXPLANATORY NOTE

We are amending our Annual Report on Form 20-F for the year ended December 31, 2008, or the Annual Report, to include certain information, requested by the Staff of the Securities and Exchange Commission, or the SEC, during their review of our Annual Report, regarding:

- discussion and analysis of our gross profit and results of operation in connection with our mining segment;
- trend information;
- sensitivity analysis in connection with certain derivatives;
- controls regarding financial reporting of overseas subsidiaries and measures adopted to remediate related material weaknesses; and
- accounting policies and data in connection with our steel segment revenue, mining assets, inventory, results from foreign exchange variations and accrual of contingencies in connection with tax disputes.

As a result of the SEC review process we amended our disclosure in this Annual Report in connection with the following items:

- Item 5A. Operating Results;
- Item 5D. Trend Information;
- Item 11. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosure About Market Risk;
- Item 15. Controls and Procedures; and
- Item 18. Financial Statements, regarding notes 2(f), 2(p), 10, 12, 13 and 17(a) to our consolidated financial statements

We believe these amendments, although helpful to investors, do not affect the CEO and CFO's original conclusions regarding the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures and internal control over financial reporting.

In addition, we have included as exhibits to our Annual Report copies of the following main agreements comprising the strategic partnership agreement with a consortium of Japanese and Korean companies, or Strategic Partnership Agreement, including Itochu Corporation, JFE Steel Corporation, Nippon Steel Corporation, Sumitomo Metal Industries, Ltd., Kobe Steel, Ltd., Nishin Steel Co., Ltd., and Posco, or Big Jump, concerning Nacional Minérios S.A., or Namisa, one of our subsidiaries:

- Share Purchase Agreement, dated October 21, 2008;
- Shareholders Agreement, dated October 21, 2008;
- High Silica ROM Iron Ore Supply Contract, dated October 21, 2008;
- Low Silica ROM Iron Ore Supply Contract, dated October 21, 2008;
- Iron Ore Supply Contract, dated October 21, 2008; and
- Port Operating Services Agreement, dated October 21, 2008.

We have submitted to the SEC an application for confidential treatment of certain portions of the Strategic Partnership Agreement and are filing a redacted copy of the Strategic Partnership Agreement as an exhibit to this Annual Report.

No other changes are being made to the Annual Report, as originally filed. The Annual Report, as amended by this amendment, continues to speak as of the date of its original filing and we have not updated the disclosure as of a later date.

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

| Page
Explanatory Note | i
Introduction | 1
Forward-Looking Statements | 2
Presentation of Financial and Other Information | 2
Item 1. Identity of Directors, Senior Management and Advisors | 4
Item 2. Offer Statistics and Expected Timetable | 4
Item 3. Key Information | 4
3A. Selected Financial Data | 4
3B. Capitalization and Indebtedness | 6
3C. Reasons for the Offer and Use of Proceeds | 6
3D. Risk Factors | 6
Item 4. Information on the Company | 15
4A. History and Development of the Company | 15
4B. Business Overview | 20
4C. Organizational Structure | 48
4D. Property, Plant and Equipment | 48
Item 4A. Unresolved Staff Comments | 55
Item 5. Operating and Financial Review and Prospects | 55
5A. Operating Results | 55
5B. Liquidity and Capital Resources | 79
5C. Research and Development, Patents and Licenses, etc. | 82
5D. Trend Information | 82
5E. Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements | 82
5F. Tabular Disclosure of Contractual Obligations | 85
5G. Safe Harbor | 85
Item 6. Directors, Senior Management and Employees | 85
6A. Directors and Senior Management | 85
6B. Compensation | 88
6C. Board Practices | 88
6D. Employees | 88
6E. Share Ownership | 89
Item 7. Major Shareholders and Related Party Transactions | 89
7A. Major Shareholders | 89
7B. Related Party Transactions | 89
Item 8. Financial Information | 90
8A. Consolidated Statements and Other Financial Information | 90
8B. Significant Changes | 94
Item 9. The Offer and Listing | 94
9A. Offer and Listing Details | 94
9B. Plan of Distribution | 96
9C. Markets | 96
9D. Selling Shareholders | 98
9E. Dilution | 98
9F. Expenses of the Issue | 98
Item 10. Additional Information | 98
10A. Share Capital | 98
10B. Memorandum and Articles of Association | 98
10C. Material Contracts | 101
10D. Exchange Controls | 102
10E. Taxation | 103
10F. Dividends and Paying Agents | 110
10G. Statement by Experts | 110
10H. Documents on Display | 110

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10I. Subsidiary Information | 110
Item 11. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk | 111
Item 12. Description of Securities Other Than Equity Securities | 115
Item 13. Defaults, Dividend Arrearages and Delinquencies | 115
Item 14. Material Modification to the Rights of Security Holders and Use of Proceeds | 116
Item 15. Controls and Procedures | 116
Item 16. [Reserved] | 116
16A. Audit Committee Financial Expert | 116
16B. Code of Ethics | 116
16C. Principal Accountant Fees and Services | 116
16D. Exemptions from the Listing Standards for Audit Committees | 117
16E. Purchases of Equity Securities by the Issuer and Affiliated Purchasers | 117
16F. Change in Registrant’s Certifying Accountant | 118
16G. Corporate Governance | 118
Item 17. Financial Statements | 120
Item 18. Financial Statements | 121
Item 19. Exhibits | 121

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Table of Contents

INTRODUCTION

Unless otherwise specified, all references in this annual report to:

- “we,” “us,” “our” or “CSN” in this annual report are to Companhia Siderúrgica Nacional and its consolidated subsidiaries;
- “parent company” is to Companhia Siderúrgica Nacional.
- “Brazilian government” are to the federal government of the Federative Republic of Brazil;
- “real,” “reais” or “R$” are to Brazilian reais, the official currency of Brazil;
- “U.S. dollars,” “$,” “US$” or “USD” are to United States dollars;
- “billions” means thousands of millions, “km” means kilometers, “m” means meters, “tons” means metric tons, and “MW” means megawatts;
- “TEUs” means twenty-foot equivalent units;
- “consolidated financial statements” are to the consolidated financial statements of Companhia Siderúrgica Nacional and its consolidated subsidiaries as of December 31, 2007 and 2008 and, for the years ended December 31, 2006, 2007 and 2008, together with the corresponding Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firms;
- “ADSs” are to CSN’s American Depositary Shares and “ADRs” are to CSN’s American Depositary Receipts; and
- “Brazil” is to the Federative Republic of Brazil.

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Table of Contents

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This annual report includes forward-looking statements, within the meaning of Section 27A of the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Securities Act, and Section 21E of the U.S. Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or the Exchange Act, principally under the captions “Item 3. Key Information,” “Item 4. Information on the Company,” “Item 5. Operating and Financial Review and Prospects” and “Item 11. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk.” We have based these forward-looking statements largely on our current expectations and projections about future events, industry and financial trends affecting our business. Many important factors, in addition to those discussed elsewhere in this annual report, could cause our actual results to differ substantially from those anticipated in our forward-looking statements, including, among other things:

- general economic, political and business conditions in Brazil and abroad;
- the effects of the global financial markets and economic crisis;
- changes in competitive conditions and in the general level of demand and supply for our products;
- management’s expectations and estimates concerning our future financial performance and financing plans;
- our level of debt;
- availability and price of raw materials;
- changes in international trade or international trade regulations;
- protectionist measures imposed by Brazil and other countries;
- anticipated trends in our industry;
- our capital expenditure plans;
- inflation, interest rate levels and fluctuations in foreign exchange rates;
- our ability to develop and deliver our products on a timely basis;
- electricity and natural gas shortages and government responses to them;
- existing and future governmental regulation; and
- other risk factors as set forth under “Item 3D. Risk Factors.”

The words “believe,” “may,” “will,” “aim,” “estimate,” “forecast,” “plan,” “continue,” “anticipate,” “intend,” “expect” and similar words are intended to identify forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they were made, and we undertake no obligation to publicly update or to revise any forward-looking statements after we distribute this annual report because of new information, future events or other factors. In light of the risks and uncertainties described above, the forward-looking events and circumstances discussed in this annual report might not occur and are not an indication of future performance. As a result of various factors, such as those risks described in “Item 3D. Risk Factors,” undue reliance should not be placed on these forward-looking statements.

PRESENTATION OF FINANCIAL AND OTHER INFORMATION

Our consolidated financial statements as of December 31, 2007 and 2008 and for each of the years ended December 31, 2006, 2007 and 2008 contained in “Item 18. Financial Statements” have been presented in U.S. dollars and prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America, or U.S. GAAP. See Note 2(a) to our consolidated financial statements. For certain purposes, such as providing reports to our Brazilian shareholders, filing financial statements with the Brazilian Securities Commission (Comissão de Valores Mobiliários), or CVM, and determining dividend payments and other distributions and tax liabilities in Brazil, we have prepared and will continue to be required to prepare financial statements in accordance with the accounting principles required by Brazilian laws No. 6,404, dated December 15, 1976, as amended, and No. 11,638 dated December 28, 2007, as amended, or the Brazilian Corporate Law, and the rules and regulations of the CVM, or Brazilian GAAP, which differ in certain significant respects from U.S. GAAP.

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Because we operate in an industry that uses the U.S. dollar as its currency of reference, our management believes that it is appropriate to present our U.S. GAAP financial statements in U.S. dollars in our filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, or SEC. Accordingly, as permitted by the rules of the SEC, we have adopted the U.S. dollar as our reporting currency for our U.S. GAAP financial statements contained in our annual reports that we file with the SEC.

As described more fully in Note 2(a) to our consolidated financial statements, the U.S. dollar amounts as of the dates and for the periods presented in our consolidated financial statements have been translated from the real amounts in accordance with the criteria set forth in the U.S. Financial Accounting Standards Board’s Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 52, “Foreign Currency Translation,” at the period-end exchange rate (for balance sheet items) or the average exchange rate prevailing during the period (for income statement items). In this annual report, we refer to a Statement of Financial Accounting Standards issued by the U.S. Financial Accounting Standards Board as an “SFAS.”

Unless the context otherwise indicates:

- historical data contained in this annual report that were not derived from our consolidated financial statements have been translated from reais on a basis similar to that used in our consolidated financial statements for the same periods or as of the same dates, except investment amounts that have been translated at the exchange rate in effect on the date the investment was made.
- forward-looking statements have been translated from reais at the exchange rate in effect at the time of the most recently budgeted amounts. We may not have adjusted all of the budgeted amounts to reflect all factors that could affect them. In addition, exceptionally we may have translated budgeted amount based on the exchange rate in effect on the date of the action, operation or document.

Some figures included in this annual report have been subject to rounding adjustments. Accordingly, figures shown as totals in certain tables may not be an arithmetic aggregation of the figures which precede them.

Changes on Disclosure of Financial Statements

Our consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP. For certain purposes, such as providing reports to our Brazilian shareholders, filing financial statements with the CVM and determining dividend payments and other distributions and tax liabilities in Brazil, we have prepared and will continue to be required to prepare financial statements in accordance with Brazilian GAAP. Our financial statements prepared in accordance with Brazilian GAAP are not adjusted to account for the effects of inflation.

On July 13, 2007, the CVM issued CVM Rule No. 457 to require listed companies to publish their consolidated financial statements in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards, or IFRS, starting with the year ending December 31, 2010.

On December 28, 2007, Law No. 11,638 was enacted and amended numerous provisions of Brazilian Corporate Law relating to accounting principles and authority to issue accounting standards. Law No. 11,638 sought to enable greater convergence between Brazilian GAAP and IFRS. To promote convergence, Law No. 11,638 modified certain accounting principles of Brazilian Corporate Law and mandated the CVM to issue accounting rules conforming to the accounting standards adopted in international markets. Additionally, the statute acknowledged a role in the setting of accounting standards for the Committee for Accounting Rules (Comitê de Pronunciamentos Contábeis), or CPC, which is a committee of officials from the São Paulo Stock Exchange (BM&FBovespa S.A.– Bolsa de Valores, Mercadorias e Futuros), or the BOVESPA, industry representatives and academic bodies that has issued accounting guidance and pursued the improvement of accounting standards in Brazil. Law No. 11,638 permits the CVM and the Brazilian Central Bank (Banco Central do Brasil), or the Central Bank, to rely on the accounting standards issued by the CPC in establishing accounting principles for regulated entities.

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PART I

Item 1. Identity of Directors, Senior Management and Advisors

Not applicable.

Item 2. Offer Statistics and Expected Timetable

Not applicable.

Item 3. Key Information

3A. Selected Financial Data

The following table presents our selected financial data as of the dates and for each of the years indicated, prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP. Our U.S. GAAP consolidated financial statements as of December 31, 2007 and 2008 and for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2008 appear elsewhere herein, together with the reports of our Independent Registered Public Accounting Firms, Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Auditores Independentes, and KPMG Auditores Independentes, for the periods noted in their reports. The selected financial information as of December 31, 2004, 2005 and 2006 and for each of the years in the two-year period ended December 31, 2005 have been derived from our U.S. GAAP consolidated financial statements in U.S. dollars, not included in this annual report. The selected financial data below should be read in conjunction with “Item 5. Operating and Financial Review and Prospects.”

|  | Year Ended December 31,
Income Statement Data: |  | 2004 |  | 2005 |  | 2006 |  | 2007 |  | 2008
|  | (in millions of US$, except per share data)
Operating revenues |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Domestic sales |  | 2,895 |  | 3,449 |  | 3,550 |  | 5,283 |  | 7,377
Export sales |  | 1,008 |  | 1,224 |  | 1,263 |  | 1,695 |  | 1,830
Total |  | 3,903 |  | 4,673 |  | 4,813 |  | 6,978 |  | 9,207
Deductions from operating revenues |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Sales taxes |  | 735 |  | 829 |  | 899 |  | 1,305 |  | 1,835
Discounts, returns and allowances |  | 84 |  | 39 |  | 68 |  | 156 |  | 185
Net operating revenues(1) |  | 3,084 |  | 3,805 |  | 3,846 |  | 5,517 |  | 7,187
Cost of products sold |  | 1,407 |  | 1,837 |  | 2,102 |  | 3,076 |  | 3,576
Gross profit |  | 1,677 |  | 1,968 |  | 1,744 |  | 2,441 |  | 3,611
Operating expenses |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Selling |  | 156 |  | 186 |  | 167 |  | 310 |  | 412
General and administrative |  | 109 |  | 108 |  | 148 |  | 185 |  | 219
Other income (expense) |  | 50 |  | 28 |  | 149 |  | 85 |  | 136
Total |  | 315 |  | 322 |  | 464 |  | 580 |  | 767
Operating income |  | 1,362 |  | 1,646 |  | 1,280 |  | 1,861 |  | 2,844
Non-operating income (expenses), net |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Financial income (expenses), net |  | (510) |  | (550) |  | (533) |  | (219) |  | (380)
Foreign exchange and monetary gain (loss), net |  | 153 |  | 183 |  | 218 |  | 438 |  | (1,265)
Gain on dilution of interest in subsidiary |  | - |  | - |  | - |  | - |  | 1,667
Other |  | (6) |  | 3 |  | 22 |  | 81 |  | 75
Total |  | (363) |  | (364) |  | (293) |  | 300 |  | 97
Income before income taxes and equity in results of affiliated companies |  | 999 |  | 1,282 |  | 987 |  | 2,161 |  | 2,941
Income taxes |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Current |  | (289) |  | (458) |  | (198) |  | (619) |  | (615)
Deferred |  | (2) |  | 31 |  | (98) |  | 85 |  | 201

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Total |  | (291) |  | (427) |  | (296) |  | (534) |  | (414)
Equity in results of affiliated companies |  | 51 |  | 47 |  | 58 |  | 76 |  | 127
Net income |  | 759 |  | 902 |  | 749 |  | 1,703 |  | 2,654
Basic earnings per common share |  | 0.89 |  | 1.11 |  | 0.97 |  | 2.21 |  | 3.46
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding (in thousands)(2) |  | 850,428 |  | 810,825 |  | 772,302 |  | 769,749 |  | 767,033
|  | As of December 31,
Balance Sheet Data: |  | 2004 |  | 2005 |  | 2006 |  | 2007 |  | 2008
|  | (In millions of US$)
Current assets |  | 2,907 |  | 3,330 |  | 3,962 |  | 4,665 |  | 7,307
Property, plant and equipment, net |  | 2,143 |  | 2,547 |  | 3,211 |  | 4,824 |  | 3,543
Investments in affiliated companies and other investments (including goodwill) |  | 233 |  | 312 |  | 375 |  | 565 |  | 2,715
Other assets |  | 874 |  | 968 |  | 1,000 |  | 2,011 |  | 2,144
Total assets |  | 6,157 |  | 7,157 |  | 8,548 |  | 12,065 |  | 15,709
Current liabilities |  | 1,216 |  | 1,398 |  | 1,678 |  | 2,865 |  | 3,813
Long-term liabilities(3) |  | 3,615 |  | 4,750 |  | 5,823 |  | 6,512 |  | 8,580
Stockholders’ equity |  | 1,326 |  | 1,009 |  | 1,047 |  | 2,688 |  | 3,316
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity |  | 6,157 |  | 7,157 |  | 8,548 |  | 12,065 |  | 15,709
|  | As of and for the year ended December 31,
Other Data: |  | 2004 |  | 2005 |  | 2006 |  | 2007 |  | 2008
|  | (In millions of US$, except per share data and where otherwise stated)
Cash flows from operating activities |  | 354 |  | 1,757 |  | 919 |  | 1,264 |  | 2,067
Cash flows used in investing activities |  | (365) |  | (593) |  | (839) |  | (1,091) |  | (1,292)
Cash flows from (used in) financing activities |  | (380) |  | (996) |  | (263) |  | (122) |  | 1,867
Common shares outstanding (in thousands) |  | 830,679 |  | 774,546 |  | 772,240 |  | 769,470 |  | 758,669
Common stock |  | 2,447 |  | 2,447 |  | 2,447 |  | 2,447 |  | 2,447
Dividends declared and interest on stockholders’ equity(4) |  | 253 |  | 969 |  | 914 |  | 550 |  | 1,414
Dividends declared and interest on stockholders’ equity per common share(2)(4) |  | 0.30 |  | 1.25 |  | 1.18 |  | 0.71 |  | 1.86
Dividends declared and interest on stockholders’ equity (in millions of reais)(4) |  | 671 |  | 2,268 |  | 1,954 |  | 1,039 |  | 2,755
Dividends declared and interest on stockholders’ equity per common share (in reais)(2)(4) |  | 0.81 |  | 2.93 |  | 2.53 |  | 1.35 |  | 3.63

(1) | Net operating revenues consist of operating revenues minus sales taxes, discounts, returns and allowances.
(2) | Takes into account the one-for-three stock split occurred in January 2008 whereby each common share of our capital stock on December 31, 2007 became represented by three common shares. See “Item 10B. Memorandum and Articles of Association.”
(3) | Excluding the current portion of long-term debt.
(4) | Amounts consist of dividends declared and accrued interest on stockholders’ equity during the year. For a discussion of our dividend policy and dividend and interest payments made in 2008, see “Item 8A. Consolidated Statements and Other Financial Information—Dividend Policy.”

Exchange Rates

The Brazilian foreign exchange system allows the purchase and sale of foreign currency and the international transfer of reais by any person or legal entity, regardless of the amount, subject to certain regulatory procedures. The Brazilian currency has during the last decades experienced frequent and substantial variations in relation to the U.S. dollar and other foreign currencies.

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Between 2000 and 2002, the real depreciated significantly against the U.S. dollar, reaching an exchange rate of R$3.53 per US$1.00 at the end of 2002. Between 2003 and mid-2008, the real appreciated significantly against the U.S. dollar due to the stabilization of the macroeconomic environment and a strong increase in foreign investment in Brazil, with the exchange rate reaching R$1.56 per US$1.00 in August 2008. In the context of the crisis in the global financial markets since mid-2008, the real depreciated 31.9% against the U.S. dollar over the year 2008, reaching R$2.34 per US$1.00 on December 31, 2008. On April 30, 2009, the exchange rate was R$2.18 per US$1.00. The Central Bank has intervened occasionally to control instability in foreign exchange rates. We cannot predict whether the Central Bank or the Brazilian government will continue to allow the real to float freely or will intervene in the exchange rate market through a currency band system or otherwise. The real may depreciate or appreciate against the U.S. dollar substantially.

The following tables present the selling rate, expressed in reais per U.S. dollar (R$/US$), for the periods indicated.

|  | Low |  | High |  | Average (1) |  | Period-end
Year ended |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
December 31, 2004 |  | 2.654 |  | 3.205 |  | 2.917 |  | 2.654
December 31, 2005 |  | 2.163 |  | 2.762 |  | 2.413 |  | 2.341
December 31, 2006 |  | 2.059 |  | 2.371 |  | 2.177 |  | 2.138
December 31, 2007 |  | 1.733 |  | 2.156 |  | 1.948 |  | 1.771
December 31, 2008 |  | 1.559 |  | 2.500 |  | 1.837 |  | 2.337
|  | Low |  | High |  | Average |  | Period-end
Month ended |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
December 31, 2008 |  | 2.337 |  | 2.500 |  | 2.394 |  | 2.337
January 31, 2009 |  | 2.189 |  | 2.380 |  | 2.307 |  | 2.136
February 28, 2009 |  | 2.245 |  | 2.392 |  | 2.313 |  | 2.378
March 31, 2009 |  | 2.238 |  | 2.422 |  | 2.314 |  | 2.315
April 30, 2009 |  | 2.170 |  | 2.290 |  | 2.206 |  | 2.178
May 31, 2009 |  | 1.973 |  | 2.148 |  | 2.061 |  | 1.973

_____________
Source: Central Bank.
(1) | Represents the daily average of the close exchange rates during the period.

We will pay any cash dividends and make any other cash distributions with respect to our common shares in Brazilian currency. Accordingly, exchange rate fluctuations may affect the U.S. dollar amounts received by the holders of ADSs on conversion by the depositary of such distributions into U.S. dollars for payment to holders of ADSs. Fluctuations in the exchange rate between the real and the U.S. dollar may also affect the U.S. dollar equivalent of the real price of our common shares on the BOVESPA.

3B. Capitalization and Indebtedness

Not applicable.

3C. Reasons for the Offer and Use of Proceeds

Not applicable.

3D. Risk Factors

An investment in our ADSs or common shares involves a high degree of risk. You should carefully consider the risks described below before making an investment decision. Our business, financial condition and results of operations could be materially and adversely affected by any of these risks. The trading price of our ADSs could decline due to any of these risks or other factors, and you may lose all or part of your investment. The risks described below are those that we currently believe may materially affect us.

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Risks Relating to Brazil

The Brazilian government has exercised, and continues to exercise, significant influence over the Brazilian economy. This involvement, as well as, Brazilian political and economic conditions, could adversely affect our business and the trading prices of our ADSs and common shares.

The Brazilian government frequently intervenes in the Brazilian economy and occasionally makes significant changes in policy and regulations. The Brazilian government’s actions to control inflation and other policies and regulations have often involved, among other measures, increases in interest rates, changes in tax policies, price controls (such as those imposed on the steel sector prior to privatization), currency devaluations, capital controls and limits on imports. Our business, financial condition and results of operations may be adversely affected by changes in policy or regulations involving or affecting factors, such as:

- interest rates;
- exchange controls and restrictions on remittances abroad;
- currency fluctuations;
- inflation;
- price instability;
- energy shortages and rationing programs;
- liquidity of domestic capital and lending markets;
- tax policies and rules; and
- other political, social and economic developments in or affecting Brazil.

Exchange rate instability may adversely affect our financial condition and results of operations and the market price of our common shares and ADSs.

The Brazilian currency has during the last decades experienced frequent and substantial variations in relation to the U.S. dollar and other foreign currencies. Between 2000 and 2002, the real depreciated significantly against the U.S. dollar, reaching an exchange rate of R$3.53 per US$1.00 at the end of 2002. Between 2003 and mid-2008, the real appreciated significantly against the U.S. dollar due to the stabilization of the macroeconomic environment and a strong increase in foreign investment in Brazil, with the exchange rate reaching R$1.56 per US$1.00 in August 2008. In the context of the crisis in the global financial markets since mid-2008, the real depreciated 31.9% against the U.S. dollar over the year 2008 and reached R$2.337 per US$1.00 at year end. On June 26, 2009, the exchange rate was R$1.940 per US$1.00.

Depreciation of the real against the U.S. dollar could create inflationary pressures in Brazil and cause increases in interest rates, which could negatively affect the growth of the Brazilian economy as a whole and harm our financial condition and results of operations, may curtail access to foreign financial markets and may prompt government intervention, including recessionary governmental policies. Depreciation of the real against the U.S. dollar can also, as in the context of the current economic slowdown, lead to decreased consumer spending, deflationary pressures and reduced growth of the economy as a whole. On the other hand, appreciation of the real relative to the U.S. dollar and other foreign currencies could lead to a deterioration of the Brazilian foreign exchange current accounts, as well as dampen export-driven growth. Depending on the circumstances, either depreciation or appreciation of the real could materially and adversely affect the growth of the Brazilian economy and our business, financial condition and results of operations.

In the event the real depreciates in relation to the U.S. dollar, the cost in reais of our foreign currency-denominated borrowings and imports of raw materials, particularly coal and coke, will increase. To the extent that we do not succeed in promptly reinvesting the funds received from such borrowings in dollar-denominated assets, we are exposed to a mismatch between our foreign currency-denominated expenses and revenues. On the other hand, if the real appreciates in relation to the U.S. dollar, it will cause real-denominated production costs to increase as a percentage of total production costs.

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Depreciation of the real may also reduce the U.S. dollar value of distributions and dividends on the ADSs and the U.S. dollar equivalent of the market price of our preferred shares and, as a result, the ADSs.

Government efforts to combat inflation may hinder the growth of the Brazilian economy and could harm our business.

Brazil has in the past experienced extremely high rates of inflation and has therefore followed monetary policies that have resulted in one of the highest real interest rates in the world. Between 2004 and 2008, the base interest rate, or SELIC rate, in Brazil varied between 19.25% and 11.25% per year. Inflation and the Brazilian government’s measures to fight it, principally through the Central Bank, have had and may have significant effects on the Brazilian economy and our business. Tight monetary policies with high interest rates may restrict Brazil’s growth and the availability of credit. Conversely, more lenient government and Central Bank policies and interest rate decreases may trigger increases in inflation, and, consequently, growth volatility and the need for sudden and significant interest rate increases, which could negatively affect our business. In addition, we may not be able to adjust the price of our products to offset the effects of inflation on our cost structure.

Developments and perception of risk in other countries, especially in the United States, China and other emerging market countries, may adversely affect the trading price of Brazilian securities, including our common shares and ADSs.

The market value of securities of Brazilian companies is affected to varying degrees by economic and market conditions in other countries, including the United States, China, other Latin American and emerging market countries. Although economic conditions in these countries may differ significantly from economic conditions in Brazil, investors’ reactions to developments in these other countries may have an adverse effect on the market value of securities of Brazilian issuers. Crisis in other emerging market countries or economic policies of other countries may diminish investor interest in securities of Brazilian issuers, including ours. This could adversely affect the trading price of our common shares and/or ADSs, and could also make it more difficult or impossible for us to access the capital markets and finance our operations in the future, on acceptable terms.

The global financial crisis has had significant consequences, including in Brazil, such as stock and credit market volatility, unavailability of credit, higher interest rates, a general slowdown of the world economy, volatile exchange rates, and inflationary pressure, among others, which have and may continue to, directly or indirectly, materially and adversely affect our operating results, financial position and the price of our common shares and/or ADSs.

Risks Relating to the Steel Industry and CSN

We are exposed to substantial swings in the demand for steel, which has a substantial impact in the prices for our steel products.

The steel industry is highly cyclical, both in Brazil and abroad. Until 2007, the Brazilian steel industry produced more steel than the domestic economy was able to consume, and was therefore dependent on export markets. In 2007 and until the third quarter of 2008, there was a significant increase in the demand for steel in the domestic market, which reduced our dependency on export markets and increased domestic prices. The demand for steel products and, thus, the financial condition and results of operations of companies in the steel industry, including us, are generally affected by macroeconomic fluctuations in the world economy and the economies of steel-producing countries, including trends in the automotive, construction, home appliances, packaging and distribution industries. In recent years, the price of steel in world markets has been at historically high levels, but in 2009 these prices have been decreasing as a result of lower domestic demand and the effects of the 2008 worldwide financial crisis. Any material decrease in the demand for steel in domestic or export markets served by us could have a material adverse effect on us.

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The availability and the price of raw materials that we need to produce steel, particularly coal and coke, may adversely affect our results of operations.

In 2008, raw material costs accounted for approximately 56.9% of total production costs. Our principal raw materials include iron ore, coal, coke (a portion of which we produce from coal), limestone, dolomite, manganese, zinc, tin and aluminum. We depend on third parties for some of our raw material requirements. In addition, we import all of the coal required to produce coke and approximately 21.7% of our coke requirements.

In 2008, there was a steep rise in the cost of a number of commodities essential for steelmaking, specifically coking coal and metallurgical coke. Global developments, particularly the dramatic increase in Chinese and Indian demand for raw materials used in steel manufacturing, may cause severe shortages and/or substantial price increases in key raw materials and ocean transportation capacity. Our inability to pass those cost increases on to our customers or to meet our customers’ demands because of non-availability of key raw materials may cause a material adverse effect on us.

In addition, any prolonged interruption in the supply of raw materials or energy, or substantial increases in their costs, could also materially and adversely affect us. These interruptions in the supply of raw materials or energy may be a result of changes in laws or trade regulations, the availability and cost of transportation, suppliers’ allocations to other purchasers, interruptions in production by suppliers or accidents or similar events on suppliers’ premises or along the supply chain.

We face significant competition, including price competition and competition from other producers, which may adversely affect our profitability and market share.

The steel industry is highly competitive with respect to price. In the 1990s, the world steel industry was adversely affected by excess worldwide production capacity, reflecting the decreasing demand for steel in western industrial countries and significant increases in steel production capacity in countries outside the Organization for Economic Development, or OECD. Further, continuous advances in materials sciences and resulting technologies have given rise to improvements in products such as plastics, aluminum, ceramics and glass that permit them to substitute steel. Due to high start-up costs, the economics of operating a steelworks facility on a continuous basis may encourage mill operators to maintain high levels of output, even in times of low demand, which increases the pressure on industry profit margins. In addition, downward pressure on steel prices by our competitors may affect our profitability.

The steel industry is also highly competitive with respect to product quality and customer service, as well as technological advances that would allow a steel manufacturer to lower its costs of production. In addition, most markets are served by several suppliers, often from different countries. Competition from foreign steel producers is strong and may increase due to increases in foreign steel installed capacity, appreciation of the real against the U.S. dollar and the reduction of domestic steel demand in other markets.

In addition, many factors influence our competitive position, including efficiency and operating rates, and the availability, quality and cost of raw materials and labor. Over the last two years, China has become one of the main international steel exporters. If we are unable to remain competitive with China or other producers in the future, we may be materially and adversely affected.

Protectionist and other measures adopted by foreign government could adversely affect our export sales.

In response to the increased production and export of steel by many countries, anti-dumping, countervailing duties and safeguard measures were imposed in the late 1990s and early 2000s by foreign governments representing the main markets for our exports. Foreign countries continue to impose restrictions on the exports to certain countries, such as the restrictions on exports of hot-rolled products from Brazil to the United States, Canada and Argentina and the restrictions on exports of certain chemical substances contained in the steel products exported to the European Union, effective as of January 2009. The imposition of these and other protectionist measures by foreign countries may materially and adversely affect our export sales.

On the other hand, in response to steel imports to Brazil at subsidized prices, the Brazilian government has recently imposed certain import tariffs in order to protect the domestic steel industry. If the Brazilian government were to remove these protection measures, or fail to act against cheap or subsidized steel imports, we could be adversely affected.

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Malfunctioning equipment or accidents on our premises, railways or ports may decrease or interrupt production, internal logistics or distribution of our products. We do not have insurance policies to cover losses and liabilities in connection with operational risks, and may not have sufficient insurance coverage for certain other events.

The steel production process depends on certain critical equipment, such as blast furnaces, steel converters, and continuous casting machines, internal logistics and distribution channels, such as railways and seaports. This equipment and infrastructure may be affected in the case of malfunction or damage. In 2006, there was an accident involving the gas cleaning system adjacent to Blast Furnace No. 3 at the Presidente Vargas steelworks, which prevented us from operating this blast furnace for approximately six months and resulted in losses of approximately US$520 million, all of which was reimbursed by our insurers. Similar or any other significant interruptions in our production process, internal logistics or distribution channels could materially and adversely affect us.

Our insurance policies for losses in connection with operational risks, covering damage to our facilities (including damage to equipment and blockage of port facilities) and profit losses, have expired on February 22, 2009 and we are currently renegotiating new insurance policies. Lack of insurance coverage for operational risks exposes us to potential significant liability in the event of an accident or business interruption, which may materially and adversely affect us.

Our projects are subject to risks that may result in increased costs or delay or prevent their successful implementation.

We are investing to further increase our steel and mining production capacity, as well as our logistics capabilities. Our expansion and projects are subject to a number of risks that may adversely affect our growth prospects and profitability, including the following:

- We may encounter delays or higher than expected costs in obtaining the necessary equipment or services to build and operate a project.
- Our efforts to develop projects according to schedule may be hampered by a lack of infrastructure, including a reliable power supply.
- We may fail to obtain, or experience delays or higher than expected costs in obtaining, the required permits to build a project.
- Changes in market conditions or regulations may make a project less profitable than expected at the time we initiated work on it.

Any one or a combination of factors described above may materially and adversely affect us.

The global recession could lead to a significant reduction in our revenues, cash flow and profitability.

The global economy, in particular global industrial production, is the primary driver of demand for minerals and metals. Global industrial production has shown a downward trend since the second half of 2008, resulting in a significant and widespread contraction in demand for minerals and metals.

There is uncertainty about the depth and duration of the current global economic downturn and its continuing impact on the demand for minerals and metals, which could have a negative impact on our cash generation and profitability.

New or more stringent environmental and health regulations imposed on us may result in increased liabilities and increased capital expenditures.

Our steel making, mining and logistics facilities are subject to a broad range of laws, regulations and permit requirements in Brazil relating mainly to the protection of health and the environment. Brazilian pollution standards are expected to continue to change, including new effluent and air emission standards and solid waste-handling regulations. New or more stringent environmental and health standards imposed on us can require us to make increased capital expenditures. We could be exposed to civil penalties, criminal sanctions and closure orders for non-compliance with these regulations. Waste disposal and emission practices may result in the need for us to clean up or retrofit our facilities at substantial costs and/or could result in substantial liabilities. Environmental legislation restrictions imposed by foreign markets to which we export our products, may also materially and adversely affect our export sales and us.

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Our governance and compliance processes may fail to prevent regulatory penalties and reputational harm.

We operate in a global environment, and our activities straddle multiple jurisdictions and complex regulatory frameworks with increased enforcement activities worldwide. Although our governance and compliance processes include the review of internal control over financial reporting, and other standard control procedures such as internal and external auditing, it may not prevent future breaches of law, accounting or governance standards. We may be subject to breaches of our Code of Ethics, business conduct protocols and instances of fraudulent behavior and dishonesty by our employees, contractors or other agents. Our failure to comply with applicable laws and other standards could subject us to fines, loss of operating licenses and reputational harm, which may materially and adversely affect us.

Some of our operations depend on joint ventures, consortia and other forms of cooperation, and our business could be adversely affected if our partners fail to observe their commitments.

We currently operate parts of our business through joint-ventures with other companies. We have established a joint-venture with an Asian consortium at our subsidiary Nacional Minérios S.A., or Namisa, to mine iron ore; a joint-venture with other Brazilian steel and mining companies at MRS Logística S.A., or MRS, to explore railway transportation in the Southeastern region of Brazil; a project with the Brazilian government at Transnordestina Logística S.A., or Transnordestina, to explore railway transportation in the Northeastern region of Brazil; and a joint-venture with Tractebel at Itá Energética S.A., or ITASA, to produce electricity.

Our forecasts and plans for these joint-ventures and consortia assume that our partners will observe their obligations to make capital contributions, purchase products and, in some cases, provide managerial personnel or financing. In addition, many of the projects contemplated by our joint-ventures or consortia rely on financing commitments, which contain certain preconditions for each disbursement. If any of our partners fails to observe their commitments or we fail to comply with all preconditions required under our financing commitments, the affected joint-venture, consortium or other project may not be able to operate in accordance with its business plans, or we may have to increase the level of our investment to implement these plans. Any of these events may have a material adverse effect on us.

Particularly with respect to our joint-venture at Namisa, we may be required to reacquire all ownership interest of our Asian partners in Namisa in the event of a dead-lock with respect to a material issue under our shareholders’ agreement.

Interruptions in the supply of natural gas and power transmission grid may adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations.

We require significant amounts of energy, both in the form of natural gas and electricity, to power our plant and equipment. We purchase our natural gas needs through distributors which purchase natural gas from Petróleo Brasileiro S.A. – Petrobras, or Petrobras, (the sole producer and supplier of natural gas in Brazil). Petrobras, in turn, is significantly dependent upon the supply of natural gas from Bolivia. On May 1, 2006, the president of Bolivia announced the nationalization of the country’s gas reserves. The long-term effects of this measure on the supply of natural gas in Brazil are still uncertain. The events in Bolivia could result in the disruption of the natural gas supply to Petrobras or an additional increase in the prices of natural gas. Any resulting interruption or reduction in the levels of supply of natural gas by Petrobras or a significant price increase, may negatively affect our production and production costs and consequently have a material adverse effect on us.

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Our mineral reserve estimates may materially differ from mineral quantities that we may be able to actually recover; our estimates of mine life may prove inaccurate; and market price fluctuations and changes in operating and capital costs may render certain ore reserves uneconomical to mine.

Our reported ore reserves are estimated quantities of ore and minerals that we have determined can be economically mined and processed under present and anticipated conditions to extract their mineral content. There are numerous uncertainties inherent in estimating quantities of reserves and in projecting potential future rates of mineral production, including many factors beyond our control. Reserve engineering involves estimating deposits of minerals that cannot be measured in an exact manner, and the accuracy of any reserve estimate is a function of the quality of available data and engineering and geological interpretation and judgment. As a result, no assurance can be given that the indicated amount of ore will be recovered or that it will be recovered at the rates we anticipate. Estimates of different engineers may vary, and results of our mining and production subsequent to the date of an estimate may lead to revision of estimates. Reserve estimates and estimates of mine life may require revision based on actual production experience and other factors. For example, fluctuations in the market prices of minerals and metals, reduced recovery rates or increased operating and capital costs due to inflation, exchange rates or other factors may render proven and probable reserves uneconomic to exploit and may ultimately result in a restatement of reserves.

We are subject to risks related to legal and administrative proceedings.

We are involved in numerous legal and administrative proceedings, including tax, labor and civil disputes. While, as of December 31, 2008, we had recorded provisions for some of these proceedings in a total amount of US$1,687 million and deposited a total amount of US$893 million in court escrow accounts, it is not possible to predict either the outcome of these proceedings or the potential liability we may face due to unfavorable rulings in them. In the event that a substantial portion of these proceedings or one or more of the proceedings involving a substantial amount are decided against us, and in the event that no provision has been recorded, our results of operations may be materially adversely affected. In addition, even if sufficient provisions have been recorded, our liquidity may be materially and adversely affected.

Our activities depend on authorizations from regulatory agencies, and changes in regulations could materially and adversely affect us.

Our activities depend on authorizations from and concessions by governmental regulatory agencies of the countries in which we operate. If these laws and regulations change, modifications to our technologies and operations could be required, and we could be required to make unexpected capital expenditures. The loss of any such authorization or changes in the regulatory framework we operate in may materially and adversely affect us.

We have experienced labor disputes in the past that have disrupted our operations, and such disputes may recur.

A substantial number of our employees and some of the employees of our subcontractors are represented by labor unions and are covered by collective bargaining or other labor agreements, which are subject to periodic renegotiation. Strikes and other labor disruptions at any of our facilities or labor disruptions involving third parties who may provide us with goods or services, have in the past and may in the future materially and adversely affect the operation of facilities, or the timing of completion and the cost of our projects.

We are exposed to devaluation of our shares as result of certain equity swap agreements.

In 2003, we entered into certain equity swap agreements referenced to our common shares. These agreements were originally entered into with POBT Bank and Trust Limited (an affiliate of Banco Pactual), which later assigned the agreements to UBS Symmetry Fund, UBS Strategy Fund and Fruhling Fund. In 2008, these agreements were assigned to Goldman Sachs International. Our current equity swap agreement with Goldman Sachs International will expire on September 10, 2009, unless it is renewed by us. The agreements state that the counterparty must pay us the cash dividends and final price return, if positive, on 29,684,400 CSN ADRs and we must pay the counterparty a rate of USD three-month London Interbank Offered Rate, or Libor, plus 0.75% per annum on the initial price of this number of ADRs and the final price return, if negative, on this number of ADRs. The rationale for these transactions is that equities historically have yielded higher long-term returns than fixed- income securities, hence tending to offset CSN’s long-term debt servicing costs. From September 5 to December 31, 2008, we recorded a loss in connection with these equity swap agreements in the amount of US$685 million, which was partially offset by a gain of US$155 million recorded in connection with an equity swap that expired on September 5, 2008, for a total loss of US$530 million. However, in the event of a decrease in the trading price of our shares and ADRs, the amount payable by us under these swap agreements may be significant and materially and adversely affect us.

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A significant devaluation of our common shares may cause our pension funds to have an increased deficit of plan assets over pension benefit obligations.

We are the principal sponsor of Caixa Beneficente dos Empregados da CSN, or CBS, our employee pension plan. As of December 31, 2008, CBS had invested a portion of its portfolio in our common shares and held 4.47% of our capital stock. As a result, the ability of CBS to honor its pension obligations is subject to fluctuations in the fair value of CBS’s assets, including fluctuations in the trading price of our common shares.

As of December 31, 2008, CBS had a deficit of plan assets over pension benefit obligations of US$83.8 million. The unfunded status of CBS is affected by, among other things, fluctuations in the fair value of CBS’s assets, which totaled US$524.7 million as of December 31, 2008, while CBS’ accumulated obligations and projected benefit obligations as of December 31, 2008 were US$608.5 million.

In the event of a depreciation of our common shares, CBS may worsen its unfunded situation, which could have a material and adverse impact on its ability to fulfill its obligations. In this event, we may have to make substantial contributions to the fund to meet its pension benefit obligations, which may have a material adverse effect on us. See “Item 6D—Employees” and Note 15 to our consolidated financial statements contained in “Item 18. Financial Statements.”

Risks Relating to a Routine SEC Review

An ongoing SEC review of our registration statement on Form F-4, filed in connection with a proposed public debt exchange offer, may require us to further amend this annual report.

We are in the process of responding to comments made by the staff of the SEC regarding our registration statement on Form F-4, filed on September 19, 2005. That registration statement was filed in connection with a proposed public exchange offer of notes originally issued in a non-public transaction. Until our responses to the SEC’s comments are finalized, our capital-raising activities will be limited to the U.S. non-public markets and the markets outside the United States. See “Item 4A. Unresolved Staff Comments” for further information.

Risks Relating to our Common Shares and ADSs

If holders of ADSs exchange the ADSs for common shares, they risk losing the ability to remit foreign currency abroad and Brazilian tax advantages.

The Brazilian custodian for our common shares has obtained an electronic certificate of registration from the Central Bank permitting it to remit foreign currency abroad for payments of dividends and other distributions relating to our common shares or upon the disposition of our common shares. If holders of ADSs decide to exchange their ADSs for the underlying common shares, they will be entitled to continue to rely on the custodian’s electronic certificate of registration for five business days from the date of exchange. Thereafter, such holders of ADSs may not be able to obtain and remit foreign currency abroad upon the disposition of, or distributions relating to, our common shares unless they obtain their own electronic certificate of registration or register their investment in our common shares pursuant to Resolution No. 2,689, which entitles certain foreign investors to buy and sell securities on the BOVESPA. Holders who do not qualify under Resolution No. 2,689 will generally be subject to less favorable tax treatment on gains with respect to our common shares. If holders of ADSs attempt to obtain their own electronic certificate of registration, they may incur expenses or suffer delays in the application process, which could delay their ability to receive dividends or distributions relating to our common shares or delay the return of their capital in a timely manner. In addition, we cannot assure you that the custodian’s electronic certificate of registration or any certificate of foreign capital registration obtained by a holder of ADSs will not be affected by future legislative or regulatory changes, or that additional restrictions applicable to such holder, to the disposition of the underlying common shares or to the repatriation of the proceeds from such disposition will not be imposed in the future.

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Holders of ADSs may not be able to exercise their voting rights.

Holder of ADSs may only exercise their voting rights with respect to the underlying common shares in accordance with the provisions of the deposit agreement. Under the deposit agreement, ADS holders must vote by giving voting instructions to the depositary. Upon receipt of the voting instructions of the ADS holder, the depositary will vote the underlying common shares in accordance with these instructions. Otherwise, ADS holders will not be able to exercise their right to vote unless they surrender the ADS for cancellation in exchange for our common shares. Pursuant to our bylaws, the first call for a shareholders’ meeting must be published at least 15 days in advance of the meeting, the second call must be published at least eight days in advance of the meeting. When a shareholders’ meeting is convened, holders of ADSs may not receive sufficient advance notice to surrender the ADS in exchange for the underlying common shares to allow them to vote with respect to any specific matter. If we ask for voting instructions, the depositary will notify ADS holders of the upcoming vote and will arrange to deliver the proxy card. We cannot assure that ADS holders will receive the proxy card in time to ensure that they can instruct the depositary to vote the shares. In addition, the depositary and its agents are not liable for failing to carry out voting instructions or for the manner of carrying out voting instructions. As a result, holders of ADSs may not be able to exercise their voting rights.

The relative volatility and illiquidity of the Brazilian securities markets may substantially limit the ability of holders of our common shares or ADSs to sell the common shares underlying the ADSs at the price and time they desire.

Investing in securities, such as the common shares or the ADSs, of issuers from emerging market countries, including Brazil, involves a higher degree of risk than investing in securities of issuers from more developed countries. Investments in emerging markets are generally considered to be more speculative in nature, and are subject to certain economic and political risks, such as changes in the regulatory, tax, economic and political environment that may affect your ability to receive the total or a partial return on your investment.

The Brazilian securities markets are substantially smaller, less liquid, more concentrated and more volatile than major securities markets in the United States and other jurisdictions, and are not as highly regulated or supervised as some of these other markets. The relatively small market capitalization and illiquidity of the Brazilian equity markets may substantially limit the ability of holders of our common shares or ADSs to sell our common shares or the ADSs at the price and time desired. There is also significantly greater concentration in the Brazilian securities markets than in major securities markets in the United States. See “Item 9C. Markets—Trading on the BOVESPA.”

The sale of a substantial number of common shares, or the belief that this may occur, could decrease the trading price of our common shares and our ADSs. Holders of our common shares and/or ADSs may not be able to sell their securities at or above the price they paid for them.

Holders of ADSs might be unable to exercise preemptive rights with respect to our common shares.

Holders of ADSs may not be able to exercise the preemptive rights relating to the common shares underlying their ADSs unless a registration statement under the Securities Act is effective with respect to those rights or an exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act is available. We are not required to file a registration statement with respect to the shares or other securities relating to these preemptive rights and we cannot assure holders of our ADSs that we will file any such registration statement. Unless we file a registration statement or an exemption from registration applies, holders of our ADSs may receive only the net proceeds from the sale of their preemptive rights by the depositary or, if the preemptive rights cannot be sold, the rights will be allowed to lapse.

Substantial sales of our ADSs could cause the price of our ADSs to decrease significantly.

The sale of a substantial number of common shares, or the belief that this may occur, could decrease the trading price of our common shares and our ADSs. Holders of our common shares and/or ADSs may not be able to sell their securities at or above the price they paid for them.

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We entered into certain equity swap agreements with Goldman Sachs International, which are referenced to 29,684,400 of our ADRs and set to expire on September 10, 2009. As a result, if we do not renew these equity swap agreements and are required to unwind them in a non-organized manner, a substantial amount of our ADSs may be sold in the market simultaneously, which could cause the trading price of our ADSs to decrease significantly.

Similarly, our pension fund CBS invests heavily in our common shares, holding as of December 31, 2008 4.47% of our capital stock. Brazilian governmental authorities are discussing with CBS and other pension funds regulatory limits on investments by pension funds in the shares of related parties. As a result, CBS may be required to diversify its portfolio, which, if not done in an organized manner, may cause a substantial amount of our common shares to be sold in the market, negatively affecting the trading price of our common shares.

We may be prevented from paying dividends to our shareholders and the holders of ADSs.

At our Annual Shareholders’ Meeting of April 30, 2007, our shareholders approved the payment of dividends and interest on shareholders’ equity related to the fiscal year 2006 in the total amount of US$682.1 million, of which US$191.7 million and US$153.5 million were paid on June 30, 2006 and August 8, 2006, respectively, as intermediary dividends, in accordance with the resolutions of our Board of Directors. The outstanding balance of US$336.9 million was payable on May 9, 2007, but the payment was temporarily suspended as a result of a federal court order relating to one of our tax contingencies. On September 2007, we obtained a favorable decision from a federal court, allowing us to pay such outstanding dividends, and payment was made on September 4, 2007.

At our Annual Shareholders’ Meeting of April 30, 2009, our shareholders approved the payment of dividends and interest on shareholders’ equity relating to 2008, in the total amount of US$868.6 million (US$738.2 million as dividends and US$130.4 million as interest on shareholders’ equity).

The total amount of approved dividends include dividends paid in advance on November 27, 2008, in the amount of US$70.6 million, that had already been approved by our Board of Directors on August 12, 2008, and dividends that had already been approved by our Board of Directors on March 24, 2009 in the amount of US$667.6 million.

Soon after the announcement of the payment of such dividends in the amount of US$667.6 million, a court order was issued by a trial state tax court in the State of Rio de Janeiro in connection with tax claims related to IPI premium credits on exports that we have recorded, in order to block approximately US$354.2 million of our funds. For this reason, the Company paid its shareholders on April 2, 2009 the amount of funds that had not been blocked of approximately US$313.4 million. We are taking all measures to unblock our funds. Nevertheless, aiming at the preservation of our shareholders’ rights, we decided to pay on June 26, 2009, the remaining dividends of approximately US$354.2 million.

The US$130.4 million as interest on shareholders’ equity were paid on May 11, 2009.

We cannot assure you that new court orders will not be issued against us to block our funds or to prevent us from paying dividends to our shareholders and holders of ADRs in the future.

Item 4. Information on the Company

4A. History and Development of the Company

History

Companhia Siderúrgica Nacional is a Brazilian corporation (sociedade por ações) incorporated in 1941 pursuant to a decree of Brazilian President, Mr. Getúlio Vargas. The Presidente Vargas steelworks, located in the city of Volta Redonda, in the State of Rio de Janeiro, started production of coke, pig iron castings and long products in 1946.

Three major expansions were undertaken at the Presidente Vargas steelworks during the 1970s and 1980s. The first, completed in 1974, increased installed annual production capacity to 1.6 million tons of crude steel. The second, completed in 1977, increased annual production capacity to 2.4 million tons of crude steel. The third, completed in 1989, increased annual production capacity to 4.5 million tons of crude steel.

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We were privatized through a series of auctions held in 1993 and early 1994, through which the Brazilian government sold its 91% ownership interest in us.

From 1993 through 2002, we implemented a capital improvement program aimed at increasing our annual production of crude steel, improving the quality of our products and enhancing our environmental protection and cleanup programs. As part of the investments, since February 1996, all our production has been based on the continuous casting process, rather than ingot casting, an alternative method that results in higher energy use and metal loss. From 1996 through 2002, we spent the equivalent of US$2.4 billion under the capital improvement program and on maintaining our operational capacity, culminating with the renovation in 2001 of Blast Furnace No. 3 and Hot Strip Mill No. 2 at the Presidente Vargas steelworks. These measures resulted in the increase of our annual production capacity to 5.6 million tons of crude steel and 5.1 million tons of rolled products.

General

We are one of the largest fully integrated steel producers in Brazil and in Latin America in terms of crude steel production. Our current annual crude steel capacity and rolled product capacity is 5.6 million and 5.1 million tons, respectively. Production of crude steel and rolled steel products decreased in 2008 by 6.0% to 5.0 million tons and finished steel production decreased in 2008 by 9.0% to 4.5 million tons, as compared to 2007.

Our fully integrated manufacturing facilities produce a broad line of steel products, including slabs, hot- and cold-rolled, galvanized and tin mill products for the distribution, packaging, automotive, home appliance and construction industries. In 2008, we accounted for approximately 49.0% of the galvanized steel products sold in Brazil. We are also one of the world’s leading producers of tin mill products for packaging containers. In 2008, we accounted for approximately 99.0% of the tin mill products sold in Brazil.

Our production process is based on the integrated steelworks concept. Below is a brief summary of the steel making process at our Presidente Vargas steelworks, located in the city of Volta Redonda, in the State of Rio de Janeiro:

- iron ore produced from our own mines is processed in continuous sintering machines to produce sinter;
- sinter and lump ore direct charges are smelted with lump coke and injected powdered coal in blast furnaces to produce pig iron;
- pig iron is then refined into steel by means of basic oxygen converters;
- steel is continuously cast in slabs;
- slabs are then hot rolled, producing hot bands that are coiled and sent to finishing facilities .

We currently produce from our own mines all of our requirements of iron ore, limestone and dolomite, and a portion of our tin requirements. Using imported coal, we produce approximately 70-75% of our coke requirements, at current production levels, in our own coke batteries at Volta Redonda. Imported coal is also pulverized and used directly in the pig iron production process. Zinc, manganese ore, aluminum and a portion of our tin requirements are purchased in local markets. Our steel production and distribution also require water, industrial gases, electricity, rail and road transportation, and port facilities.

Acquisitions and Dispositions

On June 5, 2006, we acquired 100.0% of the shares issued by Companhia Metalúrgica Prada, or Prada, from Kiskidee Investments Limited LLC, for a total amount of US$1.00. Prada is the largest steel can manufacturer in Brazil and produces more than one billion steel cans in its four production units located in the states of São Paulo, Santa Catarina and Minas Gerais, in the southeastern and southern regions of Brazil and, accordingly, is one of our major customers of tin mill products.

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On July 20, 2007, Namisa, our then wholly-owned mining subsidiary, acquired 100.0% of the shares issued by Companhia de Fomento Mineral e Participações, or CFM. The final acquisition price amounted to US$400 million, which were fully paid by us. CFM explores various iron ore mines and owns ore processing facilities in the State of Minas Gerais. CFM is located in the state of Minas Gerais and has facilities close to Casa de Pedra, our most important mining asset.

On December 30, 2008, our ownership interest was reduced to 40% of the voting and total capital stock of Namisa upon its issuance of newly issued shares for the aggregate amount of approximately US$3.08 million to Big Jump Energy Participações S.A., an Asian consortium whose shareholders are Itochu Corporation, JFE Steel Corporation, Nippon Steel Corporation, Sumitomo Metal Industries, Ltd., Kobe Steel, Ltd, Nisshin Steel Co, Ltd., and Posco. The remaining 59.99% of the voting stock of Namisa is currently held by us. In connection with this sale, Namisa paid us approximately US$3.0 billion on December 30, 2008 as pre-payment for a portion of the purchase price agreed between the parties for future sales of crude iron ore (run-of- mine, or ROM) and the rendering of port services by us to Namisa. The ROM will be extracted by us from the Casa de Pedra mine and will be sold to Namisa, which will be required to beneficiate the product at its own industrial facilities. All pre-payment agreements were negotiated at arms-length basis. For further information on the effect of these pre-payments in our long-term obligations, see “Item 5E. Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements.”

We and Big Jump Energy Participações S.A. have entered into a shareholders’ agreement in order to govern our joint-control of Namisa. Under certain extreme situations provided for in the shareholders’ agreement, a dead-lock resolution process may be established. This procedure requires us to initiate mediation with our partners and, if no solution is reached, the matter is then submitted to be addressed directly by the senior executives of the companies in dispute. In the event the dead-lock remains, the shareholders’ agreement provides for call and put options, which entitles Big Jump Energy Participações S.A. to elect to sell all its ownership interest in Namisa to CSN and CSN to elect to buy all ownership interest of Big Jump Energy Participações S.A. in Namisa, in each case for the fair market value of the respective shares.

Accident in Blast Furnace No. 3

In January 2006, there was an accident involving the gas cleaning system adjacent to Blast Furnace No. 3 at the Presidente Vargas steelworks. The accident prevented us from operating the equipment for approximately six months, affecting our operating revenues, gross profit and operating income due to reduced sales volumes and the need to purchase slabs and coils from third-parties in order to meet our customers’ purchasing orders during the period in which Blast Furnace No. 3 was under repair, as further explained in “Item 5A. Operating Results—Results of Operations—2007 Compared to 2006.” In the second half of 2007, our Blast Furnace No. 3 was completely repaired and resumed operating normally, and, in December 2008, the reinsurance companies paid us the remaining balance of US$160 million of our US$520 million claim against them. For further information, see “Item 4B. Business Overview—Insurance” and Note 4 to our consolidated financial statements included in “Item 18. Financial Statements.”

Capital Expenditures

We invested US$706 million, US$980 million and US$886 million in 2006, 2007 and 2008, respectively. Expenditures in 2008 were used for the acquisitions of equipment, of which US$247 million was used in the Casa de Pedra mine expansion, US$34 million in projects relating to the Itaguaí port expansion and US$65 million in major overall projects that extend our fixed assets useful life. For further information, see “Item 5B. Liquidity and Capital Resources—Short-Term Debt and Short-Term Investments.”

In 2008, we continued to implement our strategy of developing downstream opportunities, new products and market niches by creating or expanding capacity of galvanized products for the automotive sector and by investing in a galvanizing and pre-painting plant in order to supply the construction and home appliance industries, as described in “Item 4B. Business Overview—Facilities.”

We also intend to control production costs and secure reliable sources of raw materials, energy and transportation in support of our steelmaking operations through a program of strategic investments. The principal strategic investments already made are set forth in “Item 4B. Business Overview—Facilities.”

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Planned Investments

Our planned investments in iron ore, steelmaking, cement and logistic projects are described below.

Projects which were previously announced, such as the greenfield slab mills in the city of Itaguaí, in the State of Rio de Janeiro, and the greenfield slab mill in the city of Congonhas, in the State of Minas Gerais and the Logistics Platform Project, in the city of Itaguaí, in the State of Rio de Janeiro (except for the ongoing improvements on its Container Terminal and for the expansion of its Solid Bulks Terminal) were put on hold by the Board of Directors due to the uncertainty about the duration of the current global economic scenario.

Iron Ore Project

Our iron ore business comprises the expansion of our mining activities and our seaport facilities, the construction of pellet plants and, to a lesser extent, the trading of iron ore produced by other companies through our own logistics network. We expect to invest a total of US$4.5 billion to produce and/or sell approximately 90 million tons of iron ore products, of which US$839 million have already been invested. We expect to finance these investments with the National Economic and Social Development Bank (Banco Nacional de Desenvolvimento Econômico Social-BNDES), export credit agencies, the proceeds from offerings of securities and with the free cash flow from our current operations. Our iron ore project schedule and expected investments are the following:

- In January 2004, we announced the approval of investments of approximately US$1.0 billion to expand the annual production capacity of the Casa de Pedra iron ore mine to 53 million tons. In connection with the Namisa joint-venture, we reviewed these figures to US$1.5 billion, and the expansion of the annual production of Casa de Pedra from 53 million to 70 million tons, which is currently being implemented. As of December, 2008, approximately US$540 million had already been invested in the increase in production capacity of Casa de Pedra mine and its current annual production capacity is 21 million tons.
- In October 2008, as part of the partial sale of Namisa, some of the capital expenditures which were originally planned for Casa de Pedra were transferred to Namisa, including two pellet plants. For information on our sale of 40% of our ownership interest in Namisa, see “Item 4A. History and Development of the Company—Acquisitions and Dispositions.” At the end, the total investments resulted in US$ 2 billion, adding volume to reach 33 million tons, including two pellets plants. The current capacity is now 7 million tons. It is important to mention that those capital expenditure will be executed together with Namisas´ new business partner group.
- We are also investing approximately US$1.0 billion in the expansion of the seaport Solid Bulks Terminal in Itaguaí to enable annual exports of 100 million tons of iron ore. Of this amount, approximately US$280 million have already been invested. Our current annual export capacity is equivalent to 30 million tons.

Steelmaking

We initiated our long steel products brownfield project in Volta Redonda, in the State of Rio de Janeiro, which will be developed inside its main steelmaking facility. We intend to produce 600,000 tons of long steel products, such as rod bar and wire rod. We expect to benefit from the existing infrastructure and utilities used to support a blast furnace and a former foundry. The total investment in long steel products production will be of approximately US$354 million in installations, including expanding and upgrading a 30-ton electric furnace. The facility will use surplus pig iron and low value added slabs as raw materials.

Cement Project

This project represents the entrance of CSN into the cement market, taking advantage of the slag generated by our blast furnaces and of our limestone reserves, located in Arcos, Minas Gerais. The limestone, which is transformed into clinker, and the slag, account for approximately 95% of the production cost to produce cement. We are investing approximately US$360 million to build a greenfield grinding mill and clinker furnace, with capacity of 2.3 million tons and 820,000 tons, respectively. We expect the grinding mill to produce 0.25 million tons of cement in 2009 and to reach its full capacity by 2011. These investments will be financed by BNDES, which has already approved a seven-year credit line of up to US$81 million indexed based on the long-term interest rate (Taxa de Juros de Longo-Prazo), or TJLP, and part indexed on US dollars, as well as the use of free cash flow from our current operations.

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Transnordestina

In August 2006, in order to enable the implementation of a major infrastructure project led by the Brazilian federal government, our Board of Directors approved a transaction to merge Transnordestina S.A., a company that at the time was state-owned, into and with Companhia Ferroviária do Nordeste – CFN, an affiliate of CSN that holds a 30-year concession granted in 1998 to operate the Northeastern Railroad of the RFFSA with 4,238 km of railway track. The surviving entity was later renamed Transnordestina Logística S.A. which is jointly-controlled by us and Taquari Participações S.A pursuant to a shareholders' agreement dated November 27, 1997, as amended on May 6, 1999 and on November 7, 2003. Investments of approximately R$5.4 billion were approved to build the Nova Transnordestina Project, which includes an additional 1,728 km of large gauge, state-of-the-art railway track. We expect the investments will allow the company to increase the transportation of various products, such as iron ore, limestone, soy beans, cotton, sugar cane, fertilizers, oil and fuels. According to a Memorandum of Understandings entered into as of November 25, 2005, the investments will be financed through: R$823 million from FINOR – Northeastern Investment Fund; R$2.6 billion from SUDENE - the Northeastern Development Federal Agency; a R$225 million loan from BNDES to Transnordestina; R$165 million from Brazilian Federal Resources; R$180 million from Brazilian Northeast Bank and another R$1.4 billion equity from CSN, out of which R$675 million will be supported by a loan from BNDES to us. The construction of the first 100 km started in January 2007 and as of December 31, 2008 over US$102 million (R$180 million) had already been invested by CSN.

Itaguaí CSN Logistics Platform Project

Regarding our seaport Itaguaí Logistic Platform Project, announced on May 7, 2008, our capital expenditures investments were put on hold by the Board of Directors except for the following related projects:

- Expansion of the existing Container Terminal from 440 thousand container year to 640 thousand container year, including improvements on the existing berths. We expect to invest approximately US$162 million.

- Expansion of the Solid Bulks Terminal in Itaguaí to enable annual exports of approximately 100 million tons of iron ore as described above. See “Item 4A. History and Development of the Company—Planned Investments—Iron Ore Project” for a description of the expansion of the Solid Bulks Terminal.

Additional Investments

In addition to the currently planned investments and maintenance capital expenditures, we continue to consider possible acquisitions, joint ventures and brownfield or greenfield projects to increase or complement our steel producing capabilities.

Other Information

CSN’s legal and commercial name is Companhia Siderúrgica Nacional. CSN is organized for an unlimited period of time under the laws of the Federative Republic of Brazil. Our head offices are located at Rua São José, 20, 16th floor, 20010-020, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil and our telephone number is +55-21-2141-1800. CSN’s agent for service of process in the United States is CT Corporation, with offices at 111 Eighth Avenue, New York, New York 10011.

4B. Business Overview

Competitive Strengths

We believe that we have the following competitive strengths:

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Fully integrated business model. We believe we are one of the mostly fully integrated steelmakers in the world. We have captive iron ore reserves, which differentiate us from our main competitors in Brazil that purchase their iron ore from mining companies such as Companhia Vale do Rio Doce, or CVRD. In 2006, we hired Golder Associates S.A., or Golder, to evaluate the Casa de Pedra iron ore reserves. The results confirmed proven and probable mineral resources of 1.6 billion tons with a grade of approximately 48.0% . In addition to our iron ore reserves, we have captive dolomite and limestone mines that supply our Presidente Vargas steelworks. Our steelworks are close to the main steel consumer centers in Brazil, with easy access to port facilities and railroads. Our operations are strongly integrated as a result of our captive sources of raw materials, such as iron ore, and our access to owned infrastructure, such as railroads and deep-sea water port facilities.

Thoroughly developed transport infrastructure. We have a thoroughly developed transport infrastructure, from our iron ore mine to our steel mill to our ports. The location of our steelworks facility is next to railroad systems and port facilities, facilitating the supply of raw material, the shipment of our production and easy access to our principal clients. The concession for the main railroad used and operated by us is owned by MRS, a company in which we hold, directly and indirectly, a 33.27% ownership interest. The railway connects the Presidente Vargas steelworks to the container terminal at Itaguaí Port, which handles most of our steel exports. Since we obtained the concession to operate MRS’ railway in 1996, we have significantly improved its tracks and developed its business, with strong cash generation. We also own concessions to operate two deep-sea water terminals from which we export our products and also import coal and small amounts of coke, which are the only important raw materials that we need to purchase from third-parties.

Self-sufficiency in energy generation. We are self-sufficient in energy, through our interests in the hydroelectric plants of Itá and Igarapava, and our own thermoelectric plant inside the Presidente Vargas steelworks. We also sell excess energy we generate into the energy market. Our 238 MW thermoelectric co-generation plant provides the Presidente Vargas steelworks with approximately 60% of its energy needs for its steel mills, using as its primary fuel the waste gases generated by our coke ovens, blast furnaces and steel processing facilities. We indirectly hold 29.5% of the Itá hydroelectric plant that has installed capacity of 1,450 MW, with a guaranteed output of 668 MW to us and to the other shareholders of Itá Energética S.A., or ITASA, proportionally to our interests in the project, pursuant to 30-year power purchase agreements at a fixed price per megawatt hour, adjusted annually for inflation. In addition, we hold 17.9% of the Igarapava hydroelectric, with 210 MW fully installed capacity. We have been using part of our 22 MW take from Igarapava to supply energy to the Casa de Pedra and Arcos mines.

Low cost structure. As a result of our fully integrated business model, our thoroughly developed transportation infrastructure and our self-sufficiency in energy generation, we have been consistently presenting high margins. Other factors that lead to these margins are the strategic location of our steelworks facility, the use of state of the art technology and our qualified work force.

Diverse product portfolio and product mix. We have a diversified product mix that includes: hot-rolled, cold-rolled, galvanized and steel tin mill products. We offer many kinds of steel packaging produced in Brazil, accounting for 99.0% of the steel tin mill products and 50.0% of the galvanized flat steel produced in Brazil. We also produce a diversified portfolio of products to meet a wide range of customer needs across all steel consuming industries. We focus on selling high margin products, such as tin plate, pre-painted, galvalume and galvanized products, in our product mix. Our GalvaSud product provides material for exposed auto parts, using hot-dip galvanized steel and laser-welded blanks. This, together with our hot-dip galvanizing process know-how, allows us to increase our sales to the automotive segment. In 2008, our market share in the automotive industry accounted for 21.0% of total domestic sales, and we expect to further increase our sales to the automotive industry in 2009. Our subsidiary CSN Paraná, provides us additional capacity to produce high-quality galvanized, galvalume and pre-painted steel products for the construction and home appliance industries. In addition, our subsidiary, INAL, the largest flat steel distributor in Brazil, is a strong sales channel in the domestic market, enabling us to meet demands from smaller customer, and therefore to have a strong presence in this market.

Strong presence in domestic market and strategic international exposure. We have a strong presence in the domestic market for steel products, with a 99.0% market share of the steel tin mill product industry in Brazil and a large market share for galvanized flat steel. In addition, our subsidiaries CSN LLC and Lusosider constitute sales channels for our products, selling in the United States and in Europe 5.0% and 5.0%, respectively, of our total sales in 2008.

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Strategies

Our goal is to increase value for our shareholders, by further benefiting from the competitive cost advantages we offer our customers from the industry segments in which we operate, maintaining our position as one of the world’s lowest-cost steel producers, becoming an important iron ore global player and by optimizing our infrastructure assets (our ports, railways and interest in power generating plants).

To achieve this goal, we have adopted strategies in each of our four business segments (where we already have assets, current operations or inherited competitive advantages) as described below.

Steel

Our strategy related to our steel business involves:

- supplying domestic markets, where we have historically recorded higher profit margins, with a wide range of finished flat and long steel products;
- implementing a carefully crafted globalization strategy that may include associations with or the acquisition and/or construction of steel operations, steel-related businesses or distribution or service centers outside Brazil, which could further process low cost semi-finished products (slabs) from Brazil and improve our distribution channels abroad;
- emphasizing a wide range of value-added products, mostly galvanized, pre-painted and tin-coated;
- introducing new technologies and systems to enhance our understanding of customers, competitors and industry trends; and
- providing customer solutions supported by quality products and services.

For further information on our planned investments relating to our steel activities, see “Item 4A. History and Development of the Company —Planned Investments—Steelmaking.”

Mining

In order to strengthen our position as a player in the iron ore market, we plan to expand our mining assets, Casa de Pedra iron ore mine and Namisa, and search for investment opportunities, primarily in mining operations related to the steel business. For further information on our planned investments relating to our mining activities, see “Item 4A. History and Development of the Company —Planned Investments—Iron Ore Project”

In 2008, after the first two years trading in the international iron ore market, we exported 14.7 million tons of iron ore, which represents a 187% increase as compared to 2007. This first step to our entry into the international iron ore market was taken in February 2007, with the completion of the first phase of the expansion of our coal seaport terminal in Itaguaí, in the State of Rio de Janeiro, which enabled the terminal to also handle and export iron ore and to load from its facilities the first shipment of our iron ore products.

Logistics

We expect to take advantage of and expand our logistics capabilities, including our integrated infrastructure operations (our railways and ports).

We have substantially improved the infrastructure needed to support the Presidente Vargas steelworks, our export and international strategies by investing in projects such as power generation through hydroelectric power plants, railways and port facilities in order to increase our ability to control production costs and secure reliable sources of energy, raw materials and transportation.

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Cement

Our strategy for our cement business includes the achievement of greater utilization of by-products by constructing a cement grinding and a clinker facility to produce 2.3 million tons of cement, using the slag generated by our blast furnaces, which we expect will become operational by the first half of 2009 and the second half of 2010, respectively. For further information on our planned investments relating to our cement activities, see “Item 4A. History and Development of the Company —Planned Investments—Cement Project.”

Our Steel Products

We produce carbon steel, which is the world’s most widely produced type of steel, representing the vast bulk of global steel consumption. From carbon steel, we sell a variety of steel products, both domestically and abroad, to manufacturers in several industries.

The following chart reflects our production cycle in general terms.

Our Presidente Vargas steelworks produces flat steel products — slabs, hot-rolled, cold-rolled, galvanized and tin mill products. For further information on our production process, see “—Product Process.”

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Slabs

Slabs are semi-finished products used for processing hot-rolled, cold-rolled or coated coils and sheet products. We are able to produce continuously cast slabs with a standard thickness of 250 millimeters, widths ranging from 830 to 1,600 millimeters and lengths ranging from 5,250 to 10,500 millimeters. We produce high, medium and low carbon slabs, as well as micro-alloyed, ultra-low-carbon and interstitial free slabs.

Hot-Rolled Products

Hot-rolled products comprise heavy-gauge hot-rolled coils and sheets, and light-gauge hot-rolled coils and sheets. A heavy gauge hot-rolled product, as defined by Brazilian standards, is a flat-rolled steel coil or sheet with a minimum thickness of 5.01 millimeters. We are able to provide coils of heavy gauge hot-rolled sheet having a maximum thickness of 12.70 millimeters. Heavy gauge sheet steel is used to manufacture automobile parts, pipes, mechanical construction and other products. Light gauge hot-rolled coils and sheets produced by us have a minimum thickness of 1.20 millimeters and are used for welded pipe and tubing, automobile parts, gas containers, compressor bodies and light cold-formed shapes, channels and profiles for the construction industry.

Cold-Rolled Products

Cold-rolled products comprise cold-rolled coils and sheets. A cold-rolled product, as defined by Brazilian standards, is a flat cold-rolled steel coil or sheet with thickness ranging from 0.30 millimeters to 3.00 millimeters. Compared to hot-rolled products, cold-rolled products have more uniform thickness and better surface quality and are used in applications such as automotive bodies, home appliances and construction. In addition, cold-rolled products serve as the base steel for our galvanized and tin mill products. We supply cold-rolled coils in thicknesses of 0.30 millimeters to 2.99 millimeters.

Galvanized Products

Galvanized products comprise flat-rolled steel coated on one or both sides with zinc or a zinc-based alloy applied by either a hot-dip or an electrolytic process. We use the hot-dip process, which is approximately 20% less expensive than the electrolytic process. Galvanizing is one of the most effective and low-cost processes used to protect steel against corrosion caused by exposure to water and the atmosphere. Galvanized products are highly versatile and can be used to manufacture a broad range of products, such as:

- bodies for automobiles, trucks and buses;
- manufactured products for the construction industry, such as panels for roofing and siding, dry wall and roofing support frames, doors, windows, fences and light structural components;
- air ducts and parts for hot air, ventilation and cooling systems;
- culverts, garbage containers and other receptacles;
- storage tanks, grain bins and agricultural equipment;
- panels and sign panels; and
- pre-painted parts.

Galvanized sheets, both painted and bare, are also frequently used for gutters and downspouts, outdoor and indoor cabinets, all kinds of home appliances and similar applications. We produce galvanized sheets and coils in continuous hot-dip processing lines, with thickness ranging from 0.30 millimeters to 3.00 millimeters. The continuous process results in products with highly adherent and uniform zinc coatings capable of being processed in nearly all kinds of bending and heavy machinery.

In addition to standard galvanized products, we produce Galvanew®, galvanized steel that is subject to a special annealing process following the hot-dip coating process. This annealing process causes iron to diffuse from the base steel into the zinc coating. The resulting iron-zinc alloy coating allows better welding and paint performance. The combination of these qualities makes our Galvanew® product particularly well suited for manufacturing automobile and home appliance parts including high gloss exposed parts.

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At CSN Paraná, one of our branches, we produce galvalume, a cold-rolled material coated with a zinc-aluminum alloy. The production process is similar to hot-dip galvanized coating, and galvalume has at least twice the corrosion resistance of standard galvanized steel. Galvalume is primarily used in outdoor construction applications that may be exposed to severe acid corrosion environments like marine uses.

The added value from the galvanizing process permits us to price our galvanized products with a higher profit margin. Our management believes that our value-added galvanized products present one of our best opportunities for profitable growth because of the anticipated increase in Brazilian demand for such high margin products.

Through CSN Paraná, we also produce pre-painted flat steel, which is manufactured in a continuous coating line. In this production line, a layer of resin-based paint in a choice of colors is deposited over either cold-rolled or galvanized base materials. Pre-painted material is a higher value-added product used primarily in the construction and home appliance markets.

Tin Mill Products

Tin mill products comprise flat-rolled low-carbon steel coils or sheets with, as defined by Brazilian standards, a maximum thickness of 0.45 millimeters, coated or uncoated. Coatings of tin or chromium are applied by electrolytic process. Coating costs place tin mill products among the highest priced products that we sell. The added value from the coating process permits us to price our tin mill products with a higher profit margin. There are four types of tin mill products, all produced by us in coil and sheet forms:

- tin plate - coated on one or both faces with a thin metallic tin layer plus a chromium oxide layer, covered with a protective oil film;
- tin free steel - coated on both faces with a very thin metallic chromium layer plus a chromium oxide layer, covered with a protective oil film;
- low tin coated steel - coated on both faces with a thin metallic tin layer plus a thicker chromium oxide layer, covered with a protective oil film; and
- black plate - uncoated product used as the starting material for the coated tin mill products.

Tin mill products are primarily used to make cans and other containers. With six electrolytic coating lines, we are one of the biggest producers of tin mill products in the world and the sole producer of coated tin mill products in Brazil.

Production

Production Process

The principal raw materials for steel production in an integrated steelworks are iron ore, coal, coke, and fluxes like limestone and dolomite. The iron ore consumed at the Presidente Vargas steelworks is extracted, crushed, screened and transported by railway from our Casa de Pedra mine located in the city of Congonhas, in the State of Minas Gerais, 328 km from the Presidente Vargas steelworks. The high quality ores mined and sized at Casa de Pedra, with iron content of approximately 60%, and their low extraction costs are major contributors to our low steel production costs.

Because Brazil lacks quality coking coals, we import all the coal required for coke production. The coal is then charged in coke batteries to produce coke through a distillation process. See “—Raw Materials and Suppliers—Raw Materials and Energy Requirements.” This coal distillation process also produces coke oven gas as a byproduct, which we use as a main source of fuel for our thermoelectric co-generation power plant. After being screened, coke is transported to blast furnaces, where it is used as a combustion source and as a component for transforming iron ore into pig iron. In 2008, we produced about 70-75% of our coke needs and imported the balance. At sintering plants, fine-sized iron ore and coke or other fine-sized solid fuels are mixed with fluxes (limestone and dolomite) to produce sinter. The sinter, lump iron ore, fluxing materials and coke are then loaded into our two operational blast furnaces for smelting. We operate a pulverized coal injection, or PCI, facility, which injects low-cost pulverized coal directly into the blast furnaces as a substitute for approximately one-third of the coke otherwise required.

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The iron ore is reduced to pig iron through successive chemical reactions with carbon monoxide (from the coke and PCI) in two blast furnaces that operate 24 hours a day. The ore is gradually reduced, then melts and flows downward. Impurities are separated from the iron to form a liquid slag with the loaded fluxes (limestone and dolomite). From time to time, white- hot liquid iron and slag are drawn off from the bottom of the furnace. Slag (containing melted impurities) is granulated and sold to neighboring cement companies. Upon completion of our planned cement plant expected to occur by July 2009, slag also will be used to produce cement.

The molten pig iron is transported to the steelmaking shop by 350-ton capacity torpedo cars and charged in basic oxygen furnaces together with scrap and fluxes. In the basic oxygen furnaces, oxygen is blown onto the liquid burden to oxidize its remaining impurities and to lower its carbon content, thus producing liquid steel. The molten steel is conveyed from the basic oxygen furnaces into the continuous casting machines from which crude steel (i.e., rectangular shaped slabs) is produced. A portion of the slab products is sold directly in the export market.

The hot-rolling, reheated slabs from the continuous casting machines are fed into hot strip mills to reduce the thickness of the slabs from 250 millimeters to a range between 1.2 and 12.7 millimeters. At the end of the hot strip mill, the long, thin steel strip from each slab is coiled and conveyed to a cooling yard. Some hot-rolled coils are dispatched directly to customers in the as-rolled condition. Others are further processed in the pickling line, in a hydrochloric bath, to remove surface oxides and improve surface quality. After pickling, the hot-rolled coils selected to produce thinner materials are sent to be rolled in cold strip mills. The better surface characteristics of cold-rolled products enhance their value to customers as compared to hot-rolled products. Additional processing related to cold-rolling may further improve surface quality. Following cold-rolling, coils may be annealed, coated (by a hot dip or electrolytic tinning process) and painted, to enhance medium-and long-term anti-corrosion performance and to add characteristics that will broaden the range of steel utilization. Coated steel products have higher profit margins than bare steel products. Of our coated steel products, tin mill and galvanized products are our highest margin products.

Steel plant equipment regularly undergoes scheduled maintenance shutdowns. Typically the rolling mills and coating lines are maintained on a weekly or monthly basis whereas the blast furnaces and other special equipment are scheduled for routine maintenance on a semi-annual or annual basis.

Our business encompasses operations and commercial activities. Our operations activities are undertaken by our production sector, which is composed of the following two units:

- the operations unit is responsible for steel production operations, repair shops, in-plant railroad, and process development at Volta Redonda;
- the support unit is responsible for production planning, management of product stockyards, energy and utility facilities and work force safety assistance at the Presidente Vargas steelworks.

The production sector is also responsible for environment and quality consultancy, new products development, capital investment implementation for steel production and processing, as well as the supervision of GalvaSud’s and CSN Paraná’s operations.

Quality Management Program

We practice Total Quality Management, a set of techniques that have been adopted by many leading companies in our industry. We also maintain a Quality Management System that has been certified to be in compliance with the ISO 9001 standards set forth by the International Standardization Organization, or ISO. In October 2003, we were awarded the ISO 9000: 2000 certificate for the design and manufacture of hot-rolled, pickled and oiled products, cold-rolled, galvanized and tin mill products, which replaced the ISO 9001 Certificate that we were awarded in December 1994. In October 2003, we were also awarded the automotive industry’s Technical

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Specification - 16949: 2002, for the design and manufacture of hot-rolled, pickled and oiled, cold-rolled and galvanized products, which replaced the QS 9000 standards that we were awarded in 1997. Some important automotive companies, like Volkswagen, General Motors and Ford, require their suppliers to satisfy the QS 9000 standards.

Production Output

The following table sets forth, for the periods indicated, the annual production of crude steel within Brazil and by us and the percentage of Brazilian production attributable to us.

|  |  |  |  |  |  |  | CSN% of
Crude Steel Production |  | Brazil |  | CSN |  | Brazil
|  |  |  | (In millions of tons) |  |
2008 |  |  |  | 33.7 |  | 5.0 |  | 15.1%
2007 |  |  |  | 33.8 |  | 5.3 |  | 15.7%
2006 |  |  |  | 30.9 |  | 3.5 * |  | 11.3%
2005 |  |  |  | 31.6 |  | 5.2 |  | 16.5%
2004 |  |  |  | 32.9 |  | 5.5 |  | 16.8%
_______________ |  |  |  |  |  |
Source: Brazilian Steel Institute (Instituto Brasileiro de Siderurgia), or IBS.
* Lower production due to accident at Blast Furnace No. 3 on January 22, 2006.

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The following table contains some of our operating statistics for the periods indicated.

Certain Operating Statistics |  |  |  |  |  |
|  | 2006 |  | 2007 |  | 2008
|  |  |  | (In millions of tons) |  |
Production of: |  |  |  |  |  |
Iron Ore |  | 13.1 |  | 15.0 |  | 17.0
Molten Steel |  | 3.6 |  | 5.4 |  | 5.1
Crude Steel |  | 3.5* |  | 5.3 |  | 5.0
Hot-Rolled Coils and Sheets |  | 4.1 |  | 5.1 |  | 4.7
Cold-Rolled Coils and Sheets |  | 2.3 |  | 3.1 |  | 2.6
Galvanized Products |  | 1.1 |  | 2.2 |  | 1.1
Tin Mill Products |  | 0.8 |  | 0.9 |  | 0.7
Consumption of Coal for Coke Batteries |  | 2.0 |  | 2.3 |  | 2.3
Consumption of Coal for PCI |  | 0.5 |  | 0.9 |  | 0.8
* Lower production due to the accident at Blast Furnace No. 3 on January 22, 2006. |  |  |  |  |  |

Raw Materials and Suppliers

The principal raw materials we use in our integrated steel mill include iron ore, coke, coal (from which we make coke), limestone, dolomite, aluminum, tin and zinc. In addition, our production operations consume water, gases, electricity and ancillary materials.

Raw Materials and Energy Requirements

Given the low interest rate environment in the developed economies, worldwide economic growth over the last few years and increasing demand for various commodity type industrial segments enabled coal and iron ore miners, and coke producers to charge customers high prices. As a result of the effects of the 2008 financial crisis, worlwide coordinated economic growth was deeply impaired and demand for commodity type industrial segments decreased significantly, reversing this trend.

Nevertheless, these commodity type industrial segments are highly concentrated in the hands of a few global players and there can be no assurance that other price increases will not be imposed on steel producers in the future.

Iron Ore

We are able to obtain all of our iron ore requirements from our Casa de Pedra mine located in the State of Minas Gerais.

Casa de Pedra has an installed mining capacity of 21.5 million tons annually (ROM) with a processing ratio of 79.1%, resulting in a mining capacity of 17.0 million tons of processed iron ore per year, which exceeds our needs for the Presidente Vargas steelworks. In 2008, the run-of-mine, or ROM, was 19.9 million tons (with a total crusher feed of 19.5 million tons and a total classification and concentration feed of 21.0 million tons). The resulting product tonnage was 17.0 million tons of processed iron ore per year (mass recovery on wet basis of 80.8%) . Of this total amount, 7.7 million tons were delivered to the Presidente Vargas steelworks and 5.5 million tons were sold to third parties, consisting of 3.1 million tons of sinter-feed material, 0.9 million tons of pellet feed materials, 0.9 million tons of lump ore and 0.7 million tons of small lump ore. We own other iron ore assets through Namisa, a jointly-owned subsidiary of our Company, which acquired CFM in July, 2007. CFM was incorporated in 1996 with the purpose of utilizing and enhancing the ore treatment facilities of the Itacolomy Mines, for the beneficiation of crude ore extracted from its deposit, the Engenho Mine. In 2008, 6.6 million tons of ROM were extracted from the Engenho mine with a waste/ore ratio of 0.35. The supply of the Pires beneficiation plant reached 5.9 million tons with product generation in the order of 4.2 million tons composed of lump ore, small lump ore, or hematitinha, sinter feed and concentrates. Also in 2008, 1.1 million tons were extracted from the Fernandinho mine with a waste/ore ratio of 0.24. The beneficiation plant at the Fernandinho unit also processed crude ore acquired from third parties, which along with its own ROM, totaled 1.2 million tons of feed. This processing was responsible for the generation of 0.8 million tons of lump ore and sinter feed products, in which the sinter feed practically corresponded to the total production.

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In 2008, Namisa sold 2.6 million tons through these two complexes, of which 2.2 million tons were exported. On March 30, 2008 CFM was merged with Namisa.

Namisa complements our strategy to be a world leading producer of high quality iron ore. Namisa is and will remain fully integrated with our railway and port logistics corridor, providing sufficient railway and port logistics capacity for Namisa’s current and future production. Namisa is a leading company in iron ore mining and trading, with mining and processing operations in the State of Minas Gerais. Trading iron ore is obtained from small mining companies in the neighborhood and other trading companies. For information on the sale of 40% of our ownership interest in Namisa, see “Item 4A. History and Development of the Company—Acquisitions and Dispositions.”

Our steelmaking operations consumed 6.7 million tons of iron ore during 2008, consisting of 5.0 million tons of sinter-feed material and 1.7 million tons of lump ore. As we do not have pelletizing plants, the total amount of pellets has been acquired in the Brazilian market.

We process the iron ore at the mine site prior to shipment by railway to the Presidente Vargas steelworks. See the map under “Item 4D. Property, Plant and Equipment” for the location of the Casa de Pedra mine in relation to the Presidente Vargas steelworks.

Coal

In 2008, our coal consumption totaled 3.0 million tons and accounted for approximately 21% of our production cost. Because of the cyclical nature of the coal industry, price and quantity terms contained in our coal supply contracts, which are denominated in U.S. dollars, are usually renegotiated annually. Thus, our coal costs can vary from year to year.

Coke

In 2008, in addition to the approximately 1.7 million tons of coke we produced, we also consumed 456,254 tons of coke bought from third parties in China, India and Colombia. This figure represents an increase of 119% as compared to our consumption in 2007 and expresses CSN’s historical level of consumption. The reduction of our consumption in 2007 was a direct effect from the the stoppage of Blast Furnace No. 3 in 2006, which increased our stock levels of own produced coke in 2006 and reduced our need to purchase coke from third parties in 2007. The market for coke has been very competitive since 2002, because China, a major player in the sea-borne trade, has increased its internal consumption and adopted restrictive export quotas. In addition, India has become a major consumer of coke, considerably increasing its consumption in the past years. Due to logistical reasons, China supplies most of India’s coke and this increase in consumption tightened even more the worldwide supply-demand balance of metallurgical coke. During the fourth quarter of 2008, the financial crisis hit the steel industry and coke consumption worldwide was drastically reduced, what tends to result in lower prices of this raw material.

We use a PCI system that allows us to use less coke in our blast furnaces, substituting a portion of the coke with lower grade coal. The PCI system has reduced our need for imported coal and imported coke, thereby reducing our production costs. In 2008, we used approximately 767,656 tons of imported PCI coal.

Limestone and Dolomite

We obtain limestone and dolomite from our Bocaina mine at Arcos in the State of Minas Gerais, which produces 1.7 million tons of limestone and 0.8 million tons of dolomite on an annual basis, more than 89% of which is used in our steelmaking process. See the map under “Item 4D. Property, Plants and Equipment” for the location of the Bocaina mine in relation to the Presidente Vargas steelworks.

Aluminum, Zinc and Tin

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Aluminum is mostly used for steelmaking. Zinc and tin are important raw materials used in the production of certain higher-value steel products, such as galvanized and tin plate, respectively. We purchase aluminum, zinc and tin typically from third-party domestic suppliers under one or two-year contracts. We maintain approximately a one-month reserve of such materials at the Presidente Vargas steelworks.

In April 2005, we acquired Estanho de Rondônia S.A., or ERSA, a tin mine and smelter facility. This smelter was one of our main tin suppliers in 2004. We intend to increase production from 1,800 tons in 2005 to 3,800 tons in 2009, in order to achieve self-sufficiency of this raw material.

Other Raw Materials

In our production of steel, we also consume, on an annual basis, significant amounts of spare parts, refractory bricks and lubricants, which are generally purchased from domestic suppliers.

We also consume significant amounts of oxygen, nitrogen, hydrogen, argon and other gases at the Presidente Vargas steelworks. These gases are supplied by a third-party under long-term contracts from its gas production facilities located on the Presidente Vargas steelworks site. In 2008 we used 858,876 tons of oxygen to produce 5.1 million tons of crude steel.

Water

Large amounts of water are also required in the production of steel. Water serves as a solvent, a catalyst and a cleaning agent. It is also used to cool, to carry away waste, to help produce and distribute heat and power, and to dilute liquids. Our source of water is the Paraíba do Sul River, which runs through the city of Volta Redonda. Over 80% of the water used in the steelmaking process is recirculated and the balance, after processing, is returned to the Paraíba do Sul River. Since March 2003, the Brazilian government has imposed a monthly tax for our use of water from the Paraíba do Sul River, based on an annual fee of approximately US$1.1 million.

Electricity

Steelmaking also requires significant amounts of electricity to power rolling mills, production lines, hot metal processing, coking plants and auxiliary units. In 2008, the Presidente Vargas steelworks consumed approximately 2.9 million MWh of electric energy or 590 kilowatt hours per ton of crude steel. This consumption made us one of the largest consumers of electricity in Brazil, accounting for approximately 11% of the overall consumption of electricity in the State of Rio de Janeiro.

Our main current source of electricity is our 238 MW thermoelectric co-generation power plant at the Presidente Vargas steelworks, besides the Itá and Igarapava hydroelectric facilities held by us, from which we have a take capacity available of 167 MW and 22 MW, respectively. In addition, we have approved the construction of a new turbine generator at the Presidente Vargas steelworks, which will increase 20 MW to our existing installed capacity. This turbine will be allocated near to our Blast Furnace No. 3, using the outlet gases from the ironmaking process to generate energy.

Natural Gas

In addition to electricity, we consume natural gas, mainly in our hot strip mill. Companhia Estadual de Gás do Rio de Janeiro S.A., or CEG Rio, which was privatized in 1997, is currently our major source of natural gas. Variations in the supply of gas can affect the level of steel production. We have not experienced any significant stoppages of production due to a shortage of natural gas. We also purchase fuel oil from Petrobras. See “Item 3D. Risk Factors—Risks Relating to the Steel Industry and CSN—Interruptions in the supply of natural gas and power transmission over the government power grid may adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations.”

Diesel Oil

In mid-October 2006, we entered into an agreement to receive diesel oil from the Companhia Brasileira de Petróleo Ipiranga, or Ipiranga, in order to supply our equipment in Casa de Pedra and Arcos in Minas Gerais, which are the plants responsible for our mining activity. In 2007 and 2008, we had a consumption of 38,187 kiloliters and 49,565 kiloliters of oil diesel, respectively. This increase was mainly due to the growth of our mining activity to support our growing iron ore production, which required us to enlarge our mining equipment fleet. In 2007 and 2008, we have paid R$61.3 million and R$82.6 million, respectively, for the diesel oil we consumed.

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Suppliers

We acquire the inputs necessary for the production of our products in Brazil and abroad, with aluminum, zinc, tin, spare parts, refractory bricks, lubricants, oxygen, nitrogen, hydrogen and argon being the main inputs acquired in Brazil. Coal and coke are the only inputs acquired abroad.

Our main raw materials suppliers are set forth below:

Main Suppliers |  | Raw Material
BHP Billiton, Jim Walter Resources and Alpha Natural Resources |  | Coal
Noble and Glencore |  | Coke
Reciclagem Fluminense de Metais Ltd.(1) |  | Aluminum
Votorantim Metais(1) |  | Zinc
ERSA |  | Tin
Bardella Timken Serviços, Sulcromo Revestimentos Industriais, and Mwl Brasil Rodas e Eixos Ltda. |  | Spare parts
Magnesita and Saint Gobain |  | Refractory bricks
Petrobras and Quaker |  | Lubricants
___________
(1) Suppliers which we depend on, due to the fact that they are the only suppliers in Brazil for their respective raw materials.

Logistics

Transportation costs are a significant component of our steel production costs and are a factor in our price-competitiveness in the export market. Railway transportation is the principal means by which we transport raw materials from our mines to the Presidente Vargas steelworks and steel products to ports for shipment overseas. Iron ore, limestone and dolomite from our two mines located in the State of Minas Gerais are transported by railroad to the Presidente Vargas steelworks for processing into steel. The distances from our mines to the Presidente Vargas steelworks are 328 km and 455 km. Imported coal and coke bought from foreign suppliers are unloaded at the port of Itaguaí, 90 km west of the city of Rio de Janeiro, and shipped 109 km by train to the Presidente Vargas steelworks. Our finished steel products are transported by train, truck and ships to our customers throughout Brazil and abroad. Our principal Brazilian markets are the cities of São Paulo (335 km from the Presidente Vargas steelworks), Rio de Janeiro (120 km) and Belo Horizonte (429 km).

Until recently, Brazil’s railway system (including railcars and tracks) was principally government-owned and in need of repair, but has now been largely privatized. In an attempt to increase the reliability of our rail transportation, we indirectly hold concessions for the main railway systems we use. For further information on our railway concessions, see “—Facilities—Railways.”

We export mainly through the ports of Itaguaí and Rio de Janeiro, and import coal and coke through the Itaguaí Port, all in the State of Rio de Janeiro. The coal and container terminals have been operated by us since August 1997 and 1998, respectively.

Marketing Organization and Strategy

Steel Products

Our steel products are sold both domestically and abroad as a main raw material for several different manufacturing industries, including the automotive, home appliance, packaging, construction and steel processing industries.

Our sales approach is to establish a brand loyalty image and achieve a reputation for quality products by developing relationships with our clients and focusing on their specific needs.

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Our commercial area is responsible for sales of all of our products. This area is divided into two major teams, one focused on international sales and the other on domestic sales. The domestic market oriented sales team is divided into five market segments: packaging, distribution, automotive, home appliances and original equipment manufacturer, or OEM, and construction. Each one of these segments has a specific strategic goal to provide tailor-made steel solutions that meet the specific needs of each client they serve.

The distribution unit is responsible for supplying large steel processors and distributors, as well as some industries that produce small diameter pipe and light profiles. The packaging unit acts in an integrated way with suppliers, representatives of the canning industry and distributors to respond to customer needs for finished-products. The automotive unit is supplied by a specialized mill, GalvaSud, and also by a portion of the galvanized material produced at Presidente Vargas steelworks, benefiting from a combined sales strategy.

In 2008, over two thirds of our domestic sales were made through our own sales force directly to customers. The remaining sales were to independent distributors for subsequent resale to smaller clients.

Historically, our export sales were made primarily through international brokers. However, as part of our strategy to establish direct, longer-term relationships with end-users, we have decreased our reliance on such brokers. We have focused our international sales to more profitable markets in order to maximize revenues and shareholder returns. Our strategy is to maintain Europe and North America as our main export markets, taking advantage of the commercial channels provided by our subsidiaries CSN LLC, in the United States, and Lusosider, in Portugal.

All of our sales are on an order-by-order basis and have an average delivery time of 45 days. As a result, our production levels closely reflect our order log book status. We forecast sales trends in both the domestic and export markets based on the historical data available from the last two years and the general economic outlook for the near future. We have our own data systems to remain informed of worldwide and Brazilian market developments. Further, our management believes that one of the keys to our success is maintaining a presence in the export market. Such presence gives us the flexibility to shift between domestic and export markets, thereby allowing us to maximize our profitability.

Unlike classic commodity products, there is no exchange trading of steel, or uniform pricing, as wide differences exist in terms of size, quality and specifications. In general, exports are priced based on international spot prices of steel at the time of sale in U.S. dollars or Euros, depending on the destination. To establish the domestic price, the corresponding international quotations are converted into reais and an additional amount is added to reflect, among other things, local demand, transportation and tariff costs to import similar products. Sales are normally paid at sight, or within 15 or 30 days, and, in the case of exports, usually backed by a letter of credit and an insurance policy. Sales are made primarily on cost and freight terms.

Iron Ore

Iron ore products are commercialized by our own commercial team located in Brazil and also overseas, in Portugal and Hong Kong. In addition to our international sales staff, our overseas office also hosts our technical assistance management. Our overseas offices allow us to stay in close contact with our customers, monitor their requirements and our contract performance. Domestic sales, market intelligence analysis, and planning and administration of sales are handled from Brazil by the staff in our Nova Lima office, which is located approximately 70km from the Casa de Pedra mine.

The chart below illustrates the coverage of our sales team both domestically and abroad:

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We supply all of our iron ore to the steel industry and our main targets are the Brazilian, European and Asian markets. Prevailing and expected levels of demand for steel products directly affect demand for iron ore. Demand for steel products is influenced by many factors, such as GDP, global manufacturing production, civil construction and infrastructure spending.

We believe our competitiveness has been improved by our customer service and market intelligence. It is paramount for us to have a clear understanding of our customers’ businesses in order to address their needs, surpass their expectations and build long-term relationships. We have a customer-oriented marketing policy and place specialized personnel in direct contact with our clients to help determine the mix that best suits each particular customer. We also constantly search for the optimal balance between the use of our mining assets and customization needed by each of our customers. In order to compete with competitors more conveniently located geographically or that may offer larger sales volume of iron ore, we rely on our market analysis and forecasts of the market chain.

Steel Sales

We recorded annual steel sales volume of 4.89 million tons, which represents a decrease of 9.0% as compared to 2007.

Domestic sales and exports accounted for 85% and 15%, respectively, of our consolidated total steel sales volume. The parent company only accounted for 92% of our consolidated total steel sales volume.

Domestic Sales

Domestic sales reached 4.16 million tons in 2008, which represents an increase of 15% as compared to 2007.

The flat steel market in 2008 experienced two very different periods. The first, which lasted from January through October, was marked by strong demand from all sectors, especially the automotive, construction and home appliance and OEM industries, which recorded successive production and sales records.

From November through December, however, the effects of the 2008 financial crisis affected the industries of our main clients, which caused a significant reduction in production and demand for steel products.

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Exports

Annual exports totaled 733,000 tons, which represents a decrease of 58% as compared to 2007. This reduction is a direct result of our strategy to prioritize domestic sales until October and the overall reduction in international steel demand during the last quarter of 2008.

Of our total exports, 87% consisted of coated steel items, underlining our policy of concentrating on sales of higher added-value products.

Steel Sales by Geographic Region

In 2008, we sold steel products to customers in Brazil and 49 other countries. The fluctuations in the portion of total sales assigned to domestic and international markets, which can be seen in the table below, reflect our ability to adjust sales in light of variations in the domestic and international economies, as well as steel demand and prices, domestically and abroad.

The three main export markets for our products are Europe, North America and Latin America, representing 45%, 37% and 13%, respectively, of our export sales volume in 2008.

In North America, we take advantage of our subsidiary CSN LLC, which acts as a commercial channel for our products. In order to gain a cost advantage among our U.S. competitors, CSN is able to export slabs to CSN LLC which are processed at third parties into hot-rolled coil and then transformed into more added value products at CSN LLC’s plant, such as cold-rolled coil and galvanized. Moreover, we are able to export cold-rolled coils which can be directly sold or processed by CSN LLC in order to manufacture galvanized products.

In Europe, we sell hot-rolled coil as raw material to Lusosider, our subsidiary located in Portugal.

The following table contains information relating to our sales of steel products by destination:

|  | CSN – Sales of Steel Products by Destination
|  | (In thousands of metric tons and millions of US$)
|  | 2006 |  | 2007 |  | 2008
|  |  |  |  |  | Gross |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | Gross |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | Gross |  |
|  |  |  | % of |  | Operating |  | % of |  |  |  | % of |  | Operating |  | % of |  |  |  | % of |  | Operating |  | % of
|  | Tons |  | Total |  | Revenues(2) |  | Total |  | Tons |  | Total |  | Revenues(2) |  | Total |  | Tons |  | Total |  | Revenues(2) |  | Total
Brazil |  | 2,817 |  | 64.3 |  | 3,258 |  | 72.5 |  | 3,614 |  | 67.2 |  | 4,853 |  | 77.0 |  | 4,158 |  | 85.0 |  | 6,845 |  | 89.0
Export |  | 1,567 |  | 35.7 |  | 1,235 |  | 27.5 |  | 1,764 |  | 32.8 |  | 1,446 |  | 23.0 |  | 733 |  | 15.0 |  | 791 |  | 11.0
Total |  | 4,384 |  | 100.0 |  | 4,493 |  | 100.0 |  | 5,378 |  | 100.0 |  | 6,299 |  | 100.0 |  | 4,891 |  | 100.0 |  | 7,636 |  | 100.0
Exports by Region |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Asia |  | 79 |  | 1.8 |  | 47 |  | 1.1 |  | 57 |  | 1.1 |  | 47 |  | 0.7 |  | 17 |  | 0.4 |  | 19 |  | 0.2
North America(1) |  | 729 |  | 16.7 |  | 600 |  | 13.4 |  | 970 |  | 18.0 |  | 651 |  | 10.4 |  | 268 |  | 5.5 |  | 291 |  | 3.8
Latin America |  | 142 |  | 3.2 |  | 92 |  | 2.0 |  | 122 |  | 2.3 |  | 94 |  | 1.5 |  | 96 |  | 2.0 |  | 105 |  | 1.4
Europe |  | 563 |  | 12.8 |  | 455 |  | 10.1 |  | 548 |  | 10.2 |  | 601 |  | 9.5 |  | 331 |  | 6.8 |  | 352 |  | 4.6
All Others |  | 54 |  | 1.2 |  | 41 |  | 0.9 |  | 67 |  | 1.2 |  | 53 |  | 0.9 |  | 21 |  | 0.4 |  | 23 |  | 0.3
Total Exports |  | 1,567 |  | 35.7 |  | 1,235 |  | 27.5 |  | 1,764 |  | 32.8 |  | 1,446 |  | 23.0 |  | 733 |  | 15.0 |  | 791 |  | 10.0

___________________
(1)Sales to Mexico are included in North America. (2) Total gross operating revenues presented above differ from amounts in our U.S. GAAP financial statements because they do not include revenues from non-steel products (non-steel products include mainly by-products, iron ore and logistics services), which in 2006 represented US$320 million, in 2007 represented US$679 million and in 2008 represented US$1,571 million.

Steel Sales by Product

The following table sets forth our market shares for steel sales in Brazil of hot-rolled, cold-rolled, galvanized and tin mill products for the past three years according to the Brazilian Steel Institute (Instituto Brasileiro de Siderurgia), or IBS.

CSN Domestic Market Share |  |  |  |  |  |
|  | 2006 |  | 2007 |  | 2008
|  | (As a percentage of the market for each product)
Hot-Rolled Products |  | 25.0% |  | 31.0% |  | 34.0%
Cold-Rolled Products |  | 19.0% |  | 21.0% |  | 26.0%
Galvanized Products |  | 42.0% |  | 44.0% |  | 49.0%
Tin Mill Products |  | 98.0% |  | 98.0% |  | 99.0%

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Steel Sales by Industry

We sell our steel products to manufacturers in several industries. Following is a breakdown of our domestic shipments by volume for the last three years among our market segments:

CSN Sales by Industrial Segment in Brazil

|  | 2006 |  | 2007 |  | 2008
|  | (In percentages of total domestic volume shipped)
Distribution |  | 38.0% |  | 43.3% |  | 44.7%
Packaging |  | 21.9% |  | 16.3% |  | 15.1%
Automotive |  | 14.6% |  | 14.6% |  | 19.6%
Home Appliances/OEM |  | 15.4% |  | 13.3% |  | 12.1%
Construction |  | 10.2% |  | 12.5% |  | 8.5%

We believe we have a particularly strong domestic and export position in the sale of tin mill products used for packaging. Our customers for these products include some of the world’s most important food processing companies, as well as many small and medium-sized entities. We also maintain a strong position in the sale of galvanized products for use in the automobile manufacturing, construction and home appliance industries in Brazil and abroad, supplied by GalvaSud and CSN Paraná. No single customer accounts for more than 5% of our net operating revenues.

Seasonality

Our sales of steel products are subject to seasonality. It is well known in both international and domestic steel markets that demand is lower in the first six months of the year, which directly affects sales. On the other hand, demand normally increases in the third quarter. Our sales force considers this seasonality in its planning while, at the same time, seeks to keep production stable by offsetting domestic market fluctuations with exports to other markets.

Iron Ore Sales

The first step to our entry into the international iron ore market was taken in February 2007, with the completion of the first phase of the expansion of our coal seaport terminal in Itaguaí, in the State of Rio de Janeiro, which enabled us to also handle and export iron ore and to load from our own facilities the first shipment of our iron ore products.

In 2008, after the first two years trading in the international iron ore market, we exported 14.7 million tons of iron ore, which represents a 186.9% increase, as compared to 2007. Export sales increased 350% from US$218 million in 2007 to US$980 million in 2008.

Although the world economy has been since the last quarter of 2008 affected by the side-effects from the economy meltdown, we were able to maintain and increase our iron ore sales.

In 2008, China accounted for mostly of our iron ore sales, followed by Europe. In 2008, the Asian market (primarily China and Japan) and Europe were the primary markets for our sinter feed while Middle East was the primary market for our pellet feed.

As global iron ore markets are highly competitive, we focus on our flexibility, reliability and efficient manner of supplying iron ore to the world market. The iron ore market worldwide is mainly affected by price, quality, range of products offered, reliability, operating costs and shipping costs. Facing this environment we constantly seek better offer options not just for us but also for our customers.

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Facilities

Steel Mill

The Presidente Vargas steelworks, located in the city of Volta Redonda, in the State of Rio de Janeiro, began operating in 1946. It is an integrated facility covering approximately 4.0 square km and containing five coke batteries (three of which are currently in operation), three sinter plants, two blast furnaces, a basic oxygen furnace steel shop, or BOF shop, with three converters, three continuous casting units, one hot strip mill, three cold strip mills, two continuous pickling lines, one continuous annealing line, three continuous galvanizing lines, four continuous annealing lines exclusively for tin mill products and six electrolytic tinning lines.

Our major operational units and corresponding effective capacities as of December 2008, including CSN LLC and Lusosider, are set forth in the following chart:

Effective Capacity

|  | Tons per year |  | Equipment in operation
Process: |  |  |  |
Coking plant |  | 1,680,000 |  | 3 batteries
Sintering plant |  | 6,930,000 |  | 3 machines
Blast furnace |  | 5,380,000 |  | 2 furnaces
BOF shop |  | 5,750,000 |  | 3 converters
Continuous casting |  | 5,600,000 |  | 3 casters
Finished Products: |  |  |  |
Hot strip mill |  | 5,100,000 |  | 1 mill
Cold strip mill |  | 4,550,000 |  | 6 mills
Galvanizing line |  | 2,095,000 |  | 7 lines
Electrolytic tinning line |  | 1,190,000 |  | 7 lines

Downstream Facilities

GalvaSud

We have a 99.99% ownership interest in GalvaSud, which produces and sells galvanized steel Galvanew®, laser-welded and pre-stamped parts for the automotive industry. GalvaSud has an annual capacity of 350,000 tons.

CSN Paraná

Our branch CSN Paraná produces and supplies plain regular galvanized, Galvalume® and pre-painted steel products for the construction and home appliance industries. The plant has an annual capacity of 330,000 tons of galvanized products and Galvalume® products, 100,000 tons of pre-painted products, which can use cold-rolled or galvanized steel as substrate, and 220,000 tons of pickled hot-rolled coils in excess of the coils required for the coating process.

Cia. Metalic Nordeste

We have a 99.99% ownership interest in Cia. Metalic Nordeste, or Metalic. Metalic is the only two-piece steel can producer in all Americas. It has approximately 48% of the packaging market for carbonated drinks in the Northeastern regions of Brazil. Currently, we are the only supplier to Metalic of the steel used to make two-piece cans. The development of drawn-and-wall-ironed steel for the production of two-piece cans is an important achievement in the production process at the Presidente Vargas steelworks. In addition to the production of the 350ml steel cans, in 2009 Metalic will also produce 250ml steel cans, increasing its portfolio of products and servicing the market demand for cans of different sizes.

Cia Metalúrgica Prada

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We have a 99.99% ownership interest in Companhia Metalúrgica Prada, or Prada. Established in 1936, Prada is the largest Brazilian steel can manufacturer and has an annual production capacity of over one billion cans in its three industrial facilities located in the states of São Paulo, Rio Grande do Sul and Minas Gerais. Currently, we are the only Brazilian producer of tin plate, Prada’s main raw material, which makes Prada one of our major customers of tin plate products. Prada has important clients in the food and chemical industries, including packages of vegetables, fishes, dairy products, meat, aerosols, paints and varnishes, and other business activities. On December 30, 2008, Indústria Nacional de Aços Laminados S.A., or INAL, merged into Prada, the surviving entity. For further information on the acquisition of Prada, see “Item 4A. History and Development of the Company—Acquisitions and Dispositions.”

Companhia Siderurgica Nacional, LLC

CSN LLC holds the assets of former Heartland Steel, a flat-rolled steel processing facility in Terre Haute, Indiana. This facility has an annual production capacity of 180,000 tons of cold-rolled products and 315,000 tons of galvanized products. Currently, CSN LLC is obtaining hot coils by buying slabs from us and then having them converted into hot coils by local steel companies or buying hot rolled coils directly from mills in the United States. See “Item 4B. Government Regulation and Other Legal Matters—Anti-Dumping Proceedings—United States” for a discussion about anti-dumping issues on Brazilian hot coils exports to the United States.

Lusosider, Aços Planos, S.A.

We own 99.94% of Lusosider, a producer of hot-dip galvanized products and cold-rolled located in Seixal, near Lisbon, Portugal. Lusosider produces approximately 240,000 tons of galvanized products and 50,000 tons of cold-rolled annually. Its main customers include service centers and tube making industries.

Indústria Nacional de Aços Laminados S.A.

INAL is our subsidiary and a distributor of laminated steel founded in 1957. Currently, INAL is the number one in the Brazilian distribution market, with 600,000 tons per year of installed processing capacity. INAL has three steel service centers and five distribution centers strategically located in the Brazilian territory. Its main service center is located in Mogi das Cruzes between São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro. INAL has a service center located in Camaçari, in the State of Bahia, to support sales in the Northeastern and North regions of Brazil. Its product mix also includes sheets, slit coils, sections, tubes, and roofing in standard or customized format, according to client’s specifications. INAL processes all range of products produced by us and services 4,000 customers annually from the civil construction, automotive and home appliances sectors, among others. On December 30, 2008, INAL merged into our subsidiary Prada.

Mines and Mineral Reserves

We hold concessions to mine iron ore, limestone and dolomite. We purchase manganese on the local market.

Except for Namisa’s mines, in which we have a 59.99% ownership interest, we own 100% of each of our mines. In addition, each mine is an “open pit” mine. See the map under “Item 4D. Property, Plant and Equipment” for the location of the mines in relation to the Presidente Vargas steelworks and for information on the reserves at our Casa de Pedra mine and resources at Engenho and Fernandinho mines.

Iron ore extraction, crushing, screening and concentration are done in three different sites: Casa de Pedra (CSN’s property), Pires Beneficiation Plant and Fernandinho Mine (both Namisa’s property).

The Casa de Pedra facilities are located in the city of Congonhas, in the State of Minas Gerais. The Casa de Pedra mine is located 350 km from the Presidente Vargas steelworks and supplies iron ore products to our steel mill, as well as for export through the Itaguai Port. Casa de Pedra’s equipment fleet and treatment facilities have an installed annual ROM capacity of approximately 60.0 million tons and 21.5 million tons, respectively.

Most of the ROM of the Pires Beneficiation Plant comes from Engenho mine (Namisa’s property), which is located at the northern border of the Casa de Pedra mine. Pires Beneficiation Plant has the capacity to process 10.3 million tons per year. From this total, 6 million tons are currently provided by the Engenho mine and the balance is purchased from third parties.

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The Fernandinho mine is located in the city of Itabirito, in the State of Minas Gerais. This unit processes crude ore purchased from third parties, which along with its own ROM, totaled 1.2 million tons of feed in 2008.

For additional information on our mines and mineral reserves, see “Item 4D. Property, Plant and Equipment—Reserves at Casa de Pedra Mine” and “Item 4D. Property, Plant and Equipment—Resources at Fernandinho and Engenho Mines.”

Limestone and Dolomite Mine

Our extraction and preparation of limestone and dolomite is done at our Bocaina mining facility located at Arcos, in the State of Minas Gerais. This mining facility has an installed annual production capacity of approximately 4.0 million tons. We believe this mining facility has sufficient limestone and dolomite reserves to adequately supply our steel production, at current levels, for more than 45 years. The mining facility is located 455 km from the Presidente Vargas steelworks.

Tin

We own a tin mine and a smelter located in the State of Rondônia. The inventory of the geological reserves has been prepared from a review of the major reports from the Santa Barbara Mine Document Center. The majority of the deposits and/or target areas are within Mining Leases that have been consolidated into Mining Group (Grupamento Mineiro No. 131/92). The reserves provided were recognized by the Brazilian Department of Mineral Production (Departamento Nacional de Produção Mineral), or DNPM, Brazil’s competent authority for the reporting of ore reserves. The reserves and resources presented are “in situ.”

Electricity Distribution and Generation

Thermoelectric Co-Generation Power Plant

We completed the construction of a 238 MW thermoelectric co-generation power plant at the Presidente Vargas steelworks in December 1999. Since October 2000, the plant has provided the Presidente Vargas steelworks with approximately 60% of the electric energy needs for its steel mills. Aside from operational improvements, the power plant supplies our strip mills with electric energy, processed steam and blown air from the blast furnaces, benefiting the surrounding environment through the elimination of flares that burn steel-processing gases into the atmosphere.

Itá Hydroelectric Facility

Each of Tractebel and us own 48.75%, and Companhia de Cimento Itambé, or Itambé, owns the remaining 2.5% of ITASA, a special-purpose company formed for the purpose of owning and operating, under a 30-year concession, 60.5% of the Itá hydroelectric facility on the Uruguay river in Southern Brazil. Tractebel owns directly the remaining 39.5% of the Itá hydroelectric facility.

The power facility was built under a project finance structure with an investment of approximately US$860 million. The long-term financing for the project was closed in March 2001 and consisted of US$78 million of debentures issued by ITASA, a US$144 million loan from private banks and US$116 million of direct financing from BNDES, all of which are due by 2013. The sponsors of the project have invested approximately US$306 million in this project.

Itá has an installed capacity of 1,450 MW, with a firm guaranteed output of 668 MW, and became fully operational in March 2001.

We and the other shareholders of ITASA have the right to take our pro rata share (proportionally to our ownership interest in the project) of Itá’s output pursuant to 30-year power purchase agreements at a fixed price per megawatt hour, adjusted annually for inflation. Since October 2002, we have been using our entire Itá take internally.

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Igarapava Hydroelectric Facility

We own 17.9% of a consortium that built and will operate for 30 years the Igarapava hydroelectric facility. Other consortium members are CVRD, Companhia Mineira de Metais, Votorantim Metais Zinco, AngloGold Ashanti Mineração Ltda., and Companhia Energética de Minas Gerais, or CEMIG. The plant became full operational on December 30, 1999 with an installed capacity of 210 MW, corresponding to 136 MW of firm guaranteed output as of December 31, 2008. We have been using part of our 22.8 MW take from Igarapava to supply energy to the Casa de Pedra and Arcos mines, and to the Presidente Vargas steelworks. From time to time, we also sell the excess energy to the energy market.

Railways

Southeastern Railway System

MRS has a concession to operate, through the year 2026, Brazil’s Southeastern railway system. As of December 31, 2008, we held directly and indirectly 33.27% of MRS’ total capital. The Brazilian Southeastern railway system, covering 1,674 km of track, serves the São Paulo – Rio de Janeiro – Belo Horizonte industrial triangle in Southeast Brazil, and links our mines located in the State of Minas Gerais to the ports located in the states of São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro and to the steel mills of CSN, Companhia Siderúrgica Paulista, or Cosipa, and Gerdau Açominas. In addition to serving other customers, the line transports iron ore from our mines at Casa de Pedra in the State of Minas Gerais and coke and coal from the Itaguaí Port in the State of Rio de Janeiro to the Presidente Vargas steelworks and transports our exports to the ports of Itaguaí and Rio de Janeiro. The railway system connects the Presidente Vargas steelworks to the container terminal at Itaguaí Port, which handles most of our steel exports. Our transport volumes represent approximately 22% of the Brazilian Southeastern railway system’s total volume. As of December 31, 2008, US$1,578 million were outstanding and payable by MRS to the Brazilian government federal agencies within the next 18 years, of which US$1,527 million are treated as an off-balance sheet item (See “Item 5E. Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements”). While we are jointly and severally liable with the other principal MRS shareholders for the full payment of the outstanding amount, we expect that MRS will make the lease payments through internally generated funds and proceeds from financing.

Northeastern Railway System

As of December 31, 2008, we hold 84.5% of the capital stock of Transnordestina Logística S.A., a company which is jointly-controlled by us and Taquari Participações S.A. (a company controlled by the Steinbruch family) pursuant to a shareholders' agreement dated November 27, 1997, as amended on May 6, 1999 and on November 7, 2003. Transnordestina Logística S.A. has a 30-year concession granted in 1998 to operate Brazil’s Northeastern railway system. The Northeastern railway system covers 4,238 km of track and operates in the states of Maranhão, Piauí, Ceará, Paraíba, Pernambuco, Alagoas and Rio Grande do Norte. It also connects with the region’s leading ports, thereby offering an important competitive advantage through opportunities for intermodal transportation solutions and made-to-measure logistics projects. As of December 31, 2008, R$38.7 million was outstanding over the remaining 18-year term of the concessi on, of which R$37.7 million are treated as an off-balance sheet item (See “Item 5E. Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements”). We and the Steinbruch family are jointly and severally liable for the full payment of the outstanding amount. For more information on the merger and financings for Transnordestina, see “Item 4A. History and Development of the Company —Planned Investments—Transnordestina.”

Port Facilities

Solid Bulks Terminal

We hold the concession to operate a solid bulks terminal, one of four terminals that form the Itaguaí Port, located in the State of Rio de Janeiro, for a term expiring in 2022 and renewable for another 25 years. Itaguaí Port, in turn, is connected to the Presidente Vargas steelworks, Casa de Pedra and CFM by the southeastern railway system. Our imports of coal and coke are made through this terminal. Under the terms of the concession, we undertook to unload at least 3.4 million tons of coal and coke from our suppliers through the terminal annually, as well as shipments from third parties. Among the approved investments that we announced is the development and expansion of the solid bulks terminal at Itaguaí to also handle up to 160 million tons of iron ore per year. For further information, see “Item 4A. History and Development of the Company —Planned Investments—Iron Ore Project.”

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Container Terminal

We own 99.99% of Sepetiba Tecon S.A., or Tecon, which has a concession to operate, for a 25-year term that is renewable for another 25 years, the container terminal at Itaguaí Port. As of December 31, 2008, US$139 million of the cost of the concession remained payable over the next 18 years of the lease. For more information, see “Item 5E. Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements.” The Itaguaí Port is located in the heart of Brazil’s Southeast Region, with all major exporting and importing areas of the states of São Paulo, Minas Gerais and Rio de Janeiro within 500 km from the port. This area represents more than 60% of the Brazilian gross domestic product, or GDP. The Brazilian Federal Port Agency spent US$70 million in port infrastructure projects such as expanding the maritime access channel and increasing the depth from 18.5 meters to 20 meters. In addition, significant investments are also being made by the Brazilian federal government in adding two extra lanes to the Rio Santos road, in constructing the Rio de Janeiro Metropolitan Bypass, a beltway that will cross the Rio de Janeiro metropolitan area. Also, MRS railway is investing in an extra rail track along the way to the Itaguaí Port. These factors, combined with favorable natural conditions, like natural deep waters and low urbanization rate around port area, allow the operation of large vessels as well as highly competitive prices for all the services rendered, result in the terminal being a major hub port in Brazil. For further information on our planned investments relating to our Itaguaí CSN Logistics Platform Project, see “Item 4A. History and Development of the Company —Planned Investments—Itaguaí CSN Logistics Platform Project.”

With new services available and the volume increase in the existing services, the terminal achieved 213,516 units handled (or 314,205 TEUs) in 2008, a 19.3% increase as compared to 2007.

The figures show the success of investments made since 2007 in two Super Post Panamax Portainers and two Rubber Tired Gantry, or RTG, cranes. These investments, along with a solid marketing and sales strategy, enabled the terminal to take the first position in market share among the four terminals of the Rio de Janeiro and Espírito Santo states, with 30% of total moves in those terminals.

We plan to carry out new infrastructure and equipment investments in Sepetiba Tecon, as the Berth 301 Equalization and the acquisition of two new Super Post Panamax Portainers and four new RTG cranes to yard operations. These investments will burst Tecon’s capacity from 320,000 containers (or 480,000 TEUs) to 410,000 containers (or 610,000 TEUs) a year and from 2.0 million tons to 6.0 million tons a year of steel products. We intend to use this port to ship all our exports of steel products. In 2008, 82% of the steel products we exported, or 300,575 tons, were shipped from this port, as compared to 70% in 2007.

Insurance

In view of the nature of our operations, we renewed with international reinsurance companies, for the period from February 21, 2008 to February 21, 2009, the All Risks coverage for operational risks for the Presidente Vargas Steelworks, Casa de Pedra Mine, Arcos Mine, Paraná Branch, Coal Terminal - Tecar, GalvaSud (property damage and loss of profits), Container Terminal - Tecon and ERSA (loss of profits), for a total risk amount of US$9.57 billion (property damage and loss of profit) and a maximum indemnification amount, in the event of an accident, of US$750 million (R$1.3 billion) for property damage and loss of profits.

For the period comprised from February 22, 2009 to February 19, 2010, we are negotiating coverage for operational risks with insurance and reinsurance companies in Brazil and abroad. We believe that we have sufficient cash in hand to cover all losses that would be covered under a US$750 million insurance policy in case of losses sufferred due to an accident with our facilities. For information on how our lack of insurance coverage may affect us, see “Item 3D—Risk Factors—Malfunctioning equipment or accidents on our premises, railways or ports may decrease or interrupt production, internal logistics or distribution of our products. We do not have insurance policies to cover losses and liabilities in connection with operational risks, and may not have sufficient insurance coverage for certain other events.”

The risk assumptions adopted, given their nature, are not part of the scope of a financial statements audit, and, consequently, they were not examined by our independent auditors.

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Blast Furnace No. 3 Claim

On January 22, 2006 an accident involving equipment adjacent to Blast Furnace No. 3 occurred, mainly affecting the powder collecting system, and interrupted our production until the end of the first half of that year.

The amount of the Company’s insurance policy for loss of profits and equipment, effective on the date of the claim, was capped at US$750 million, which our management deemed sufficient to recover all losses derived from the accident. The cause of the accident is covered by the policy expressly recognized by the insurance companies.

On December 12, 2008, we and reinsurance companies concluded the discussions on the claim filed in 2006 for the accident at Blast Furnace No. 3. The indemnification amount was established at US$520 million. As a result, reinsurance companies paid us the remaining balance of US$160 million. For further information, see Note 4 to our consolidated financial statements included in “Item 18. Financial Statements.”

Intellectual Property

We have several technical cooperation agreements with universities and research institutes in order to provide us with special technical reports, assistance and advice related to specific products and processes. Moreover, we have several pending patent applications, in addition to several patents approved by, the Brazilian National Institute of Industrial Property (Instituto Nacional da Propriedade Industrial), or INPI.

Competition in the Steel Industry

Both the worldwide and the Brazilian steel markets are intensely competitive. The primary competitive factors in these markets include quality, price, payment terms and customer service. Further, continuous advances in materials sciences and resulting technologies have given rise to improvements in products such as plastics, aluminum, ceramics, glass and concrete that permit them to substitute steel for certain purposes.

Competition in the Brazilian Steel Industry

The primary competitive factors in the domestic market include quality, price, payment terms and customer service. Although we compete with other integrated Brazilian steel mills, we have not experienced significant import competition in Brazil from foreign steel companies. Several foreign steel companies, however, are significant investors in Brazilian steel mills.

The following table sets forth the production of crude steel by Brazilian companies for the years indicated:

|  | 2006 |  | 2007 |  | 2008
|  | Ranking |  | Production |  | Ranking |  | Production |  | Ranking |  | Production
|  |  |  | (In million tons) |  |  |  | (In million tons) |  |  |  | (In million tons)
Gerdau(2) |  | 2 |  | 7.7 |  | 2 |  | 8.1 |  | 1 |  | 8.7
Usiminas(1) |  | 1 |  | 8.8 |  | 1 |  | 8.7 |  | 2 |  | 8.0
ArcelorMittal Tubarão(4) |  | 3 |  | 5.1 |  | 3 |  | 5.7 |  | 3 |  | 6.2
CSN(3) |  | 5 |  | 3.5 |  | 4 |  | 5.3 |  | 4 |  | 5.0
ArcelorMittal Aços Longos |  | 4 |  | 3.6 |  | 5 |  | 3.7 |  | 5 |  | 3.5
Others |  |  |  | 2.2 |  |  |  | 2.2 |  |  |  | 2.3
Total |  |  |  | 30.9 |  |  |  | 33.7 |  |  |  | 33.7
Source: IBS |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
(1) Since 1999, Usiminas has had a majority stake in Cosipa, and the companies have acted as a group. In 2005, Cosipa was merged into Usiminas. Data from Cosipa have been merged data from Usiminas. (2) Data from Aços Villares have been merged into data from Gerdau. (3) In 2006, CSN’s production was negatively affected by an accident of its biggest blast furnace. Since the second half of that year, CSN has been operating at its full capacity.

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(4) In 2005, Arcelor S.A. accomplished a shareholder restructuring of its companies in Brazil, resulting in a consolidation of its stakes on CST, Belgo and Vega do Sul in a new company called Arcelor Brasil.

Competitive Position — Global

During 2008, Brazil retained its place as the largest producer of crude steel in the Latin America, with a production output of 33.7 million tons and a 2.6% share of total world production, according to data from IBS. In 2008, Brazil was the ninth world’s steel producer, accounting for approximately two-thirds of total production in Latin America, approximately twice the size of Mexico’s and approximately one-third of U.S. steel production, according to data from the World Steel Association, or WSA. Brazilian exports in 2008 reached 8.2 million tons of finished and semi-finished steel products.

We compete on a global basis with the world’s leading steel manufacturers. We have positioned ourselves in the world market with a product mix characterized by high margin and strong demand, such as, tin mill and galvanized. We have relatively low-cost and sufficient availability of labor and energy, and own high-grade iron ore reserves that we believe more than meet our production needs. These global market advantages are partially offset by costs of transporting steel throughout the world, usually by ship. Shipping costs, while helping to protect our domestic market, put pressure on our export price. To maintain our position in the world steel market in light of the highly competitive international environment with respect to price, our product quality and customer service must be maintained at a high level. We have continually monitored the quality of our products by measuring customer satisfaction with our steel in Europe, Asia and the Americas. See “Item 4B. Business Overview—Government Regulation and Other Legal Matters—Proceedings Related to Protectionist Measures” for a description of protectionist measures being taken by steel-importing countries that could negatively impact our competitive position.

Competitive Advantages of the Brazilian Steel Industry

Brazil’s principal competitive advantages are its abundant supply of low-cost, high-grade iron ore and energy resources. Brazil also benefits from a vast internal market with a large growth potential, a privatized industry making investments in plant and equipment, and deep water ports that allow the operation of large ships, which facilitates access to export markets. Nevertheless, Brazil’s products have lost partially their competitiveness, mainly due to the appreciation of the real against the U.S. dollar since the beginning of 2006, which resulted in the increase of the price of our products. During the second half of 2008, the real significantly devaluated against the U.S. dollar, restoring our price advantage. This competitive advantage, however, was not sufficient to compensate for the effects of the financial crisis and weak demand. Despite all these factors, we believe Brazil’s average cost of steel production is one of the lowest in the world.

As in most domestic markets, the domestic price of steel in Brazil has historically been higher than its export price. The low production costs in Brazil are a barrier to foreign steel imports. Consequently, most of the steel sold in the Brazilian steel market is manufactured by Brazilian producers, and we do not believe that sales in Brazil by foreign producers will increase significantly or that steel prices in Brazil will decrease significantly because of competition from foreign steel producers.

Competition from greenfield projects of new market entrants would be discouraged by existing participant’s ties to sources of raw materials and well-established distribution networks. In the last years, several foreign competitors announced their intention to undertake greenfield projects in Brazil. To date, some of these competitors have cancelled or postponed their projects, while others continue to evaluate the feasibility of such projects, in particular due to the 2008 financial crisis which significantly impacted demand, prices and credit availability. The strategic goal of these projects, as announced by their participants, is to replace non-competitive slab production plants in Europe or to expand upon slab capacity production of Asian companies in order to service their home markets.

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Government Regulation and Other Legal Matters

Environmental Regulation

Promoting responsible environmental and social management is part of our business. We prioritize processes and equipments that offer the most modern and reliable technologies on environmental risks monitoring and control. We operate a corporate environmental department managed under an Environmental Management System, or EMS, compliant with ISO 14001:2004 requirements. In addition, we have a factory committee for environmental management composed of professionals from all departments of CSN’s main steelworks. This factory committee usually meets every week to discuss any problem and to identify risks and aspects of the operations in which the group can act pro-actively, in order to prevent possible environmental harm.

We are subject to Brazilian federal, state and municipal environmental laws and regulations governing air emissions, waste water discharges, and solid and hazardous waste handling and disposal. We are committed to controlling the substantial environmental impact caused by our steelmaking, mining and logistics operations, in accordance with international standards and in compliance with environmental laws and regulations in Brazil. We believe we are currently in substantial compliance with applicable environmental requirements.

The Brazilian Federal Constitution gives both the federal and state governments power to enact environmental protection laws and issue regulations under such laws. In addition, we are subject to municipal environmental laws and regulations. While the Brazilian government has power to promulgate environmental regulations setting forth minimum standards of environmental protection, state and local governments have the power to enact more stringent environmental regulations. Most of the environmental regulations in Brazil are thus at the state and local level complemented by a current process of regulations reviews and new propositions at the federal level. The environmental regulations of the State of Rio de Janeiro, in which the Presidente Vargas steelworks is located, are plant-specific. Thus, specific goals and standards are established in operating permits or environmental accords issued to each company or plant. These specific operation conditions complement the standards and regulations of general applicability and are required to be observed throughout the life of the permit or accord. The terms of such operating permits are subject to change and are likely to become stricter. All of our facilities currently have operating permits.

In 2008, we requested and obtained several emissions permits and renewals of environmental permits, both for current operations and for the development of new projects regarding steel and cement manufacturing, iron ore and limestone mining and logistics, including: (i) the expansion of the Casa de Pedra mine; (ii) the expansion of the Presidente Vargas steelworks; (iii) the expansion of the Solid Bulks Terminal of Itaguaí Port, in the State of Rio de Janeiro, or TECAR, aiming at exports of iron ore; and (iv) the construction of a cement mill at Volta Redonda.

Environmental Expenditures and Claims

Since our privatization, we have invested heavily in environmental protection and remediation programs. We had environmental expenditures (capitalized and expensed) of US$109.0 million in 2006, US$144.9 million in 2007 and US$180.0 million in 2008.

Our investments in environmental projects during 2008 were related mainly to: (i) operations and maintenance of environmental control equipments; (ii) development of environmental studies for permit applications and (iii) studies monitoring and remediation of environmental liabilities due to prior operations, mainly before our privatization. From a total of US$180.0 million spent in 2008, US$61.8 million constituted capital expenditures and US$118.2 million constituted operational expenditures.

Our main environmental claims on December 31, 2008 were associated with cleaning-up obligations at former coal mines decommissioned in 1989; legal environmental compensation projected for new projects at the States of Minas Gerais and Rio de Janeiro; and cleaning-up obligations due to former operations of Presidente Vargas steelworks. We did not include in the accruals any environmental liabilities related to ERSA, as they were born by its former owner.

We reserve an accrual for remediation costs and environmental lawsuits when a loss is probable and the amount can be reasonably estimated. We record provisions for all environmental liabilities and obligations of which we are formally notified by competent judicial and administrative authorities. As of December 31, 2008, we had provisions for environmental liabilities in the total amount of US$30.5 million (R$71.3 million), as compared to US$31.2 million as of December 31, 2007, which our management and legal advisors consider sufficient to cover all probable losses. For further information, see Note 17(b) to our consolidated financial statements included in “Item 18. Financial Statements.”

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Mining Concessions

Our mining operations are governed by the Brazilian Federal Constitution and the Mining Code and are subject to the laws, rules and regulations promulgated pursuant thereto. Under the Brazilian Constitution, all mineral resources belong to Brazil. Our mining activities at the Casa de Pedra mine are performed based on a Manifesto de Mina, which gives us full ownership over the mineral deposits existing within our property limits. Our mining activities at Engenho and Fernandinho mines are based on a concession, which grants us the right to mine for as long as ore reserves exist. Our mining activities at the Bocaina mine are based on a concession under the same conditions. See “Item 4D. Property, Plant and Equipment” for further information on our reserves at the Casa de Pedra mine and resources at Fernandinho and Engenho mines.

The Mining Code and the Brazilian Federal Constitution impose on mining companies, such as us, requirements relating to, among other things, the manner in which mineral deposits are exploited, the health and safety of workers, the protection and restoration of the environment, the prevention of pollution and the promotion of the health and safety of local communities where the mines are located. The Mining Code also imposes certain notification and reporting requirements.

Antitrust Regulation

We are subject to various laws in Brazil which seek to maintain a competitive commercial environment in the Brazilian steel industry. For instance, under Law No. 8,884/94, the Lei de Defesa da Concorrência, or Competition Defense Law, the Secretaria de Direito Econômico of Brazil’s Ministry of Justice has broad authority to promote economic competition among companies in Brazil, including the ability to suspend price increases and investigate collusive behavior between companies. In addition, if the CADE determines companies have acted collusively to raise prices, it has the authority to impose fines on the offending companies, prohibit them from receiving loans from Brazilian government sources and bar them from bidding on public projects. In addition, CADE has the authority to dissolve mergers and to require a company to divest assets should it determine that the industry in which it operates is insufficiently competitive.

Proceedings Related to Protectionist Measures

Over the past several years, exports of steel products from various countries and companies, including Brazil and us, have been the subject of anti-dumping, countervailing duty and other trade related investigations from importing countries. These investigations resulted in duties that limit our access to certain markets. Despite the imposed limitations, our exports have not been significantly affected, as we were able to re-direct our sales from restricted markets to other markets, and also because the volume of exports or products available for exports was smaller as a result of the increased demand from our domestic market.

Below are summaries of the protectionist measures to which our exports are subject. The widespread adoption of protectionist measures, even if by countries that have not been important markets for us, might nevertheless adversely impact the international markets for our products.

United States

Anti-dumping and Countervailing Duties. In September 1998, U.S. authorities initiated anti-dumping and countervailing duties investigations on hot-rolled steel sheet and coil imported from Brazil and other countries. In February 1999, the U.S. Department of Commerce, or DOC, reached a preliminary determination on the anti-dumping and countervailing duties margins. We were found to have preliminary margins of 50.66% for anti-dumping, and of 6.62% % for countervailing duties. In July 1999, Brazil and the United States signed a five-year suspension agreement, suspending the anti-dumping investigation and establishing a minimum price of US$327 per ton (delivery duty paid), subject to quarterly review by the DOC. In February 2002, the U.S. government terminated the anti-dumping suspension agreement and reinstated the anti-dumping margin of 41.27% . Also in July 1999, the Brazilian and U.S. governments signed a suspension agreement related to the countervailing duties investigation, which limited exports of hot-rolled sheets and coils from Brazil to 295,000 tons per year. At the request of the Brazilian government, the agreement was terminated in September 2004. Upon the termination of this agreement, countervailing duties of 6.35% became effective in September 2004, to be applied to imports of hot-rolled products from Brazil. In April 2004, we requested the DOC to conduct an administrative review of the anti-dumping investigation. Through this review, in April 2005, we obtained a favorable preliminary determination of “zero” margin of dumping from the DOC. Final determination was issued in October 2005 and the “zero” margin of dumping preliminarly found by the DOC was confirmed.

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Simultaneously to the administrative review, we participated in an anti-dumping and countervailing duties expiry review which involved the exports of hot-rolled sheet and coils to the U.S. The expiry review was jointly developed by the International Trade Commission and the DOC, through the Import Administration- I.A., that was initiated in May 2004. Final determination was rendered in April 2005, retaining the anti-dumping and countervailing duties orders until May 12, 2010.

In October 2005, the DOC initiated an administrative review of the investigation of subsidies and countervailing duties involving hot-rolled products. As the petitioners gave up on their participation in the review, it was terminated by the DOC in February 2006. Since the countervailing duties refer to subsidies related to the privatization period, and the depreciation period was fixed in fifteen years by the investigation, by the time the next expiry review is held by the International Trade Commission, in 2010, the effects of the subsidies involved will have been terminated, and therefore, the imposition of the countervailing duties might be discontinued.

Canada

Anti-dumping. In January 2001, the Canadian government initiated an anti-dumping investigation process involving hot-rolled sheets and coils exported from Brazil. The investigation was concluded in August 2001, with the imposition by Canada of an anti-dumping tax of 26.3% on imports of those products from Brazil, with minimum prices to be observed. In August 2002, the Canada Border and Services Agency, or the CBSA, initiated a revision of the values previously established and, in March 2003, the revised values were issued. These values are adjusted whenever there is an adjustment of the Canadian domestic prices. In February 2005, the CBSA initiated a reinvestigation of hot-rolled sheets and coils. We did not participate in this investigation.

In December 2005, the Canadian International Trade Tribunal, or CITT, initiated an expiry review of hot-rolled products, in which we participated. A final determination was issued in August 2006, determining the continuation of the anti-dumping order for hot-rolled products. As a result, exports of our hot–rolled products to Canada are subject to anti-dumping duties of 77%.

Argentina

Anti-dumping – hot-rolled products. Argentina commenced an anti-dumping investigation of hot-rolled products from Brazil, Russia and Ukraine in October 1998. In April 1999, the Argentinean government applied a provisional anti-dumping order on Brazilian imports, fixing a minimum price of US$410 per ton FOB (free on board), for four months ending in August 1999.

In December 1999, the Argentine government accepted a suspension agreement of the anti-dumping measures, providing for quotas of 36,000 tons for the first year, 38,000 tons for the second and 39,000 tons for the third, fourth and fifth years, and minimum prices from US$325 to US$365 per ton CFR FO (cost, insurance and freight, free out), subject to quarterly adjustments based on the publication of the Argentine National Institute of Statistics and Census, or INDEC.

In December 2004, exporters were notified of the revision of resolution No. 1,420/1999 from the Economic, Work and Public Services Ministry of Argentina relating to the export of Brazilian hot-rolled products. In January 2005, an expiry review of the anti-dumping process was initiated to analyze the maintenance, modification and/or derogation of the action of the administrative authority of the Argentinean government. We participated in this review.

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In June 2006, Argentina published resolution No. 412/2006 terminating the anti-dumping investigation for hot-rolled products from Brazil, Russia and Ukraine, determining to Brazil the margin of 147.95% . The application of anti-dumping duties was replaced by a suspension agreement set forth in that same resolution, valid for five years from its publication, on June 6, 2006.

Overview of Steel Industry

World Steel Industry

The worldwide steel industry comprises hundreds of steelmaking facilities divided into two major categories, integrated steelworks and non-integrated steelworks, characterized by the method used for producing steel. Integrated plants, which accounted for approximately 66% of worldwide crude steel production in 2008, typically produce steel by smelting in blast furnaces the iron oxide found in ore and refining the iron into steel, mainly through the use of basic oxygen furnaces or, more rarely, in electric arc furnaces. Non-integrated plants (sometimes referred to as mini-mills), which accounted for approximately 34% of worldwide crude steel production in 2008, produce steel by melting scrap metal, occasionally complemented with other metallic materials, such as direct reduction iron or hot-briquette iron, in electric arc furnaces. Industry experts expect that a lack of a reliable and continuous supply of quality scrap metal, as well as the high cost of electricity, may restrict the growth of mini- mills.

Steel continues to be the material of choice in the automotive, construction, machinery and other industries. Notwithstanding potential threats from substitute materials such as plastics, aluminum, glass and ceramics, especially for the automotive industry, steel continues to demonstrate its economic advantage. From 1990 through 2005, total global crude steel production ranged between approximately 770 million and 1.1 billion tons per year. In 2007, it reached 1.34 billion tons, representing a 7.5% increase as compared to 2006. In 2008, global crude steel production decreased 1.2% as compared to 2007, and reached 1.33 billion tons.

China became the first country ever to produce more than 500 million tons of crude steel in one year. China’s crude steel production in 2008 reached 500 million tons, an increase of 2.6% as compared to 2007. Production volume in China has more than doubled in five years, from 222 million tons in 2002. China’s share of world steel production continued to grow in 2008, reaching 38% of world total crude steel.

Asia produced 750 million tons of crude steel in 2008, representing 58% of world total steel production and an increase of 1.9% as compared to 2007. South Korea and India recorded increases in steel production of 3.8% and 3.7%, respectively, in 2008. Overall, steel production declined in Europe, North America, South America and Commonwealth of Independent States in 2008.

Brazilian Steel Industry

Since the 1940s, steel has been of vital importance to the Brazilian economy. During the 1970s, huge government investments were made to provide Brazil with a steel industry able to support the country’s industrialization boom. After a decade of little to no investment in the sector in the 1980s, the government selected the steel sector as the first for privatization commencing in 1991, resulting in a more efficient group of companies operating today.

A Privatized Industry

During almost 50 years of state control, the Brazilian flat steel sector was coordinated on a national basis under the auspices of Siderbrás, the national steel monopoly. The state had far less involvement in the non-flat steel sector, which has traditionally been made up of smaller private sector companies. The larger integrated flat steel producers operated as semi autonomous companies under the control of Siderbrás and were each individually privatized between 1991 and 1993. We believe that the privatization of the steel sector in Brazil has resulted in improved financial performance, as a result of increased efficiencies, higher levels of productivity, lower operating costs, a decline in the labor force and an increase in investment.

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Domestic Demand

Historically, the Brazilian steel industry has been affected by substantial fluctuations in domestic demand for steel. Although national per capita consumption varies with GDP, fluctuations in steel consumption tend to be more pronounced than changes in economic activity. Per capita crude steel consumption in Brazil has increased from 95 kilograms per capita in 1999 to 141 kilograms in 2008, which is considered low when compared to levels in developed countries such as the United States, where the per capita crude steel consumption in 2007 was of 373 kilograms, and Germany, where the consumption was of 558 kilograms.

From 2005 to 2007, despite a good global conjuncture, the Brazilian economy exhibited an average growth GDP of 4.5% . Since September 2008, overall global economy activity has slowed significantly, which impacted our fourth quarter results. Domestic steel sales in 2007 and 2008 were 22 million tons and 24 million tons, respectively.

The Brazilian flat steel sector is shifting production to the higher value-added consumer durable sector. This sector is highly dependent on domestic consumer confidence, which, in turn, is affected by economic policies and certain expectations of the current government administration. Over the past years, automobile manufacturers made significant investments in Brazil. Vehicles production increased regularly in the past years, until September 2008, when the effects the 2008 of financial crisis grew in size and scope. In spite of the slowdown in automobile production, market data indicates a recovery in car sales since the beginning of 2009.

Market Participants

According to IBS, the Brazilian steel industry is composed of 26 mills managed by 8 corporate groups, with an installed annual capacity of approximately 41 million tons, producing a full range of flat, long, carbon, stainless and specialty steel. For information on the production by the largest Brazilian steel companies for the years ended December 2006, 2007 and 2008, see “Item 4B. Business Overview—Competition—Competition in the Brazilian Steel Industry.”

Capacity Utilization

Total Brazilian nominal capacity in 2008 was estimated at 41.5 million tons, as compared to 38.8 million tons in 2007. The Brazilian steel industry operated at approximately 81% of nominal crude steel capacity during 2008, as compared to 82% in 2007.

Exports/Imports

Brazil has been playing an important role in the export market, primarily as an exporter of semi-finished products. The Brazilian steel industry has taken several steps towards expanding its capacity to produce value-added products. Brazil’s exports of semi-finished steel products reached 5.1 million tons in 2007 and 5.7 million tons in 2008, which represented 49% and 62% of total steel exports for each period, respectively.

In 2008, Brazilian steel exports totaled 9.2 million tons, representing 30% of total Brazilian steel sales (domestic plus exports) and accounting for US$ 8.0 billion in export earnings for Brazil in 2008. Over the last 20 years, the Brazilian steel industry has been characterized by a structural need to export, which is demonstrated by the industry’s supply demand curve. The Brazilian steel industry has experienced periods of overcapacity, cyclicality and intense competition during the past several years. Demand for finished steel products, as measured by domestic apparent consumption, has consistently fallen short of total supply (defined as total production plus imports). In 2008, supply totaled 33.8 million tons, as compared to apparent consumption of 24.0 million tons.

Brazil also enjoys a diversified steel export market. In 2008, export sales were made to over 120 countries. North America and South America were Brazil’s main export markets, accounting for 14% and 30%, respectively, of all Brazilian steel exports in such year. United States was the main destination, representing 13% of total exports. The European Union was responsible for 12% of the Brazilian steel exports in 2008, while Asia, Africa and the Middle East were responsible for 44%. The ten largest markets, taken together, accounted for 77% of Brazil’s steel exports in 2008. See also “Item 4B. Business Overview—Competition.”

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As a result, Brazil is a negligible importer of foreign steel products. Steel imports were 2.7 million tons, or 11% of apparent domestic consumption in 2008, as compared to 1.6 million tons, or 7.3% in 2007, according to IBS.

4C. Organizational Structure

We do business directly and through subsidiaries. For more information on our organizational structure, see Note 1(a) to our consolidated financial statements included in “Item 18. Financial Statements.”

4D. Property, Plant and Equipment

Our principal executive offices are located in the city of São Paulo, the State of São Paulo at Avenida Faria Lima, 3,400, 20th floor (telephone number 55-11-3049-7100), and our main production operations are located in the city of Volta Redonda, in the State of Rio de Janeiro, located approximately 120 km from the city of Rio de Janeiro. Presidente Vargas steelworks, our steel mill, is an integrated facility covering approximately 4.0 square km and located in the city of Volta Redonda in the State of Rio de Janeiro. Our iron ore, limestone and dolomite mines are located in the State of Minas Gerais, which borders the State of Rio de Janeiro to the north. Each of these mines is within 500 km of, and is connected by rail and paved road to, the city of Volta Redonda.

The table below sets forth certain material information regarding our property as of December 31, 2008.

Facility |  | Location |  | Size |  | Use |  | Productive Capacity |  | Title |  | Encumbrances
Presidente Vargas steelworks |  | Volta Redonda, State of Rio de Janeiro |  | 4.0 square km |  | steel mill |  | 5.6 million tons per year |  | owned |  | None
GalvaSud |  | Porto Real, State of Rio de Janeiro |  | 0.27 square km |  | galvanized steel producer |  | 350,000 tons per year |  | owned |  | mortgage(1)(2)
|  | Araucária, State of Paraná |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
CSN Paraná |  |  | 0.98 square km |  | galvanized and pre-painted products |  | 100,000 tons of pre- painted product and 220,000 tons of pickled hot-rolled coils |  | owned |  | None
Metalic |  | Maracanaú, State of Ceará |  | 0.10 square km |  | steel can manufacturer |  | 900 million cans per year |  | owned |  | mortgage(3)
Prada |  | São Paulo, State of São Paulo and Uberlândia, State of Minas Gerais |  | SP – 0.14 square km; MG – 0.02 square km; |  | steel can manufacturer |  | 1 billion cans per year |  | owned |  | None
CSN, LLC |  | Terre Haute, Indiana, USA |  | 0.78 square km |  | cold-rolled and galvanized products |  | 800,000 tons of cold-rolled products and 315,000 tons per year of galvanized products |  | owned |  | None

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Facility |  | Location |  | Size |  | Use |  | Productive Capacity |  | Title |  | Encumbrances
Lusosider |  | Seixal, Portugal |  | 0.39 square km |  | hot-dip galvanized, cold-rolled and tin products |  | 240,000 tons of galvanized products and 50,000 tons of cold-rolled products per year |  | owned |  | None
Prada |  | Mogi das Cruzes, State of São Paulo |  | 0.20 square km |  | distributor |  | 730,000 tons per year |  | owned |  | None
Casa de Pedra mine |  | Congonhas, State of Minas Gerais |  | 44.57 square km |  | iron ore mine |  | 60.0 Mtpy (4) |  | owned (7) |  | None
Engenho mine |  | Congonhas, State of Minas Gerais |  | 2.87 square km |  | iron ore mine |  | 5.0 Mtpy |  | concession |  | None
Fernandinho mine |  | Itabirito, State of Minas Gerais |  | 1.84 square km |  | iron ore mine |  | 2.0 Mtpy |  | concession |  | None
Bocaina mine |  | Arcos, State of Minas Gerais |  | 4.11 square km |  | limestone and dolomite mines |  | 4.0 Mtpy |  | concession |  | None
ERSA mine |  | Ariquemes, State of Rondônia |  | 0.015 square km |  | tin mine |  | 1,800 tons |  | concession |  | None
Thermoelectric co- generation power plant |  | Volta Redonda, State of Rio de Janeiro |  | 0.04 square km |  | power plant |  | 238 MW |  | owned |  | None
Itá |  | Uruguay River - Southern Brazil |  | 9.87 square km |  | power plant |  | 1,450 MW |  | concession |  | None
Igarapava |  | State of Minas Gerais |  | 5.19 square km |  | power plant |  | 210 MW |  | concession |  | None
Southeastern Railway System (5) |  | Southern and Southeastern regions of Brazil |  | 1,674 km of tracks |  | railway |  | -- |  | concession |  | None
Transnordestina |  | Northern and northeastern regions of Brazil |  | 4,238 km of tracks |  | railway |  | -- |  | concession |  | None
TECAR at Itaguaí Port |  | Itaguaí, State of Rio de Janeiro |  | 0.69 square km |  | raw materials |  | 4 Mtpy |  | concession |  | None
Container terminal - TECON at Itaguaí port |  | Itaguaí, State of Rio de Janeiro |  | 0.44 square km |  | containers |  | 2 Mtpy |  | concession |  | None
Land |  | State of Rio de Janeiro |  | 31.02 square km |  | undeveloped |  | -- |  | owned |  | pledge(6)/ /Collateral / mortgage(2)
Land |  | State of Santa Catarina |  | 6.22 square km |  | undeveloped |  | -- |  | owned |  | pledge(6)/ Collateral
Land |  | State of Minas Gerais |  | 29.09 square km |  | undeveloped |  | -- |  | owned |  | None

(1) Pursuant to a loan agreement entered into by the State of Rio de Janeiro and Galvasud as of May 4, 2000.
(2) Pursuant to a loan agreement entered into by Kreditanstatt Für Wiederafbau, Galvasud and Unibanco as of August 23, 1999.
(3) Pursuant to an industrial letter of credit issued by Banco do Nordeste do Brasil to Metalic, as of June 5, 2001, with maturity on February 5, 2011.
(4) Information on equipment fleet installed annual ROM capacity. For information on installed annual production of products capacity, and information on mineral resources at our Casa de Pedra mine, see “—Reserves at Casa de Pedra Mine” and table under “—Casa de Pedra Mine” below.
(5) We indirectly hold the concession through MRS.
(6) Pledged pursuant to various legal proceedings, mainly related to tax claims.
(7) Based on the Manifesto de Mina. See, “Item 4A. History and Development of the Company—Government Regulation and Other Legal Matters—Mining Concessions.”

For information on environmental issues with respect to some of the facilities described above, see “Item 4B. Business Overview—Government Regulation and Other Legal Matters—Environmental Expenditures and Claims.” In addition, for information on our plans to construct, expand and improve our facilities, see “Item 4A. History and Development of the Company —Planned Investments.”

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The map above shows the locations of the Presidente Vargas steelworks, the CSN Paraná, Prada, GalvaSud, Metalic, Lusosider, ERSA and CSN LLC facilities, our iron ore, limestone and dolomite mines, the power generating facilities in which we have an ownership interest, and the main port used by us to export steel products and import coal and coke, as well as the main raiway connetions.

Our Mines

Casa de Pedra Mine

Location, Access and Operation

Casa de Pedra mine is an open pit mine located next to the city of Congonhas in the State of Minas Gerais, Brazil, approximately 80 km South of Belo Horizonte and 360 km North of Rio de Janeiro. The site is approximately 1,000 meters above sea level and accessible from the cities of Belo Horizonte or Congonhas through mostly paved roads.

Casa de Pedra mine is a hematite-rich iron deposit of an early proterozoic banded iron formation in Brazil’s Iron Ore Quadrangle region (Quadrilátero Ferrífero), which is located in the central part of the State of Minas Gerais in the Southeastern region of Brazil and has been one of the most important iron producing regions for the last 50 years.

Ore is currently excavated by a fleet composed of Marion 191M electric shovels, P&H 1900AL electric shovels, PC 5500 Demag hydraulic shovels, wheel loaders (different brands) and then hauled by a fleet of Terex TMT3300AC (150 tons), Komatsu Dresser 510E (150 tons), Caterpillar CAT793 (240 tons) and Terex Unit Rig (240 tons). Unit numbers may vary over time, depending on demand.

Casa de Pedra mine is wholly-owned by us and accounts for all our iron ore supply, producing lump ore, sinter feed and pellet feed fines with high iron content.

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The maps below illustrate the location of our Casa de Pedra mine:

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Mining Rights and Ownership

Our mining rights for the Casa de Pedra mine include the mine, beneficiation plant, roads, loading yard and railway branch and are duly registered with the National Department of Mineral Production (Departamento Nacional da Produção Mineral). We have also been granted by the National Department of Mineral Production easements in 15 mine areas located in the surrounding region, which are not currently part of the Casa de Pedra mine, and hold title to all our proved and probable reserves.

In addition, we have obtained and are in compliance with all licenses and authorizations for our operations and projects at Casa de Pedra mine.

The Casa de Pedra ore reserves are subject to mining lease restrictions, which were duly addressed in our iron ore reserve calculations. Quality requirements (chemical and physical) are the key “modifying factors” in the definition of ore reserves at Casa de de Pedra and were properly accounted for by the CSN mine planning department.

For information on our title to the Casa de Pedra mine, see “—Government Regulation and Other Legal Matters—Mining Concessions.”

Mineral Reserves

We have concluded an extensive, multi-year study of our iron ore reserves at Casa de Pedra. The study consisted of three phases. Phase one, which was completed in 1999, covered the ore bodies that are currently being mined or are close to the current operating open pits. Phase two, which was completed in early 2003, covered the other iron ore deposits at Casa de Pedra site. Phase three started in 2005 and involved a complete revaluation of our mineral reserves at Casa de Pedra.

We conducted extensive work throughout 2006 to document and classify all information related to both the current and future operations of the Casa de Pedra mine.

In 2006, we hired Golder Associates S.A., or Golder, to undertake an audit of the Casa de Pedra iron ore reserves. Golder carried out a full analysis of all available information and has independently validated our reported reserves.

Golder accepts as appropriate the estimates regarding proven and probable reserves made by us, totaling 1,631 million tons of iron ore (as of December 31 2006) at a grade of 47.79% Fe and 26.63% SiO2. This new estimate of our iron ore reserves at Casa de Pedra is significantly larger than our estimate of 444 million tons, reported on an appraisal report prepared in 2003.

We are extending our drilling campaign with additional 10,000 meters to increase and improve our knowledge about the iron ore deposits at Casa de Pedra. When this drilling campaign is concluded, we intend to run a new program of ore reserve audit.

Fernandinho and Engenho Mines

Location, Access and Operation

The Engenho mine is located at the Southwestern region of the Iron Ore Quadrangle, 60 km South of the city of Belo Horizonte. Access to the Engenho mine can only be obtained through internal roads from our Casa de Pedra mine, which may be accessed from the cities of Belo Horizonte or Congonhas through mostly paved roads.

The maps below illustrate the location of our Engenho mine:

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Fernandinho mine is located in the municipality of Itabirito, Minas Gerais State. This town is located in the Middle-East region of Minas Gerais State and approximately 43 km from the city of Belo Horizonte. Access to our Fernandinho mine is made directly from federal highway BR-040.

The maps below illustrate the location of our Fernandinho mine:

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Mining Rights and Ownership

For information on our title to the Fernandinho and Engenho mines, see “—Government Regulation and Other Legal Matters—Mining Concessions.”

Mineral Reserves

An initial study was conducted at Fernandinho and Engenho mines to define the geological resources and final pits. We are extending our drilling campaign with additional 10,000 meters at both mines this year to increase and improve our knowledge about the iron ore deposits at these mines. We expect that, as soon this drilling campaign is concluded and a new model and final pit is finished, this reserve could be audited and incorporated at our mineral deposits.

The following table sets forth the type of each of our mines, period of operation, projected exhaustion dates and percentage of our interest:

Mine |  | Type |  | Operating Since |  | Projected exhaustion date |  | CSN % interest
Iron: |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Casa de Pedra (Congonhas, Minas Gerais) |  | Open pit |  | 1913 |  | 2041 |  | 100
Engenho (Congonhas, Minas Gerais) |  | Open pit |  | 2007 (Start of operation by Namisa) |  | 2041 |  | 60
Fernandinho (Itabirito, Minas Gerais) |  | Open pit |  | 2007 (Start of operation by Namisa) |  | 2030 |  | 60
Limestone and Dolomite: |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Bocaina (Arcos, Minas Gerais) |  | Open pit |  | 1946 |  | 2052 |  | 100
Tin: |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
(Itapoã do Oeste, Rondônia) |  | Open pit |  | 1950 |  | - |  | 100

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The following table sets forth our estimates of proven and probable reserves and other mineral deposits at our mines reflecting the results of reserve study. They have been calculated in accordance with the technical definitions contained in the SEC’s Industry Guide 7, and estimates of mine life described herein are derived from such reserve estimates.

|  | MINERAL RESOURCES – As of December 31, 2008
|  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | Mineral Deposits
|  | Proven and Probable Reserves(1) |  | Resources(2)
|  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | Recoverable |  |
Mine Name |  | Ore Tonnage(3) |  |  |  |  |  | Product(5) |  | Tonnage
and Location |  | (millions of tons) |  | Grade(4) |  | Rock Type |  | (millions of tons) |  | (millions of tons)
|  | Proven(6) |  | Probable(7) |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Iron: |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Casa de Pedra(Congonhas, |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | Hematite (21%) |  |  |  |
Minas Gerais) |  | 1,075 |  | 514 |  | 47.79% Fe |  | Itabirite (79%) |  | 943 |  | 8,344
Engenho |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
(Congonhas, Minas Gerais) |  |  |  |  |  | 46.07% |  | Itabirite (100%) |  |  |  | 861
Fernandinho |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
(Itabirito, Minas Gerais) |  |  |  |  |  | 40.21% |  | Itabirite (100%) |  |  |  | 583
Total Iron: |  | 1,075 |  | 514 |  |  |  |  |  | 943 |  | 9,788
Limestone and Dolomite: |  | Proven(6) |  | Probable(7) |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Bocaina |  |  |  |  |  | 49.4%CaO |  | Limestone (86%) |  |  |  |
(Arcos, Minas Gerais) |  | 130.3 |  | 46.6 |  | 3.78%MgO |  | Dolomite (14%) |  | 173.0 |  | 1,197
|  | Proven+Probable Reserves(Mm3) |  |  |  |  |  | Recoverable Product5 |  | Resources (Mm3)
|  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | (in tons) |  | (in million cubic meters)
Tin |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
(Itapoã do Oeste, |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | Paleo valley and |  |  |  |
Rondônia) |  | 41.33 |  |  |  | shallow |  | 24,066 |  | 95.87
__________________ |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |

(1) Reserves means that part of a mineral deposit which could be economically and legally extracted or produced at the time of the reserve determination.
(2) Includes inferred tonnages.
(3) Represents ROM material.
(4) Grade is the proportion of metal or mineral present in ore or any other host material.
(5) Represents total product tonnage after mining and processing losses.
(6) Means reserves for which: (i) quantity is computed from dimensions revealed in outcrops, trenches, workings or drill holes; grade and/or quality are computed from the results of detailed sampling; and (ii) the sites for inspection, sampling and measurement are spaced so closely and the geologic character is so well defined that size, shape, depth and mineral content of reserves are well- established.
(7) Means reserves for which quantity and grade and/or quality are computed from information similar to that used for proven (measure) reserves, but the sites for inspection, sampling and measurement are farther apart or are otherwise less adequately spaced. The degree of assurance, although lower than that for proven (measure) reserves, is high enough to assume continuity between points of observation.

Item 4A. Unresolved Staff Comments

The SEC has advised us that it has reviewed our amended Annual report on Form 20-F/A for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2004 (the “2004 Form 20-F”) and our consolidated financial statements as of and for the years ended December 31, 2002, 2003 and 2004 included therein, filed with the SEC on April 27, 2006. Based on its review of that document, the SEC provided us with comments and questions. The unresolved staff comments are related to the accounting treatment of our accruals for disputed taxes payable that relates to certain tax liabilities for which we are disputing payment and the use of certain tax credits to offset such tax liabilities. Discussions regarding the 2004 Form 20-F are ongoing and could result in modifications to that document or this Form 20-F with respect to those or other issues. The company will continue to work with the SEC to reach resolution of any outstanding issues and will provide updates if any material developments occur.

Item 5. Operating and Financial Review and Prospects

The following discussion should be read in conjunction with our consolidated financial statements as of December 31, 2007 and 2008 and for each of the years ended December 31, 2006, 2007 and 2008 included in “Item 18. Financial Statements.” Our consolidated financial statements were prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP and are presented in U.S. dollars, as explained in Note 2(a) to our consolidated financial statements included in “Item 18. Financial Statements.”

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5A. Operating Results

Overview

The primary factors affecting our results of operations include:

- the cyclical dynamics of supply and demand for steel products both inside and outside Brazil, including the prices for such products;
- the mix of products sold by us (between domestic and export sales and between lower value-added and higher value-added products);
- our production costs; and
- Brazilian economic conditions generally, including inflation, changes in interest rates and changes in the real exchange rate against other currencies, particularly the U.S. dollar.

Markets and Product Mix

Supply and Demand for Steel

Prices of steel are sensitive to changes in worldwide and local demand, which in turn are affected by worldwide and country-specific economic cycles, and to available production capacity. While the export price of steel (which is denominated in U.S. dollars or Euros, depending on the export destination) is the spot price, there is no exchange trading of steel or uniform pricing. Unlike other commodity products, steel is not completely fungible due to wide differences in terms of size, chemical composition, quality and specifications, all of which impact prices. Many companies (including us) discount their list prices for regular customers, making their actual transaction prices difficult for us to determine.

Historically, export prices and margins have been lower than domestic prices and margins, because of the logistics costs, taxes and tariffs. The portion of production that is exported is affected by domestic demand, exchange rate fluctuations and the prices that can be charged in the international markets.

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The following table shows Brazilian steel production and apparent consumption (domestic sales plus imports) and global production and demand for the periods indicated:

|  | Year ended December 31,
|  | 2006 |  | 2007 |  | 2008
Brazilian Market (in thousands of tons) |  |  |  |  |  |
Total Flat and Long Steel |  |  |  |  |  |
Production(1) |  | 23,504 |  | 25,850 |  | 24,692
Apparent Consumption |  | 18,533 |  | 22,041 |  | 24,047
Hot-Rolled Coils and Sheets |  |  |  |  |  |
Production |  | 4,074 |  | 4,326 |  | 3,924
Apparent Consumption |  | 2,822 |  | 3,354 |  | 3,481
Cold-Rolled Coils and Sheets |  |  |  |  |  |
Production |  | 3,227 |  | 3,412 |  | 3,038
Apparent Consumption(1) |  | 2,526 |  | 2,900 |  | 2,849
Galvanized Sheets |  |  |  |  |  |
Production(1) |  | 2,293 |  | 2,459 |  | 2,343
Apparent Consumption(1) |  | 1,879 |  | 2,154 |  | 2,478
Tin Mill |  |  |  |  |  |
Production(1) |  | 828 |  | 932 |  | 724
Apparent Consumption(1) |  | 655 |  | 640 |  | 623
Global Market (in millions of tons) |  |  |  |  |  |
Crude Steel Production |  | 1,244 |  | 1,344 |  | 1,330
Demand |  | 1,113 |  | 1,202 |  | 1,170
___________ |  |  |  |  |  |
Source: IBS and International Iron and Steel Institute, or IISI. |  |  |  |  |  |

Product Mix and Prices

Sales trends in both the domestic and export markets are forecasted monthly based on historical data of the preceding months. CSN uses its own information system to remain current on market developments so that it can respond swiftly to fluctuations in demand.

CSN considers its flexibility in shifting between markets, and its ability to monitor and optimize inventory levels in light of changing demand, as key to its success.

We also have a strategy of increasing the portion of our sales attributable to higher value-added coated products, particularly galvanized and tin plate products. Galvanized products are directed at the automotive, construction and home appliance industries. Tin plate products are used by the steel packaging market.

The international steel price increases that occurred throughout 2007 and the first three quarters of 2008 have unwound with unprecedented speed in the last quarter of 2008 due to the global financial crisis, resetting international steel prices to early 2007 levels.

On the domestic market, throughout 2008, CSN introduced three price increases, giving the following total percentages: hot-rolled products, 50%; cold-rolled products, 38%; galvanized products, 27% and tin plate products, 12%.

Sales Volume and Net Operating Revenues by Steel Products and Markets

The following table sets forth our steel product sales volume and net operating revenues by product and market.

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|  | Sales Volume
|  | Tons |  | % of Sales Volume
|  |  |  |  |  |  |  | In Market |  | Total
|  | 2006 |  | 2007 |  | 2008 |  | 2006 |  | 2007 |  | 2008 |  | 2006 |  | 2007 |  | 2008
|  | (In thousands of tons) |  |  |  |  |  | (In percentages) |  |  |  |
Domestic |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Sales |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Slabs |  | 46 |  | 84 |  | 78 |  | 2 |  | 2 |  | 2 |  | 1 |  | 2 |  | 2
Hot-rolled |  | 1,003 |  | 1,535 |  | 1,746 |  | 35 |  | 43 |  | 42 |  | 22 |  | 28 |  | 36
Cold-rolled |  | 439 |  | 557 |  | 685 |  | 16 |  | 15 |  | 16 |  | 10 |  | 10 |  | 14
Galvanized |  | 736 |  | 873 |  | 1,088 |  | 26 |  | 24 |  | 26 |  | 17 |  | 16 |  | 22
Tin Mill |  | 594 |  | 565 |  | 561 |  | 21 |  | 16 |  | 14 |  | 14 |  | 11 |  | 11
Sub-total |  | 2,818 |  | 3,614 |  | 4,158 |  | 100 |  | 100 |  | 100 |  | 64 |  | 67 |  | 85
Export sales |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Slabs |  | 120 |  | 310 |  | 32 |  | 8 |  | 18 |  | 4 |  | 3 |  | 6 |  | 1
Hot-rolled |  | 289 |  | 93 |  | 34 |  | 19 |  | 5 |  | 5 |  | 7 |  | 2 |  | 1
Cold-rolled |  | 142 |  | 182 |  | 32 |  | 9 |  | 10 |  | 4 |  | 3 |  | 3 |  | 1
Galvanized |  | 759 |  | 809 |  | 464 |  | 48 |  | 46 |  | 63 |  | 17 |  | 15 |  | 9
Tin Mill |  | 256 |  | 370 |  | 172 |  | 16 |  | 21 |  | 24 |  | 6 |  | 7 |  | 3
Sub-total |  | 1,566 |  | 1,764 |  | 733 |  | 100 |  | 100 |  | 100 |  | 36 |  | 33 |  | 15
Total |  | 4,384 |  | 5,378 |  | 4,891 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 100 |  | 100 |  | 100
Total Sales |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Slabs |  | 166 |  | 394 |  | 110 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 4 |  | 8 |  | 2
Hot-rolled |  | 1,292 |  | 1,627 |  | 1,780 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 29 |  | 30 |  | 36
Cold-rolled |  | 581 |  | 740 |  | 717 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 13 |  | 13 |  | 15
Galvanized |  | 1,495 |  | 1,682 |  | 1,552 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 34 |  | 31 |  | 32
Tin Mill |  | 850 |  | 935 |  | 733 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 20 |  | 18 |  | 15
Total |  | 4,384 |  | 5,378 |  | 4,891 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 100 |  | 100 |  | 100

The following table sets forth our steel product net revenues by product and market.

|  | Net Operating Revenues
|  | U.S. dollars |  | % of Net Operating Revenues
|  |  |  |  |  |  |  | In Market |  | Total
|  | 2006 |  | 2007 |  | 2008 |  | 2006 |  | 2007 |  | 2008 |  | 2006 |  | 2007 |  | 2008
|  | (In millions of US$) |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | (In percentages) |  |  |  |
Domestic |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Sales |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Slabs |  | 14 |  | 33 |  | 47 |  | 1 |  | 1 |  | 1 |  | - |  | 1 |  | 1
Hot-rolled |  | 618 |  | 1,170 |  | 1,740 |  | 26 |  | 33 |  | 35 |  | 17 |  | 24 |  | 30
Cold-rolled |  | 322 |  | 499 |  | 757 |  | 14 |  | 14 |  | 15 |  | 9 |  | 10 |  | 13
Galvanized |  | 713 |  | 1,097 |  | 1,583 |  | 30 |  | 31 |  | 32 |  | 20 |  | 22 |  | 28
Tin Mill |  | 716 |  | 754 |  | 862 |  | 29 |  | 21 |  | 17 |  | 20 |  | 15 |  | 15
Sub-total |  | 2,383 |  | 3,553 |  | 4,989 |  | 100 |  | 100 |  | 100 |  | 66 |  | 72 |  | 87
Export sales |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Slabs |  | 43 |  | 154 |  | 20 |  | 4 |  | 11 |  | 2 |  | 1 |  | 3 |  | -
Hot-rolled |  | 168 |  | 62 |  | 23 |  | 14 |  | 4 |  | 3 |  | 5 |  | 1 |  | -
Cold-rolled |  | 93 |  | 124 |  | 24 |  | 8 |  | 9 |  | 3 |  | 3 |  | 3 |  | -
Galvanized |  | 659 |  | 716 |  | 491 |  | 55 |  | 51 |  | 65 |  | 18 |  | 14 |  | 9
Tin Mill |  | 243 |  | 351 |  | 203 |  | 19 |  | 25 |  | 27 |  | 7 |  | 7 |  | 4
Sub-total |  | 1,206 |  | 1,407 |  | 761 |  | 100 |  | 100 |  | 100 |  | 34 |  | 28 |  | 13
Total |  | 3,589 |  | 4,960 |  | 5,750 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 100 |  | 100 |  | 100
Total Sales |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Slabs |  | 57 |  | 187 |  | 67 |  | 1 |  | 4 |  | 1 |  | 2 |  | 3 |  | 1
Hot-rolled |  | 786 |  | 1,232 |  | 1,763 |  | 22 |  | 25 |  | 30 |  | 21 |  | 23 |  | 30
Cold-rolled |  | 415 |  | 623 |  | 781 |  | 12 |  | 13 |  | 14 |  | 11 |  | 12 |  | 13
Galvanized |  | 1,372 |  | 1,813 |  | 2,074 |  | 38 |  | 36 |  | 36 |  | 37 |  | 34 |  | 36
Tin Mill |  | 959 |  | 1,105 |  | 1,065 |  | 27 |  | 22 |  | 19 |  | 26 |  | 21 |  | 18
Sub-total |  | 3,589 |  | 4,960 |  | 5,750 |  | 100 |  | 100 |  | 100 |  | 97 |  | 93 |  | 98
By-products |  | 129 |  | 398 |  | 115 |  | - |  | - |  | - |  | 3 |  | 7 |  | 2
Total |  | 3,718 |  | 5,358 |  | 5,865 |  | 100 |  | 100 |  | 100 |  | 100 |  | 100 |  | 100

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Brazilian Economic Environment

As a company with the vast majority of its operations currently in Brazil, we are affected by the general economic conditions of Brazil. We believe the rate of growth in Brazil is important in determining our future growth capacity and our results of operations.

In the second half of 2008, the Brazilian economy began to reflect the effects of the global financial markets and economic crisis, with slower GDP growth, a weakening real, increasing unemployment rates, decreasing liquidity and reduced consumer spending. This led to a slow down in overall industrial production.

The following table shows certain Brazilian economic indicators for the periods indicated:

|  | Year ended December 31,
|  | 2006 |  | 2007 |  | 2008
GDP growth |  | 4.0% |  | 5.7% |  | 5.1%
Inflation (IPCA)(1) |  | 3.2% |  | 4.5% |  | 5.9%
Inflation (IGP-M)(2) |  | 3.8% |  | 7.7% |  | 9.8%
CDI(3) |  | 15.1% |  | 11.7% |  | 12.4%
Appreciation (depreciation) of the real against the U.S. dollar |  | 8.7% |  | 17.2% |  | -32.0%
Exchange rate at end of period (US$1.00) |  | R$2.138 |  | R$1.771 |  | R$2.337
Average exchange rate (US$1.00) |  | R$2.177 |  | R$1.948 |  | R$1.837
________________________ |  |  |  |
Sources: IBGE, Fundação Getúlio Vargas, Central Bank and Bloomberg. |  |  |  |
(1)The IPCA is a consumer price index measured by the IBGE.
(2)The IGP-M is the general market price index measured by the Fundação Getúlio Vargas.
(3)The Interbank Deposit Rate, or CDI, represents the average interbank deposit rate performed during a given day in Brazil (accrued as of the last month of the period, annualized).

Effects of Exchange Rate Fluctuations

Our financial statements included in this annual report are expressed in U.S. dollars. Our export revenues are substantially denominated in U.S. dollars. Our domestic revenues are denominated in Brazilian reais (although domestic sales prices reflect international prices with a time lag of some months).

A significant portion of our cost of products sold are commoditized raw materials, the prices of which are denominated in U.S. dollars. The balance of our cost of products sold and our cash operating expenses (i.e., operating expenses other than depreciation and amortization) are denominated in reais.

The appreciation of the U.S. dollar against the real has the following effects on our results of operations expressed in U.S. dollars:

- domestic revenues tend to be lower (in comparison with prior years) and to the extent we sell more products than usual in the domestic as opposed to the export markets, this effect is magnified;
- the impact of real denominated costs of products sold and operating costs tend to be lower; and
- financial expenses are increased to the extent the exposure to dollar-denominated debt is not protected.

The appreciation of the real against the U.S. dollar has the following effects on our results of operations expressed in US dollars:

- domestic revenues tend to be higher (in comparison with prior years)and this effect is magnified to the extent that we sell more products than usual in the domestic markets;
- the impact of real-denominated costs of products sold and operating costs tends to be higher; and
- financial income is higher to the extent the exposure to dollar-denominated debt has not been protected.

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The impact during the three years ending December 31, 2008 of fluctuations in the real exchange rate against other currencies on our results of operations can be seen in the “foreign exchange and monetary gain (loss), net” line in our income statement, although that amount is partially offset by the net financial income (or expense) attributable to the profit (or loss) on our derivative transaction of our foreign currency-denominated debt. In order to minimize the effects of the exchange rate fluctuations, we often engage in derivative transactions, including currency swap and foreign currency option agreements. For a discussion of the possible impact of fluctuations in the foreign currency exchange and interest rates on our principal financial instruments and positions, see “Item 11. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk.”

Effects of Inflation and Interest Rates

Inflation rates in Brazil have been significantly volatile in the past, although they have stabilized in recent years. Inflation rates remained relatively stable from 2003 to 2004, decreased in 2005 and 2006 and increased in 2007 and 2008. These increases in inflation are largely a result of the expansion in agriculture and commodity prices and the appreciation of the U.S. dollar against the real.

Inflation affects our financial performance by increasing some of our costs and expenses denominated in reais that are not linked to the U.S. dollar. Our cash costs and operating expenses are substantially denominated in reais and have tended to increase with Brazilian inflation because our suppliers and service providers generally increase prices to reflect Brazilian inflation. In addition, some of our real-denominated debt are indexed to take into account the effects of inflation. Under this debt, the principal amount is generally adjusted with reference to inflation indexes, so that inflation results in increases in our financial expenses and debt service obligations. In addition, a significant portion of our real-denominated debt bears interest based on the Interbank Deposit Certificate (Certificado de Depósito Interbancário), or CDI, rate which is partially adjusted for inflation.

The table below shows the Brazilian general price inflation and the CDI for the periods shown.

|  | Year ended December 31,
|  | 2006 |  | 2007 |  | 2008
Inflation (IGP-M) (1) |  | 3.8% |  | 7.7% |  | 9.8%
CDI (2) |  | 15.1% |  | 11.7% |  | 12.4%
_______________ |  |  |  |  |  |
Source: Fundação Getúlio Vargas, or FGV, and Bloomberg. |  |  |  |  |  |
(1)The IGP-M inflation is the general market price index measured by the FGV. |  |  |  |
(2)The CDI rate is the average rate for interbank deposits made during the day in Brazil (accumulated for the month of the end of the period and annualized.)

Critical Accounting Estimates

In preparing our financial statements, we make estimates concerning a variety of matters. Some of these matters are highly uncertain, and our estimates involve judgments we make based on the information available to us. In the discussion below, we have identified several of these matters for which our financial presentation would be materially affected if either (1) we used different estimates that we could reasonably have used or (2) in the future we change our estimates in response to changes that are reasonably likely to occur.

This discussion addresses only those estimates that we consider most important based on the degree of uncertainty and the likelihood of a material impact if we used a different estimate. There are many other areas in which we use estimates about uncertain matters, but the reasonably likely effect of changed or different estimates is not material to our financial presentation.

Valuation of long-lived assets, intangible assets and goodwill

Under U.S. GAAP, in accordance with Statements of Financial Accounting Standards, or SFAS, No. 144, long-lived assets are reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable. Recoverability of assets to be held and used is measured by a comparison of the carrying amount of an asset to the estimated undiscounted future cash flows expected to be generated by the asset. If the carrying amount of an asset exceeds its estimated future cash flows, an impairment charge is recognized in the amount by which the carrying amount of the asset exceeds the fair value of the asset.

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A determination of the fair value of an asset requires management to make certain assumptions and estimates with respect to projected cash inflows and outflows related to future revenues and expenditures. These assumptions and estimates can be influenced by different external and internal factors, such as economic and industry trends, interest rates and changes in the marketplace. A change in the assumptions and estimates that we use could change our estimate of the expected future net cash flows and lead to the recognition of an impairment charge in results of operations relating to our property, plant and equipment.

We test goodwill for impairment in accordance with SFAS No. 142, “Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets.” SFAS No. 142 requires that goodwill be tested for impairment at the “reporting-unit” level (Reporting Unit) at least annually and more frequently upon the occurrence of certain events, as defined by SFAS 142. Goodwill is tested for impairment annually in December in a two-step process. First, we determine if the carrying amount of our Reporting Unit exceeds the “fair value” of the Reporting Unit, which would indicate that goodwill may be impaired. If we determine that goodwill may he impaired, we then compare the “implied fair value” of the goodwill, as defined by SFAS 142, to our carrying amount to determine if there is an impairment loss. We do not have any goodwill that we consider to be impaired.

Depreciation and amortization

Adopted depreciation rates are based on estimated useful lives of the underlying assets, derived from historical information available to us, as well as known industry trends. Depreciation is computed on the straight-line basis at rates which take into consideration the useful lives of the related assets, as follows (average): buildings - 25 years; equipment - 15 years; furniture and fixtures - 10 years; hardware and vehicles - 5 years. The sensitivity of an impact in changes in the useful lives of property, plant and equipment was assessed by applying a hypothetical 10% increase in the depreciation rate existing at December 31, 2008. This hypothetical change would result in an incremental increase in the annual depreciation expense of US$39 million in the year of the change.

Fair value of business combinations

We estimate the fair value of assets acquired and liabilities assumed of our business combinations as required by SFAS No. 141, “Accounting for Business Combinations.” Accordingly, when determining the purchase price allocations of our business acquisitions, we usually adjust to fair value certain items such as inventories, property, plant and equipment, mines, present value of long-term assets and liabilities, among others, which are determined by independent appraisals that perform the valuations for us. Also, for business combinations purposes, we identify intangible assets apart from goodwill based on the guidance provided in Appendix A of SFAS No. 141 and consider the establishments of SFAS No. 142, “Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets” as to impairment tests or definition of the useful lives of our intangibles identified apart from goodwill.

Derivatives

SFAS No. 133, “Accounting for Derivative Financial Instruments and Hedging Activities,” as amended, requires that we recognize all derivative financial instruments as either assets or liabilities on our balance sheet and measure such instruments at fair value. Changes in the fair value of derivatives are recorded in each period in current earnings or in other comprehensive income (outside net income), in the latter case depending on whether a transaction is designated as an effective hedge. We have not designated any derivative financial instruments as hedges and the fair value adjustments to our derivatives were thus recorded in current net income. With respect to the fair value measurement, we must make assumptions such as to future foreign currency exchange and interest rates. For a discussion of the possible impact of fluctuations in the foreign currency exchange and interest rates on our principal financial instruments and positions, see “Item 11. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk.”

Pension plans

We sponsor defined benefit pension plans covering some of our retirees. We account for these benefits in accordance with SFAS No. 87, “Employers’ Accounting for Pensions,” as amended.

The determination of the amount of our obligations for pension benefits depends on certain actuarial assumptions. These assumptions are described in Note 15 to our consolidated financial statements and include, among others, the expected long-term rate of return on plan assets and increases in salaries. In accordance with U.S. GAAP, actual results that differ from our assumptions are accumulated and amortized over future periods and generally affect our recognized expenses and recorded obligations in such future periods.

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Deferred taxes

We compute and pay income taxes based on results of operations determined under Brazilian GAAP. We recognize deferred income tax assets and liabilities based on the differences between the financial statement carrying amounts and the tax bases of assets and liabilities. We regularly review the deferred income tax assets for recoverability and establish a valuation allowance if, under U.S. GAAP, it is more likely than not that the deferred income tax assets will not be realized, based on historical taxable income, projected future taxable income, and the expected timing of the reversals of existing temporary differences. A change in the assumptions and estimates with respect to our expected future taxable income could result in the recognition of a valuation allowance being charged to income. If we operate at a loss or are unable to generate sufficient future taxable income, or if there is a material change in the actual effective tax rates or discount rates, the time period over which the underlying temporary differences become taxable or deductible, or any change in its future projections, we could be required to establish a valuation allowance against all or a significant portion of our deferred tax assets, resulting in a substantial increase of our effective tax rate and a material adverse impact on operating results.

In June 2006, the FASB issued Interpretation No. 48, “Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes — An Interpretation of FASB Statement No. 109,” or FIN 48. FIN 48 clarifies the accounting for uncertainty in income taxes recognized in an enterprise’s financial statements in accordance with SFAS 109. FIN 48 also prescribes a recognition threshold and measurement attribute for the financial statement recognition and measurement of a tax position taken or expected to be taken in a tax return that results in a tax benefit. Additionally, FIN 48 provides guidance on de-recognition, statement of operations classification of interest and penalties, accounting in interim periods, disclosure, and transition. We adopted FIN 48 on January 1,2007, and the provisions of FIN 48 have been applied to all income tax positions commencing from that date. We recognize potential accrued interest and penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits within operations as income tax expense.

We record liabilities for uncertain tax positions that could be challenged by taxing authorities that, in the Company’s judgment, do not meet the more likely than not threshold of being sustained upon examination, based on the facts, circumstances, and information available at the reporting date. The Company estimates and records the liability for uncertain tax positions considering the probabilities of the outcomes that could he realized upon settlement using the facts, circumstances and information available at the reporting date. It is often difficult to predict the final outcome or timing of resolution of any particular tax matter. Various events, some of which cannot be predicted, may occur that would affect our recognition of liabilities for uncertain tax positions.

Contingencies and disputed taxes

We record provisions for contingencies relating to legal proceedings with respect to which we deem the likelihood of an unfavorable outcome to be probable and the loss can be reasonably estimated. This determination is made based on the legal opinion of our internal and external legal counsel. We believe these contingencies are properly recognized in our financial statements in accordance with SFAS No. 5. Those contingencies related to income taxes and social contribution are accounted for based on the “more-likely-than-not” concept in accordance with FIN 48. We are also involved in judicial and administrative proceedings that are aimed at obtaining or defending our legal rights with respect to taxes that we believe to be unconstitutional or otherwise not required to be paid by us. We believe that these proceedings will ultimately result in the realization of contingent tax credits or benefits that can be used to settle direct and indirect tax obligations owed to the Brazilian Federal or State Governments. We do not recognize these contingent tax credits or benefits in our financial statements until realization of such gain contingencies has been resolved. This occurs when a final irrevocable decision is rendered by the courts in Brazil. When we use contingent tax credits or benefits based on favorable temporary court decisions that are still subject to appeal to offset current direct or indirect tax obligations, we maintain the legal obligation accrued in our financial statements until a final irrevocable judicial decision on those contingent tax credits or benefits is rendered. The accrual for the legal obligation related to the current direct or indirect tax obligations offset is not reversed until such time as the utilization of the contingent tax credits or benefits is ultimately realized. This accounting is consistent with our analysis of a liability under FASB Concepts Statement No. 6. The accounting for the contingent tax credits is in accordance with accounting for contingent assets under SFAS No. 5. Our accruals include interest on the tax obligations that we may offset with contingent tax credits or benefits at the interest rate defined in the relevant tax law. The recorded accruals for these disputed taxes and other contingencies may change in the future due to new developments in each matter, such as changes in legislation, irrevocable, final judicial decisions specific to us, or changes in approach, such as a change in settlement strategy in dealing with these matters. See “Item 5A. Operating Results—Results of Operations—2008 Compared to 2007—Disputed Taxes Payable” and “Item 8A. Consolidated Statements and Other Financial Information—Legal Proceedings” for further information on the judicial and administrative proceedings in which we are involved.

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Allowance for doubtful accounts

We consider a provision for bad debts in our trade accounts receivable in order to reflect our expectation as to the net realizable value thereof. This provision is estimated based on an analysis of our receivables and is periodically reviewed to maintain real expectation of collectibility of our accounts receivable.

Changes on Disclosure of Financial Statements

On July 13, 2007, the CVM issued CVM Rule No. 457 to require listed companies to publish their consolidated financial statements in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards, or IFRS, starting with the year ending December 31, 2010.

On December 28, 2007, Law No. 11,638 was enacted and amended numerous provisions of Brazilian Corporate Law relating to accounting principles and authority to issue accounting standards. Law No. 11,638 sought to enable greater convergence between Brazilian GAAP and IFRS. To promote convergence, Law No. 11,638 modified certain accounting principles of Brazilian Corporate Law and mandated the CVM to issue accounting rules conforming to the accounting standards adopted in international markets. Additionally, the statute acknowledged a role in the setting of accounting standards for the Committee for Accounting Rules (Comitê de Pronunciamentos Contábeis), or CPC, which is a committee of officials from the São Paulo Stock Exchange (BM&FBovespa S.A.– Bolsa de Valores, Mercadorias e Futuros), or the BOVESPA, industry representatives and academic bodies that has issued accounting guidance and pursued the improvement of accounting standards in Brazil. Law No. 11,638 permits the CVM and the Brazilian Central Bank (Banco Central do Brasil), or the Central Bank, to rely on the accounting standards issued by the CPC in establishing accounting principles for regulated entities.

Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements Adopted and Not Adopted by Us

For a description on the recently issued accounting pronouncements, see Note 3 to our consolidated financial statements contained in “Item 18. Financial Statements".

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Results of Operations

For purposes of comparison, the following table presents certain financial information with respect to our operating results for each of the years ended December 31, 2006, 2007 and 2008 and the percentage change in each of these items from 2006 to 2007 and from 2007 to 2008:

|  | Year Ended December 31, |  | Increase (Decrease)
|  | 2006 |  | 2007 |  | 2008 |  | 2007/2006 |  | 2008/2007
|  |  |  |  |  |  |  | % |  | %
Operating revenues |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Domestic sales |  | 3,550 |  | 5,283 |  | 7,377 |  | 48.8 |  | 39.6
Export sales |  | 1,263 |  | 1,695 |  | 1,830 |  | 34.2 |  | 8.0
Total |  | 4,813 |  | 6,978 |  | 9,207 |  | 45.0 |  | 31.9
Sales Taxes |  | (899) |  | (1,305) |  | (1,835) |  | 45.2 |  | 40.6
Discounts, returns and allowances |  | (68) |  | (156) |  | (185) |  | 129.4 |  | 18.6
Net operating revenues |  | 3,846 |  | 5,517 |  | 7,187 |  | 43.4 |  | 30.3
Cost of products sold |  | (2,102) |  | (3,076) |  | (3,576) |  | 46.3 |  | 16.2
Gross profit |  | 1,744 |  | 2,441 |  | 3,611 |  | 40.0 |  | 47.9
Operating expenses |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Selling |  | (167) |  | (310) |  | (412) |  | 85.6 |  | 32.9
General and administrative |  | (148) |  | (185) |  | (219) |  | 25.0 |  | 18.4
Other income (expense) |  | (149) |  | (85) |  | (136) |  | (43.0) |  | 60.0
Operating income |  | 1,280 |  | 1,861 |  | 2,844 |  | 45.4 |  | 52.8
Non-operating income (expenses), net |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Financial income (expenses), net |  | (533) |  | (219) |  | (380) |  | (58.9) |  | 73.5
Foreign exchange and monetary gain (loss), net |  | 218 |  | 438 |  | (1,265) |  | 100.9 |  | (388.8)
Gain on dilution of interest in subsidiary |  | - |  | - |  | 1,667 |  | - |  | -
Other, net |  | 22 |  | 81 |  | 75 |  | 268.2 |  | (7.4)
Income before income taxes and equity in results of affiliated companies |  | 987 |  | 2,161 |  | 2,941 |  | 118.9 |  | 36.1
Income tax |  | (296) |  | (534) |  | (414) |  | 80.4 |  | (22.5)
Current |  | (198) |  | (619) |  | (615) |  | 212.6 |  | (0.6)
Deferred |  | (98) |  | 85 |  | 201 |  | (186.7) |  | 136.5
Equity in results of affiliated companies |  | 58 |  | 76 |  | 127 |  | 31.0 |  | 67.1
Net income |  | 749 |  | 1,703 |  | 2,654 |  | 127.4 |  | 55.8

Year 2008 Compared to Year 2007

Operating Revenues

Our operating revenues increased by 31.9%, from US$6,978 million in 2007 to US$9,207 million in 2008, as a result of the following combined effects: (i) sucessive steel price hikes along the year in the Brazilian market, (ii) a better sales mix concentration, and (iii) a larger share of the mining segment as a percentage of our total revenues, which benefits from higher iron prices in the international market.

We recorded annual steel sales volume of 4,891 million tons in 2008, representing a decrease from 5,378 million tons in 2007, and annual iron-ore sales of 18.5 million tons in 2008, excluding own consumption, a Company record. In 2007, we recorded annual iron-ore sales of 10.5 million tons.

The strong performance of the Brazilian steel sector in the first ten months of 2008 evidenced a 9% increase on our domestic sales as compared to 2007, as a result mainly of a strong demand for steel products and successive price increases. In November 2008, however, the global financial crisis affected our customers and demand for our products decreased abruptly. According to IBS, crude steel production remained flat over 2007 at 33 million tons.

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Domestic Sales

Our annual domestic sales volume increased 15% from 3,614 million tons in 2007 to 4,158 million tons in 2008, in line with our strategy of prioritizing the Brazilian market, where we have historically generated higher profit margins.

According to IBS, we recorded an average steel market share of 39% in 2008 in terms of volume, as compared to the 34% market share recorded during the previous year. As for the product mix, once again high value-added products such as galvanized, galvalume and tin plate accounted for approximately 40% of total domestic volume in 2008

Domestic prices were adjusted three times in March, May and July of 2008, amounting to the following increases: 50% for hot-rolled, 38% for cold-rolled, 27% for galvanized and 12% for tin plate.

In the domestic market, our operating revenues increased by 39.6%, from US$5,283 million in 2007 to US$7,377 million in 2008, as a result of the combined effect described above.

Annual iron-ore sales, excluding own consumption, reached 18.5 million tons in 2008, an all-time record for the Company, with domestic sales accounting for 3.9 million ton, or 21% of the total.

Export Sales

The year 2008 was marked by a slowing global demand for steel products, and exceptionally volatile prices for metals and other commodities.

In 2008 we exported 733,000 tons of steel products, representing a 58.4% decrease as compared to the exported volume recorded in 2007. Our iron-ore sales exports volume increased 186.9% from 5.1 million tons in 2007 to 14.7 million tons in 2008.

Operating revenues from our exports increased 8.0% from US$1,695 million in 2007 to US$1,830 million in 2008, as previously explained.

The main effects the slowing global demand for steel products are explained below, by each international market.

USA

Given the U.S. economy, which had been showing signs of weakening since the end of 2007, the steel demand fell by 25% in 2008. Lack of credit and consumer confidence had a direct impact on the destocking of steel products and distributors inventories began to fall slightly as of September 2008.

Despite this reduction in inventory, however, prices continued to fall and hot-rolled coils closed the year at around US$540 per ton, 12% below the average prices recorded in the last 5 years.

Industry capacity use also felt the effects of the downturn, falling from 90% in mid-year to 50% at the end of 2008, as the industry sought to balance domestic market supply by cutting back on production. Only 9 out of the 30 blast furnaces in the United States were operating by the end of 2007.

According to the International Iron and Steel Institute, or IISI, U.S. steel production totaled 91 million tons in 2008, representing a decrease of 7.31% as compared to 2007.

Europe

The 2008 financial crisis spread through Europe in September and rapidly struck the steel sector. Auto production fell steadily throughout the year, reducing steel demand in the second half of 2008.

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In order to prevent a price collapse, European producers cut output by 35%. Nevertheless, inventories remained high and there was additional pressure from imports, and prices reached their lowest levels at the beginning of 2009.

With the recent reduction in freight charges, imported steel became more competitive than the local product at the end of the year. Transport costs, which had peaked at $130 per ton by mid 2008, closed at just $10 per ton on December 2008, favoring imports, especially from China.

Asia

According to CRU Analysis, steel plate demand levels in China, which had been recording double-digit growth for some time, was in decline in the last two months of 2008 and it is estimated that the annual steel consumption must have fallen by 17% due to dwindling demand in both the domestic and international markets.

Nevertheless, IISI figures show that Chinese steel production edged up by 1.7% in 2008 to more than 500 million tons. In Japan, however, it contracted by 1.2% to 118 million tons.

Sales Taxes

Our deductions from operating revenues consist of sales taxes the Social Integration Tax Program (Programa de Integração Social), or PIS, the Social Security Financing Tax (Contribuição para o Financiamento da Seguridade Social), or COFINS, the Tax on Industrial Products (Imposto sobre Produtos Industrializados), or IPI, and Tax on Services (Imposto sobre Serviços), or ISS, and the ICMS tax. Sales taxes increased by 41%, from US$1,305 million in 2007 to US$1,835 million in 2008. This increase is explained by the substantial increase on sales in the domestic market, in line with our strategy of prioritizing the Brazilian market.

Discounts, returns and allowances

Discounts, returns and allowances are also deducted from our operating revenues. Although discounts, deductions and allowances increased by 18.6%, from US$156 million in 2007 to US$185 million in 2008, they remained stable when compared to our gross operating revenues. These discounts, returns and allowances were made in the ordinary course of our business.

Net Operating Revenues

Net operating revenues increased by 30.3%, from US$5,517 million in 2007 to US$7,187 million in 2008, mainly due to the 31.9% increase in operating revenues, whereas sales deductions experienced an increase of 38.3% . Sales deductions, as a percentage of operating revenues, were 20.9% in 2007 and 21.9% in 2008.

Cost of Products Sold

The following table sets forth our production costs, the production costs per ton of crude steel and the portion of production costs attributable to the primary components of our costs of production. With the exception of coal and coke which we import and some metals (such as zinc, aluminum and tin), whose domestic prices are linked to international prices, our costs of production are mostly denominated in reais. The devaluation of the Brazilian real causes U.S. dollar-denominated or U.S. dollar-linked production costs to increase as a percentage of total production costs. Conversely, appreciation of the real causes real-denominated production costs to increase as a percentage of total production costs.

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|  | Year Ended December, 31
|  |  |  | 2006 |  |  |  |  |  | 2007 |  |  |  |  |  | 2008 |  |
|  | US$ 000 |  | US$/ton |  | % |  | US$ 000 |  | US$/ton |  | % |  | US$ 000 |  | US$/ton |  | %
Raw Materials |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Iron Ore |  | 66,174 |  | 14.92 |  | 3.2 |  | 130,712 |  | 24.65 |  | 5.7 |  | 150,716 |  | 29.55 |  | 5.1
Coal |  | 348,264 |  | 78.52 |  | 16.9 |  | 421,996 |  | 79.59 |  | 18.4 |  | 613,774 |  | 120.35 |  | 20.8
Coke |  | 36,048 |  | 8.13 |  | 1.7 |  | 63,994 |  | 12.07 |  | 2.8 |  | 232,151 |  | 45.52 |  | 7.9
Metals |  | 165,020 |  | 37.20 |  | 8.0 |  | 242,987 |  | 45.83 |  | 10.6 |  | 147,934 |  | 29.01 |  | 5.0
Outsourced Hot Coils |  | 30,712 |  | 6.92 |  | 1.5 |  | 955 |  | 0.18 |  | 0.0 |  | 84,726 |  | 16.61 |  | 2.9
Outsourced Slabs |  | 389,095 |  | 87.72 |  | 18.9 |  | 11,052 |  | 2.08 |  | 0.5 |  | 174,073 |  | 34.13 |  | 5.9
Other(1) |  | 136,206 |  | 30.71 |  | 6.6 |  | 216,415 |  | 40.82 |  | 9.4 |  | 276,177 |  | 54.15 |  | 9.4
|  | 1,171,519 |  | 264.12 |  | 56.8 |  | 1,088,111 |  | 205.23 |  | 47.5 |  | 1,679,551 |  | 329.33 |  | 56.9
Energy/Fuel |  | 169,349 |  | 38.18 |  | 8.2 |  | 228,767 |  | 43.15 |  | 10.0 |  | 274,339 |  | 53.79 |  | 9.3
Labor |  | 175,651 |  | 39.60 |  | 8.5 |  | 217,816 |  | 41.08 |  | 9.5 |  | 199,352 |  | 39.09 |  | 6.7
Services and |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Maintenance |  | 274,440 |  | 61.87 |  | 13.4 |  | 396,300 |  | 74.75 |  | 17.3 |  | 370,547 |  | 72.66 |  | 12.6
Tools and Supplies |  | 100,752 |  | 22.71 |  | 4.9 |  | 131,304 |  | 24.77 |  | 5.7 |  | 150,453 |  | 29.50 |  | 5.1
Depreciation |  | 165,813 |  | 37.38 |  | 8.0 |  | 217,824 |  | 41.08 |  | 9.5 |  | 264,880 |  | 51.94 |  | 9.0
Others |  | 5,055 |  | 1.14 |  | 0.2 |  | 12,414 |  | 2.34 |  | 0.5 |  | 11,023 |  | 2.16 |  | 0.4
|  | 2,062,579 |  | 465.0 |  | 100.0 |  | 2,292,537 |  | 432.4 |  | 100.0 |  | 2,950,145 |  | 578.47 |  | 100.00

(1) Include pellets, scrap, limestone and dolomite.

Other than the sale of excess inventories from time to time and the purchase by our subsidiaries of semi- finished products from third parties for further processing, our cost of products sold is equivalent to our production cost.

We are self-sufficient in almost all the raw materials used in the steel production. The principal raw materials we use in our integrated steel mill include iron ore, coke, coal (from which we make coke), limestone, dolomite, aluminum, tin and zinc. In addition, our production operations consume water, gases, electricity and ancillary materials.

We obtain all of our iron ore requirements from our Casa de Pedra mine located in the State of Minas Gerais, as the limestone and dolomite from our Bocaina mine at Arcos in the State of Minas Gerais.

The coal and coke we consume are acquired from different international producers “See Item Raw Materials and Suppliers”. Given the worldwide economic growth over the last few years and increasing demand for various commodities, coal and coke producers significantly raised their prices up until mid 2008, which strongly impacted the steel industry.

Our coal costs increased from US$422.0 million in 2007 to US$ 613.8 million in 2008, reaching approximately 21% of our production cost, due to the increased prices.

With respect to coke, we faced not only signifcant price increases, but also larger consumption, which impacted significantly our costs. Our coke costs raised from US$ 64.0 million in 2007 to US$ 232 million in 2008, accounting for almost 8% of our total production cost.

Another factor that impacted our production costs was the acquisition until October 2008 of slabs and hot-rolled coils from third parties in order to face the increase in domestic demand for flat steel. The costs with outsourced slabs and hot coils reached US$258.8 million in 2008, representing almost 9% of our total production costs, different from 2007, when we did not acquire slabs and hot-rolled coils from third parties.

Other raw materials include pellets and scrap purchase in the market and also limestone and dolomite that we exctract from our own mines in the city of Arcos- Minas Gerais.

Energy and fuel costs increased from US$228.8 million in 2007 to US$274.3 million in 2008 owing to the increase in gas price, corresponding to 9% of our total production costs.

Gross Profit

Gross profit increased by 47.9%, from US$2,441 million in 2007 to US$3,611 million in 2008, mainly due to the increase of 30.3% in net operating revenues from US$5,517 million in 2007 to US$7,187 million in 2008, which was partially offset by the increase of 16.2% in the cost of products sold.

The 30.3% increase in our consolidated net operating revenues from 2007 to 2008 can be attributed to the following:

In connection with our steel segment: (i) larger volume of sales in the domestic market (increase from 3,614 million tons in 2007 to 4,158 million tons in 2008) where we historically have recorded higher profit margins; (ii) increase of the domestic sales in terms of total sales volume, from 67% in 2007 to 85% in 2008; and (iii) successive steel price hikes in the domestic market during 2008.

In connection with the mining segment: (i) an all-time record of 18.5 million tons of iron ore sales volume in 2008 due to the increase of our iron ore export capacity in the Itaguaí port and general improvements in iron ore extraction processes and logistics; and (ii) the increase in average iron ore prices in the international market realized in 2008.

On the other hand, our cost of products sold increased at a lower rate (16.2%) due to the following reasons:

In connection with the steel segment (i) cost of products sold is mainly driven by raw material prices (which represent approximately 50% of our total steel production cost); (ii) we are self sufficient in the production of iron ore, which is one of the main raw material for steelmaking - thus, our exposure to the increases in raw material prices realized in 2008 was mainly limited to coke and coal (which represented 29% of our production cost in 2008); and (iii) there was no significant oscillation in the other steel production costs for the year.

In connection with the mining segment: (i) the production cost is basically driven by extraction, beneficiation and logistic costs, which remained stable in 2008; and (ii) we realized a dilution in our per ton iron ore fixed production costs, due to the aforementioned increase in sales volumes.

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Selling, General and Administrative Expenses

In 2008, we recorded selling, general and administrative expenses of US$631 million, representing a 27.5% increase from the US$495 million recorded in 2007.

Selling expenses increased by 32.9%, from US$310 million in 2007 to US$412 million in 2008, mainly due to an increase in our efforts to sell steel products on the domestic market, an increase in freight prices and distribution costs, and higher provisions for doubtful accounts. If expressed in reais, these expenses increased by 30.0%, but remained stable at 5.6% as a percentage of net operating revenues.

General and administrative expenses increased by 18.4%, from US$185 million in 2007 to US$219 million in 2008, mainly due to higher labor costs, given the increase in the number of employees in 2008 and the annual wage increases in May 2008. If expressed in reais, these expenses increased by 11.7% and decreased from 3.3% to 3.0%, as a percentage of net operating revenues.

Other Income (Expenses)

Other expenses increased by US$51 million, from an expense of US$85 million in 2007 to an expense of US$136 million in 2008, mainly due to increases in commercial contingencies and fines, in particular with respect to transport of products.

Operating Income

Operating income increased by 52.8%, or US$983 million, from US$1,861 million in 2007 to US$2,844 million in 2008. This growth was mainly due to the US$1,170 million increase in gross profit, reflecting mainly the successive steel product price hikes along the year in the Brazilian market and the contribution of our mining segment.

Non-operating Expenses (Income), Net

Non-operating income, net decreased by US$203 million, from an income of US$300 million in 2007 to an income of US$97 million in 2008. Our non-operating expenses (income), net are comprised of financial expenses, net, foreign exchange and monetary loss (gain), net and, in 2008, also the gain on 40% dilution of interest in our subsidiary Namisa to an Asian consortium.

On December 30, 2008, we sold 2,271,825 shares of Namisa’s voting capital, one of our mining subsidiaries and, subsequently, Namisa issued 187,749,249 new shares at a price of US$16.20 per share, subscribed and paid up by Big Jump Energy Participações S.A., or Big Jump, a company whose shareholders are Brazil Japan Iron Ore Corporation, or BJIOC, and Posco, increasing its ownership interest to 40%, diluting our voting and total interest in Namisa to 59.99% . BJIOC is a company incorporated by a consortium formed by the Japanese companies Itochu Corporation, JFE Steel Corporation, Nippon Steel Corporation, Sumitomo Metal Industries Ltd, Kobe Steel Ltd and Nisshin Steel Co Ltd, and the Korean company, Posco. Big Jump paid in cash for Namisa’s shares the amount of US$3,041 million.

As a result of the acquisition, Big Jump holds 40% and CSN holds 59.99% of Namisa’s shares and also based on the shareholders’ agreement of Namisa, our management concluded that Namisa’s balance sheet should not be consolidated with CSN’s balance sheet as of December 30, 2008; accordingly, Namisa’s results have been consolidated until the date of sale and dilution. After analyzing the transaction, we concluded that the purchaser consortium has effective and significant participation rights rather than protective rights through the right to participate in significant decisions related to Namisa’s ordinary course of business.

Upon the sale of Namisa’s shares and dilution, CSN adopted income statement recognition as its accounting policy and, accordingly, recorded a net non-operating gain on 40%-dilution of its interest in the amount of US$1,667 million, as detailed below:

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|  | Amount |  | Percentage |  | Gain (loss)
Namisa's net equity before capital increase by Big Jump, represented by 287,303,436 shares |  | 395 |  | 40% |  | (158)
Capital increase by Big Jump through issuance of 187,749,249 new shares (US$1.48 per share plus additional paid in capital of US$14.72 per share) |  | 3,041 |  | 60% |  | 1,825
Net non-taxable gain on dilution of interest in Namisa |  |  |  |  |  | 1,667

The gain of US$1,667 million referred to above is non-taxable since a dilution of interest is not considered as a capital gain in accordance with Brazillian tax legislation.

Financial Expenses (Income), Net

In 2008, our net financial expenses, increased by 73.5%, or US$161 million, from US$219 million in 2007 to US$380 million, mainly due to the following items:

- US$21 million increase in interest income;
- US$130 million decrease in interest expense;
- US$291 million decrease in our income from derivative instruments; and
- US$21 million decrease in other financial income (expenses).

Interest Income

Interest income increased by 26.6%, or US$21 million, from US$79 million in 2007 to US$100 million in 2008, mainly due to greater average amount of cash and cash equivalents.

Interest Expense

Interest expense decreased by 19.1%, or US$130 million, from US$680 million in 2007 to US$550 million in 2008. This decrease was mainly due to a sharp decrease in interest on tax contingencies of US$245 million, as well as lower interest rates on our real-denominated debt. This decrease was partially offset by an increase in taxes on financial income, in the amount of US$175 million.

Derivative Instruments

The results on derivative instruments decreased by US$291 million, from an income of US$416 million in 2007 to an income of US$125 million in 2008. Despite the depreciation of the exchange rate as of December 31, 2008, as compared to the exchange rate as of December 31, 2007, our foreign exchange derivative instruments generated an income of US$419 million in 2008 as compared to an expense of US$219 million in 2007, which was offset by an expense of US$530 million in 2008 in our equity linked derivatives, as compared to a gain of US$640 million in 2007. In September 2008, we realized our equity swap agreement with a gain of US$1,005.7 million. After realization, we renewed our equity swap agreement and, as of December 31, 2008, the accrued amount in our current liabilities, based on the market value of our ADRs was an unrealized loss of US$685.1 million. For more information on the equity swap agreements, see “Item 4B—Risk Factors”, “Item 10C—Material Contracts”, “Item 11—Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk—Equity Risk” and Note 21 to our consolidated financial statements contained in “Item 18. Financial Statements”. For a copy of the equity swap agreements as amended and novated, see Exhibit 10.1 to this annual report.

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Other Financial Income (Expense)

Other financial income (expense) decreased by US$21 million, from an expense of US$34 million in 2007 to an expense of US$55 million in 2008, mainly due to expenses incurred in the normal course of business such as discounts, taxes on financial income, bank charges and other minor items.

Foreign Exchange and Monetary Gain, Net

Foreign exchange and monetary gain, net is mainly affected by fluctuations in the real/U.S. dollar foreign exchange rate and the impact of such fluctuations on the following:

- our U.S. dollar-denominated gross debt;
- our U.S. dollar-denominated cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments;
- our equity investments in offshore subsidiaries; and
- our trade accounts receivable and payable.

The 388.8%, or US$1,703 million, decrease in foreign exchange and monetary gain, from a US$438 million gain in 2007 to a US$1,265 million loss in 2008, was primarily caused by the depreciation of the real against the U.S. dollar, which increased our expenses in connection with U.S. dollar-denominated debt and accounts payable.

Income Taxes

We recorded an expense for income tax and social contribution of US$414 million in 2008, as compared to US$534 million 2007. Expressed as a percentage of pre-tax income, income tax expense decreased from 24.7% in 2007 to 14.0% in 2008. Income tax expense in Brazil refers to the collection of federal income tax and social contribution tax. The statutory rates for these taxes applicable to the periods presented herein were 25% for federal income tax and 9% for the social contribution. Therefore, the balances owed for these periods totaled US$1,001 million in 2008 and US$735 million in 2007 (34% of income before taxes and equity in affiliated companies). Adjustments are made to these rates in order to arrive at the actual tax expense for the years.

For the year ended December 31, 2008, adjustments totaled US$587 million and were comprised of:

- a US$39 million benefit from interest on stockholders’ equity;
- a US$472 million benefit related to non taxable income of subsidiaries or income taxable at different rates, net of US$567 million benefit related to the 40% dilution of our interest in Namisa;
- a US$21 million addition to valuation allowance since certain subsidiaries had tax losses carryforward in 2008 whitch are not expected to be recoveres; and
- tax incentives and other permanent differences that represented a net tax benefit of US$97 million.

For the year ended December 31, 2007, adjustments totaled US$201 million and were comprised of:

- a US$40 million benefit from interest on stockholder’s equity;
- a US$159 million benefit related to non-taxable income of subsidiaries or taxable at different rates;
- a US$12 million additions to valuation allowances; and
- other permanent differences that represented a net tax benefit of US$14 million.

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Our taxable income, generated from our operations in Brazil and abroad, is comprised of the following:

|  | Year Ended December 31,
|  | 2007 |  | 2008 |  | Changes
|  | (In million of U.S. dollars)
Brazil |  | 1,562 |  | 3,225 |  | 1,663
Foreign |  | 599 |  | (284) |  | (883)
Total |  | 2,161 |  | 2,941 |  | 780

Our taxable income in Brazil was impacted by the increase in sales. The total increase in taxable income generated in Brazil in 2008, as compared to 2007, totaled US$1,663 million. Expressed in reais, our taxable income increased by US$28.7 in 2008, as compared to 2007. Our foreign taxable income decreased by US$883 million in 2008, as compared to 2007.

It is not possible to predict the future adjustments to the federal income tax and social contribution at statutory rates, as they depend on interest on stockholder’s equity, non-taxable factors including income from offshore operations, and tax losses from offshore operations, especially when expressed as a percentage of income.

Accruals for Disputed Taxes Payable

We record provisions for contingencies relating to legal proceedings with respect to which we deem the likelihood of an unfavorable outcome to be probable and the loss can be reasonably estimated. This determination is made based on the legal opinion of our internal and external legal counsel. We believe these contingencies are properly recognized in our financial statements in accordance with SFAS No. 5. Those contingencies related to income taxes and social contribution are accounted for based on the “more-likely-than-not” concept in accordance with FIN 48. We are also involved in judicial and administrative proceedings that are aimed at obtaining or defending our legal rights with respect to taxes that we believe to be unconstitutional or otherwise not required to be paid by us. We believe that these proceedings will ultimately result in the realization of contingent tax credits or benefits that can be used to settle direct and indirect tax obligations owed to the Brazilian federal or state governments. We do not recognize these contingent tax credits or benefits in our financial statements until realization of such gain contingencies has been resolved. This occurs when a final irrevocable decision is rendered by the courts in Brazil. When we use contingent tax credits or benefits based on favorable temporary court decisions that are still subject to appeal to offset current direct or indirect tax obligations, we maintain the legal obligation accrued in our financial statements until a final irrevocable judicial decision on those contingent tax credits or benefits is rendered. The accrual for the legal obligation related to the current direct or indirect tax obligations offset is not reversed until such time as the utilization of the contingent tax credits or benefits is ultimately realized. This accounting is consistent with our analysis of a liability under FASB Concepts Statement No. 6. The accounting for the contingent tax credits is in accordance with accounting for contingent assets under SFAS No. 5. Our accruals include interest on the tax obligations that we may offset with contingent tax credits or benefits at the interest rate defined in the relevant tax law.

We classify an accrual as short-term when we expect the liability to be settled in 360 days or less. This usually occurs when a final and unappealable and irrevocable judgment has been rendered and the legal processes are in the execution phase. However, given the complexity of the Brazilian legal system and the intricacies of some claims, it is impracticable for Brazilian companies to predict the time period in which final decisions will be reached for such claims. Consequently, these claims are classified as long-term liabilities.

A brief description of the major recent developments regarding our accruals for disputed taxes payable follows:

Disputed Taxes Payable

Presumed credit on inputs (Imposto sobre produtos industrializados), or IPI (Excise tax).

We have accrued a liability for certain tax liabilities that were offset by credits related to IPI excise tax. The accrual is necessary to offset the contingent gain resulting from our use of IPI excise tax credits. The IPI excise tax credits are similar to value added tax, or VAT, credits related to the purchase of goods used in the production process. Brazilian law prevents companies from recognizing IPI excise tax credits on the acquisition of certain goods. We believe that this prohibition is unconstitutional since it is not consistent with general VAT principles and we are challenging this prohibition in the Brazilian courts. In May 2003, we sought and obtained a favorable preliminary order from a Brazilian court authorizing us to offset federal tax liabilities with IPI excise tax credits under dispute. We are awaiting the decision of a Brazilian court of first instance. After such a decision is rendered, we expect the decision will be subject to several stages of appellate review before a final unappealable judgment is obtained. The IPI excise tax credit accrual recorded by us represents our statutory obligation to pay taxes that were offset with IPI excise tax credits.

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Several other Brazilian companies have challenged the same prohibition and these companies have received both favorable and unfavorable judgments at different stages of the lawsuit. Recently, for example, the Federal Supreme Court issued a final, unappealable and irrevocable decision on June 25, 2007 against one taxpayer, denying the use of these credits. On August 27, 2007 the court decided against us, and we made a payment of US$519 million in installments to the Federal Revenue of Brazil and transferred the liability to the accounts of taxes payable in installments. We have filed an appeal against these unfavorable decision and we are currently awaiting decision on the matter.

IPI premium credit on exports

We have recorded accruals for certain tax liabilities that were offset by IPI premium tax credits. The accrual is necessary to offset the contingent gain resulting from the use of IPI premium tax credits and represents the statutory obligation to pay taxes that were offset by these credits. The IPI premium tax credits relate to export sales made from 1992 through 2002. Tax legislation allowed Brazilian companies to recognize IPI premium tax credits until 1983, when an act of the executive branch of the Brazilian government cancelled such benefits and prohibited companies from recognizing these credits. We are challenging the constitutionality of the executive branch’s action since only a law enacted by the Brazilian Congress can cancel or repeal benefits duly enacted by prior legislation. In August 2003, we sought and obtained a favorable decision from a Brazilian court of first instance that authorized the use of IPI premium tax credits.

The Brazilian National Treasury appealed such decision and got a favorable decision from Brazilian court of appeals. We filed appeals against such decision, to both the Superior Court of Justice and the Brazilian Federal Supreme Court and are still awaiting the decisions from such courts. In September 2006, the National Treasury filed five tax foreclosures against us to require payments in the total amount of approximately R$1 billion, referring to the collection of taxes which were offset by the use of IPI premium tax credits.

During 2007, in view of these executions, the distribution of dividends and the payment of interest on shareholders’ equity resolved on April 30, 2007 were suspended and the amount allocated for such purpose was blocked by court decision. On August 29, 2007, we offered assets in lien represented by treasury shares in the amount of US$ 270 million (R$536 million translated using the exchange rate as of the date of the transaction). 25% of this amount was substituted by judicial deposits in monthly installments performed up to December 31, 2007 and as these substitutions took place, the equivalent in shares was released from the lien at the share price determined at the closing price of the day prior to the deposit. In view of these events, our current accounts were unblocked, the court decision to suspend the dividends distribution on this date was revoked, and dividends were paid to shareholders as from September 4, 2007.

As of December 31, 2008, the IPI premium credit accrual represented the accumulated IPI tax credits used of US$953 million (US$1,179 million as of December 31, 2007), already updated by the SELIC rate.

This provision affects the sales taxes line-item of our income statement, and a reversal of this provision would affect the sales taxes and the financial income (expense), net line-items of our income statement.

We have noted that several other Brazilian companies have challenged the same prohibition. Recent decisions in lower courts indicated that companies may be entitled to utilize these credits. However, on June 27, 2007 the Brazilian Superior Court issued a decision against one taxpayer, denying the use of these credits. This decision will be subject to review by the Federal Supreme Court, the highest level of the Courts in this case.

Income tax and social contribution

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(i) “Plano Verão”

We claim recognition of the financial and tax effects on the calculation of income tax and social contribution on net income, related to the Consumer Price Index – IPC understated inflation, which occurred in January and February 1989, by a percentage of 51.87% (“Plano Verão”). In 2004, the proceeding was concluded and judgment was made final and unappealable, granting us the right to apply the index of 42.72% (Jan/89), of which the 12.15% already applied should be deducted. The application of 10.14% (Feb/89) was granted. The proceeding is now under accounting inspection.

On December 31, 2008, we recorded US$144 million (US$187 million in 2007) as judicial deposit and a provision of US$9 million (US$12 million in 2007), which represents the portion not recognized by the courts.

(ii) Social Contribution on Income from Export Revenues

We filed a lawsuit challenging the assessment of Social Contribution on Income on export revenues, based on Constitutional Amendment No. 33/01 and in March 2004, we obtained an initial decision authorizing the exclusion of these revenues from said calculation basis, as well as the offsetting of amounts paid as from 2001. The lower court decision was favorable and the proceeding is waiting for trial of the appeal filed by the Federal Government in the Regional Federal Court. As of December 31, 2008, the amount of suspended liability and the offset credits based on the referred proceedings was US$495 million (US$557 million in 2007), already adjusted by the SELIC rate.

PIS/COFINS – Law No. 9,718/98

PIS and COFINS taxes are assessed on revenues. In 1998, new tax legislation was enacted which required Brazilian companies to pay PIS and COFINS taxes on revenues generated by financial investments. Prior to 1998, the Brazilian constitution stated that Brazilian companies were only required to pay PIS and COFINS taxes on revenues generated by operating activities. We are challenging the constitutionality of the assessment of PIS and COFINS taxes on revenues generated by financial investments since, in order to expand the PIS and COFINS tax computation basis, the Brazilian Congress was required to observe a constitutionally mandatory waiting period prior to enacting the legislation. In addition, at the time the new tax legislation was enacted, the Brazilian constitution did not allow such taxes to be assessed on revenues generated by financial investments. In February 1999, a lower court confirmed and we sought and obtained a favorable preliminary order in March 2000. In April 2000, the Brazilian tax authorities appealed to the Brazilian court of appeals. On March 6, 2006, the Brazilian court of appeals issued a decision against us. On March 10, 2006, we appealed from such decision to both the Superior Court of Justice and the Federal Supreme Court. Until the resolution of these appeals, our rights under the initial favorable decision were in effect. The PIS/COFINS accrual represents our statutory obligation to pay PIS/COFINS taxes due. We have noted that some Brazilian companies obtained favorable final and unappealable judgments in 2005 regarding similar PIS/COFINS legal challenges. Those companies have accordingly reversed some or most of their related disputed tax payment provisions. However, one company did not obtain a favorable decision and was required to pay the related tax obligation.

On May 31, 2007, a favorable decision to us was published in the Official Gazette of Justice, and made final and unappealable on June 16, 2007, when in view of such decision, we reversed the provision existing on that date. The reversal of the provision increased our operating results of 2007 by US$179 million.

Mining Segment

We began exporting iron ore only in 2007, when we first presented our results by segment. As a result we only had a full year of iron ore export operation in 2008 and any comparative analysis for our mining segment between 2008 and 2007 is not representative in light of the low volumes sold in 2007.

Operating revenues for our mining segment, excluding intersegment sales1, amounted to US$ 1,211 million in 2008, as compared to US$267 million in 2007, an increase of US$944 million (or 353.6%). If we include intersegment sales, operating revenues for our mining segment would have amounted to US$1,382 million in 2008, as compared to US$267 million in 2007, an increase of US$1,115 million (or 417.6%).

The increase in operating revenues for our mining segment was mainly due to:

(i) Increase in total iron-ore sales volume from 10.5 million tons in 2007 to 18.5 million tons in 2008, a 76% increase, mainly due to the increase in capacity in our Solid Bulks seaport terminal in the Itaguaí Port. The completion of the second phase of this terminal project in the Itaguaí Port resulted in an increase of the handling capacity from 7 million tons of iron ore per year in 2007 to 30 million tons in 2008.

In terms of operating revenues, this increase in capacity enabled us to increase our export sales and, consequently, the total iron ore sales volumes, which resulted in an increase of US$523 million to our mining segment operating revenues from 2007 to 2008;

(ii) Increase in iron ore international prices in light of substantial demand from China. In 2008 iron ore export prices averaged US$67 per ton, 56% more than the US$43 per ton average in 2007. The impact of the increase in prices on our operating revenues resulted in an increase of US$ 421 million to our mining segment from 2007 to 2008.

Cost and Operating Expenses for the mining segment increased from US$347 million in 2007 to US$562 million in 2008 due to the higher volume sold in 2008.

In 2008 our gross profit for the mining segment amounted to US$ 928 million, with gross margin of 70%, and operating income amounted to US$767 million, with operating margin of 58%. As compared to 2007 our margins increased in light of increase in iron ore prices, greater volume sold and dilution of iron ore fixed production costs.

In 2008 operating revenues, gross profit, and operating income for Namisa were US$ 434 million, US$263 million and US$168 million, respectively. Therefore, excluding Namisa our operating revenues, gross profit, and operating income arising from our mining activities in 2008 would have been US$948 million, US$665 million and US$599 million, respectively, which would still represent significant increases if compared to 2007 (which included Namisa).

Namisa's results for 2009 will be presented as equity in results of affiliates in our statement of income under our mining segment.

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1 In 2008, intersegment sales from mining to steel segment amounted to US$171 million. Including intersegment sales, mining operating revenues totaled US$1,382 million as presented in our consolidated statements of income in Note 19.

Year 2007 Compared to Year 2006

Operating Revenues

Operating revenues increased by 45%, to U$6,978 million in 2007 from US$4,813 million in 2006, reflecting mainly the recovery of the total production of Blast Furnace No. 3, after the accident involving the gas cleaning system adjacent to it, on January 22, 2006. This accident prevented us from operating the equipment until the second half of 2006, and impacted our operating revenues, gross profit and operating income, as a result of reduced crude steel production and sales volumes. We have overcome the effects of the accident and total production and total sales volume increased to 5,323 million tons in 2007 from 3,499 million tons in 2006, and to 5,378 million tons in 2007 (a record for us) from 4,385 million tons in 2006, respectively.

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Domestic Sales

A healthy economic environment in Brazil; inflation rates well under control and within the target determined by the monetary authorities; declining base and long-term interest rates and the announcement of significant investment plans from the public and private sectors strongly increased the demand for steel products in 2007. Brazil’s GDP recorded growth was 5.4% in 2007, higher than the global average of 3.4% but still lower than the average registered by the emerging countries of 7.3% . In 2007 as a whole, Brazil’s flat steel sales increased 17% over the previous year, led by the automakers (annual production of 2.9 million units, 14% above the previous year), distribution (record sales of 3.3 million tons of steel products, 26% above 2006), home appliance (approximately 10% annual growth rate) and civil construction (5.5% increase over 2006 due to the greater availability of mortgage loans) segments.

Our annual domestic sales volume increased 28% to 3,614 million tons in 2007 from 2,818 million tons in 2006, in line with our strategy of prioritizing the Brazilian market, where flat steel demand increased by approximately 17% and where we have historically generated higher profit margins.

For the year as a whole, according to IBS, we recorded an average market share of 34% in 2007 in terms of volume, higher than the 27% recorded during the previous year. As for the product mix, once again high value-added products such as galvanized, galvalume and tin plate accounted for approximately 50% of the market share for the coated products domestic market.

Domestic prices were adjusted twice to reflect the pent up demand in the local economy. The price of galvanized products sold to distributors and to the civil construction segment increased 6% in January and all steel products, but tin plate, increased from 10% to 14% by mid 2007. For the year as a whole, our average prices increased 6.5% in U.S. dollars, reflecting both the magnitude and timing of the price increases and the appreciation of the real against the dollar.

In the domestic market, our operating revenues increased by 49%, to US$5,283 million in 2007 from US$3,550 million in 2006.

As a result of the combined effect of prices and volumes sold and the appreciation of the real against the U.S. dollar, total operating revenues increased 45% (or US$2,165 million), to US$6,978 million in 2007 from US$4,813 million in 2006, another record for us.

Export Sales

The year 2007 was marked by a slowing global demand for steel products; exceptionally volatile prices for metals and other commodities, and price increases by the end of the year to catch up with cost pressures on raw materials.

In addition, the international steel market continued with its consolidation process, with expansion projects concentrated in the low-cost production regions, notably in the “BRIC” nations (Brazil, India, Russia and China).

- In the North American steel market, the overall economic outlook is still uncertain, given the crisis in the real estate market and its impact on the financial system and other industrial segments in the United States. Demand from the main productive sectors slowed throughout 2007, although the need to import approximately 30 million tons of finished steel products per annum, the devaluation of the dollar against the other leading currencies, the exceptionally low level of distributors’ inventories, cost pressure from the main production inputs and the increase in freight charges led to price rises in the last quarter of 2007 and the latest negotiations would appear to indicate a continuation of this trend throughout 2008.
- In the European steel markets, despite a slow demand, depressed prices and the uncertain economic outlook resulting from the financial crisis in the United States and its potential effects on the European economy, prices begun to increase in recent months due to the expected upturn in the price of the main raw materials and the significant decline of imports from China in late 2007.

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- In the Asian steel markets, Chinese total production and exports increased to 489 million tons and 69 million tons in 2007 from 423 million tons and 43 million tons in 2006, respectively. Expectations that the Chinese Government would announce new measures to avoid a major flood of exports of low value added products and rumors that European countries were analyzing the adoption of anti dumping measures against China led the Chinese exporters to increase the volume of exports during the bulk of the year. The removal of benefits and the imposition of new taxes on exports in late 2007 led to a change in sales allocation towards the Chinese domestic economy and, as a consequence, domestic prices decreased. The tighter credit terms from official banks; the increase in international freight charges and costs pressures on raw materials, have made Chinese steel products less competitive in the international arena. Finally, harsh weather in China has jeopardized charcoal output and local infrastructure, forcing certain steel plants in the south of the country to temporarily suspend operations.

In 2007 we exported 1,764 million tons of steel products, 12.5% above the exported volume recorded in 2006. Our average export prices in 2007 increased at an average of 8.5% in U.S. dollars compared to 2006. In the export market, operating revenues increased 34.2% to US$1,695 million in 2007 from US$1,263 million in 2006.

The year 2007 was also marked by our entrance to the international iron ore market. The so called sea born market is characterized by the existence of few large players who control approximately 70% of the total supply of iron ore. Over the last three years the price of the products produced in Brazil, which is traded at a premium for quality to the products from other countries, increased by approximately 71.5%; 19% and 9.5% in 2005, 2006 and 2007, respectively. For 2008 contracts, Brazilian suppliers announced an approximately 65% price increase for pellet feed and sinter feed and 84% for pellets. We exported a total of 5.1 million tons of iron ore products from our own seaport terminal in Tecon to customers located in Asia and the Middle East and generated net revenues of U$179 million.

Net Operating Revenues

Net operating revenues increased by 43.5%, to US$5,517 in 2007 from US$3,846 million in 2006, mainly due to the 45% increase in operating revenues, whereas sales deductions experienced an increase of 51.4% . Sales deductions, as a percentage of operating revenues, were 20% in 2006 and 20.9% in 2007.

Cost of Products Sold

Cost of products sold increased by 46.3%, to US$3,076 million in 2007 from US$2,102 million in 2006, mainly as a result of the sales volume, which increased by 52% or 1,824 million tons, after the accident on the gas cleaning system adjacent to Blast Furnace No. 3 which prevented us from operating at full speed during the first half of 2006, and the strengthening of the real against the U.S. dollar and the resulting effect on our real-denominated costs.

Production costs increased by 11%, or US$231 million, to US$2,293 million in 2007 from US$2,062 million in 2006. There were, however, opposing factors which ended up partially canceling each other out: higher consumption and prices of raw materials were offset by no consumption at all in 2007 of outsourced slabs and hot coils acquired in 2006 to keep the rolling mills at full speed after the accident on the gas cleaning system.

Other than the sale of excess inventories from time to time and the purchase by our subsidiaries of semi- finished products from third parties for further processing, our production cost is a proxy to our cost of goods sold.

The following table sets forth our production costs, the production costs per ton of crude steel and the portion of production costs attributable to the primary components of our costs of production. With the exception of coal and some coke, which we import, and some metals (such as zinc, aluminum and tin), whose domestic prices are linked to international prices, our costs of production, as well as our other operating expenses, are mostly denominated in reais. The devaluation of the Brazilian real causes U.S. dollar-denominated or U.S. dollar-linked production costs to increase as a percentage of total production costs. Conversely, appreciation of the real causes real-denominated production costs to increase as a percentage of total production costs.

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|  | Year Ended December, 31
|  | 2005 |  | 2006 |  | 2007
|  | US$ 000 |  | US$/ton |  | % |  | US$ 000 |  | US$/ton |  | % |  | US$ 000 |  | US$/ton |  | %
Raw Materials |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Iron Ore |  | 72,551 |  | 14.03 |  | 4.0 |  | 66,174 |  | 14.92 |  | 3.2 |  | 130,712 |  | 24.65 |  | 5.7
Coal |  | 387,514 |  | 74.92 |  | 21.2 |  | 348,264 |  | 78.52 |  | 16.9 |  | 421,996 |  | 79.59 |  | 18.4
Coke |  | 224,530 |  | 43.41 |  | 12.3 |  | 36,048 |  | 8.13 |  | 1.7 |  | 63,994 |  | 12.07 |  | 2.8
Metals |  | 4,501 |  | 0.87 |  | 0.2 |  | 165,020 |  | 37.20 |  | 8.0 |  | 242,987 |  | 45.83 |  | 10.6
Outsourced Hot Coils |  | 119,177 |  | 23.04 |  | 6.5 |  | 30,712 |  | 6.92 |  | 1.5 |  | 955 |  | 0.18 |  | 0.0
Outsourced Slabs |  | 0 |  | 0 |  | - |  | 389,095 |  | 87.72 |  | 18.9 |  | 11,052 |  | 2.08 |  | 0.5
Other(1) |  | 148,418 |  | 28.70 |  | 8.1 |  | 136,206 |  | 30.71 |  | 6.6 |  | 216,415 |  | 40.82 |  | 9.4
|  | 956,690 |  | 184.97 |  | 52.3 |  | 1,171,519 |  | 264.12 |  | 56.8 |  | 1,088,111 |  | 205.23 |  | 47.5
Energy/Fuel |  | 191,568 |  | 37.04 |  | 10.5 |  | 169,349 |  | 38.18 |  | 8.2 |  | 228,767 |  | 43.15 |  | 10.0
Labor |  | 157,899 |  | 30.53 |  | 8.6 |  | 175,651 |  | 39.60 |  | 8.5 |  | 217,816 |  | 41.08 |  | 9.5
Services and |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Maintenance |  | 256,965 |  | 49.68 |  | 14.0 |  | 274,440 |  | 61.87 |  | 13.4 |  | 396,300 |  | 74.75 |  | 17.3
Tools and Supplies |  | 105,272 |  | 20.35 |  | 5.7 |  | 100,752 |  | 22.71 |  | 4.9 |  | 131,304 |  | 24.77 |  | 5.7
Depreciation |  | 142,219 |  | 27.50 |  | 7.8 |  | 165,813 |  | 37.38 |  | 8.0 |  | 217,824 |  | 41.08 |  | 9.5
Other |  | 20,313 |  | 3.93 |  | 1.1 |  | 5,055 |  | 1.14 |  | 0.2 |  | 12,414 |  | 2.34 |  | 0.5
|  | 1,830,925 |  | 354.0 |  | 100.0 |  | 2,062,579 |  | 465.0 |  | 100.0 |  | 2,292,537 |  | 432.4 |  | 100.0

(1) Include pellets, scrap, limestone and dolomite.

The comparative analysis of the average cost per ton of products, which decreased 7% from US$465.0 in 2006 to US$432.4 in 2007, is impacted by the absence of slabs and coils acquired from third parties after the accident on the gas cleaning system in 2006 and the greater use of raw materials such as iron ore, coal, coke, aluminum, tin and zinc which increased by 51%, 30%, 37%, 37%, 15% and 4%, respectively. Prices per ton of iron ore, coke, aluminum, tin and zinc increased by 30%, 30%, 11%, 73% and 30%, respectively. Prices per ton of coal decreased by 7%.

There is a large difference between the costs of other items expressed in reais and those expressed in U.S. dollars, and a large proportion of these costs is denominated in reais. As a result, our labor costs in 2007 expressed in U.S. dollars increased 24%, while our labor costs expressed in reais increased 10.1% compared to 2006, mainly reflecting the annual Brazilian inflation rate and the annual wage increases in May 2006. For further information, see “—Selling, General and Administrative Expenses.” In addition, our depreciation costs in 2007 expressed in U.S. dollars increased by 31%, while our depreciation costs expressed in Brazilian reais increased by 8.8% .

Gross Profit

Gross profit increased by 40%, to US$2,441 million in 2007 from US$1,744 million in 2006, mainly due to the 23% increase in sales volume, to 5,378 million tons, and the 43.4% increase in net operating revenues to US$5,517 million. On the other hand, the costs of products sold increased by 46.3% to US$3,076 million.

Selling, General and Administrative Expenses

In 2007, we recorded selling, general and administrative expenses of US$495 million, representing a 57.1% increase from the US$315 million recorded in 2006.

Selling expenses increased by 85.6%, to US$310 million in 2007 from US$167 million in 2006, mainly due to the increase in sales volume and the strengthening of the real against the U.S. dollar. As a percentage of net operating revenues, selling expenses increased to 5.6% in 2007 from 4.3% in 2006. If expressed in reais, these expenses increased by 26.9%, but remained stable at 5.1% as a percentage of net operating revenues.

General and administrative expenses increased by 25%, to US$185 million in 2007 from US$148 million in 2006, mainly due to increased labor expenses (wages increased in May 2007 pursuant to annual negotiations under our collective bargaining agreements). If expressed in reais, these expenses increased by 14.6% and decreased from 3.7% to 3.4%, as a percentage of net operating revenues.

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Other Income (Expenses)

When compared to 2006, other expenses sharply decreased by US$64 million to an expense of US$85 million in 2007 from an expense of US$149 million in 2006. The variation is primarily due to the gain from the sale of Corus’ stocks in 2007 of US$116 million partially offset by increases in contingencies of US$47 million, of which US$36 million were labor-related and US$11 million were civil liabilities, and fines of US$14 million.

Operating Income

Operating income increased by 45%, or US$581 million, to US$1,861 million in 2007 from US$1,280 million in 2006. This increase was mainly due to the US$697 million increase in gross profit.

Non-operating Expenses (Income), Net

Non-operating expenses, net increased by US$593 million, to an income of US$300 million in 2007 from an expense of US$293 million in 2006. Our non-operating expenses (income), net are comprised of financial expenses, net and foreign exchange and monetary gain, net.

Financial Expenses (Income), Net

In 2007, our financial expenses, net decreased by 58.9%, or US$314 million, to US$219 million in 2007, from US$533 million in 2006, mainly due to the following items :

- US$50 million decrease in interest income;
- US$285 million increase in interest expense;
- US$640 million improvement in the results of our derivative instruments; and
- US$9 million increase in other financial income (expenses).

Interest Income

Interest income decreased by 38.8%, or US$50 million, to US$79 million in 2007 from US$129 million in 2006, mainly due to lower interest rates in Brazil and a lower average amount of cash and cash equivalents and short-term investments.

Interest Expense

Interest expense increased by 57.8%, or US$249 million, to US$680 million in 2007 from US$431 million in 2006. This increase was mainly due to: (i) an increase of US$383 million on the provision for IPI (Excise tax) presumed credit on inputs and IPI premium credit over exports tax contingencies to reflect the monetary adjustment by the SELIC rate and default charges; (ii) an increase in the provision for the CPMF tax by US$54 million; (iii) the reversal of a US$206 million provision for PIS/COFINS social taxes assessed on financial instruments and interest income; and, (iv) lower interest expenses on debt instruments of US$20 million.

Derivative Instruments

The results on derivative instruments improved by US$634 million, to an income of US$416 million in 2007 from an expense of US$218 million in 2006. Although the strengthening of the real against the U.S. dollar was more pronounced in 2007 (17.15%) than in 2006 (8.66%), our expenses on foreign exchange derivative instruments decreased by US$109 million to US$219 million, because the average notional value of those hedging contracts was smaller in 2007. Additionally, we recorded gains on equity linked derivatives of US$640 million in 2007 against US$110 million in 2006. The equity swap agreements state that the counterparty must pay us the cash dividends and final price return, if positive, on 29,684,400 CSN ADRs and we must pay the counterparty a fixed rate of 6.2569% per annum on the initial price of this number of ADRs and the final price return, if negative, on this number of ADRs. Since we entered into these swap agreements, our shares have appreciated more than 2,000% over the initial price of the ADRs on the New York Stock Exchange. As of December 31, 2007, the accrued value of these swap agreements to us, based on the market value of our ADRs was US$813.3 million. See “Item 4B—Risk Factors.” For more information on the equity swap agreements, see “Item 10C—Material Contracts,’ “Item 11—Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk—Equity Risk” and Note 21 to our consolidated financial statements contained in “Item 18. Financial Statements.” For a copy of the equity swap agreements as amended and novated, see Exhibit 10.1 to this annual report.

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Other Financial Income (Expense)

Other financial income (expense) decreased by US$21 million, to an expense of US$34 million in 2007, from an expense of US$13 million in 2006, mainly due to expenses incurred in the normal course of business such as discounts, bank charges and other minor items.

Foreign Exchange and Monetary Gain, Net

Foreign exchange and monetary gain, net is mainly affected by fluctuations in the real/U.S. dollar foreign exchange rate and the impact of such fluctuations on the following:

- our U.S. dollar-denominated gross debt;
- our U.S. dollar-denominated cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments;
- our equity investments in offshore subsidiaries; and
- our trade accounts receivable and payable.

The 101%, or US$220 million increase in foreign exchange and monetary gain, to US$438 million in 2007 from US$218 million in 2006, was primarily due to the impact of the 17.2% appreciation of the real against the U.S. dollar on our higher average accounts payable denominated in U.S. dollars.

Income Taxes

We recorded an expense for income tax and social contribution of US$534 million in 2007, compared to US$296 million 2006. The difference is due to the increase in income before taxes and equity in results of affiliated companies to US$2,161 million in 2007 from US$987 million in 2006. Expressed as a percentage of pre-tax income, income tax expense decreased to 24.7% in 2007 from 30% in 2006. Income tax expense in Brazil refers to the collection of federal income tax and social contribution tax. The statutory rates for these taxes applicable to the periods presented herein were 25% for federal income tax and 9% for the social contribution. Therefore, the balances owed for these periods totaled US$735 million in 2007 and US$336 million in 2006 (34% of income before taxes and equity in affiliated companies). Adjustments are made to these rates in order to arrive at the actual tax expense for the years.

For the year ended December 31, 2007, adjustments totaled US$201 million and were comprised of:

- a US$40 million benefit from interest on stockholder’s equity;
- a US$159 million benefit related to non-taxable income of subsidiaries or taxable at different rates;
- US$12 million additions to valuation allowances; and
- other permanent differences that represented a net tax benefit of US$14 million.

For the year ended December, 31 2006, these adjustments totaled an expense of US$40 million and were comprised of:

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- a US$28 million benefit from interest on stockholder’s equity;
- other permanent differences that represented a net tax credit of US$12 million. The reversal of tax payable under dispute in the amount of US$18 million was offset against foreign exchange loss on the net equity of our offshore subsidiaries, due to the appreciation of the real against the U.S. dollar, which was recorded in our results of operations for Brazilian GAAP purposes and represented a non- taxable item. Also, certain expenses such as fines, gifts and donations are included within these permanent differences.

Our taxable income, generated from our operations in Brazil and abroad, is comprised of the following:

|  | Year Ended December 31,
|  | 2006 |  | 2007 |  | Changes
|  | (In million of U.S. dollars)
Brazil |  | 944 |  | 1,562 |  | 618
Foreign |  | 43 |  | 599 |  | 556
Total |  | 987 |  | 2,161 |  | 1,174

Our taxable income in Brazil was impacted by the increase in sales. The total increase in taxable income generated in Brazil in 2007 compared to 2006 totaled US$618 million. Expressed in reais, our taxable income increased 45% in 2007 compared to 2006.

Our foreign taxable income in the years ended December 31, 2006 and 2007 increased US$556 million.

It is not possible to predict the future adjustments to the federal income tax and social contribution at statutory rates, as they depend on interest on stockholder’s equity, non-taxable factors including income from offshore operations, and tax losses from offshore operations, especially when expressed as a percentage of income.

For a brief description of the major recent developments regarding our accruals for disputed taxes payable, see “—Year 2008 Compared to 2007.”

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5B. Liquidity and Capital Resources

Overview

Our main uses of funds are for capital expenditures, repayment of debt and dividend payments. We have historically met these requirements by using cash generated from operating activities and through the issuance of short-and long-term debt instruments. We expect to meet our cash needs for 2009 primarily through a combination of operating cash flow, cash and cash equivalents on hand and newly issued long-term debt instruments.

In addition, from time to time, we review acquisition and investment opportunities and will, if a suitable opportunity arises, make selected acquisitions and investments to implement our business strategy. We generally make investments directly or through subsidiaries, joint ventures or affiliated companies, and fund these investments through internally generated funds, the issuance of debt, or a combination of such methods.

Sources of Funds and Working Capital

Cash Flows

Cash and cash equivalents as of December 31, 2006, 2007 and 2008 totaled US$959 million, US$1,213 million and US$3,542 million, respectively.

Cash Generated by Operating Activities

We generated cash from our operations in the total amount of US$919 million, US$1,264 million and US$2,067 million in 2006, 2007 and 2008, respectively, providing us with a significant source of liquidity. The 63.5%, or US$803 million, increase in cash flow from operating activities in 2008 as compared to 2007 was mainly due to (i) an increase of US$951 million in the net income reported by us in 2008; (ii) an increase of US$590 million in adjustments to reconcile net income mainly driven by a US$1,703 million increase in net foreign exchange loss, a US$709 million increase in accrual for derivatives, partially offset by the gain on dilution of our interest in Namisa of US$1,667 million; (iii) an increase of US$28 million in our operating liabilities primarily due to an increase of US$390 million in trade accounts payable, partially offset by a decrease of US$293 million in taxes payable; and (iv) these increases were partially offset by the increase of US$769 million in our operating assets such as trade accounts receivable, inventories and recoverable taxes.

Cash Used in Investing Activities

We used cash in our investing activities in the total amount of US$839 million, US$1,091 million and US$1,292 million in 2006, 2007 and 2008, respectively. The net increase of US$201 million in 2008 as compared to 2007 was mainly due to an increase of US$254 million in investments in property, plant and equipment and a realized gain on derivatives instruments of US$1,006 million, reduced by the guarantee margin of US$1,347 million made upon renewal of our derivative contract, offset by a decrease of US$386 million in restricted deposits from legal proceedings. Additionaly, in 2007, investing activities were impacted by the acquisition of CFM in the amount of US$348 million and the proceeds from sale of short-term investments of US$437 million that did not occur in 2008.

Cash Used in Financing Activities

Cash used in financing activities was US$263 million and US$122 million in 2006 and 2007, respectively, and provided by was US$1,867 million in 2008. The US$1,989 million increase in cash used in financing activities in 2008, as compared to 2007, was mainly driven by approximately US$3.0 billion received on December 30, 2008 as pre-payment for future sales of ROM and rendering of port services to Namisa, partially offset by higher distribution of dividends and interest on shareholders’ equity of US$1,238 million, as compared to US$352 million in 2007, and US$115 million higher acquisition of our own shares to be held in treasury. For information on the sale of 40% of our ownership interest in Namisa, see “Item 4A. History and Development of the Company—Acquisitions and Dispositions”.

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Trade Accounts Receivable Turnover Ratio

Our receivable turnover ratio (the ratio between trade accounts receivable and net operating revenues), expressed in days of sales decreased to 27 on December 31, 2008 from 37 on December 31, 2007, reflecting an improvement in the financial profile of our domestic customers in the last two years who were also benefiting from the more favorable local economic environment and credit terms available in the financial system until September 2008, when the effects of 2008 financial crisis grew in size and scope.

Inventory Turnover Ratio

Our inventory turnover ratio (obtained by dividing inventories by annualized cost of goods sold), expressed in days of cost of goods sold, excluding the effects of depreciation of the real, increased to 135 days in 2008, as compared to 130 days in 2007, primarily as a result of the lower demand for steel products worldwide in the last two months of 2008.

Trade Accounts Payable Turnover Ratio

The accounts payable turnover ratio (obtained by dividing trade accounts payable by annualized cost of goods sold), expressed in days of cost of goods sold, decreased to 79 on December 31, 2008 from 86 on December 31, 2007, starting to reflect the effects of the 2008 financial crises in the last quarter of 2008.

Long-term debt (includes current portion)

Given the capital intensive and cyclical nature of our industrial segment, and the generally volatile economic environment in certain relevant emerging markets, we have retained a substantial amount of cash on hand to run our operations, to satisfy our financial obligations, and to be prepared for potential investment opportunities. As of December 31, 2008, cash and cash equivalent instruments totaled US$3,542 million.

We were also taking advantage of the then current liquidity conditions to extend the maturity profile of gross debt. These activities are unrelated to the management of any interest rate, inflation and/or foreign exchange risk exposure. Given the lack of a liquid secondary market for our short term debt instruments, we have accumulated cash instead of prepaying our debt prior to final maturity. As of December 31, 2008, short-term and long-term indebtedness accounted for 27.4% and 72.6%, respectively, of our total debt, and the average life of our existing debt was equivalent to approximately ten years, considering 40 years-term for the perpetual bonds issued in July 2005.

In 2008, our capital expenditures were US$886 million used in acquisitions of equipment, of which US$247 million was used in the Casa de Pedra mine expansion, US$34 million in projects relating to the Itaguaí Port expansion and US$65 million in maintenance.

In 2009, we plan to make capital expenditures of up to US$1,500 million, compared to US$886 million in 2008, US$980 million in 2007 and US$706 million in 2006.

We expect to meet our liquidity requirements from cash generated from operations, and, if needed, the issuance of debt securities.

Company Debt and Derivative Instruments

At December 31, 2007 and 2008, total debt (composed of current portion of long-term debt, accrued finance charges, mark-to-market adjustments on derivative instruments, and long-term debt and debentures) aggregated US$4,769 million and US$5,525 million, respectively, equal to 165% and 167% of the stockholders’ equity at December 31, 2007 and 2008, respectively. At December 31, 2008, our short-term debt (composed of current portion of long-term debt, mark-to-market adjustments on derivative instruments, and including accrued finance charges) totaled US$2,089 million and our long-term debt (composed of long-term debt and debentures) totaled US$3,436 million. The foregoing amounts do not include debt of others for which we are contingently liable. See “Item 5E. Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements.”

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At December 31, 2008, approximately 15% of our debt was denominated in reais and substantially all of the remaining balance was denominated in U.S. dollars.

Our current policy is economically to protect ourselves against foreign exchange losses on our foreign currency-denominated debt and currently approximately 100% of our exposure are protected through foreign exchange derivative products, U.S. dollar-denominated fixed income investments and equity investments in offshore subsidiaries. We continue to review our foreign exchange exposure policy and there is no assurance that we will maintain our current level of protection against such exposure. For a description of our derivative instruments, see Note 21 to our consolidated financial statements contained in “Item 18. Financial Statements.” Also see “Non-operating Expenses (Income), Net under “Item 5A. Operating Results—Results of Operations—Year 2008 Compared to Year 2007—Non-operating Expenses (Income), Net” and “Item 5A. Operating Results—Results of Operations—Year 2007 Compared to Year 2008—Non-operating Expenses (Income), Net.”

The major components of US$1,296 million of our consolidated current portion of long-term debt outstanding at December 31, 2008 were:

- US$149 million of trade-related transactions;
- US$973 million of advances on export contracts;
- US$100 million of BNDES-Finame; and
- US$74 million of other financings.

The major components of US$3,436 million of our consolidated long-term debt outstanding at December 31, 2008 were (amounts are reflected in long-term debt):

- US$257 million in local debentures;
- US$883 million of export pre-payments and trade-related transactions;
- US$950 million of Euronotes;
- US$365 million of BNDES-Finame;
- US$100 million of advances on export contracts;
- US$750 million in perpetual bonds, and
- US$131 million of other financings.

The debentures are real-denominated debt instruments that were issued in December 2003 and April 2006, being one issuance of US$85.5 million five-year debentures, indexed to the general index of market prices (Índice Geral de Preços e Mercado), or IGPM, and bearing interest at a rate of 10% per annum coupon and another issuance of US$281 million six-year debentures bearing interest at a rate of 103.6% of the CDI rate.

Eurodollar and Euronotes issued in accordance with Rule 144A and Regulation S under the Securities Act reflect senior unsecured debt instruments issued by the parent company and its offshore subsidiaries, including the issuance in 2005 of US$750 million, 9.5% per annum coupon perpetual notes. They also include (i) the US$550 million notes, 9.75% per annum coupon, issued in December 2003 and January 2004 with final maturity in 2013; and (ii) the US$400 million notes, 10% per annum coupon, issued in September 2004 and January 2005 with final maturity in 2015.

Pre-export agreements include the four series of the export receivables securitization program launched in June 2003 as well as other trade-related transactions outside the program. The first series, issued in June 2003 in the amount of US$142 million has a seven-year maturity and bears interest at a rate of 7.28% per annum, with a two-year grace period for payment of principal. The second series, issued in August 2003, in the amount of US$125 million has a three-year maturity and bears interest at Libor plus 1.55% per annum. The third series, issued in June 2004, in the amount of US$162 million has an eight-year maturity and bears interest at a rate of 7.43% per annum with a three-year grace period. In May 2005, a fourth series was issued in the amount of US$250 million having a ten-year maturity and bearing interest at 6.15% per annum with a three-year grace period. A portion of the proceeds of the fourth series was used to repay the second series.

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Maturity Profile

The following table sets forth the maturity profile of our long-term debt at December 31, 2008:

Maturity in |  | Principal Amount
|  | (In millions of US$)
2010 |  | 329
2011 |  | 353
2012 |  | 622
2013 |  | 812
2014 and thereafter |  | 570
Perpetual securities |  | 750
Total |  | 3,436

5C. Research and Development, Patents and Licenses, etc.

Our research and development center works closely with our customers. One of the features of this unit is the integrated technical assistance services, where CSN customers receive from our engineers guidance and recommendations to help them make better use of our steel products. This unit works closely with the sales sector, focusing on product improvement and development that will meet our customers’ needs.

Another feature are the work shops focusing on product development, applications, simultaneous engineering for cost reduction and parameters adjustment on CSN steel products and customers’ final products on white goods, packaging, automotive and civil construction segments.

Our investment for research and development projects and activities in 2006, 2007 and 2008 totaled US$20.9 million, US$19.7 million and US$16.1 million, respectively. New products recently developed under our research and development program include: (i) special steel grades for thickness reduction on tin plate products for two-piece cans, (ii) innovation in new shapes for special tin plate for three-piece shaped expanded cans, (iii) pre-painted steel for automotive fuel thanks, steel color for civil construction and many applications on white goods segments, (iv) electrical steel as cold-rolled used for energy saving in refrigerator compressors and electric motors, (v) high-strength low-alloy hot-rolled steels used for pipes, structures, agricultural appliances, gas containers and automobile wheels, (vi) high-strength especial and bake hardened galvanized steels used for automobiles, and (vii) galvalume used for construction, home appliances and other industries.

5D. Trend Information

Overview

The year 2008 marked the end of the long cycle of growing demand and high mineral and metal prices that had begun in 2002. The acceleration of the global financial crisis as of September 2008 led to a substantial change in the pace of economic activity worldwide.

With prospects of a global economic slowdown and despite the better outlook for the Brazilian economy, Brazilian demand for flat and long steel, iron ore and cement should decline in 2009.

Cost reductions, alongside operational and financial flexibility, have become key factors in the current scenario. On the other hand, we also believe in the importance of continuing investments that begun in recent years, such as the expansion of Casa da Pedra, Namisa and Itaguaí port and the conclusion of the first stage of our cement plant. We believe these investments should lead to higher revenue and cash flow and partially offset the negative impact of the global financial crisis. Our mining and cement projects will be carried on as previously planned, since their rates of return are higher than our cost of capital, despite the crisis-driven challenges, and we expect these returns to be generated within the next five years.

A significant demand from China, the beginning of an increase in demand in other markets with the end of the destocking process, the decline in interest rates and the gradual recovery of the world economy should result in an increase in production by the end of 2009. International expectations for 2010 are positive, given the likelihood of increased activity.

Steel

Considering the challenges posed by the global financial crisis and its impact on steel products' demand and prices, we decided to review our previous investments plans of increasing flat steel production capacity, including our Greenfield projects in the cities of Itaguaí and Congonhas. The projects under review have the potential to significantly increase our current crude steel output and if implemented would enhance our global operations expansion plans.

Investments required for production of nearly 600 thousand tons of long steel continue to be carried out as previously planned and informed.

Brazilian Government measures, such as a reduction in IPI (federal VAT) and certain credit incentives, are increasing demand for steel products, which could have a positive effect on our operating results and financial position.

Our plan for the upcoming years is to: (i) meet steel product demand on the domestic market, which could be less affected by the global financial crisis than international markets; and (ii) supplement our product portfolio directed to the domestic market, especially in the long-steel segment, strategically positioning for the expected expansion in Brazilian economy.

Iron ore

Demand for iron ore is linked to global demand for carbon steel which is in turn heavily influenced by global industrial output. Iron ore sales are performed through long-term supply agreements envisaging annual price adjustments.

Iron ore is a commodity and several factors influence price variations for the different types of iron ore, including percentage of ore in specific deposits, various processing and purification procedures needed to produce the final desired product, size of the particles, humidity ratio and type and concentration of impurities (such as phosphorus, alumina and manganese ore). In general, fines, lump and pellet feed are the main price variation determinants.

The global financial crisis had a strong negative impact on our domestic iron ore markets. Nevertheless, despite the severity of the crisis, we believe the global downturn will not affect the long-term economic development of emerging countries or the structural changes in recent years that led to accelerating demand for minerals and metals, especially iron ore. In addition, China, the world's largest steel producer, has become extremely dependent on iron ore imports and we expect this trend to continue in the future. We have planned investments to significantly increase CSN's and Namisa's total production capacity and to further expand the Itaguaí seaport terminal.

Cement

We are implementing investments to produce a total of 2.3 million tons of cement from blast furnace slag in the Presidente Vargas Steelworks and limestone from our exclusive mine located in the city of Arcos, in the state of Minas Gerais. We expect to finish the first phase of investment in 2009, which will allow us to produce 1.0 million ton. The cement industry has been recording an average annual growth of 8% for the past five years, and in 2008 preliminary data shows a 13% increase as compared to 2007, according to data from the National Union of the Cement Industry (Sindicato Nacional da Indústria do Cimento), or SNIC. We expect that in 2009 growth in cement demand will be stable.

5E. Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

In addition to the debt that is reflected on our balance sheet, we are contingently liable for the off-balance concession payments related to the activities of Tecon. The following table summarizes all of the off-balance sheet obligations for which we are contingently liable and which are not reflected under liabilities in our consolidated financial statements:

Contingent Liability with Respect to Consolidated and Non-Consolidated Entities as of December 31, 2008

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|  | Aggregate |  |
|  | Amount |  | Maturity
|  | (In millions of US$)
Guarantees of Debt: |  |  |  |
Transnordestina |  | 104 |  | 2009-2020
Contingent Liability for Concession Payments(1) : |  |  |  |
Tecon |  | 139 |  | 2025
“Take-or-Pay” Contractual Obligations |  |  |  |
MRS Logística S.A. |  | 749 |  | 2016
White Martins Gases Industriais Ltda. |  | 327 |  | 2027
Companhia Estadual de Gás do Rio de Janeiro – CEG Rio |  | 396 |  | 2012
América Latina Logística – ALL |  | 3 |  | 2009
Ferrovia Centro Atlântica – FCA |  | 140 |  | 2013
Total |  | 1,615 |  |
Total Contingent Liability with Respect to Consolidated and Non-consolidated Entities: |  | 1,861 |  |
(1) Other consortia members are also jointly and severally liable for these payments. |  |  |  |

Guarantees

We guarantee, together with Taquari Participações S.A., the loans BNDES has granted to Transnordestina in May and December 2005, and in January 2006, all of which mature by November 2020, adjusted based on the TJLP plus 1.5% per annum. The total outstanding amount of the debt as of December 31, 2008 was US$103.7 million.

Concessions

We own 100% of Sepetiba Tecon S.A., or Tecon, which holds a concession to operate, for a 25-year term (renewable for additional 25 years), the container terminal at the Itaguaí Port. As of December 31, 2008, US$139.0 million (R$325 million) of the cost of the concession was outstanding and payable over the next 18 years of the lease. For more information see “Item 4A. History and Development of the Company—Planned Investments—Itaguaí CSN Logistics Platform Project.”

Contractual Obligations

Namisa

Port Services

On December 30, 2008, we received approximately US$2.2 billion as pre-payment for an agreement with Namisa with a term of 35 years. Under this agreement, we are required to render port services to Namisa, which consists of services related to the transportation of annual quantities of iron ore ranging from 17.1 million tons to 39.0 million. The pre-payment amount is only a partial payment for the services to be performed and, therefore, Namisa may be required to pay us additional amounts as to the actual services rendered in each relevant month.

High Silica ROM

On December 30, 2008, we received approximately US$665.6 million as pre-payment for an agreement with Namisa with a term of 30 years. Under this agreement, we are required to provide high silica iron ore ROM to Namisa in a volume that ranges from 42.0 million tons to 54.0 million tons per year. The pre-payment amount is only a partial payment for the high silica iron ore ROM to be purchased and, therefore, Namisa may be required to pay us additional amounts as to the actual amounts of high silica iron ore ROM purchased in each relevant month.

Low Silica ROM

On December 30, 2008, we received approximately US$177.2 million as pre-payment for an agreement with Namisa with a term of 35 years. Under this agreement, we are required to provide low silica iron ore ROM to Namisa in a volume that ranges from 5.0 million tons to 2.8 million tons per year. The pre-payment amount is only a partial payment for the low silica iron ore ROM to be purchased and, therefore, Namisa may be required to pay us additional amounts as to the actual amounts of low silica iron ore ROM purchased in each relevant month.

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“Take-or-Pay” Contractual Obligations

MRS Logística S.A.

Transportation of Iron Ore, Coal and Coke to Volta Redonda

The volume set for iron ore and pellets is 8,280,000 tons per year and for coal, coke and other reduction products is 3,600,000 tons per year. It is accepted variation up to 10%, with a guarantee of payment of at least 90%, but the compromise is for each item individually. MRS, on the other hand, is required to transport at least 80% of the volume established by the agreement. The agreement expires on September 12, 2012.

Transportation of Iron Ore for Export from Itaguaí

The volume set is 8,000,000 tons per year. It is accepted variation of up to approximately 5% of the volume set, with a guarantee of payment of at least 80%. We may increase or decrease the volume set in the agreement every year up to 10%, taking into consideration the volume actually transported in the previous year. The agreement expires on May 31, 2016.

Transportation of Steel Product

It accepts a reduction of up to 20% of volume for the quarter forecast, with a guarantee of payment of at least 80% of the volume agreed with “the accounts meeting.” We have established quarterly flexibility to renegotiate the Take or Pay if the volume is not reached. Our supplier is required to commit at least 90% of the monthly volume agreed in the agreement. The agreement expires on December 27, 2009.

For all the three contracts we have flexibility to renegotiate the Take or Pay if the volume is not reached. As we are a shareholder of MRS, the minimum amounts to be paid under the contract terms are calculated by a tariff model that assure competitive prices.

White Martins Gases Industriais Ltda.

To secure gas supply (oxygen, nitrogen and argon), in 2005 we signed a 22-year “take-or-pay” agreement with White Martins Gases Industriais, by which we are committed to acquire at least 90% of the gas volume produced at White Martins’ plant. Under the terms of the agreement, we are not required to advance funds raised against future processing charges if White Martins is unable to meet its financial obligations.

Companhia Estadual de Gás do Rio de Janeiro

To secure natural gas supply, in 2007 the Company has signed a five-year “take-or-pay” agreement with CEG Rio, by which CSN is committed to acquire at least 70% of the gas volume produced at CEG Rio’s plant. Under the terms of the agreement, we are not required to advance funds raised against future processing charges if CEG Rio is unable to meet its financial obligations. In addition, if the we do not acquire the minimum volume agreed, the amount paid which relates to that difference may be compensated in future years, including one year after the contract expiration.

América Latina Logística – ALL

This agreement covers transportation of steel products from Volta Redonda to CSN Paraná. Volume set for steel products is 15,000 tons per month, which may vary up or down by 5%. We are currently negotiating new terms for the volume and take or pay conditions. The agreement will expire on December 31, 2009.

Ferrovia Centro Atlântica - FCA

This agreement covers transportation of reduction products from Arcos to Volta Redonda. Volume set for reduction products is 1,900,000 tons per year, which may vary up or down by 5%. The agreement will expire on August 31, 2013.

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5F. Tabular Disclosure of Contractual Obligations

The following table represents our long-term contractual obligations as of December 31, 2008:

|  | Payment due by period
|  | (In millions of US$)
|  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | More
Contractual obligations |  |  |  | Less than |  |  |  |  |  | than 5
|  | Total |  | 1 year |  | 1-3 years |  | 3-5 years |  | years
Long-term accrued finance |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
charges(1) |  | 1,161 |  | 342 |  | 450 |  | 278 |  | 91
Taxes payable in installments |  | 371 |  | 101(6) |  | 270 |  | - |  | -
Long-term debt |  | 4,732 |  | 1,296 |  | 1,304 |  | 913 |  | 1,219
“Take-or-Pay” contracts |  | 1,615 |  | 278 |  | 825 |  | 324 |  | 188
Concession agreements(5) |  | 139 |  | 8 |  | 24 |  | 16 |  | 91
Unrecognized tax benefits(7) |  | 504 |  | - |  | - |  | - |  | -
Purchase obligations: |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Raw materials(2) |  | 869 |  | 737 |  | 132 |  | 0 |  | 0
Maintenance(3) |  | 191 |  | 77 |  | 87 |  | 27 |  | 0
Utilities/Fuel(4) |  | 1,593 |  | 302 |  | 605 |  | 379 |  | 307
Total |  | 2,653 |  | 1,116 |  | 824 |  | 406 |  | 307

(1) | These accrued finance charges refer to the cash outflow related to the contractual interest expense of our long-term debt and were calculated using the contractual interest rates taken forward to the maturity dates of each contract.
(2) | Refer mainly to purchases of coal, tin, aluminum and zinc, which comprise part of the raw materials for steel manufacturing and take-or-pay contracts.
(3) | We have outstanding contracts with several contractors in order to maintain our plants in good operation conditions; due to the strong demand for specialized maintenance service, the term of some contracts is for more than one year.
(4) | Refer mainly to natural gas, power supply and cryogenics, which are provided by limited suppliers; and with some of which we maintain long-term contracts.
(5) | Refers only to Tecon’s concession agreement since MRS and Transnordestina are not consolidated for U.S. GAAP purposes.
(6) | Included as taxes payable in current liabilities.
(7) | Due to the uncertainties of the expected timing of cash payments, if any, associated with the unrecognized tax benefits, its total amount of US$504 million has been excluded from the tabular disclosure table above.

5G. Safe Harbor

See “Forward-Looking Statements.”

Item 6. Directors, Senior Management and Employees

6A. Directors and Senior Management

General

We are managed by our Board of Directors (Conselho de Administração), which consists of seven to eleven members, and our Board of Executive Officers (Diretoria Executiva), which consists of two to nine Executive Officers with no specific designation (one of which is the Chief Executive Officer). In accordance with our bylaws (Estatuto Social), each Director is elected for a term of one year by our shareholders at an annual shareholders’ meeting. Our bylaws require our employees to be represented by one Director on the Board of Directors. The members of the Board of Executive Officers are appointed by the Board of Directors for a two-year term.

Our Board of Directors is responsible for the formulation of business plans and policies and our Board of Executive Officers is responsible for the implementation of specific operating decisions. As of December 31, 2008, our Board of Directors was comprised of one Chairman, one Vice Chairman and six members, and our Board of Executive Officers was comprised of our Chief Executive Officer, our Chief Financial Officer and four Executive Officers.

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Our Directors and Executive Officers as of the date of this annual report are:

Name |  | Position |  | First Elected to our Board in |  | Last Elected to our Board in
Board of Directors(1) |  |  |  |  |  |
Benjamin Steinbruch |  | Chairman |  | April 23, 1993 |  | April 30, 2009
Jacks Rabinovich |  | Vice Chairman |  | April 23, 1993 |  | April 30, 2009
Mauro Molchansky |  | Member |  | April 24, 2001 |  | April 30, 2009
Fernando Perrone |  | Member |  | September 26, 2002 |  | April 30, 2009
Dionísio Dias Carneiro Netto |  | Member |  | April 30, 2002 |  | April 30, 2009
Antonio Francisco dos Santos |  | Member |  | December 23, 1997 |  | April 30, 2009
Yoshiaki Nakano |  | Member |  | April 29, 2004 |  | April 30, 2009
Gilberto Sayão da Silva |  | Member |  | April 30, 2009 |  | April 30, 2009
Board of Executive Officers(2) |  |  |  |  |  |
Benjamin Steinbruch |  | Chief Executive Officer |  | April 30, 2002 |  | August 12, 2008
Paulo Penido Pinto Marques(3) |  | Chief Financial Officer |  | May 7, 2009 |  | May 7, 2009
Enéas Garcia Diniz |  | Executive Officer |  | June 21, 2005 |  | August 12, 2008
Juarez Saliba de Avelar |  | Executive Officer |  | September 26, 2006 |  | August 12, 2008

(1) | Mr. Darc Antonio da Luz Costa resigned from his position of director on May 12, 2009.
(2) | Mr. Isaac Popoutchi and Mr. Pedro Felipe Borges Neto resigned from their positions of Executive Officers on May 29, 2009 and until the date of this annual report, these positions remain vacant.
(3) | Mr. Paulo Penido Pinto Marques replaced Otávio de Garcia Lazcano on May 7, 2009.

The next election for our Board of Directors is expected to take place on April 30, 2010, and we are unable to anticipate when the next election for our Board of Executive Officers is expected to take place.

Board of Directors

Benjamin Steinbruch. Mr. Steinbruch was born on June 28, 1953 and has been Chairman of our Board of Directors since April 28, 1995 and Chief Executive Officer since April 30, 2002. Mr. Steinbruch is also Chief Executive Officer of Vicunha Siderurgia, our controlling shareholder.

Jacks Rabinovich. Mr. Rabinovich was born on September 20, 1929 and has been a member of our Board of Directors since April 23, 1993 and Vice Chairman since April 24, 2001.

Mauro Molchansky. Mr. Molchansky was born on September 11, 1950 and has been a member of our Board of Directors since April 24, 2001. He was Executive Officer of Globo Comunicações e Participações S.A. – Globopar from August 1994 to March 2002. Before joining Globo Comunicações e Participações S.A.- Globopar in 1994, he was Financial Officer and Investor Relations Officer of Aracruz Celulose S.A. Under Mr. Molchansky’s leadership, Aracruz Celulose S.A. was the first Brazilian company to issue American Depositary Shares (level 3) listed and traded on the NYSE, in 1992. Currently, Mr. Molchansky is a partner at RealAssets, an asset managing firm.

Fernando Perrone. Mr. Perrone was born on May 6, 1947 and has been a member of our Board of Directors since September 26, 2002 and a member of our Audit Committee since June 24, 2005. He was our Infrastructure and Energy Executive Officer from July 10, 2002 to October 2, 2002. Previously, Mr. Perrone occupied the position of Chief Executive Officer of Empresa Brasileira de Infra-Estrutura Aeroportuária – INFRAERO and was an officer of BNDES.

Dionísio Dias Carneiro Netto. Mr. Carneiro Netto was born on September 23, 1945 and has been a member of our Board of Directors since April 30, 2002 and a member of our Audit Committee since June 24, 2005. Mr. Carneiro Netto has been a professor at Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Rio de Janeiro, at UnB and at EPGE/FGV and currently teaches at Instituto de Gestão de Riscos Financeiros e Atuariais da Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Rio de Janeiro. He was also a Vice-President of FINEP from 1979 to 1980 and has been a member of Boards of Directors in several companies. Mr. Carneiro Netto was a member of the Advisory Board of the African Economic Research Council and of the Committee for Development Planning at United Nations. He is an officer-parter of Galanto Consultoria, officer of the Instituto de Estudos de Política Econômica da Casa das Garças and member of the Executive Committee of Instituto de Gestão de Riscos Financeiros e Atuariais at Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Rio de Janeiro. He writes a fortnightly column in the newspaper O Estado de Sao Paulo.

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Antonio Francisco dos Santos. Mr. Santos was born on December 6, 1950 and has been a member of our Board of Directors since November 25, 1997. Mr. Santos was Coordinator of Industrial Engineering, Chief of Industrial Engineering and Chief of Production Planning and a member of the Board of Directors of Caixa Beneficente dos Empregados of CSN, or CBS, our pension plan until 2008. He is currently Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the Board of the CSN Employee Investment Club (Clube de Investimento CSN).

Yoshiaki Nakano. Mr. Nakano was born on August 30, 1944 and has been a member of our Board of Directors since April 29, 2004 and a member of our Audit Committee since June 24, 2005. From 1995 to 2001, Mr. Nakano was Treasury Secretary of the State of São Paulo. Since 2001, he has been Chief of the Economics Department at FGV in São Paulo. Mr. Nakano is also a member of the Board of Directors of the Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo - FAPESP, of the Conselho Superior de Economia, of the FIESP/IRS, and a member of the Consulting Board of the Grupo Pão de Açúcar.

Gilberto Sayão da Silva. Mr. Sayão has been a member of our Board of Directors since April 30, 2009. Mr. Sayão also currently acts as the Chief Executive Officer of UBS Pactual Alternative Investments, a subsidiary of UBS Pactual Asset Management.

Board of Executive Officers

In addition to Mr. Steinbruch, the following persons were members of our Board of Executive Officers as of December 31, 2008:

Paulo Penido Pinto Marques. Mr. Marques was elected our Chief Financial Officer on May 12, 2009. Prior to joining CSN, Mr. Marques was Finance, Investor Relations and Information Technology Vice-President of Usinas Siderúrgicas de Minas Gerais S.A. - USIMINAS, Financial Officer of Usiminas Mecânicas S.A., member of the State Board of Associação Brasileira das Companhias Abertas, Financial Officer of the Companhia Siderúrgica Paulista - COSIPA, Officer of Mineração J. Mendes, Officer of Controle da Fasal S.A. and Officer of Consórcio Siderurgia Amazonia Ltd. (controller of Sidor - Venezuela). Mr. Marques has also participated in the Board of Executive Officers or the Board of Directors of Usiparts - automotive systems, Unigal, Rio Negro - steel trade and industrialization. He was also Vice-President at Financing Area, Credit and Risk of Morgan Guaranty Trust Co. of New York, Officer of Relationship with companies and Financial Institutions Area of BankBoston, Officer of Investments of Corporate Banking of Citibank.

Enéas Garcia Diniz. Mr. Diniz was born on January 1, 1960 and was originally elected Executive Officer in charge of Production on June 21, 2005. He has been serving CSN since 1985, acting as General Manager of Hot Rolling, General Manager of Maintenance, Metallurgy Director and General Director of the Presidente Vargas steelworks.

Juarez Saliba de Avelar. Mr. Avelar was born on February 13, 1961 and was elected Executive Officer in charge of mineral resources on September 26, 2006. He has been working with us since 2003, acting as Port and Railroads Officer and Mineral Resources Officer. Mr. Avelar served as President of Ferteco Mineração and as Officer of South and North unit of Companhia Vale do Rio Doce.

There are no family relationships between any of the persons named above. The address for all of our directors and executive officers is Av. Brigadeiro Faria Lima, 3400, 20th floor, Itaim Bibi, city of São Paulo, State of São Paulo, Brazil (telephone number 55-11-3049-7100).

Indemnification of Officers and Directors

There is no provision for or prohibition against the indemnification of officers and directors in Brazilian law or in our bylaws. Officers are generally not individually liable for acts within the course of their duties. We either indemnify, or maintain directors and officers liability insurance insuring our Directors, our Chief Executive Officer, our Chief Financial Officer and our other Executive Officers and certain key employees against liabilities incurred in connection with their respective positions with us.

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6B. Compensation

For the year ended December 31, 2008, the aggregate compensation paid by us to all members of our Board of Directors and the members of our Board of Executive Officers for services in all capacities was approximately US$19.4 million (R$35.7 million), which includes salaries, bonuses and profit sharing arrangements. In addition, the members of the Board of Directors and of the Board of Executive Officers may receive certain additional company benefits generally provided to company employees and their families, such as medical assistance and life insurance among others. See “—Item 6D. Employees” for a brief description of our profit sharing arrangements.

We are the principal sponsor of CBS, our employee pension plan. CBS had a deficit of plan assets over pension benefit obligations of US$83.8 million in 2008. The unfunded status of CBS is affected by, among other things, fluctuations in the fair value of CBS’s assets, which totaled US$524.7 million as of December 31, 2008 and is substantially comprised of CSN’s shares, while CBS’ accumulated obligations and projected benefit obligations as of December 31, 2008 were US$608.5 million. See “Item 3D—Risk Factors—We are exposed to devaluation of our shares as result of certain equity swap agreements and our pension plan assets” and Note 15 to our consolidated financial statements contained in “Item 18. Financial Statements.”

6C. Board Practices

Fiscal Committee and Audit Committee

Under Brazilian Corporate Law, shareholders may request the appointment of a Fiscal Committee (Conselho Fiscal), which is a corporate body independent of management and our external auditors. The primary responsibility of the Fiscal Committee is to review management’s activities and the financial statements, and report its findings to the shareholders. Our shareholders did not request the installation of a Fiscal Committee at the Annual Shareholders’ Meeting held on April 30, 2009.

In June 2005 an Audit Committee (Comitê de Auditoria) was appointed in compliance with SEC’s rules, which is composed of three independent members of our Board of Directors.

The Audit Committee is responsible for recommending to the Board of Directors the appointment of the independent auditors, reporting on our auditing policies and our annual auditing plan prepared by our internal auditing team, as well as monitoring and evaluating the activities of the external auditors. Our Audit Committee has also been tasked with identifying, prioritizing and submitting actions to be implemented by our Executive Officers, and analyzing the annual report, and our financial statements and making recommendations to our Board of Directors.

The Audit Committee is currently composed of Mr. Carneiro Netto, Mr. Nakano and Mr. Perrone and is constantly assisted by an outside consultant.

For information on the date of election and term of office of the members of our Board of Directors and Board of Executive Officers, see “Item 6A. Directors and Senior Management.”

Service Contracts

We permit our directors to continue to participate in our employee pension plan after ceasing to be a director of our Company.

6D. Employees

As of December 31, 2006, 2007 and 2008, we had 13,659, 14,274 and 15,104 employees, respectively. As of December 31, 2008, approximately 2,502 of our employees were members of the steelworkers’ union of Volta Redonda and region, which is affiliated with the Central Única dos Trabalhadores, or CUT, a national union. We believe we have a good relationship with CUT. We have collective bargaining agreements, renewable annually every May 1. Moreover, we have members afilliated to other unions, such as the Engineer Union with 53 members, the Accountant Union with 9 members and the Workers Unions from Arcos, Casa de Pedra and Araucária, with a total of 414 members.

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In March 1997, we established an employee profit sharing plan. All employees participate in the plan, and earn bonuses based on our reaching certain goals for each year, including a minimum EBITDA margin, as well as other measures such as sales, cost control, productivity and inventory levels, as appropriate for each sector based on its nature.

In June 2000, we increased the average workshift at our Volta Redonda steel works from six to eight hours. This increase was implemented in our iron ore, limestone and dolomite mines during 1999. We have signed a collective bargaining agreement with our employees’ unions pursuant to which we have agreed not to dismiss employees in connection with this workshift increase. This eight-hour workshift improved productivity, quality and job safety as a result of fewer interruptions in the production process, which is continuous.

6E. Share Ownership

Mr. Benjamin Steinbruch our Chairman and Chief Executive Officer holds ownership interest in Vicunha Siderurgia, our controlling shareholder.

All our Executive Officers and members of our Board of Directors held an aggregate of 0.0001% of our outstanding common shares as of April 30, 2009.

Item 7. Major Shareholders and Related Party Transactions

7A. Major Shareholders

On December 31, 2008 our capital stock was composed of 793,403,838 common shares, including 34,734,384 common shares held in treasury.

The following table sets forth, as of May 29, 2008, the number of our common shares owned by all persons known to us that own more than 5% of our outstanding common shares as of such date:

|  | Common Shares
|  |  |  | Percent of
|  | Shares Owned |  | Outstanding
Name of Person or Group |  |  |  | Shares(2)
Vicunha Siderurgia S.A.(1) |  | 348,859,995 |  | 45.98%

(1) | Owned indirectly by Benjamin Steinbruch, Chairman of our Board of Directors, and other members of his family.
(2) | It does not include common shares held in treasury.

7B. Related Party Transactions

From time to time we conduct transactions with companies directly or indirectly owned by our principal shareholders or members of our Board of Directors. See “Item 4A. History and Development of the Company—Acquisitions and Dispositions,” “Item 4B. Business Overview,” “Item 4A. History and Development of the Company —Planned Investments,” “Item 6A. Directors and Senior Management” and “Item 7A. Major Shareholders” and Note 20 to the consolidated financial statements included in “Item 18. Financial Statements.”

In 2005, we used Banco Fibra, or Fibra, a bank controlled by the Steinbruch family, in connection with the management of our exclusive investment funds, under circumstances where we were not exposed to Fibra’s credit risk and where we paid investment fees not in excess of such fees we would expect to pay to a non-affiliated bank for such services. However, as of August 22, 2006, the management of our exclusive investment funds was transferred to Bank UBS Pactual, under the same circumstances where we are not exposed to the bank’s credit risk.

During 2008, we, through one of our subsidiaries, exported US$36 million of steel products to our subsidiary Lusosider, in Portugal. These export transaction were made using a third party, and have been eliminated in our consolidated financial statements.

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Item 8. Financial Information

8A. Consolidated Statements and Other Financial Information

See “Item 3. Key Information—Selected Financial Data” and “Item 18. Financial Statements” for our consolidated financial statements.

Legal Proceedings

We record provisions for contingencies relating to legal proceedings with respect to which we deem the likelihood of an unfavorable outcome to be probable and the loss can be reasonably estimated. This determination is made based on the legal opinion of our internal and external legal counsel. We believe these contingencies are properly recognized in our financial statements in accordance with SFAS No. 5. Those contingencies related to income taxes and social contribution are accounted for based on the “more-likely-than-not” concept in accordance with FIN 48. We are also involved in judicial and administrative proceedings that are aimed at obtaining or defending our legal rights with respect to taxes that we believe to be unconstitutional or otherwise not required to be paid by us. We believe that these proceedings will ultimately result in the realization of contingent tax credits or benefits that can be used to settle direct and indirect tax obligations owed to the Brazilian federal or state governments. We do not recognize these contingent tax credits or benefits in our financial statements until realization of such gain contingencies has been resolved. This occurs when a final irrevocable judgement is rendered by the courts in Brazil. When we use contingent tax credits or benefits based on favorable temporary court orders that are still subject to appeal to offset current direct or indirect tax obligations, we maintain the legal obligation accrued in our financial statements until a final irrevocable judicial judgement on those contingent tax credits or benefits is rendered. The accrual for the legal obligation related to the current direct or indirect tax obligations offset is not reversed until such time as the utilization of the contingent tax credits or benefits is ultimately realized. This accounting is consistent with our analysis of a liability under FASB Concepts Statement No. 6. The accounting for the contingent tax credits is in accordance with accounting for contingent assets under SFAS No. 5. Our accruals include interest on the tax obligations that we may offset with contingent tax credits or benefits at the interest rate defined in the relevant tax law.

We classify an accrual as short-term when it expects the liability to be settled in 360 days or less. As of December 31, 2008, US$69 million had been classified as short-term accrual for contingencies (US$77 million as of December 31, 2007). This usually occurs when a final, unappealable and irrevocable judgment has been rendered and is being enforced. However, given the complexity of the Brazilian legal system, we are unable to anticipate when final judgements will be rendered on most of the claims. Consequently, these claims are classified as long-term liabilities.

The deposits for contingencies and disputed taxes payable are generally based on (i) accruals recorded in connection with lawsuits, (ii) court orders issued in connection with lawsuits and (iii) guarantees in connection with judicial foreclosure proceedings. Such deposits are classified as long-term assets, and the release of such deposits is conditioned upon court order. When such a court order is granted in our favor, the deposit is forfeited and returned to us in cash and the deposit account is appropriately offset. When such a court order is granted in a manner unfavorable to us, the deposit is used to offset the related liability and the deposit account is appropriately offset.

We are party to a number of legal proceedings arising from our ordinary course of business, including tax, civil and labor claims. As of December 31, 2008, we recorded aggregate long-term provisions of US$1,618 million relating to these claims, for which we had deposited US$893 million in court escrow accounts. See Note 18 to our consolidated financial statements contained in “Item 18. Financial Statements” in this annual report.

Labor Contingencies

As of December 31, 2008, the amount of the accrual relating to probable losses for these contingencies was US$50 million (US$59 million in 2007). Our legal counselors periodically revise the accruals based on their judgment and the recent track record on these disputes. Most of the lawsuits are related to alleged joint liability between us and our independent contractors, wage equalization, fine of 40% resulting from FGTS purge, lack of prior notice, “13th-salary” bonus, additional payments for unhealthy and hazardous activities, unpaid overtime and disagreement between employees and the Brazilian government over the amount of severance payments. The lawsuits related to the alleged joint liability between us and our independent contractors represent a significant portion of the total labor lawsuits against us, and refer to non-payment of labor charges by our independent contractors to their employees, for which we may be found subsidiary liable for.

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Civil Contingencies

These are mainly claims for indemnities within the civil judicial processes in which we are involved. Such proceedings, in general, are a result of occupational accidents and diseases related to our industrial activities. In 2008, our legal counsel revised estimated losses based on their own judgment and recent precedents for these disputes. As of December 31, 2008, the amount of the accrual relating to probable losses for these contingencies was US$20 million (US$20 million as of December 31, 2007).

Other Tax Contingencies

In addition to the tax contingencies described in “Item 5A. Operating Results—Results of Operations—2008 Compared to 2007—Disputed Taxes Payable,” we are party to other judicial and administrative proceedings not described in the notes to our consolidated financial statements, involving a total of approximately US$2.5 billion as of December 31, 2008 (US$2.6 billion as of December 31, 2007). Our external legal counsel deemed that the risk of loss arising from these lawsuits are possible, as opposed to probable. Therefore, we did not record accruals for contingencies with respect to these lawsuits.

Other tax contingencies relate to a variety of disputes for which we have recorded provisions for probable losses. No single group of similar claims constitutes more than 5% of total contingencies.

Legal Disputes with CVRD

Until 2001, we held an ownership interest in CVRD, Latin America’s largest mining company and the largest producer and exporter of iron ore in the world, through Valepar. Pursuant to an agreement entered into on December 31, 2000, we sold our ownership interest in Valepar to certain companies and pension funds, including Bradespar S.A. and Litel Participações S.A. In connection with the sale of our then controlling stake at Valepar to Bradespar S.A. and Litel Participações S.A., and the subsequent sale of Valia’s (CVRD’s pension fund) 10.3% ownership interest in our company in 2003, CVRD obtained a 30-year right of first refusal to match all the conditions, including price, quality and tenor, obtained by us in contracts with third parties to purchase iron ore produced at Casa de Pedra in excess of our and our affiliates’ needs.

In view of certain acquisitions made by CVRD in 1995, the Brazilian anti-trust agency (Conselho Administrativo de Defesa Econômica), or CADE, issued a decision in August 2005 pursuant to which CVRD would have to choose between its ownership interest in Ferteco Mineração S.A., or Ferteco, or its rights of first refusal mentioned above. Such decision was challenged by CVRD before the Brazilian courts. We filed with CADE a statement of compliance with the administrative order that requires the parties to refrain from exercising the rights of first refusal of CVRD related to Casa de Pedra mine. This statement of compliance was publicly announced through a notice to the market (fato relevante) on January 17, 2008.

Several disputes between us and CVRD arose from the transactions described in the two preceding paragraphs, including those (i) related to alleged indemnification or compensation rights arising from the exclusion of the “preference rights” relative to the acquisition of surplus iron ore produced by the Casa de Pedra mine, as well as to the Casa de Pedra mine itself, (ii) arising from obligations envisaged in the agreements related to the elimination of crossed shareholdings between Vale and CSN, occurred in December, 2000; and (iii) related to other pending matters in regard to these issues.

On April 27, 2009, we and CVRD entered into a settlement agreement for the purpose of terminating all these pending lawsuits between the two companies. The settlement agreement, which has already been ratified by our and CVRD’s shareholders, also encompasses the revision of the terms and conditions included in certain commercial contracts entered into between us and CVRD.

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Dividend Policy

General

Subject to certain exceptions set forth in Brazilian Corporate Law, our bylaws require that we pay a yearly minimum dividend equal to 25% of adjusted net profits, calculated in accordance with Brazilian Corporate Law. Proposals to declare and pay dividends in excess of the statutory minimum are generally made at the recommendation of our Board of Directors and approval by the vote of our shareholders. Any such proposal will be dependent upon our results of operations, financial condition, cash requirements for our business, future prospects and other factors deemed relevant by our Board of Directors. Until December 2000, it had been our policy to pay dividends on our outstanding common shares not less than the amount of our required distributions for any particular fiscal year, subject to any determination by our Board of Directors that such distributions would be inadvisable in view of our financial condition. In December 2000, our Board of Directors decided to adopt a policy of paying dividends equal to all legally available net profits, after taking into consideration the following priorities: (i) our business strategy; (ii) the performance of our obligations; (iii) the accomplishment of our required investments, and (iv) the maintenance of our good financial status.

Pursuant to a change in Brazilian tax law effective January 1, 1996, Brazilian companies are also permitted to pay limited amounts of interest on stockholders’ equity to holders of equity securities and to treat these payments as an expense for Brazilian income tax purposes. These payments may be counted in determining if the statutory minimum dividend requirement has been met, subject to shareholder approval.

For dividends declared during the past five years, see “Item 3A. Selected Financial Data.”

At our Annual Shareholders’ Meeting of April 18, 2008, our shareholders approved the payment of dividends and interest on shareholders’ equity relating to 2007, in the total amount of US$1,249 million, of which US$379 million and US$77 million were already paid on January 8, 2008, as dividends and interest on shareholders’ equity, respectively, in accordance with the resolutions of our Board of Directors. The outstanding balance of US$793 million was paid on May 5, 2008. These amounts were translated into U.S. dollars based on the exchange rate in effect on the respective dates of payment.”

At our Annual Shareholders’ Meeting of April 30, 2009, our shareholders approved the payment of dividends and interest on shareholders’ equity relating to 2008, in the total amount of US$868.6 million (US$738.2 million as dividends and US$130.4 million as interest on shareholders’ equity).

The total amount of approved dividends include dividends paid in advance on November 27, 2008, in the amount of US$70.6 million, that had already been approved by our Board of Directors on August 12, 2008, and dividends that had already been approved by our Board of Directors on March 24, 2009 in the amount of US$667.6 million.

Soon after the announcement of the payment of such dividends in the amount of US$667.6 million, a court order was issued by a trial state tax court in the State of Rio de Janeiro in connection with tax claims related to IPI premium credits on exports that we have recorded, in order to block approximately US$354.2 million of our funds. For this reason, the Company paid its shareholders on April 2, 2009 the amount of funds that had not been blocked of approximately US$313.4 million. We are taking all measures to unblock our funds. Nevertheless, aiming at the preservation of our shareholders’ rights, we decided to pay on June 26, 2009, the remaining dividends of approximately US$354.2 million.

The US$130.4 million as interest on shareholders’ equity were paid on May 11, 2009.

For further information, see “Item 5. Operating and Financial Review and Prospects - Item 5A. Operating Results—Results of Operations—2007 Compared to 2006—Disputed Taxes Payable”

Amounts Available for Distribution

At each Annual Shareholders’ Meeting, our Board of Directors is required to recommend how our earnings for the preceding fiscal year are to be allocated. For purposes of Brazilian Corporate Law, a company’s net income after income tax and social contribution for any one fiscal year, net of any accumulated losses from prior fiscal years and amounts allocated to employees’ and management’s participation in earnings, represents its “net profits” for that fiscal year. In accordance with Brazilian Corporate Law, an amount equal to our “net profits,” as further:

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(i) increased by the amount of depreciation and amortization (net of income tax and social contribution) attributable to the revaluation of any assets,

(ii) reduced by amounts allocated to the legal reserve,

(iii) reduced by amounts allocated to other reserves established by us in compliance with applicable law (as hereinafter discussed),

(iv) increased by reversal of reserves accrued in prior year; and

(v) will be available for distribution to shareholders in any particular year. We refer to this amount available for distribution to shareholders as the Distributable Amount.

Legal Reserve. Under Brazilian Corporate Law, we are required to maintain a “legal reserve” to which we must allocate 5% of our “net profits” for each fiscal year until the amount of the reserve equals 20% of our paid-in capital. The legal reserve might be used to increase our paid-in capital and net losses, if any, may be charged against the legal reserve.

Discretionary (or Statutory) Reserves. Under Brazilian Corporate Law, a company may also provide for discretionary allocations of “net profits” to the extent set forth in its bylaws. Our bylaws do not provide for a discretionary reserve.

Contingency Reserve. Under Brazilian Corporate Law, a portion of our “net profits” may also be discretionary allocated to a “contingency reserve” for an anticipated loss that is deemed probable in future years. Any amount so allocated in a prior year must be either (i) reversed in the fiscal year in which the reasons for its establishment cease to exist or (ii) charged off in the event that the anticipated loss occurs.

Reserve for Investment Projects. Under Brazilian Corporate Law, a portion of our net income may be allocated for plant expansion and other capital investment projects, the amount of which is based on a capital budget previously presented by management and approved by our shareholders. After completion of the relevant capital investment projects, we must retain the appropriation until our shareholders, at a shareholders’ meeting, vote on a new destination to the amount appropriated or on transferring all or a portion thereof to capital or retained earnings.

Unrealized Income Reserve. Under Brazilian Corporate Law, the amount by which the Mandatory Dividend (defined below) exceeds the “realized portion” of net profits for any particular year may be allocated to the unrealized income reserve. The “realized portion” of net profits is the amount by which “net profits” exceeds the sum of (i) a company’s positive net results considering its subsidiaries and certain affiliates, and (ii) the profits, gains or return recognized in respect of transactions maturing after the end of a fiscal year.

Brazilian Corporate Law provides that all discretionary allocations of “net profits,” including discretionary reserves, the contingency reserve, the unrealized income reserve and the reserve for investment projects are subject to approval by our shareholders at our Annual Shareholders’ Meeting and can be used to increase our capital stock, for the payment of dividends in subsequent years, charged off in the event of losses, or used to any other destination. The fiscal incentive investment reserve and legal reserve are also subject to approval by our shareholders at our Annual Shareholders’ Meeting and may be transferred to capital but are not available for the payment of dividends in subsequent years.

For purposes of determining reserve amounts, the calculation of “net profits” and allocations to reserves for any fiscal year are determined on the basis of financial statements prepared in accordance with Brazilian Corporate Law. The consolidated financial statements included herein have been prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP and, although our allocations to reserves and dividends will be reflected in the financial statements, investors will not be able to calculate the allocations or required dividend amounts from the consolidated financial statements.

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Mandatory Dividend

Under our bylaws, we are required to distribute to shareholders as dividends in respect of each fiscal year ending on December 31, to the extent profits are available for distribution, an amount equal to at least 25% of the Distributable Amount (the “Mandatory Dividend”) in any particular year (the amount of which shall include any interest paid on capital during that year). See “Additional Payments on Shareholders’ Equity” below. In addition to the Mandatory Dividend, our Board of Directors may recommend that shareholders receive an additional payment of dividends from other funds legally available therefore. Any payment of interim dividends will be netted against the amount of the Mandatory Dividend for that fiscal year. Under Brazilian Corporate Law, if the Board of Directors determines prior to the Annual Shareholders’ Meeting that payment of the Mandatory Dividend for the preceding fiscal year would be inadvisable in view of our financial condition, the Mandatory Dividend need not be paid. That type of determination must be reviewed by the Fiscal Council, if one exists, and reported, together with the appropriate explanations, to the shareholders and to the CVM.

Payment of Dividends

We are required to hold Annual Shareholders’ Meetings by the end of April of each year at which an annual dividend may be declared. Additionally, our Board of Directors may declare interim dividends. Under Brazilian Corporate Law, dividends are generally required to be paid to the holder of record on a dividend declaration date within 60 days following the date the dividend was declared, unless a shareholders’ resolution sets forth another date of payment, which, in either case, must occur prior to the end of the fiscal year in which the dividend was declared. A shareholder has a three-year period from the dividend payment date to claim dividends (or interest on shareholders’ equity as described under “Additional Payments on Shareholders’ Equity” below) in respect of its shares, after which we will no longer be liable for the dividend payments.

Our payments of cash distributions on common shares underlying the ADSs will be made in Brazilian currency to our ADR custodian on behalf of our ADR depositary, which will then convert the proceeds into U.S. dollars and will cause the U.S. dollars to be delivered to our ADR depositary for distribution to holders of ADSs.

Additional Payments on Shareholders’ Equity

Since January 1, 1996, Brazilian companies have been permitted to pay interest on shareholders’ equity to holders of equity securities and to treat those payments as deductible expense for Brazilian income tax purposes. The amount of interest payable on capital is calculated based on the TJLP, as determined by the Central Bank, applied to each shareholder’s portion of net equity. Brazilian Corporate Law establishes that current earnings are not included as part of the net equity.

The TJLP is determined by the Central Bank on a quarterly basis. The TJLP is based on the annual profitability average of Brazilian public internal and external debt. The TJLP rate for the fourth quarter of 2008 was 6.25% .

Interest on shareholders’ equity is deductible to the extent it does not exceed 50% of either of the following amounts: (i) net income, as determined for accounting purposes, for the current period of interest payment before the provision for income tax and the deduction of the amount of interest; or (ii) accumulated earnings from prior years.

8B. Significant Changes

No significant changes or events have occurred after the close of the financial statements as of and for the year ended December 31, 2008, other than the events already described in this annual report.

Item 9. The Offer and Listing

9A. Offer and Listing Details

On May 31, 2004, we reverse split our common shares, so that each 1,000 former common shares became represented by four common shares. Effective June 10, 2004, our ADSs were split four-for-one, and each ADS represented one common share after giving effect to the split and regrouping.

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Our capital stock is comprised of common shares without par value (ações ordinárias). On January 22, 2008, our shareholders approved a one-for-three split of our common shares. As a result of this stock split, each common share of our capital stock as of January 22, 2008 became represented by three common shares after the split. The same ratio of one common share for each ADS was maintained. See “Item 10.B. Memorandum and Articles of Association.”

The following table sets forth information concerning the high and low closing sale prices and the average daily trading volume of our common shares on the BOVESPA (per common share) and the ADSs on the NYSE for the periods indicated.

|  | Common Shares(1) |  | American Depositary Shares(1)
|  | US$ per Share(2) |  | Volume |  | US$ per ADS |  | Volume
|  |  |  |  |  | (In |  |  |  |  |  | (In
|  | High |  | Low |  | thousands) |  | High |  | Low |  | thousands)
2004: |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Year end |  | 6.38 |  | 3.19 |  | 2,516 |  | 6.37 |  | 3.17 |  | 1,967
2005: |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Year end |  | 8.74 |  | 5.00 |  | 2,886 |  | 8.77 |  | 5.05 |  | 2,548
2006: |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Year end |  | 12.39 |  | 6.99 |  | 2,108 |  | 12.46 |  | 7.19 |  | 2.803
2007: |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
First quarter |  | 14.44 |  | 9.33 |  | 2,938 |  | 14.28 |  | 9.42 |  | 3,415
Second quarter |  | 18.28 |  | 14.23 |  | 2,195 |  | 18.34 |  | 14.22 |  | 3,067
Third quarter |  | 23.81 |  | 14.63 |  | 2,747 |  | 23.64 |  | 14.46 |  | 4,075
Fourth quarter |  | 29.80 |  | 22.82 |  | 2,790 |  | 30.56 |  | 22.82 |  | 3,402
Year end |  | 29.80 |  | 9.33 |  | 2,665 |  | 30.56 |  | 9.42 |  | 3,490
2008: |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
First quarter |  | 40.93 |  | 23.75 |  | 2,585 |  | 40.82 |  | 25.53 |  | 4,261
Second quarter |  | 51.26 |  | 37.07 |  | 2,309 |  | 51.01 |  | 37.32 |  | 3,448
Third quarter |  | 42.54 |  | 19.42 |  | 3,162 |  | 42.73 |  | 18.78 |  | 5,519
Fourth quarter |  | 20.51 |  | 8.24 |  | 3,443 |  | 20.62 |  | 7.87 |  | 5,195
Year end |  | 51.26 |  | 8.24 |  | 2,881 |  | 51.01 |  | 7.87 |  | 4,610
2009: |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
First quarter |  | 17.74 |  | 12.06 |  | 2,983 |  | 18.25 |  | 11.99 |  | 4,609
Month Ended: |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
January 31, 2009 |  | 16.72 |  | 13.61 |  | 3,250 |  | 16.57 |  | 13.73 |  | 5,033
February 29, 2009 |  | 17.74 |  | 13.18 |  | 2,713 |  | 18.25 |  | 12.61 |  | 4,707
March 31, 2009 |  | 16.10 |  | 12.06 |  | 2,950 |  | 16.27 |  | 11.99 |  | 4,138
April 30, 2009 |  | 18.49 |  | 15.50 |  | 2,582 |  | 18.52 |  | 15.50 |  | 3,373
May 31, 2009 |  | 24.58 |  | 19.34 |  | 2,419 |  | 24.52 |  | 19.03 |  | 3,399

Source: Economática.
(1) | Prices and volumes of our common shares and ADSs have been adjusted to reflect the one-for-three stock split occurred in January 2008 whereby each common share of our capital stock on December 31, 2007 became represented by three common shares. See “Item 10.B. Memorandum and Articles of Association.”
(2) | U.S. dollar amounts have been translated from reais at the exchange rates in effect on the respective dates of the quotations for the common shares set forth above. These U.S. dollar amounts may reflect exchange rate fluctuations and may not correspond to changes in nominal reais prices over time.

As of May 29, 2009, the closing sale price (i) per common share on the BOVESPA was US$24.58 and (ii) per ADS on the NYSE was US$24.52. The ADSs are issued under a deposit agreement and JPMorgan Chase Bank serves as depositary under that agreement.

As of May 29, 2009, approximately 190.8 million, or approximately 25.2%, of our outstanding common shares were held through ADSs. Substantially all of these ADSs were held of record by The Depository Trust Company. In addition, our records indicate that on that date there were approximately 120 record holders (other than our ADR depositary) with addresses in the U.S., holding an aggregate of approximately 20.3 million common shares, representing 2.7% of our outstanding common shares.

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9B. Plan of Distribution

Not applicable.

9C. Markets

The principal trading market for our common shares is the BOVESPA. Our ADSs trade on the NYSE under the symbol “SID.”

Trading on the BOVESPA

In 2000, the BOVESPA was reorganized through the execution of memoranda of understanding by the Brazilian stock exchanges. Under the memoranda, all securities in Brazil are now traded only on the BOVESPA, with the exception of electronically traded public debt securities and privatization auctions, which are traded on the Rio de Janeiro Stock Exchange.

When shareholders trade in common and preferred shares on the BOVESPA, the trade is settled in three business days after the trade date without adjustment of the purchase price for inflation. The seller is ordinarily required to deliver the shares to the exchange on the second business day following the trade date. Delivery of and payment for shares are made through the facilities of the clearinghouse, Companhia Brasileira de Liquidação e Custódia, or CBLC, a subsidiary of the BOVESPA.

The BOVESPA was a nonprofit entity owned by its member brokerage firms until August, 2007. Since then, Bovespa Holding S.A. became a public company with shares negotiated on the BOVESPA. Trading on the BOVESPA is conducted through an electronic trading system from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., São Paulo time, for all securities traded on all markets, except during daylight savings time in the United States. During daylight savings time in the United States, usually the sessions are from 11:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., São Paulo time, to closely mirror the NYSE trading hours. This system is a computerized system that links electronically with the seven smaller regional exchanges. The BOVESPA also permits trading from 5:45 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. on an online system connected to traditional and internet brokers called the “after market.” Trading on the after market is subject to regulatory limits on price volatility and on the volume of shares transacted through internet brokers. There are no specialists or officially recognized market makers for our shares in Brazil.

In order to better control volatility, the BOVESPA adopted a “circuit breaker” system pursuant to which trading sessions may be suspended for a period of 30 minutes or one hour whenever the BOVESPA’s index, or Ibovespa index, falls below the limits of 10% or 15%, respectively, in relation to the index registered in the previous trading session.

The BOVESPA is significantly less liquid than the NYSE or other major exchanges in the world. As of December 2008, the aggregate market capitalization of the BOVESPA was equivalent to R$1.4 trillion (or US$588 billion). In contrast, as of December 2008, the aggregate market capitalization of the NYSE was US$10.2 trillion. The average daily trading volume of the BOVESPA and NYSE for December 2008 was approximately R$3.2 billion (or US$1.3) and US$46.2 billion, respectively. Although any of the outstanding shares of a listed company may trade on the BOVESPA, in most cases fewer than half of the listed shares are actually available for trading by the public, since the remaining shares are generally being held by small groups of controlling persons, by government entities or by one principal shareholder. See “Item 3. Risk Factors—Risks Relating to the ADSs and Our Common Shares—The relative volatility and illiquidity of the Brazilian securities markets may substantially limit the ability of holders of our common shares or ADSs to sell the common shares underlying the ADSs at the time and price they desire.”

As of December 31, 2008, we accounted for approximately 1.67% of the market capitalization of all listed companies on the BOVESPA.

The following table reflects the fluctuations in the Ibovespa index during the periods indicated:

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Ibovespa Index

|  | High |  | Low |  | Close
2004 |  | 26,196 |  | 17,604 |  | 26,196
2005 |  | 33,629 |  | 23,610 |  | 33,456
2006 |  | 44,674 |  | 32,057 |  | 44,473
2007 |  | 65,790 |  | 41,179 |  | 63,886
2008 |  | 73,516 |  | 29,435 |  | 37,550
2009 (through April 30) |  | 47,289 |  | 36,234 |  | 47,289

The IBOVESPA index closed at 47,289 on April 30, 2009. Trading on the BOVESPA by nonresidents of Brazil is subject to certain limitations under Brazilian foreign investment legislation. See “Item 10D. Exchange Controls.”

Regulation of the Brazilian Securities Markets

The Brazilian securities markets are regulated by the CVM, which has authority over stock exchanges and the securities markets generally, and by the Central Bank, which has, among other powers, licensing authority over brokerage firms and regulates foreign investment and foreign exchange transactions. The Brazilian securities market is governed by Law No. 6,385 dated December 7, 1976, as amended, or the Brazilian Securities Law, and Brazilian Corporate Law and regulations issued by the CVM.

Under Brazilian Corporate Law, a company is either public, a companhia aberta, such as us, or private, a companhia fechada. All public companies are registered with the CVM and are subject to reporting and regulatory requirements.

Trading in securities on the BOVESPA may be suspended at the request of a company in anticipation of a material announcement. The company should also suspend its trading on international stock exchanges where its securities are traded. Trading may also be suspended on the initiative of the BOVESPA or the CVM, among other reasons, based on or due to a belief that a company has provided inadequate information regarding a material event or has provided inadequate responses to the inquires by the CVM or the BOVESPA.

The Brazilian Securities Law and the regulations issued by the CVM provide for, among other things, disclosure requirements, restrictions on insider trading and price manipulation, as well as protection of minority shareholders. However, the Brazilian securities markets are not as highly regulated and supervised as the United States securities markets or markets in certain other jurisdictions.

Disclosure Requirements

According to Law No 6,385, a publicly held company must submit to the CVM and BOVESPA certain periodic information, including annual and quarterly reports prepared by management and independent auditors. This legislation also requires us to file with the CVM our shareholders’ agreements, notices of shareholders’ meetings and copies of the related minutes.

Pursuant to the CVM Resolution No. 358, of January 3, 2002, the CVM revised and consolidated the requirements regarding the disclosure and use of information related to material facts and acts of publicly held companies, including the disclosure of information in the trading and acquisition of securities issued by publicly held companies.

Such requirements include provisions that:

- establish the concept of a material fact that gives rise to reporting requirements. Material facts include decisions made by the controlling shareholders, resolutions of the shareholders at a shareholders’ meeting and of management of the company, or any other facts related to the company’s business (whether occurring within the company or otherwise somehow related thereto) that may influence the price of its publicly traded securities, or the decision of investors to trade such securities or to exercise any of such securities’ underlying rights;

- specify examples of facts that are considered to be material, which include, among others, the execution of agreements providing for the transfer of control, the entry or withdrawal of shareholders that maintain any managing, financial, technological or administrative function with or contribution to the company, and any corporate restructuring undertaken among related companies;

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- oblige the officer of investor relations, controlling shareholders, other officers, directors, members of the audit committee and other advisory boards to disclose material facts;

- require simultaneous disclosure of material facts to all markets in which the corporation’s securities are admitted for trading;

- require the acquirer of a controlling stake in a corporation to publish material facts, including its intentions as to whether or not to de-list the corporation’s shares, within one year;

- establish rules regarding disclosure requirements in the acquisition and disposal of a material ownership interest; and

- forbid trading on the basis of material non-public information.

9D. Selling Shareholders

Not applicable.

9E. Dilution

Not applicable.

9F. Expenses of the Issue

Not applicable.

Item 10. Additional Information

10A. Share Capital

Not applicable.

10B. Memorandum and Articles of Association

Registration and Corporate Purpose

We are registered with the Department of Trade Registration under number 15,910. Our corporate purpose, as set forth in Article 2 of our bylaws, is to manufacture, transform, market, import and export steel products and steel derived by-products from the manufacturing plant, as well as to explore other activities that are directly or indirectly related to our corporate purpose, including: mining, cement and carbochemical business activities, the manufacture and assembly of metallic structures, construction, transportation, navigation and port activities.

Directors’ Powers

Pursuant to our bylaws, a director may not vote on a proposal, arrangement or contract in which the director’s interests conflict with our interests. In addition, our shareholders must approve the total compensation of our management and our Board of Directors is responsible for allocating individual amounts of management compensation. There is no mandatory retirement age for our directors. Brazilian Corporate Law requires that a director must be a shareholder of the company, but there is no minimum amount of shares required. A detailed description of the general duties and powers of our Board of Directors may be found in “Item 6A. Directors and Senior Management.”

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Description of Capital Stock

Set forth below is certain information concerning our capital stock and a brief summary of certain significant provisions of our bylaws and Brazilian Corporate Law applicable to our capital stock. This description does not purport to be complete and is qualified by reference to our bylaws and to Brazilian law. For further information, see our bylaws, which have been filed as an exhibit to this annual report.

Capital Stock

On January 22, 2008, our shareholders approved a one-for-three split of our common shares and the cancellation of 4,000,000 treasury shares (equivalent to 12,000,000 common shares after the split) . As a result of this stock split, each common share of our capital stock as of January 22, 2008 became represented by three common shares after the split. The same ratio of one common share for each ADS was maintained.

On December 31, 2008, our capital stock was comprised of 793,403,838 common shares, without par value including 34,734,384 common shares held in treasury. Our bylaws authorize the Board of Directors to increase the capital stock up to 1,200,000,000 common shares without an amendment to our bylaws by means of a vote at our shareholders’ meeting. There are currently no classes or series of preferred shares issued or outstanding. We may purchase our own shares for purposes of cancellation or to hold them in treasury subject to certain limits and conditions established by the CVM and Brazilian Corporate Law. See “Item 16E. Purchases of Equity Securities by the Issuer and Affiliated Purchasers.”

Liability for Further Capital Calls

Pursuant to Brazilian Corporate Law, a shareholder’s liability is generally limited to the issue price of the subscribed or purchased shares. There is no obligation of a shareholder to participate in additional capital calls.

Voting Rights

Each common share entitles the holder to one vote at our shareholders’ meetings. According to a CVM ruling, shareholders that represent at least 5% of our common shares may request cumulative voting in an election of our Board of Directors. Pursuant to Brazilian Corporate Law, shareholders holding at least 15% of our common shares have the right to appoint a member of our Board of Directors.

Shareholders’ Meetings

Pursuant to Brazilian Corporate Law, the shareholders present at an annual or extraordinary shareholders’ meeting, convened and held in accordance with Brazilian Corporate Law and our bylaws are empowered to decide all matters relating to our corporate purpose and to pass any resolutions they deem necessary for our protection and well-being.

In order to participate in a shareholders’ meeting, a shareholder must be a record owner of the share on the day the meeting is held, and may be represented by a proxy.

Shareholders’ meetings are called, convened and presided over by the Chairman or Vice-Chairman of our Board of Directors. Brazilian Corporate Law requires that our shareholders’ meeting be convened by publication of a notice in the Diário Oficial do Estado do Rio de Janeiro, the official government publication of the State of Rio de Janeiro, and in a newspaper of general circulation in Brazil and in the city in which our principal place of business is located, currently the Jornal Valor Econômico, at least 15 days prior to the scheduled meeting date and no fewer than three times. We have changed to the Jornal Valor Econômico as our main means of disclosing legal notices after our shareholders approved by unanimous vote such change at our shareholders’ meeting held on April 30, 2009. Both notices must contain the agenda for the meeting and, in the case of an amendment to our bylaws, an indication of the subject matter.

In order for a shareholders’ meeting to be held, shareholders representing a quorum of at least one-fourth of the voting capital must be present. A shareholder may be represented at a shareholders’ meeting by means of a proxy, appointed not more than one year before the meeting, who must be a either a shareholder, a company officer or a lawyer. For public companies, such as we are, the proxy may also be a financial institution. If no quorum is present, notice must be given in the manner described above, no fewer than eight days prior to the scheduled meeting date. On second notice, the meeting may be convened without a specific quorum requirement, subject to the minimum quorum and voting requirements for certain matters, described below. A holder of shares with no voting rights may attend a shareholders’ meeting and take part in the discussion of matters submitted for consideration.

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Except as otherwise provided by law, resolutions passed at a shareholders’ meeting require a simple majority vote, abstentions not considered. Pursuant to Brazilian Corporate Law, the approval of shareholders representing at least one-half of the issued and outstanding voting shares is required for the following actions: (i) to change a priority, preference, right, privilege or condition of redemption or amortization of any class of preferred shares or creation of any class of non-voting preferred shares that has a priority, preference, right, condition or redemption or amortization superior to an existing class of shares (in this case, a majority of issued and outstanding shares of the affected class is required); (ii) to reduce the mandatory dividend; (iii) to change our corporate purpose; (iv) to merge into or consolidate with another company or to spin-off our assets; (v) to dissolve or liquidate our Company; (vi) to cancel any liquidation procedure; (vii) to create founders’ shares; and (viii) to participate in a centralized group of companies as defined under Brazilian Corporate Law.

Pursuant to Brazilian Corporate Law, shareholders voting at a shareholders’ meeting have the power to: (i) amend our bylaws; (ii) elect or dismiss members of our Board of Directors (and members of the Fiscal Council) at any time; (iii) receive and approve the annual management accounts, including the allocation of net profits and the distributable amounts for payment of the mandatory dividends and allocation to the various reserve accounts; (iv) authorize the issuance of debentures in general; (v) suspend the rights of a shareholder who has violated Brazilian Corporate Law or our bylaws; (vi) accept or reject the valuation of assets contributed by a shareholder in consideration of the subscription of shares in our capital stock; (vii) authorize the issuance of founders’ shares; (viii) pass resolutions to reorganize the legal form of, merge, consolidate or split the company, to dissolve and liquidate the company, to elect and dismiss its liquidators and to examine their accounts; and (ix) authorize management to declare the company insolvent and to request a recuperação judicial or recuperação extrajudicial (a procedure involving protection from creditors similar in nature to reorganization under the U.S. Bankruptcy Code), among others.

Redemption Rights

Our common shares are not redeemable, except that a dissenting and adversely affected shareholder is entitled, under Brazilian Corporate Law, to obtain redemption upon a decision made at a shareholders’ meeting by shareholders representing at least one half of the issued and outstanding voting shares to: (i) create a new class of preferred shares or to disproportionately increase an existing class of preferred shares relative to the other classes of preferred shares (unless these actions are provided for or authorized by our bylaws); (ii) modify a preference, privilege or condition of redemption or amortization conferred on one or more classes of preferred shares, or to create a new class with greater privileges than an existing class of preferred shares; (iii) reduce the mandatory distribution of dividends; (iv) change our corporate purpose; (v) merge us with another company or consolidate us; (vi) transfer all of our shares to another company in order to make us a wholly-owned subsidiary of that company (incorporação); (vii) approve the acquisition of control of another company at a price that exceeds certain limits set forth under Brazilian Corporate Law; (viii) approve our participation in a centralized group of companies as defined under Brazilian Corporate Law; (ix) conduct a spin-off that results in (a) a change of corporate purpose, (b) a reduction of the mandatory dividend or (c) any participation in a group of companies as defined under Brazilian Corporate Law; or (x) in the event that the entity resulting from (a) a merger or consolidation, (b) an incorporação as described above or (c) a spin-off of a listed company fails to become a listed company within 120 days of the shareholders’ meeting at which the decision was taken. The right of redemption lapses 30 days after publication of the minutes of the relevant shareholders’ meeting. We would be entitled to reconsider any action giving rise to redemption rights within 10 days following the expiration of those rights, if the redemption of shares of dissenting shareholders would jeopardize our financial stability. Law No. 9,457 dated May 5, 1997, which amended Brazilian Corporate Law, contains provisions which, among others, restrict redemption rights in certain cases and allow companies to redeem their shares at their market value, subject to certain requirements. According to our bylaws, the reimbursement value of the common shares must equal the market value, determined by a valuation report in accordance with Brazilian Corporate Law, of our capital stock divided by the total number of shares issued by us, excluding treasury shares.

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Preemptive Rights

Except as provided for in Brazilian Corporate Law (such as, mergers and public offerings), our bylaws allow each of our shareholders a general preemptive right to subscribe to shares in any capital increase, in proportion to his or her ownership interest. A minimum period of 30 days following the publication of notice of a capital increase is allowed for the exercise of the right and the right is negotiable. In the event of a capital increase that would maintain or increase the proportion of capital represented by common shares, holders of ADSs will have preemptive rights to subscribe only to newly issued common shares. In the event of a capital increase that would reduce the proportion of capital represented by common shares, holders of ADSs will have preemptive rights to subscribe for common shares, in proportion to their ownership interest, only to the extent necessary to prevent dilution of their interest in us.

Form and Transfer

As our common shares are in registered form, the transfer of shares is governed by the rules of Article 31, paragraph 3, of Brazilian Corporate Law, which provides that a transfer of shares is effected by a transfer recorded in a company’s share transfer records upon presentation of valid share transfer instructions to the company by a transferor or its representative. When common shares are acquired or sold on a Brazilian stock exchange, the transfer is effected on the company’s records by a representative of a brokerage firm or the stock exchange’s clearing system. Transfers of shares by a non-Brazilian shareholder are made in the same way and are executed by that shareholders’ local agent.

The BOVESPA operates a central clearing system. A holder of our common shares may choose, at its discretion, to participate in this system and all shares elected to be put into this system will be deposited in the custody of the BOVESPA (through a Brazilian institution duly authorized to operate by the Central Bank and having a clearing account with the BOVESPA). The fact that those common shares are held in the custody of the BOVESPA will be reflected in our register of shareholders. Each participating shareholder will, in turn, be registered in our register of beneficial shareholders maintained by the BOVESPA and will be treated in the same way as registered shareholders.

Limitations on Ownership and Voting Rights by non-Brazilians Shareholders

There are no restrictions on ownership or voting of our common shares by individuals or legal entities domiciled outside Brazil. However, the right to convert dividend payments and proceeds from the sale of common shares into foreign currency and to remit those amounts outside Brazil is subject to exchange control restrictions and foreign investment legislation which generally require, among other things, obtaining a Certificate of Registration under the Brazilian National Monetary Council’s Resolution No. 2,689 or its direct foreign investment regulations. See “Item 10D. Exchange Controls.”

Share Ownership Disclosure

There are no provisions in our bylaws governing the ownership threshold above which shareholder ownership must be disclosed. CVM regulations require the disclosure of the acquisition of (i) 5% of the voting stock of a listed company, (ii) additional acquisitions by a controlling shareholder and (iii) shares by members of the Board of Executive Officers, members of the Fiscal Council (if any) and certain relatives of those persons.

Differences Between the Laws of the United States and Brazil

Brazilian Corporate Law is, in general nature, similar to corporate laws in the United States, including the possibility of a shareholders’ derivative action (ação de responsabilidade) and the responsibilities of directors (i.e., directors owe duties of care and loyalty). Liabilities predicated upon U.S. federal securities laws, including civil liabilities under those laws, may not be enforceable in Brazil, whether in original actions or in actions for enforcement of judgments of U.S. courts.

10C. Material Contracts

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In 2003, we entered into certain equity swap agreements referenced to our shares. These agreements were originally entered into with POBT Bank and Trust Limited (an affiliate of Banco Pactual), which later assigned the agreements to UBS Symmetry Fund, UBS Strategy Fund and Fruhling Fund. In 2008, these agreements were assigned to Goldman Sachs International. Our current equity swap agreement with Goldman Sachs International will expire on September 10, 2009, unless it is renewed by us. The agreements state that the counterparty must pay us the cash dividends and final price return, if positive, on 29,684,400 CSN ADRs and we must pay the counterparty a rate of USD three-month Libor plus 0.75% per annum on the initial price of this number of ADRs and the final price return, if negative, on this number of ADRs. From September 5 to December 31, 2008, we recorded a loss in connection with these equity swap agreements in the amount of US$685 million, which was partially offset by a gain of US$155 million recorded in connection with an equity swap that expired on September 5, 2008, for a total loss of US$530 million. In the event of further decreases in the trading price of our shares, the amount payable by us under these swap agreements may be significant and materially and adversely affect us. See “Item 3D. Risk Factors—Risks Relating to our Common Shares and ADSs—We are exposed to devaluation of our shares as result of certain equity swap agreements and our pension plan assets,” “Item 5A—Operating Results,” “Item 11—Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk—Equity Risk,” and Note 21 to our consolidated financial statements contained in “Item 18. Financial Statements.” For a copy of the equity swap agreements as amended and novated, see Exhibit 10.1 to this annual report.

10D. Exchange Controls

There are no restrictions on ownership or voting of our common shares by individuals or legal entities domiciled outside Brazil. However, the right to convert dividend payments and proceeds from the sale of common shares into foreign currency and to remit those amounts outside Brazil is subject to exchange control restrictions and foreign investment legislation which generally require, among other things, obtaining a Certificate of Registration under the Brazilian National Monetary Council’s Resolution No. 2,689 or its direct foreign investment regulations.

Resolution No. 2,689 dated March 31, 2000, introduced new rules to facilitate foreign investment in Brazil. The principal changes for foreign investors entering the Brazilian market include:

• the removal of restrictions on investments by portfolio composition (e.g., equities, fixed income and derivatives); and

• permission for foreign individuals and corporations to invest in the Brazilian market, in addition to foreign institutional investors.

Prior to Resolution No. 2,689, foreign investors had to leave and reenter the country in order to switch their investments from equity to fixed income. Now foreign investors can freely switch their investments without leaving the local market. Foreign investors registered with the CVM and acting through authorized custody accounts and a legal representative may buy and sell any local financial product traded on the local exchanges and registered on the local clearing systems, including shares on the BOVESPA, without obtaining separate Certificates of Registration for each transaction. Pursuant to Resolution No. 2,689, as amended, investors are also generally entitled to favorable tax treatment. See “Item 10E. Taxation—Brazilian Tax Considerations.”

A Certificate of Registration has been issued in the name of JPMorgan Chase Bank, as our ADR depositary, and is maintained by the Itaú Corretora de Valores S.A., our ADR custodian, on behalf of our ADR depositary. Pursuant to the Certificate, our ADR custodian and our ADR depositary are able to convert dividends and other distributions with respect to the common shares represented by ADSs into foreign currency and remit the proceeds outside Brazil. In the event that a holder of ADSs surrenders its ADSs for common shares, that holder will be entitled to continue to rely on our ADR depositary’s Certificate of Registration for only five business days after the surrender, following which the holder must obtain its own Certificate of Registration. Thereafter, unless the common shares are held pursuant to Resolution No. 2,689 or direct foreign investment regulations, the holder may not be able to convert into foreign currency and remit outside Brazil the proceeds from the disposition of, or distributions with respect to, those common shares, and the holder generally will be subject to less favorable Brazilian tax treatment than a holder of ADSs. See “Item 10E. Taxation—Brazilian Tax Considerations.”

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A non-Brazilian holder of common shares may experience delays in obtaining a Certificate of Registration, which may delay remittances abroad. This kind of delay may adversely affect the amount, in U.S. dollars, received by the non-Brazilian holder.

Under current Brazilian legislation, the Brazilian government may impose temporary restrictions on remittances of foreign capital abroad in the event of a serious imbalance or an anticipated serious imbalance of Brazil’s balance of payments. For approximately nine months in 1989 and early 1990, the Brazilian government froze all dividend and capital repatriations held by the Central Bank that were owed to foreign equity investors in order to conserve Brazil’s foreign currency reserves. These amounts were subsequently released in accordance with Brazilian government directives. See “Item 3D. Risk Factors—Risks Relating to our Common Shares and ADSs—If holders of ADSs exchange the ADSs for common shares, they risk losing the ability to remit foreign currency abroad and Brazilian tax advantages.”

For a description of the foreign exchange markets in Brazil, see “Item 3A. Selected Financial Data– Exchange Rates.”

10E. Taxation

The following is a summary of certain U.S. federal income and Brazilian tax consequences of the ownership of common shares or ADSs by an investor that holds the common shares or ADSs as capital assets. This summary does not purport to address all material tax consequences of the ownership of our common shares or ADSs, does not take into account the specific circumstances of any particular investors and does not address certain investors that may be subject to special tax rules (such as tax-exempt organizations, certain insurance companies, broker-dealers in securities or currencies, traders in securities that elect to mark-to-market, real estate investment trusts, regulated investment companies, certain financial institutions, partnerships or other pass-through entities, U.S. expatriates, investors liable for alternative minimum tax, investors that directly, indirectly or constructively own 10% or more of our common shares, investors that hold common shares or ADSs as part of a straddle or a hedging straddle, constructive sale conversion, or other integrated transaction or investors whose functional currency is not the U.S. dollar).

This summary is based on the tax laws of the United States (including the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, or the Code, its legislative history, existing and proposed Treasury regulations thereunder, published rulings and court decisions) and Brazil as in effect on the date hereof, all of which are subject to change (or changes in interpretation), possibly with retroactive effect. In addition, this summary is based in part upon the representations of our ADR depositary and the assumption that each obligation in our deposit agreement and any related agreement will be performed in accordance with its terms.

Although there is, at present, no income tax treaty between Brazil and the United States, the tax authorities of the two countries have had discussions that may culminate in such a treaty. Both countries have been accepting the offset of income taxes paid in one country against the income tax due in the other based on reciprocity. On March 20, 2007, Brazil and the United States signed a tax information exchange agreement. No assurance can be given, however, as to whether or when a treaty will enter into force or how it will affect the U.S. Holders, as defined below, of common shares or ADSs.

The discussion does not address any aspects of U.S. taxation other than federal income taxation or any aspects of Brazilian taxation other than income, gift, inheritance and capital taxation. Prospective investors are urged to consult their own tax advisors regarding the U.S. federal, state and local and regarding Brazilian and other tax consequences of owning and disposing of common shares and ADSs.

Brazilian Tax Considerations

The following discussion summarizes the principal Brazilian tax consequences of the acquisition, ownership and disposition of common shares or ADSs by a holder that is not domiciled in Brazil for purposes of Brazilian taxation and, in the case of a holder of common shares, has obtained a Certificate of Registration with respect to its investment in common shares as a U.S. dollar investment (in each case, a “non-Brazilian holder”). It is based on Brazilian law as currently in effect. Any change in such law may change the consequences described below. The following discussion summarizes the principal tax consequences applicable under current Brazilian law to non-Brazilian holders of common shares or ADSs; it does not specifically address all of the Brazilian tax considerations applicable to any particular non-Brazilian holder. Each non-Brazilian holder of common shares or ADSs should consult their own tax advisor concerning the Brazilian tax consequences of an investment in common shares or ADSs.

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A non-Brazilian holder of ADSs may withdraw them in exchange for common shares in Brazil. Pursuant to Brazilian law, the non-Brazilian holder may invest in the common shares under Resolution 2,689, of January 26, 2000, of the National Monetary Council, or a 2,689 holder.

Taxation of Dividends and Interest on Shareholders’ Equity

Dividends, including dividends paid in kind, paid by us (i) to our ADR depositary in respect of the common shares underlying the ADSs or (ii) to a non-Brazilian holder in respect of common shares will generally not be subject to income tax for distribution of profits earned as from January 1996, in accordance with Article 10 of Law No 9,249/99.

Since 1996, Brazilian companies have been permitted to pay limited amounts of interest on shareholders’ equity to holders of equity securities and to treat those payments as a deductible expense for purposes of its Brazilian income tax. The interest rate applied may not be higher than the TJLP, as determined by the Central Bank from time to time. The total amount distributed may not be more than the greater of (i) 50% of the net income (before taking into account the distribution and the provision of corporate income tax but after the deduction of the provision of the social contribution on net profits); or (ii) 50% of retained earnings and profits reserves as of the date of the beginning of the fiscal year in respect of which the payment is made. Payments of interest on shareholders’ equity are decided by the shareholders on the basis of the recommendations of our Board of Directors.

The purpose of the tax law change was to encourage the use of equity investments as opposed to indebtedness to finance corporate activities. As a general rule, income tax is withheld on interest payments at the rate of 15%. However, Article 8 of Law No. 9,779, dated January 20, 1999, provides that payment of income to a beneficiary residing in a country considered a tax haven under Brazilian law is subject to a withholding income tax at the rate of 25%. Tax haven is defined as any jurisdiction that taxes income at a rate lower than 20%, as further explained below. The Brazilian tax authorities may take the position that the 25% rate applies to payments on interest on shareholders’ equity if the beneficiary of those interest payments is located in a jurisdiction considered to be a tax haven.

Taxation of Gains

Gains realized outside Brazil by a non-Brazilian holder on the disposition of ADSs to another non-Brazilian holder are not currently subject to Brazilian tax. However, according to article 26 of Law No.10,833 of December 2003, or Law No. 10,833, the disposition of assets located in Brazil by a non-Brazilian holder, whether to other non-Brazilian holder or Brazilian holders, may become subject to taxation in Brazil. Although it may be argued that we believe that the ADSs do not fall within the definition of assets located in Brazil for the purposes of Law No. 10,833, Brazilian tax authorities may interpret these provisions differently. Nevertheless, considering the broad and unclear scope of this law, we are unable to predict whether such understanding will ultimately prevail in the courts of Brazil.

Thus, the gain on disposition of ADSs by a non-Brazilian holder to a resident in Brazil (or even to a non-Brazilian resident in case the argument above does not prevail) may be subject to income tax in Brazil according to the rules described below for ADSs or the tax rules applicable to common shares, as applicable.

The withdrawal of ADSs (realized by a foreign investor) in exchange for common shares is not subject to Brazilian income tax provided that the regulatory rules are appropriately observed in respect to the registration of the investment before the Central Bank. The deposit of common shares in exchange for ADSs may be subject to Brazilian capital income tax at the rate of 15% or 25%, in case the non-Brazilian holder is located in a tax haven. Under Brazilian law, tax haven is considered to be any jurisdiction which does not impose any income tax at a maximum rate of less than 20% and where the internal legislation imposes restrictions on disclosure of the shareholding composition or the ownership of the investment (“tax haven holder”), as set forth in Law No 9,430/96, as amended by Law No 11,727/2008, if the acquisition cost of the common shares is lower than (i) the average price per common share on a Brazilian stock exchange on which the greatest number of such shares were sold on the day of deposit, or (ii) if no common shares were sold on that day, the average price on the Brazilian stock exchange on which the greatest number of common shares were sold in the fifteen trading sessions immediately preceding such deposit. In this case, the difference between the acquisition cost and the average price of the common shares, calculated as above, shall be considered a capital gain.

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Thus, for purposes of taxation of gains earned in a sale or disposition of common shares carried out on a Brazilian stock exchange (which includes the transactions carried out on the organized over-the-counter market):

• are exempt from income tax when assessed by a 2,689 holder and is not a tax haven holder; and

• are subject to income tax at a rate of 15% in any other case. In these cases, a withholding income tax rate of 0.005% is also imposed on the sale value of the transaction and can be offset with the eventual income tax due on the capital gain.

Any other gains assessed on the disposition of the common shares that are not carried out on a Brazilian stock exchange are subject to income tax a rate of 15%, except for tax haven holder which, in this case, is subject to income tax at a rate of 25%. In case these gains are related to transactions conducted on the Brazilian non-organized over-the-counter market with intermediation, the withholding income tax of 0.005% shall also be applicable and can be offset with the eventual income tax due on the capital gain.

In the case of redemption of securities or capital reduction by a Brazilian corporation, such as ourselves, the positive difference between the amount effectively received by the non-Brazilian holder and the corresponding acquisition cost is treated, for tax purposes, as capital gain derived from disposition of common shares not carried out on a Brazilian stock exchange market, and is therefore subject to income tax at the rate of 15% or 25%, as the case may be.

Any exercise of preemptive rights relating to the common shares will not be subject to Brazilian income tax. Any gain on the sale or assignment of preemptive rights relating to the common shares by a non-Brazilian holder of common shares or ADSs will be subject to Brazilian taxation at the same rate applicable to the sale or disposition of common shares.

There is no assurance that the current preferential treatment for holders of ADSs and non-Brazilian holders of common shares under Resolution 2,689 will continue in the future or that it will not be changed in the future. Reductions in the rate of tax provided for by Brazil’s tax treaties do not apply to the tax on gains realized on sales or exchange of common shares.

Tax on Financial Transactions

The Tax on Financial Transactions (Imposto sobre Operações de Crédito, Câmbio e Seguro ou relativas a Títulos ou Valores Mobiliários), or “IOF”, is imposed on foreign exchange, securities, credit and insurance transactions.

Foreign Exchange Transactions

Most of foreign exchange transactions (conversion of foreign currency in reais and conversion of reais into foreign currency) are subject to IOF at a rate of 0.38% . IOF rates may be increased by the Brazilian government up to 25% by an executive decree (no law is required) and any increase may not be applied retroactively (it will only take effect from its publication date). Different IOF rates may apply depending on the details of each transaction.

Certain foreign exchange transactions are subject to a zero percent rate (0.0%) of IOF, such as those related to conversion of reais into foreign currency for the payment of dividends, interest on shareholders’ equity, inbound and/or outbound transfers of funds for foreign investments in the Brazilian financial and capital markets (as regulated by the National Monetary Council) and transactions associated with inflow and outflow of funds in connection with foreign loans and financing transactions concluded as from October 23, 2008.

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IOF may also be levied on transactions involving bonds and securities, including those carried out on a Brazilian stock, futures or commodities exchanges. The applicable rate for transactions involving certain securities is zero. The Brazilian government may increase the rate up to 1.5% of the transaction amount per day and, in such case, may not apply such increase retroactively.

Temporary Contribution on Financial Transactions

Until December 31, 2007, generally, fund transfers in connection with financial transactions in Brazil were subject to Temporary Contribution on Financial Transaction (Contribuição Provisória sobre a Movimentação ou Transmissão de Valores e de Créditos e Direitos de Natureza Financeira), or CPMF tax, which was levied at a rate of 0.38% on any bank account withdrawals.

However, as of January 1, 2008, the CPMF tax is no longer in force as Brazilian senate rejected on December 13, 2007 a proposal to extend the effectiveness of the CPMF tax to December, 2011. As a consequence, the Brazilian government increased the IOF rates as of January 3, 2008 to compensate for the loss of tax revenue caused by the extinction of the CPMF tax.

Other Brazilian Taxes

There are no Brazilian inheritance, gift or succession taxes applicable to the ownership, transfer or disposition of common shares or ADSs by a non-Brazilian holder, except for gift and inheritance taxes which are levied by some states of Brazil on gifts made or inheritances bestowed by individuals or entities not resident or domiciled in Brazil to individuals or entities resident or domiciled within that state in Brazil. There are no Brazilian stamp, issue, registration or similar taxes or duties payable by holders of common shares or ADSs.

U.S. Federal Income Tax Considerations

The summary discussion below is applicable to you only if you are a “U.S. Holder” (as defined below) that is not domiciled in Brazil (or domiciled or resident in a tax haven jurisdiction) for purposes of Brazilian taxation and, in the case of a holder of common shares, that has registered its investment in common shares with the Central Bank as a U.S. dollar investment.

For purposes of this discussion, a U.S. Holder is any beneficial owner of common shares or ADSs that is (i) an individual who is a citizen or resident of the United States, (ii) a corporation (or other entity taxable as a corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes) organized under the laws of the United States, any state thereof or the District of Columbia, (iii) an estate the income of which is subject to U.S. federal income tax without regard to its source, or (iv) a trust if a U.S. court is able to exercise primary supervision over administration of the trust and one or more U.S. persons have authority to control all substantial decisions of the trust or if the trust validly elects under applicable Treasury regulations to be taxed as a U.S. person. A “Non-U.S. Holder” is any beneficial owner of common shares or ADSs that is an individual, corporation, estate or trust who is neither a U.S. Holder nor a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes.

If a partnership holds our common shares or ADSs, the tax treatment of a partner will generally depend upon the status of the partner and upon the activities of the partnership. A prospective investor who is a partner of a partnership holding our shares should consult its own tax advisor.

In general, and taking into account the earlier assumptions, for U.S. federal income tax purposes, holders of ADRs evidencing ADSs will be treated as the owners of the common shares represented by those ADSs, and exchanges of common shares for ADSs, and ADSs for common shares, will not be subject to U.S. federal income tax.

Taxation of Dividends

U.S. Holders

Under the U.S. federal income tax laws, and subject to the passive foreign investment company (“PFIC”) rules discussed below, U.S. Holders will include in gross income, as dividend income, the gross amount of any distribution paid by us (including payments considered “interest” in respect of stockholders’ equity under Brazilian law) (before reduction for Brazilian withholding taxes) out of our current or accumulated earnings and profits (as determined for U.S. federal income tax purposes) when the distribution is actually or constructively received by the U.S. Holder, in the case of common shares, or by our ADR Depositary, in the case of ADSs. Distributions in excess of current and accumulated earnings and profits, as determined under U.S. federal income tax principles, will be treated as a return of capital to the extent of the U.S. Holder’s adjusted tax basis in the common shares or ADSs and thereafter as capital gain. We do not intend to maintain calculations of our earnings and profits under U.S. federal income tax principles and, unless and until such calculations are made, U.S. Holders should assume all distributions are made out of earnings and profits and constitute dividend income.

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The dividend income will not be eligible for the dividends-received deduction generally allowed to U.S. corporations in respect of dividends received from other U.S. corporations. Subject to certain exceptions for short-term and hedged positions certain non-corporate U.S. Holders (including individuals) may qualify for a maximum 15% rate of tax in respect of “qualified dividend income” received before January 1, 2011. Dividend income with respect to the ADSs will be qualified dividend income, provided that, in the year that a non-corporate U.S. Holder receives the dividend, the ADSs are readily tradable on an established securities market in the United States, and we were not in the year prior to the year in which the dividend was paid, and are not in the year in which the dividend is paid, a PFIC. Based on existing Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”) guidance, it is not entirely clear whether dividends received with respect to the common shares will be treated as qualified dividend income, because the common shares are not themselves listed on a U.S. exchange.

The amount of the dividend distribution includible in gross income of a U.S. Holder will be the U.S. dollar value of the real payments made, determined at the spot real/U.S. dollar rate on the date such dividend distribution is includible in the gross income of the U.S. Holder, regardless of whether the payment is in fact converted into U.S. dollars. Generally, any gain or loss resulting from currency exchange fluctuations during the period from the date the dividend payment is includible in gross income to the date such payment is converted into U.S. dollars will be treated as ordinary income or loss and will not be eligible for the special tax rate applicable to qualified dividend income. The resulting gain or loss will generally be ordinary income or loss from sources within the United States.

Dividends received by most U.S. holders will constitute foreign source “passive income” for foreign tax credit purposes. Subject to limitations under U.S. federal income tax law concerning credits or deductions for foreign income taxes and certain exceptions for short-term and hedged positions, any Brazilian income tax withheld from dividends paid by us would be treated as a foreign income tax eligible for credit against a U.S. Holder’s U.S. federal income tax liability (or at a U.S. Holder’s election, may be deducted in computing taxable income if the U.S. Holder has elected to deduct all foreign income taxes paid or accrued for the relevant taxable year). The rules with respect to foreign tax credits are complex and U.S. Holders are urged to consult their own tax advisors regarding the availability of the foreign tax credit under their particular circumstances. The U.S. Treasury Department has expressed concern that intermediaries in connection with depositary arrangements may be taking actions that are inconsistent with the claiming of foreign tax credits by U.S. persons who are holders of depositary shares. Accordingly, investors should be aware that the discussion above regarding the availability of foreign tax credits for Brazilian income tax withheld from dividends paid with respect to common shares represented by ADSs could be affected by future action taken by the U.S. Treasury Department.

Distributions of additional common shares to U.S. Holders with respect to their common shares or ADSs that are made as part of a pro rata distribution to all our stockholders generally will not be subject to U.S. federal income tax.

Non-U.S. Holders

Dividends paid to a Non-U.S. Holder in respect of common shares or ADSs will not be subject to U.S. federal income tax unless those dividends are effectively connected with the conduct of a trade or business within the United States by the Non-U.S. Holder (and are attributable to a permanent establishment maintained in the United States by the Non-U.S. Holder, if an applicable income tax treaty so requires as a condition for the Non-U.S. Holder to be subject to U.S. taxation on a net income basis in respect of income from common shares or ADSs), in which case the Non-U.S. Holder generally will be subject to U.S. federal income tax in respect of the dividends in the same manner as a U.S. Holder. Any such effectively connected dividends received by a corporate Non-U.S. Holder may also, under certain circumstances, be subject to an additional “branch profits tax” (at a 30% rate or at a reduced rate as may be specified by an applicable income tax treaty).

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Taxation of Capital Gains

U.S. Holders

Subject to the PFIC rules discussed below, upon a sale, redemption or other taxable disposition of common shares or ADSs, a U.S. Holder will recognize gain or loss for U.S. federal income tax purposes in an amount equal to the difference between the U.S. dollar value of the amount realized (before deduction of any Brazilian tax) and the U.S. Holder’s adjusted tax basis (determined in U.S. dollars) in the common shares or ADSs. Generally, the U.S. Holder’s gain or loss will be capital gain or loss. Capital gain of a non-corporate U.S. Holder that is recognized before January 1, 2011 is generally taxed at a maximum rate of 15% where the property is held for more than one year. The deductibility of capital losses is subject to limitations under the Code.

If a Brazilian income tax is withheld on the sale, exchange or other taxable disposition of common shares or ADSs, the amount realized by a U.S. Holder will include the gross amount of the proceeds of that sale, exchange or other taxable disposition before deduction of the Brazilian tax. Capital gain or loss, if any realized by a U.S. Holder on the sale, exchange or other taxable disposition of common shares or ADSs generally will be treated as U.S. source gain or loss for U.S. foreign tax credit purposes. Consequently, in the case of a gain from the disposition of a share or ADS that is subject to Brazilian income tax (see “Taxation – Brazilian Tax Considerations – Taxation of Gains”), the U.S. Holder may not be able to benefit from the foreign tax credit for that Brazilian income tax (i.e., because the gain from the disposition would be U.S. source income), unless the U.S. Holder can apply the credit against U.S. federal income tax payable on other income from foreign sources. Alternatively, the U.S. Holder may take a deduction for the Brazilian income tax if it does not elect to claim a foreign income tax credit for any foreign taxes paid or accrued during the taxable year.

Non-U.S. Holders. A Non-U.S. Holder will not be subject to U.S. federal income tax in respect of gain recognized on a sale, exchange or other taxable disposition of common shares or ADSs unless:

• the gain is effectively connected with a trade or business of the Non-U.S. Holder in the United States (and is attributable to a permanent establishment maintained in the United States by that Non-U.S. Holder, if an applicable income tax treaty so requires as a condition for that Non-U.S. Holder to be subject to U.S. taxation on a net income basis in respect of gain from the sale or other disposition of the common shares or ADSs); or

• in the case of a Non-U.S. Holder who is an individual, that Non-U.S. Holder is present in the United States for 183 or more days in the taxable year of the sale and certain other conditions apply.

Effectively connected gains realized by a corporate Non-U.S. Holder may also, under certain circumstances, be subject to an additional branch profits tax (at a 30% rate or at a reduced rate as may be specified by an applicable income tax treaty).

Passive Foreign Investment Companies

Based on current estimates of our gross income, gross assets and the nature of our business, we believe that common shares and ADSs should not be treated as stock of a PFIC for U.S. federal income tax purposes. There can be no assurances in this regard, however, because the application of the relevant rules is complex and involves some uncertainty. The PFIC determination is made annually and is based on the portion of our assets and income that is characterized as passive under the PFIC rules. Moreover, our business plans may change, which may affect the PFIC determination in future years.

In general, we will be a PFIC with respect to a U.S. Holder if, for any taxable year in which the U.S. Holder held our ADSs or common shares, either (i) at least 75% of our gross income for the taxable year is passive income or (ii) at least 50% of the value (determined on the basis of a quarterly average) of our assets is attributable to assets that produce or are held for the production of passive income. For this purpose, passive income generally includes, among other things, dividends, interest, royalties, rents (other than certain rents and royalties derived in the active conduct of a trade or business), annuities and gains from assets that produce passive income. If a foreign corporation owns at least 25% by value of the stock of another corporation, the foreign corporation is treated for purposes of the PFIC tests as owning its proportionate share of the assets of the other corporation, and as receiving directly its proportionate share of the other corporation’s income.

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If we are treated as a PFIC, a U.S. Holder that did not make a “mark-to-market election” or “QEF election,” each as described below, would be subject to special rules with respect to (a) any gain realized on the sale or other disposition of common shares or ADSs and (b) any “excess distribution” by CSN to the U.S. Holder (generally, any distributions to the U.S. Holder in respect of the common shares or ADSs during a single taxable year that are greater than 125% of the average annual distributions received by the U.S. Holder with respect to the common shares or ADSs during the three preceding taxable years or, if shorter, the U.S. Holder’s holding period for the common shares or ADSs). Under these rules, (i) the gain or excess distribution would be allocated ratably over the U.S. Holder’s holding period for the common shares or ADSs, (ii) the amount allocated to the taxable year in which the gain or excess distribution was realized would be taxable as ordinary income, (iii) the amount allocated to each prior year, with certain exceptions, would be subject to tax at the highest tax rate in effect for that year and (iv) the interest charge generally applicable to underpayments of tax would be imposed in respect of the tax attributable to each such prior year.

If we are treated as a PFIC and, at any time, we invest in non-U.S. corporations that are classified as PFICs (each, a “Subsidiary PFIC”), U.S. Holders generally will be deemed to own, and also would be subject to the PFIC rules with respect to, their indirect ownership interest in that Subsidiary PFIC. If we are treated as a PFIC, a U.S. Holder could incur liability for the deferred tax and interest charge described above if either (1) we receive a distribution from, or dispose of all or part of our interest in, the Subsidiary PFIC or (2) the U.S. Holder disposes of all or part of its common shares or ADSs.

The special PFIC tax rules described above will not apply to a U.S. Holder if the U.S. Holder makes an election (i) to “mark-to-market” with respect to the common shares or ADSs (a “mark-to-market election”) or (ii) to have us treated as a “qualified electing fund” (a “QEF election”). The QEF election is not available to holders unless we agree to comply with certain reporting requirements and provide the required annual information statements. The QEF and mark-to-market elections only apply to taxable years in which the U.S. Holder’s common shares or ADSs are treated as stock of a PFIC. Our ADR Depositary has agreed to distribute the necessary information to registered holders of ADSs.

A U.S. Holder may make a mark-to-market election, if the common shares or ADSs are regularly traded on a “qualified exchange.” Under applicable U.S. Treasury regulations, a “qualified exchange” includes a national securities exchange, such as the New York Stock Exchange, that is registered with the SEC or the national market system established under the Exchange Act. Also, under applicable Treasury Regulations, PFIC securities traded on a qualified exchange are regularly traded on such exchange for any calendar year during which such stock is traded, other than in de minimis quantities, on at least 15 days during each calendar quarter. We cannot assure you that the common shares or ADSs will be eligible for a mark-to-market election.

A U.S. Holder that makes a mark-to-market election must include for each taxable year in which the U.S. Holder’s common shares or ADSs are treated as shares of a PFIC, as ordinary income, an amount equal to the excess of the fair market value of the common shares or ADSs at the close of the taxable year over the U.S. Holder’s adjusted tax basis in the common shares or ADSs, and is allowed an ordinary loss for the excess, if any, of the adjusted tax basis over the fair market value of the common shares or ADSs at the close of the taxable year, but only to the extent of the amount of previously included mark-to-market inclusions (not offset by prior mark-to-market losses). These amounts of ordinary income will not be eligible for the favorable tax rates applicable to qualified dividend income or long-term capital gains. A U.S. Holder’s tax basis in the common shares or ADSs will be adjusted to reflect any such income or loss amounts. Although a U.S. Holder may be eligible to make a mark-to-market election with respect to its common shares or ADSs, no such election may be made with respect to the stock of any Subsidiary PFIC that such U.S. Holder is treated as owning, because such Subsidiary PFIC stock is not marketable. Thus, the mark-to-market election will not be effective to avoid all of the adverse tax consequences described above with respect to any Subsidiary PFICs. U.S. Holders should consult their own tax advisors regarding the availability and advisability of making a mark-to-market election with respect to their common shares of ADSs based on their particular circumstances.

A U.S. Holder that makes a QEF election will be currently taxable on its pro rata share of our ordinary earnings and net capital gain (at ordinary income and capital gain rates, respectively) for each of our taxable years, regardless of whether we distributed the income and gain. The U.S. Holder’s basis in the common shares or ADSs will be increased to reflect taxed but undistributed income. Distributions of income that had previously been taxed will result in a corresponding reduction of tax basis in the common shares or ADSs and will not be taxed again as a distribution to the U.S. Holder.

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In addition, notwithstanding any election that a U.S. Holder makes with regard to the common shares or ADSs, dividends that a non-corporate U.S. Holder receives from us will not constitute qualified dividend income if we are a PFIC either in the taxable year of the distribution or the preceding taxable year.

Special rules apply with respect to the calculation of the amount of the foreign tax credit with respect to excess distributions by a PFIC or, in certain cases, QEF inclusions.

A U.S. Holder who owns common shares or ADSs during any year that we are a PFIC must file IRS Form 8621.

Backup Withholding and Information Reporting

U.S. Holders

Dividends paid on, and proceeds from the sale, redemption or other taxable disposition of, common shares or ADSs to a U.S. Holder generally will be subject to the information reporting and backup withholding, unless, in the case of backup withholding, the U.S. Holder provides an accurate taxpayer identification number or in either case otherwise establishes and exemption. The amount of any backup withholding collected from a payment to a U.S. Holder will be allowed as a credit against the U.S. Holder’s U.S. federal income tax liability and may entitle the U.S. Holder to a refund, provided that certain required information is timely furnished to the IRS.

Non-U.S. Holders

If common shares are held by a Non-U.S. Holder through the non-U.S. office of a non-U.S. related broker or financial institution, backup withholding and information reporting generally would not be required. Information reporting, and possibly backup withholding, may apply if the common shares are held by a Non-U.S. Holder through a U.S., or U.S.-related, broker or financial institution, or the U.S. office of a non-U.S. broker or financial institution and the Non-U.S. Holder fails to provide appropriate information. Information reporting and backup withholding generally will apply with respect to ADSs if the Non-U.S. Holder fails to timely provide appropriate information. Non-U.S. Holders should consult their tax advisors regarding the application of these rules.

10F. Dividends and Paying Agents

Not applicable.

10G. Statement by Experts

Not applicable.

10H. Documents on Display

We are subject to the information requirements of the Exchange Act and accordingly file reports and other information with the SEC. Reports and other information filed by us with the SEC may be inspected and copied at the public reference facilities maintained by the SEC at 100 F Street, N.E., Washington, D.C. 20549. You can obtain further information about the operation of the Public Reference Room by calling the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330. Our SEC filings are also available to the public from the SEC’s website at http://www.sec.gov. You may also inspect our reports and other information at the offices of the NYSE, 11 Wall Street, New York, New York 10005, on which our ADSs are listed. For further information on obtaining copies of our public filings at the NYSE, you should call (212) 656-5060. We also file financial statements and other periodic reports with the CVM.

10I. Subsidiary Information

Not required.

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Item 11. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

We are exposed to a number of different market risks arising from our normal business activities. Market risk is the possibility that changes in interest rates, currency exchange rates, commodities prices will adversely affect the value of financial assets, liabilities, expected future cash flows or earnings. We developed policies aimed at managing the volatility inherent to certain of these natural business exposures. We use financial instruments, such as derivatives, in order to achieve the main goals established by our Board of Directors to minimize the cost of capital and maximize the returns on financial assets, while observing, as determined by our Board of Directors, parameters of credit and risk. Derivatives are contracts whose value is derived from one or more underlying financial instruments, indices or prices defined in the contract. Only well-understood, conventional derivative instruments are used for these purposes. These include futures and options traded on regulated exchanges and “over-the-counter” swaps, options and forward contracts.

In addition to the usual market exposures that arise in our ordinary course of business, we have synthetically invested in equities via derivatives.

Market Risk Exposures and Market Risk Management

Our treasury department is responsible for managing our market risk exposures. We use a “Risk Management System” in order to:

- help us understand market risks;
- reduce the likelihood of financial losses; and
- diminish the volatility of financial results.

The principal tools used by our treasury department are:

- “Sensitivity Analysis,” which measures the impact that movements in the price of different market variables such as interest rates and exchange rates will have in our earnings and cash flows.
- “Stress Testing,” which measures the worst possible loss from a set of consistent scenarios to which probabilities are not assigned. The scenarios are deliberately chosen to include extreme changes in interest and currency exchange rates.

Following is a discussion of the primary market risk exposures that we face together with an analysis of the exposure to each one of them.

Interest Rate Risk

We are exposed to interest rate risk on short- and long-term instruments and as a result of refinancing of fixed-rate instruments included in our consolidated debt. Consequently, as well as managing the currency and maturity of debt, we manage interest costs through a balance between lower-cost floating rate debt, which has inherently higher risk, and more expensive, but lower risk, fixed-rate debt. We can use swaps, options and other derivatives to achieve the desired ratio between floating-rate debt and fixed-rate debt. The desired ratio varies according to market conditions: if interest rates are relatively low, we will shift towards fixed rate debt.

We are basically exposed to the following floating interest rates:

- U.S. dollar LIBOR, due to our floating rate U.S. dollar-denominated debt (usually trade-finance related), to our cash position held offshore in U.S. dollars, which is invested in short-term instruments, and
- TJLP (Long Term Interest Rate), due to real-denominated debt indexed to this interest rate,
- IGP-M (Brazilian inflation index), due to real-denominated debt indexed to this inflation index, and,

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- CDI (benchmark Brazilian real overnight rate), due to our cash held in Brazil (onshore cash) and to our CDI indexed debt.

Exposure as of December 2007 * |  | Notional |  | 2008 |  | 2009 |  | 2010 |  | 2011 |  |  |  | Thereafter
U.S. dollar LIBOR (amortization) |  | 574 |  | 16 |  | 43 |  | 53 |  | 233 |  |  |  | 229
Interest (fixed part) |  |  |  | 8 |  | 7 |  | 6 |  | 5 |  |  |  | 5
U.S. dollar fixed rate (amortization) |  | 2,820 |  | 573 |  | 215 |  | 97 |  | 73 |  |  |  | 1,862
Interest |  |  |  | 246 |  | 205 |  | 185 |  | 179 |  |  |  | 1,622
Euro fixed rate (amortization) |  | 3 |  | 1 |  | 0 |  | 0 |  | 2 |  |  |  | 0
Interest |  |  |  | 0 |  | 0 |  | 0 |  | 0 |  |  |  | 0
Euro floating rate (amortization) |  | 0 |  | 0 |  | 0 |  | 0 |  | 0 |  |  |  | 0
Interest (fixed part) |  |  |  | 0 |  | 0 |  | 0 |  | 0 |  |  |  | 0
Yen fixed rate (amortization) |  | 0 |  | 0 |  | 0 |  | 0 |  | 0 |  |  |  | 0
Interest |  |  |  | 0 |  | 0 |  | 0 |  | 0 |  |  |  | 0
UMBNDES (amortization) |  | 0 |  | 0 |  | 0 |  | 0 |  | 0 |  |  |  | 0
Interest (fixed part) |  |  |  | 0 |  | 0 |  | 0 |  | 0 |  |  |  | 0
CDI (amortization) |  | 372 |  | 5 |  | 0 |  | 1 |  | 320 |  |  |  | 340
Interest (fixed part) |  |  |  | 0 |  | 0 |  | 0 |  | 0 |  |  |  | 0
IGPM (amortization) |  | 186 |  | 178 |  | 0 |  | 0 |  | 0 |  |  |  | 13
Interest (fixed part) |  |  |  | 18 |  | 0 |  | 0 |  | 0 |  |  |  | 1
TJLP (amortization) |  | 308 |  | 45 |  | 25 |  | 47 |  | 47 |  |  |  | 41
Interest (fixed part) |  |  |  | 12 |  | 11 |  | 10 |  | 7 |  |  |  | 2
BRL fixed rates) |  |  |  | 0 |  | 0 |  | 0 |  | 0 |  |  |  | 0
Exposure as of December 2008* |  | Notional |  | 2008 |  | 2009 |  | 2010 |  | 2011 |  | 2012 |  | Thereafter
US dollar LIBOR (amortization) |  | 619 |  |  |  | 47 |  | 56 |  | 177 |  | 204 |  | 134
Interest (fixed part) |  |  |  |  |  | 9 |  | 7 |  | 6 |  | 3 |  | 2
US dollar fixed rate (amortization) |  | 3,287 |  |  |  | 1,155 |  | 197 |  | 73 |  | 54 |  | 1,808
Interest |  |  |  |  |  | 254 |  | 195 |  | 179 |  | 175 |  | 2,802
Euro fixed rate (amortization) |  | 2 |  |  |  | 0 |  | 0 |  | 0 |  | 0 |  | 0
Interest |  |  |  |  |  | 0 |  | 0 |  | 0 |  | 0 |  | 0
Euro floating rate (amortization) |  | 0 |  |  |  | 0 |  | 0 |  | 0 |  | 0 |  | 0
interest (fixed part) |  |  |  |  |  | 0 |  | 0 |  | 0 |  | 0 |  | 0
Yen fixed rate (amortization) |  | 0 |  |  |  | 0 |  | 0 |  | 0 |  | 0 |  | 0
Interest |  |  |  |  |  | 0 |  | 0 |  | 0 |  | 0 |  | 0
UMBNDES (amortization) |  | 0 |  |  |  | 0 |  | 0 |  | 0 |  | 0 |  | 0
interest (fixed part) |  |  |  |  |  | 0 |  | 0 |  | 0 |  | 0 |  | 0
CDI (amortization) |  | 324 |  |  |  | 0 |  | 0 |  | 25 |  | 257 |  | 43
interest (fixed part) |  |  |  |  |  | 0 |  | 0 |  | 0 |  | 0 |  | 0
IGPM (amortization) |  | 29 |  |  |  | 4 |  | 4 |  | 4 |  | 4 |  | 11
interest (fixed part) |  |  |  |  |  | 2 |  | 2 |  | 1 |  | 1 |  | 0
TJLP (amortization) |  | 432 |  |  |  | 87 |  | 69 |  | 66 |  | 77 |  | 133
interest (fixed part) |  |  |  |  |  | 14 |  | 12 |  | 9 |  | 6 |  | 5
BRL fixed rate |  | 0 |  |  |  | 0 |  | 0 |  | 0 |  | 0 |  | 0

* All figures in U.S. dollars. Because we primarily use Brazilian GAAP controls, the numbers shown in the table do not add up to 100% of our debt and might differ, within some margin, from the numbers shown in this report.

Our cash and cash equivalent instruments were as follows:

|  | December 2007 |  | December 2008 |  | Exposure
Cash in reais: |  | 722 |  | 698 |  | CDI
Cash in U.S. dollars: |  | 491 |  | 2,844 |  | LIBOR

The table below shows the average interest rate and the average life of our debt.

|  | December 2007 |  | December 2008
|  | Average rate % |  | Average life |  | Average rate % |  | Average life
U.S. dollar LIBOR* |  | 1.30 |  | 4.00 |  | 1.35 |  | 3.28
U.S. dollar fixed rate |  | 8.88 |  | 13.44 (with perpetual bond) |  | 7.83 |  | 11.43 (with perpetual bond)
Euro fixed rate |  | 5.67 |  | 2.15 |  | 5.74 |  | 2.54
Euro floating rate* |  | N/A |  | N/A |  | N/A |  | N/A
Yen fixed rate |  | N/A |  | N/A |  | N/A |  | N/A
UMBNDES* |  | 3.50 |  | 2.04 |  | 4.55 |  | 0.72
CDI |  | 103.69 of CDI |  | 4.05 |  | 103.83 of CDI |  | 3.21
IGPM* |  | 9.56 |  | 1.23 |  | 7.11 |  | 3.71
TJLP* |  | 2.52 |  | 3.57 |  | 2.54 |  | 3.07
* In these cases, figures shown in the table represents the average spread.

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During 2008, our decision was to hedge part of our U.S. dollar fixed-rate exposure due to the volatility of U.S. interest rates. We maintained our policy from the previous year of keeping most of our position in OTC swaps, thus avoiding margin requirements and rollover transaction costs at BM&F, the Brazilian derivatives exchange. The duration of our U.S. dollar fixed-rate derivatives decreased from 178 days as of December 31, 2007 to 103 days as of December 31, 2008 (see tables below).

|  | Notional |  | Average interest rate |  | Average maturity
As of December 2008 |  | (in U.S. dollar million, |  | (U.S. dollar) |  | (days)
|  | unless otherwise indicated) |  |  |  |
Swaps (U.S. dollar fixed - rate versus CDI and equity swaps) |  | 1,530 |  | 3.4948 |  | 103
|  | Notional |  | Average interest rate |  | Average maturity
As of December 2007 |  | (in U.S. dollar million, |  | (U.S. dollar) |  | (days)
|  | unless otherwise indicated) |  |  |  |
Swaps (U.S. dollar fixed - rate versus CDI and equity swaps) |  | 1,360 |  | 5.9323% |  | 178
* daily reset |  |  |  |  |  |

Foreign Currency Exchange Rate Risk

Fluctuations in exchange rates can have significant effects on our operating results, which in filings with the SEC are presented in U.S. dollars. Therefore, exchange rate fluctuations affect the values of our real-denominated assets, the carrying and repayment costs of our real-denominated financial liabilities, our real-denominated production costs, the cost of real-denominated capital items and the prices we receive in the Brazilian market for our finished steel products. We attempt to manage our net foreign exchange rate exposures, trying to balance our non-real denominated assets with our non-real denominated liabilities. We use derivative instruments to match our non-real denominated assets to our non-real denominated liabilities, but at any given time we may still have significant foreign currency exchange rate risk exposure.

Our exposure to U.S. dollar is due to the following contract categories:

- U.S. dollar-denominated debt;
- offshore cash;
- currency derivatives (in the case of options, we use the delta as a measure of exposure);
- U.S. dollar indexed accounts payable and receivable (usually related to international trade, i.e., imports and exports); and
- offshore investments: assets that we bought offshore and that are denominated in U.S. dollars on our balance sheet.

|  | December 2007 |  | December 2008
U.S. dollar Liabilities |  | 4,044 |  | 4,460
fixed rate |  | 2,820 |  | 3,287
floating rate |  | 574 |  | 619
UMBNDES* |  | 46 |  | -
trade accounts payable |  | 604 |  | 554
U.S. dollar Assets |  | 2,574 |  | 4,434
offshore cash and cash equivalents |  | 491 |  | 2,844
derivatives (swaps and NDFs) |  | 1,360 |  | 1,530
trade accounts receivable |  | 252 |  | 60
offshore investments (net of cash) |  | 471 |  | -
Total U.S. dollar Exposure |  | (1,470) |  | 26

________________
* UMBNDES is an index calculated and published by BNDES (Brazilian development bank), which reflects the movement of a currency basket against the Brazilian real. We consider UMBNDES debt as U.S. dollar indexed exposure because of the absolutely high correlation between them.

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Offshore investments

We have capitalized our offshore subsidiaries domiciled in U.S. dollar-based countries with equity investments, and those investments are accounted as U.S. dollar investments. The result is that they work as assets indexed to U.S. dollar from an earnings perspective.

Commodity Price Risk

Fluctuations in the price of steel and some of the commodities used in producing steel, such as zinc, aluminum, tin, coal, coke and energy, can have an impact on our earnings. Currently, we are not hedging our exposure to commodity prices. Our biggest commodity price exposure is the price of steel and coal, but there are no liquid instruments that provide an effective hedge against their price fluctuations.

Equity Risk

In 2003, we entered into certain equity swap agreements referenced to our shares. These agreements were originally entered into with POBT Bank and Trust Limited (an affiliate of Banco Pactual), which later assigned the agreements to UBS Symmetry Fund, UBS Strategy Fund and Fruhling Fund. In 2008, these agreements were assigned to Goldman Sachs International. Our current equity swap agreement with Goldman Sachs International will expire on September 10, 2009, unless it is renewed by us. The agreements state that the counterparty must pay us the cash dividends and final price return, if positive, on 29,684,400 CSN ADRs and we must pay the counterparty a rate of USD three-month Libor plus 0.75% per annum on the initial price of this number of ADRs and the final price return, if negative, on this number of ADRs. The rationale for these transactions is that equities historically have yielded higher long-term returns than fixed-income securities, hence tending to offset CSN’s long-term debt servicing costs. From September 5 to December 31, 2008, we recorded a loss in connection with these equity swap agreements in the amount of US$685 million, which was partially offset by a gain of US$155 million recorded in connection with an equity swap that expired on September 2008, for a total loss of US$530 million. In the event of further decreases in the trading price of our shares, the amount payable by us under these swap agreements may be significant and materially and adversely affect us. See “Item 3D. Risk Factors—Risks Relating to our Common Shares and ADSs—We are exposed to devaluation of our shares as result of certain equity swap agreements and our pension plan assets,” “Item 5A—Operating Results,” “Item 11—Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk—Equity Risk,” and Note 21 to our consolidated financial statements contained in “Item 18. Financial Statements.”

We entered into these transactions in 2003 and rolled the original swaps over on an annual basis since then. The swap agreements currently in force are scheduled to expire in September 2009. The actual cash amount realized on termination of these swap agreements will depend on the trading price of our ADRs during a final averaging period or, if applicable, the terms of any negotiated close out of the swap agreements.

The contracts outstanding at December 31, 2007 which were settled in September 2008 were as follows:

Issued |  | Maturity |  | Notional |  |  |  |  |  |
date |  | date |  | amount |  | Receivable |  | Payable |  | Market value
04/07/03 |  | 09/05/08 |  | 35.8 |  | 644.9 |  | (52.6) |  | 591.5
04/09/03 |  | 09/05/08 |  | 5.6 |  | 100.5 |  | (8.3) |  | 92.2
04/10/03 |  | 09/05/08 |  | 2.0 |  | 36.1 |  | (2.9) |  | 33.2
04/11/03 |  | 09/05/08 |  | 1.0 |  | 18.6 |  | (1.5) |  | 17.1
04/28/03 |  | 09/05/08 |  | 1.1 |  | 17.8 |  | (1.6) |  | 16.2
04/30/03 |  | 09/05/08 |  | 0.1 |  | 1.3 |  | (0.1) |  | 1.2
05/14/03 |  | 09/05/08 |  | 0.2 |  | 3.3 |  | (0.3) |  | 3.0
05/15/03 |  | 09/05/08 |  | 0.4 |  | 7.5 |  | (0.6) |  | 6.9
05/19/03 |  | 09/05/08 |  | 1.0 |  | 19.0 |  | (1.5) |  | 17.5
05/20/03 |  | 09/05/08 |  | 0.3 |  | 4.9 |  | (0.4) |  | 4.5
05/21/03 |  | 09/05/08 |  | 0.4 |  | 8.1 |  | (0.6) |  | 7.5
05/22/03 |  | 09/05/08 |  | 0.3 |  | 6.4 |  | (0.5) |  | 5.9
05/28/03 |  | 09/05/08 |  | 0.4 |  | 8.3 |  | (0.6) |  | 7.7
05/29/03 |  | 09/05/08 |  | 0.4 |  | 7.8 |  | (0.6) |  | 7.2
06/05/03 |  | 09/05/08 |  | 0.1 |  | 1.8 |  | (0.1) |  | 1.7
Total |  |  |  | 49.1 |  | 886.3 |  | (72.2) |  | 813.3

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These swap agreements are related to 29,684,400 of our ADRs and are intended to enhance the return of our financial assets by adding exposure to equity securities that historically have yielded higher long-term returns than fixed income assets, hence diminishing the impact of the cost of carry of our long-term debt in the net consolidated financial expenses. The maturity of these agreements was on September 5, 2008 and the financial settlement was on September 8, 2008 resulting in proceeds of US$1,006 million.

On September 5, 2008, we entered into a new equity swap agreement, as described below:

Issued |  | Maturity |  | Notional |  |  |  |  |  | Market
date |  | date |  | amount |  | Receivable |  | Payable |  | value
|  |  |  |  |  | 2008 |  | 2008 |  | 2008
09/05/08 |  | 09/10/09 |  | 1,050.8 |  | 380.2 |  | (1,065.4) |  | (685.1)

In connection with this equity swap agreement, we have deposited a guarantee margin for the benefit of our counterparty. As of December 31, 2008, the deposited amount totaled US$1,059 million, bearing an interest rate equivalent to the FedFund rate.

Sensitivity analysis

The economic environment in which we operate determines the main factors taken into consideration to establish risk scenarios. In the Brazilian economic environment exchange rate variation is the most notable market risk.

The real exchange rate has significant volatility. Between 1999 and 2008 the real exchange rate had an average annual volatility of 22% and in four years during this period volatility was of approximately 50%, including 2008.

To develop our sensitivity analysis we analyze three different scenarios of exchange rate variation. The first scenario reflects our projection, at the end of the fiscal year, and is the scenario we consider more likely. The second scenario reflects a moderate adverse variation based on historic figures and the third scenario provides for a significantly adverse scenario based on exceptional but plausible economic shocks.

Based on the foreign exchange rate of December 31, 2008 of R$2.3370 per US$ 1.00, adjustments to the swap agreement amounts were estimated for three scenarios: scenario 1: rate of R$2.3580 per US$ 1.00; scenario 2: (25% depreciation) rate of R$1.7528 per US$ 1.00; scenario 3: (50% depreciation) rate of R$1.1685 per US$ 1.00.

December 31, 2008 (In thousand of US$, except for exchange rates) |  | Risk |  | Scenario |  | Reference Value |  | Exchange Rates |  | Additional Results
|  |  |  |  |  | 1,530,000 |  | 2.3370 |  |
|  |  |  | 1 |  |  |  | 2.3580 |  | 13,748
Foreign Exchange swaps |  | Dollar devaluation |  | 2 |  |  |  | 1.7528 |  | (382,500)
|  |  |  | 3 |  |  |  | 1.1685 |  | (765,001)
|  |  |  |  |  | 712 |  | 2.3370 |  |
|  |  |  | 1 |  |  |  | 2.3580 |  | 6
Interest Swap CDI x Libor |  | Dollar devaluation |  | 2 |  |  |  | 1.7528 |  | (178)
|  |  |  | 3 |  |  |  | 1.1685 |  | (356)

(*) Source: Future Dollar closing rate on February 28, 2009 and December 30, 2008.

The scenarios of devaluation of the real versus the U.S. Dollar would increase both losses in derivative transactions and offsetting gains in the underlying hedged exposure, as expected.

Based on the ADR price of US$ 12.81 as of December 31, 2008 and considering the historical return correlation between the U.S. dollar and the ADRs, adjustments to the equity swap derivative contract amount were estimated for three ADR price scenarios: scenario 1: ADR quotation at US$ 20.00; scenario 2: ADR quotation at US$ 9.68; and scenario 3: ADR quotation at US$ 6.46.

The evaluated scenario follows the perspective of the worldwide economic recovery and the expected increasing appreciation of the quotations of the Company's securities.

December 31, 2008 (In thousand of US$, except for ADR price and number) |  | Risk |  | Scenario |  | ADR Price |  | ADR Reference Value |  | Additional Results
|  |  |  |  |  | 12.81 |  | 29,684,400 |  |
|  |  |  | 1 |  | 20.00 |  |  |  | 210,462
Equity swaps |  | Price devaluation and dollar recovery |  | 2 |  | 9.68 |  |  |  | (95,805)
|  |  |  | 3 |  | 6.46 |  |  |  | (191,613)

Item 12. Description of Securities Other Than Equity Securities

Not applicable.

Item 13. Defaults, Dividend Arrearages and Delinquencies

At our Annual Shareholders’ Meeting of April 30, 2009, our shareholders approved the payment of dividends and interest on shareholders’ equity relating to 2008, in the total amount of US$868.6 million (US$738.2 million as dividends and US$130.4 million as interest on shareholders’ equity).

The total amount of approved dividends include dividends paid in advance on November 27, 2008, in the amount of US$70.6 million, that had already been approved by our Board of Directors on August 12, 2008, and dividends that had already been approved by our Board of Directors on March 24, 2009 in the amount of US$667.6 million.

Soon after the announcement of the payment of such dividends in the amount of US$667.6 million, a court order was issued by a trial state tax court in the State of Rio de Janeiro in connection with tax claims related to IPI premium credits on exports that we have recorded, in order to block approximately US$354.2 million of our funds. For this reason, the Company paid its shareholders on April 2, 2009 the amount of funds that had not been blocked of approximately US$313.4 million. We are taking all measures to unblock our funds. Nevertheless, aiming at the preservation of our shareholders’ rights, we decided to pay on June 26, 2009, the remaining dividends of approximately US$354.2 million.

The US$130.4 million as interest on shareholders’ equity were paid on May 11, 2009.

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For further information, see “Item 5A. Operating Results—Results of Operations—Year 2008 Compared to Year 2007—Disputed Taxes Payable.”

Item 14. Material Modification to the Rights of Security Holders and Use of Proceeds

None.

PART II

Item 15. Controls and Procedures

Disclosure Controls and Procedures

Our chief executive officer and our chief financial officer, after evaluating together with our management the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in the U.S. Securities Exchange Act of 1934 under Rule 13a-15(e)) have concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures were not effective because of the material weakness in internal control over financial reporting described below, to ensure that material information relating to us was made known to them by others within our company, as of December 31, 2008, the end of the period covered by this annual report. Based on that evaluation, our chief executive officer and chief financial officer concluded that the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures are ineffective to ensure that information required to be disclosed in the reports that we file and submit under the Exchange Act is (1) recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in SEC rules and forms, and (2) collected and communicated to management, including our chief executive officer and chief financial officer, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure as of the end of our most recent fiscal year.

Management’s annual report on internal control over financial reporting

Our management is responsible for establishing and maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting and for its assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting as defined in rules 13 a-15 (f) under the U.S. Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Our internal control over financial reporting is designed to provide reasonable assurance to our management and Board of Directors regarding the preparation and presentation of published financial statements.

Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect material misstatements on a timely basis. Therefore even those systems determined to be effective can provide only reasonable assurance with respect to financial statement preparation and presentation. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.

Management assessed the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2008 based on the criteria established in “Internal Control – Integrated Framework” issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations – COSO – of the Treadway Commission.

The Company's management is committed to the continuous improvement of our internal controls over financial reporting. In 2008, the Company's management identified a deficiency in the process of identification, accounting and disclosure of four offshore dormant subsidiaries (Arame Corporation, International Charitable, TdBB and International Investment Fund (I.I.F). These companies were formed in 2001, 2001, 1997 and 1999, respectively, and our equity interest in these four subsidiaries had not been recorded in our consolidated financial statements in prior fiscal years.

Arame Corporation, International Charitable and TdBB do not have any assets or liabilities. I.I.F is not an operational company, but owns an equity interest in a Brazilian operational railroad company (MRS Logística S.A.), recorded through the equity investment method.

This deficiency resulted in a material weakness as of December 31, 2008. A material weakness is a deficiency, or a combination of deficiencies, in internal control over financial reporting, such that there is a reasonable possibility that a material misstatement of the company's annual or interim financial statements will not be prevented or detected on a timely basis.

The existing internal controls allowed the Company's management to detect the deficiency during 2008 and the necessary adjustments were timely recorded in our financial statements for fiscal year 2008. Therefore, our consolidated financial statement for 2008 already included results of these subsidiaries.

In addition, we assessed the impact of these unrecorded adjustments on prior years and identified that equity was understated in the amount of US$ 29.8 million during fiscal years 1999 through 2007, which represented 0.51% of the Company's accumulated net income for the period (1999-2007), as follows:

Year |  | Unrecorded Adjustments (In millions of US$)
1999 |  | (0.3)
2000 |  | 1.4
2001 |  | (1.9)
2002 |  | (3.2)
2003 |  | 1.8
2004 |  | 7.7
2005 |  | 8.2
2006 |  | 8.1
2007 |  | 8.0
Total |  | 29.8

We concluded that these adjustments were not material and, therefore, it was not necessary to restate the consolidated financial statements for those years. Nonetheless we believed it consisted of a material weakness in 2008 due to the fact that the non-identification and report of certain subsidiaries in our consolidated financial statements could have potentially had a material impact.

Once the deficiency was identified, management immediately informed our Audit Committee and our independent auditors. The Audit Committee conducted an independent evaluation and concurred that the financial effect related to this deficiency had no material impact on our consolidated financial statements.

In order to prevent the occurrence of such deficiencies, during fiscal year 2009, our management took the necessary remediation measures to ensure accuracy and effectiveness of our monitoring controls over the process of identification, accounting and disclosure of subsidiaries. These measures included:

- Definition of policies (including corporate approvals) concerning the incorporation, acquisitions of interests, modifications in the capital structure, operations and liquidation of branches and subsidiaries. These policies establish parameters for the analysis, approval and consolidation and flow of information regarding these entities.
- Centralization in the International Accounting Department of the reconciliation, consolidation and reporting activities regarding the subsidiaries.
- Liquidation of dormant companies.
- Implementation of the Financial Accounting (FI) and Materials Managements (MM) SAP System Modules for integrated subsidiaries (i.e. entities that operate as an extension of the parent company).

Attestation Report of the Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

For the report of KPMG Auditores Independentes, our independent registered public accounting firm, dated March 17, 2010, on the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2008, see “Item 18. Financial Statements”.

Changes in internal control over financial reporting

Except as disclosed in the following paragraph, there was no change in our internal control over financial reporting that occurred in the period covered by this annual report that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

The Company's management is committed to the continuous improvement of our internal controls over financial reporting. In 2008, the Company's management identified a deficiency in the process of identification, accounting and disclosure of four offshore dormant subsidiaries (Arame Corporation, International Charitable, TdBB and International Investment Fund (I.I.F). These companies were formed in 2001, 2001, 1997 and 1999, respectively, and our equity interest in these four subsidiaries had not been recorded in our consolidated financial statements in prior fiscal years.

In past years, monitoring controls over lawsuits substantially related to labor and civil claims, including the estimate and recording of provisions for contingencies relating to such lawsuits, was performed through the use of certain spreadsheets which were manually fed and monitored by personnel who had been in charge of such controls for several years. In 2007, the Company underwent a high turnover in its legal department team and key personnel in charge of the monitoring controls over the completeness and accuracy of lawsuits and related provisions for contingencies. The lapse of time it took for the Company to replace such key personnel and for the new professionals hired to become familiar with all lawsuits and adequately perform relevant monitoring controls resulted in a material weakness as of December 31, 2007. Since the insufficient controls only affected lawsuits involving non-material amounts, the material weakness did not result in any audit adjustment that would have required restatement of our consolidated financial statements for 2007. Since the replacement of the abovementioned key personnel occurred in 2007, the 2006 monitoring controls were not affected and there was no impact on our consolidated financial statements for that year.

In 2008, in order to remediate the material weakness identified as of December 31, 2007, we restructured our legal department. The Company hired a general counsel who divided the department into four groups. Four senior assistant general counsel were brought in and new lawyers, paralegals and trainees were also hired to strengthen the team. CSN also initiated the development of electronic controls of lawsuits and electronic management of files, replacing the manual spreadsheets, through the implementation of specialized software. These actions (i) improved the controls over lawsuits and judicial processes; (ii) allowed the accurate estimation and recordation of provisions for contingencies; and (iii) ensured a smooth transition in case the personnel in charge of such controls leave the company, since historical information on lawsuits is well organized and can be easily accessed by new professionals.

This material weakness identified for the year ended December 31, 2007 and concerning oversight and supervisory review of lawsuits was remediated during 2008 and no longer is a material weakness.

Item 16. [Reserved]

16A. Audit Committee Financial Expert

After reviewing the qualifications of the members of our Audit Committee, our Board of Directors has determined that all three members of our Audit Committee qualify as an “audit committee financial expert,” as defined by the SEC. In addition, all of the members of out Audit Committee meet the applicable independence requirements both under Brazilian Corporate Law and under the NYSE rules.

Our Audit Committee is permanently assisted by a consultant, who renders financial and consulting services, among others, to the members of our Audit Committee.

16B. Code of Ethics

We have adopted a Code of Ethics in 1998, reinforcing our ethical standards and values that apply to all of our employees, including executive officers and directors.

Given its importance, copies of the Code of Ethics were distributed to each employee of the organization, to our Board of Directors and our Audit Committee members, who have signed a Commitment Letter, which reinforces the compromise with the established values.

There was no amendment to or waiver from any provision of our Code of Ethics in 2008. Our Code of Ethics is in compliance with the SEC requirements for codes of ethics for senior financial officers. A copy of our Code of Ethics is available on our websites www.csn.com.br or www.csn.com.br/ir.

16C. Principal Accountant Fees and Services

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Our interaction with our independent auditors with respect to the contracting of services unrelated to the external audit is based on principles that preserve the independence of the auditors and are otherwise permissible under applicable rules and regulations. For the fiscal years ending December 31, 2007 and 2008, KPMG Auditores Independentes acted as our independent auditors. The following table describes the services rendered and the related fees.

|  | Year ending
|  | December 31,
|  | 2007 |  | 2008
|  | (In thousands of US$)
Audit fees |  | 973 |  | 1,809
Audit – related fees |  | 690 |  | 251
Tax fees |  | 9 |  | 81
Other |  | 4 |  | -
Total |  | 1,676 |  | 2,141

Audit fees

Audit fees in 2007 and 2008 consisted of the aggregate fees billed and billable by KPMG Auditores Independentes for the audits of our consolidated financial statements, reviews of interim financial statements and attestation services that are provided in connection with statutory and regulatory filings or engagements.

Audit-related fees

Audit-related fees in 2007 and 2008 are fees billed by KPMG Auditores Independentes for services that are reasonably related to the performance of the audit or review of our financial statements. In 2007 and 2008, audit-related fees refer mainly to IFRS gap analysis.

Tax Fees

Fees billed in 2007 and 2008 for professional services rendered by KPMG Auditores Independentes are for tax compliance services.

Other Fees

Fees disclosed under the category “Other” refer mainly to out of pocket expenses. The services to be provided by the external auditors not directly related to the auditing of our financial statements are previously submitted to the audit committee in order to ensure that they do not infringe the auditor’s independence.

Pre-approval Policies and Procedures

Board approval is required before engaging independent auditors to provide any audit or permitted non-audit services to us or our subsidiaries. Pursuant to this policy, our Board of Directors pre-approves all audit and non-audit services provided by our independent auditors.

16D. Exemptions from the Listing Standards for Audit Committees

We are in full compliance with the listing standards for audit committee pursuant to Exchange Act Rule 10A- 3. For a discussion on our audit committee, see “Item 6. Directors, Senior Management and Employees—Board Practices—Fiscal Committee and Audit Committee.”

16E. Purchases of Equity Securities by the Issuer and Affiliated Purchasers

Since the beginning of 2004, in accordance with the limits and provisions of CVM’s Instruction No. 10/80, our Board of Directors approved a number of share buyback programs. The following table sets forth our purchases of our equity securities in 2008:

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|  |  |  |  |  | Total Number of |  | Maximum Number
|  |  |  | Average |  | Shares |  | of Shares that May
|  | Total Number of |  | Price Paid |  | Purchased as Part of |  | Yet Be Purchased
|  | Shares |  | per |  | Publicly Announced |  | Under the Plans or
Period |  | Purchased(1) |  | Share(1) |  | Plans or Programs(1) |  | Programs
From September 29 to October 29 |  | 10,800,000 |  | 13.66 |  | 10,800,000 |  | -
______________
(1) Prices and volumes of our common shares and ADS above have been adjusted to reflect the stock split that occurred on January 22, 2008.

From March to June 2008, our Board of Directors approved four buyback programs, authorizing us to acquire up to 10,800,000 of our shares to be held in treasury for subsequent sale or cancellation. No shares were acquired through any of these buyback programs.

On September 26, 2008 our Board of Directors approved another buyback program to last from September 29, 2008 to October 29, 2008 authorizing us to acquire up to 10,800,000 shares to be held in treasury for subsequent sale or cancellation. During the buyback program, we have acquired the maximum amount of 10,800,000 shares.

On December 3, 2008, our shareholders approved at an extraordinary shareholders’ meeting the cancellation of the 10,800,000 shares held in treasury. As a result of the cancellation, our capital stock became comprised of 793,403,838 registered common shares with no par value.

From January to February 2009, our Board of Directors approved two buyback programs, authorizing us to acquire up to 9,720,000 of our shares to be held in treasury for subsequent sale or cancellation. No shares were acquired through any of these buyback programs.

16F. Change in Registrant’s Certifying Accountant

Not applicable.

16G. Corporate Governance

Significant Differences between our Corporate Governance Practice and NYSE Corporate Governance Standards

We are subject to the NYSE corporate governance listing standards. As a foreign private issuer, the standards applicable to us are considerably different than the standards applied to U.S. listed companies. Under the NYSE rules, we are required only to: (i) have an audit committee or audit board, pursuant to an applicable exemption available to foreign private issuers, that meets certain requirements, as discussed below, (ii) provide prompt certification by our Chief Executive Officer of any material non-compliance with any corporate governance rules, and (iii) provide a brief description of the significant differences between our corporate governance practices and the NYSE corporate governance practice required to be followed by U.S. listed companies. The discussion of the significant differences between our corporate governance practices and those required of U.S. listed companies follows below.

Majority of Independent Directors

The NYSE rules require that a majority of the board of directors must consist of independent directors. Independence is defined by various criteria, including the absence of a material relationship between the director and the listed company. Brazilian law does not have a similar requirement. Under Brazilian law, neither our board of directors nor our management is required to test the independence of directors before their election to the board. However, both Brazilian Corporate Law and the CVM have established rules that require directors to meet certain qualification requirements and that address the compensation and duties and responsibilities of, as well as the restrictions applicable to, a company’s executive officers and directors. While our directors meet the qualification requirements of Brazilian Corporate Law and the CVM, we do not believe that a majority of our directors would be considered independent under the NYSE test for director independence. Brazilian Corporate Law requires that our directors be elected by our shareholders at an annual shareholders’ meeting.

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Executive Sessions

NYSE rules require that the non-management directors must meet at regularly scheduled executive sessions without management present. Brazilian Corporate Law does not have a similar provision. According to Brazilian Corporate Law, up to one-third of the members of the board of directors can be elected from management. Mr. Benjamin Steinbruch, our Chief Executive Officer, is also the Chairman of our Board of Directors. There is no requirement that non-management directors meet regularly without management. As a result, the non-management directors on our Board of Directors do not typically meet in executive session.

Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee

NYSE rules require that listed companies have a nominating and corporate governance committee composed entirely of independent directors and governed by a written charter addressing the committee’s required purpose and detailing its required responsibilities, which include, among other things, identifying and selecting qualified board member nominees and developing a set of corporate governance principles applicable to the company. We are not required under Brazilian Corporate Law to have, and currently we do not have, a nominating and a corporate governance committee.

Compensation Committee

NYSE rules require that listed companies have a compensation committee composed entirely of independent directors and governed by a written charter addressing the committee’s required purpose and detailing its required responsibilities, which include, among other things, reviewing corporate goals relevant to the chief executive officer’s compensation, evaluating the chief executive officer’s performance, approving the chief executive officer’s compensation levels and recommending to the board non-chief executive officer compensation, incentive-compensation and equity-based plans. We are not required under applicable Brazilian law to have, and currently do not have, a compensation committee. Under Brazilian Corporate Law, the total amount available for compensation of our directors and executive officers and for profit-sharing payments to our executive officers is established by our shareholders at the annual shareholders’ meeting. The board of directors is then responsible for determining the individual compensation and profit-sharing of each executive officer, as well as the compensation of our board and committee members.

Audit Committee

NYSE rules require that listed companies have an audit committee that (i) is composed of a minimum of three independent directors who are all financially literate, (ii) meets the SEC rules regarding audit committees for listed companies, (iii) has at least one member who has accounting or financial management expertise and (iv) is governed by a written charter addressing the committee’s required purpose and detailing its required responsibilities. However, as a foreign private issuer, we need only to comply with the requirement that the audit committee meet the SEC rules regarding audit committees for listed companies to the extent compatible with Brazilian corporate law. We have established an Audit Committee, which is equivalent to a U.S. audit committee, provides assistance to our Board of Directors in matters involving our accounting, internal controls, financial reporting and compliance. Our Audit Committee recommends the appointment of our independent auditors to our Board of Directors and reviews the compensation of, and coordinates with, our independent auditors. Our Audit Committee also evaluates the effectiveness of our internal financial and legal compliance controls, and is comprised of up to three members elected by our Board of Directors for a one-year term of office. The current members of our Audit Committee are Dionísio Dias Carneiro Netto, Fernando Perrone and Yoshiaki Nakano. All members of our Audit Committee satisfy the audit committee membership independence requirements set forth by the SEC and the NYSE. All members of our Audit Committee have been determined by our Board of Directors to qualify as an “audit committee financial expert” within the meaning of the rules adopted by the SEC relating to the disclosure of financial experts on audit committees in periodic filings pursuant to the Exchange Act. For further information on our Audit Committee, see “Item 6. Directors, Senior Management and Employees—Board Practices—Fiscal Committee and Audit Committee.”

119

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Table of Contents

Code of Business Conduct and Ethics

NYSE rules require that listed companies adopt and disclose a code of business conduct and ethics for directors, officers and employees, and promptly disclose any waivers of the code for directors or executive officers. Applicable Brazilian law does not have a similar requirement. We have adopted a Code of Ethics applicable to all our employees, including our executive officers and directors. We believe this code addresses the matters required to be addressed pursuant to the NYSE rules. For a further discussion of our Code of Ethics, see “Item 16B. Code of Ethics.”

Shareholder Approval of Equity Compensation Plans

NYSE rules require that shareholders be given the opportunity to vote on all equity compensation plans and material revisions thereto, with limited exceptions. We currently do not have any such plan and, pursuant to our bylaws, we would require shareholder approval to adopt an equity compensation plan. Shareholder approval may be required, however, if an equity compensation plan would require an increase in our authorized capital to be implemented.

Corporate Governance Guidelines

NYSE rules require that listed companies adopt and disclose corporate governance guidelines. We have adopted the following corporate governance guidelines, either based on Brazilian law, our Code of Ethics or institutional handbook:

- insider trading policy for securities issued by us;
- disclosure of material facts;
- disclosure of annual financial reports;
- confidential policies and procedures; and
- Sarbanes-Oxley Disclosure Committee’s duties and activities.

Item 17. Financial Statements

We have responded to Item 18 in lieu of responding to this item. See “Item 18. Financial Statements.”

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Table of Contents

PART III

Item 18. Financial Statements

The following consolidated financial statements of the Registrant, together with the report of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu and KPMG Auditores Independentes thereon, are filed as part of this annual report.

|  | Page
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm On Internal Control Over Financial Reporting |  | FS-R1
Reports of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firms |  | FS-R2
Consolidated financial statements: |  |
Balance sheets as of December 31, 2007 and 2008 |  | FS-1
Statements of income for the years ended December 31, 2006, 2007 and 2008 |  | FS-3
Statements of cash flows for the years ended December 31, 2006, 2007 and 2008 |  | FS-4
Statements of changes in stockholders’ equity and comprehensive income for the years ended December 31, 2006, 2007 and 2008 |  | FS-7
Notes to consolidated financial statements |  | FS-9

Item 19. Exhibits

Exhibit |  | Description
Number |  |
1.1 |  | Bylaws of CSN, as amended to date.
2.1 |  | Amended and Restated Deposit Agreement, dated as of November 1, 1997, and as further amended as of November 13, 1997 and as of June 10, 2004, among CSN, JPMorgan Chase Bank, as depositary, and the registered holders from time to time of the American Depositary Receipts, including the form of American Depositary Receipt (incorporated by reference to the Registration Statement on Form F- 6 relating to the ADSs (File n° 333-115078) filed with the SEC on April 30, 2004).
8.1 |  | List of subsidiaries
10.1* |  | Equity Swap Agreement, originally dated as of July 11, 2008 between CSN Madeira Ltda. and Goldman Sachs International.
10.2* |  | Share Purchase Agreement, dated October 21, 2008, among the Company, Big Jump Energy Participações S.A., Itochu Corporation, JFE Steel Corporation, Nippon Steel Corporation, Sumitomo Metal Industries, Ltd., Kobe Steel, Ltd., Nishin Steel Co., Ltd., and Posco.
10.3* |  | Shareholders Agreement of Nacional Minérios S.A., dated October 21, 2008, between the Company and Big Jump Energy Participações S.A.
10.4* |  | High Silica ROM Iron Ore Supply Contract, dated October 21, 2008, between the Company and Nacional Minérios S.A.
10.5* |  | Low Silica ROM Iron Ore Supply Contract, dated October 21, 2008, between the Company and Nacional Minérios S.A.
10.6* |  | Iron Ore Supply Contract, dated October 21, 2008, between the Company and Nacional Minérios S.A.
10.7* |  | Port Operating Services Agreement, dated October 21, 2008, between the Company and Nacional Minérios S.A.
12.1 |  | Section 302 Certification of Chief Executive Officer.
12.2 |  | Section 302 Certification of Chief Financial Officer.
13.1 |  | Section 906 Certification of Chief Executive Officer.
13.2 |  | Section 906 Certification of Chief Financial Officer.
15.1 |  | Management’s report dated March 17, 2010, on the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2008.
15.2 |  | Consent of Golder Associates S.A.

_____________

* | Portions of this exhibit have been omitted and filed separately with the Securities and Exchange Commission as part of an application for confidential treatment pursuant to the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

121

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SIGNATURE
The registrant hereby certifies that it meets all the requirements for filing on Form 20-F and that it has duly caused and authorized the undersigned to sign this annual report on its behalf.
March 17, 2010 |  | Companhia Siderúrgica Nacional
|  | By: |  | /s/ Benjamin Steinbruch
|  | Name: |  | Benjamin Steinbruch
|  | Title: |  | Chief Executive Officer
|  | By: |  | /s/ Paulo Penido Pinto Marques
|  | Name: |  | Paulo Penido Pinto Marques
|  | Title: |  | Chief Financial Officer

122

Companhia Siderúrgica Nacional and
Subsidiaries
Consolidated Financial Statements
For the Years Ended December 31,
2006, 2007 and 2008
And Reports of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firms

#####

Report of independent registered public accounting firm

The Board of Directors and Stockholders of
Companhia Siderúrgica Nacional:

We have audited Companhia Siderúrgica Nacional (the Company's) internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2008, based on criteria established in Internal Control - Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). The Company's management is responsible for maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting and for its assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting, included in the accompanying Management's Annual Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company's internal control over financial reporting based on our audit.

We conducted our audit in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether effective internal control over financial reporting was maintained in all material respects. Our audit included obtaining an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, assessing the risk that a material weakness exists, and testing and evaluating the design and operating effectiveness of internal control based on the assessed risk. Our audit also included performing such other procedures as we considered necessary in the circumstances. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.

A Company's internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. A company's internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that (1) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the company; (2) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the company; and (3) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of the company's assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.

Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.

A material weakness is a deficiency, or a combination of deficiencies, in internal control over financial reporting, such that there is a reasonable possibility that a material misstatement of the company's annual financial statements will not be prevented or detected on a timely basis. A material weakness related to monitoring controls over the process for the identification, accounting and disclosure of certain foreign subsidiaries incorporated in prior years and related transactions therein has been identified and included in management's assessment. This material weakness, if not remediated, has the potential to cause a material misstatement in the future. We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), the consolidated balance sheets as of December 31, 2008 and 2007, and the related consolidated statements of income, changes in shareholders' equity and comprehensive income, and cash flows for each of the year s in the two-year period ended December 31, 2008, of the Company and its subsidiaries. This material weakness was considered in determining the nature, timing, and extent of audit tests applied in our audit of the 2008 consolidated financial statements, and this report does not affect our report dated June 30, 2009, which expressed an unqualified opinion on those consolidated financial statements.

In our opinion, because of the effect of the aforementioned material weakness on the achievement of the objectives of the control criteria, the Company has not maintained effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2008, based on criteria established in Internal Control - Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission.

We do not express an opinion or any other form of assurance on management's statements referring to corrective actions taken after December 31, 2008, relative to the aforementioned material weakness in internal control over financial reporting.

KPMG Auditores Independentes

São Paulo, SP - Brazil
June 30, 2009, except for notes 2(f), 2(p), 10, 12, 13 and 17(a), which are as of March 17, 2010

#####

Report of independent registered public accounting firm

The Board of Directors and Stockholders of
Companhia Siderúrgica Nacional:

We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Companhia Siderúrgica Nacional and its subsidiaries ("the Company") as of December 31, 2008 and 2007, and the related consolidated statements of income, changes in stockholders' equity and comprehensive income, and cash flows for each of the years in the two-year period ended December 31, 2008. These consolidated financial statements are the responsibility of the Company's management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these consolidated financial statements based on our audits.

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of Companhia Siderúrgica Nacional and its subsidiaries as of December 31, 2008 and 2007, and the results of their operations and their cash flows for each of the years in the two-year period ended December 31, 2008, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.

We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), Companhia Siderúrgica Nacional's internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2008, based on criteria established in Internal Control - Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO), and our report dated June 30, 2009 expressed an adverse opinion on the effectiveness of the Company's internal control over financial reporting.

KPMG Auditores Independentes

São Paulo, SP - Brazil
June 30, 2009, except for notes 2(f), 2(p), 10, 12, 13 and 17(a), which are as of March 17, 2010

#####

Report of independent registered public accounting firm

To the Board of Directors and Stockholders of
Companhia Siderúrgica Nacional

We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of COMPANHIA SIDERÚRGICA NACIONAL and subsidiaries ("the Company") as of December 31, 2006, and the related consolidated statements of operations, changes in stockholders' equity and cash flows for each of the two years in the period ended December 31, 2006. These consolidated financial statements are the responsibility of the Company's management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the consolidated financial statements based on our audits.

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the consolidated financial statements are free of material misstatement. An audit also includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the consolidated financial statements, assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

In our opinion, such consolidated financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the consolidated financial position of the Company as of December 31, 2006, and the consolidated results of its operations and its cash flows for each of the two years in the period ended December 31, 2006, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.

By: /s/ Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Auditores Independentes
Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Auditores Independentes
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
June 29, 2007 (except with respect to the matters discussed in Note 14.b, as to which the date is January 22, 2008)

#####

Companhia Siderúrgica Nacional and Subsidiaries
Consolidated Balance Sheets
Expressed in millions of United States dollars

Assets |  | As of December 31,
|  | 2007 |  | 2008
Current assets |  |  |  |
Cash and cash equivalents |  | 1,213 |  | 3,542
Derivative assets |  | 813 |  | 127
Financial instruments guarantee margin |  | - |  | 1,059
Trade accounts receivable |  |  |  |
Related parties |  | - |  | 78
Other |  | 559 |  | 409
Inventories |  | 1,152 |  | 1,165
Recoverable taxes |  | 92 |  | 160
Deferred income taxes |  | 310 |  | 317
Insurance claim |  | 105 |  | -
Receivables from related parties |  | - |  | 42
Other accounts receivable |  | 205 |  | 270
Other |  | 216 |  | 138
|  | 4,665 |  | 7,307
Property, plant and equipment, net |  | 4,824 |  | 3,543
Investments in affiliated companies |  | 399 |  | 2,588
Goodwill |  | 166 |  | 127
Other assets |  |  |  |
Restricted deposits for legal proceedings |  | 996 |  | 893
Receivables from related parties |  | 201 |  | 659
Deferred income taxes |  | 334 |  | 336
Prepaid pension cost |  | 138 |  | -
Recoverable taxes |  | 87 |  | 82
Other accounts receivable |  | 67 |  | 46
Other |  | 188 |  | 128
|  | 2,011 |  | 2,144
|  | 12,065 |  | 15,709

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements

FS - 1

#####

Companhia Siderúrgica Nacional and Subsidiaries
Consolidated Balance Sheets
Expressed in millions of United States dollars

Liabilities and stockholders’ equity |  | As of December 31,
|  | 2007 |  | 2008
Current liabilities |  |  |  |
Trade accounts payable |  |  |  |
Related parties |  | 14 |  | 81
Other |  | 719 |  | 739
Payroll and related charges |  | 84 |  | 68
Taxes payable |  | 399 |  | 183
Dividends and Interest on stockholders’ equity |  | 298 |  | 432
Current portion of long-term debt |  | 872 |  | 1,296
Accrued finance charges |  | 104 |  | 107
Derivative liabilities |  | 146 |  | 686
Other accounts payable |  | 134 |  | 131
Other |  | 95 |  | 90
|  | 2,865 |  | 3,813
Long-term liabilities |  |  |  |
Accrued pension cost |  | - |  | 60
Long-term debt and debentures |  | 3,647 |  | 3,436
Due to related parties |  | - |  | 3,079
Accrual for contingencies and disputed taxes payable |  | 1,943 |  | 1,618
Taxes payable in installments |  | 437 |  | 270
Deferred income taxes |  | 332 |  | 14
Other |  | 153 |  | 103
|  | 6,512 |  | 8,580
Stockholders’ equity |  |  |  |
Common stock – 1,200,000,000 shares (no par value) authorized – 816,203,838 shares issued at December 31, 2007 and 793,403,838 at December 31, 2008 – outstanding shares: |  |  |  |
769,469,454 at December 31, 2007 and 758,669,454 at |  |  |  |
December 31, 2008 |  | 2,447 |  | 2,447
Capital surplus |  | 53 |  | 53
Treasury stock – 46,734,384 shares at December 31, 2007 and 34,734,384 shares at December 31, 2008 |  | (288) |  | (326)
Retained earnings |  |  |  |
Appropriated |  | 1,188 |  | 1,920
Unappropriated |  | 293 |  | 692
Accumulated other comprehensive loss |  | (1,005) |  | (1,470)
|  | 2,688 |  | 3,316
|  | 12,065 |  | 15,709

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements

FS - 2

#####

Companhia Siderúrgica Nacional and Subsidiaries
Consolidated Statements of Income
Expressed in millions of United States dollars, except share and per share data

|  | Years ended December 31,
|  | 2006 |  | 2007 |  | 2008
Operating revenues |  |  |  |  |  |
Domestic sales |  | 3,550 |  | 5,283 |  | 7,377
Export sales |  | 1,263 |  | 1,695 |  | 1,830
|  | 4,813 |  | 6,978 |  | 9,207
Sales taxes |  | (899) |  | (1,305) |  | (1,835)
Discounts, returns and allowances |  | (68) |  | (156) |  | (185)
Net operating revenues |  | 3,846 |  | 5,517 |  | 7,187
Cost of products sold |  | (2,102) |  | (3,076) |  | (3,576)
Gross profit |  | 1,744 |  | 2,441 |  | 3,611
Operating expenses |  |  |  |  |  |
Selling (includes allowance for doubtful accounts of US$nil in 2006, US$3 in 2007 and US$51 in 2008) |  | (167) |  | (310) |  | (412)
General and administrative |  | (148) |  | (185) |  | (219)
Other income (expense) |  | (149) |  | (85) |  | (136)
|  | (464) |  | (580) |  | (767)
Operating income |  | 1,280 |  | 1,861 |  | 2,844
Non-operating income (expenses), net |  |  |  |  |  |
Financial income (expenses), net |  | (533) |  | (219) |  | (380)
Foreign exchange and monetary gain (loss), net |  | 218 |  | 438 |  | (1,265)
Gain on dilution of interest in subsidiary |  | - |  | - |  | 1,667
Other |  | 22 |  | 81 |  | 75
|  | (293) |  | 300 |  | 97
Income before income taxes and equity in results of affiliated companies |  | 987 |  | 2,161 |  | 2,941
Income tax benefit (expense) |  |  |  |  |  |
Current |  | (198) |  | (619) |  | (615)
Deferred |  | (98) |  | 85 |  | 201
|  | (296) |  | (534) |  | (414)
Equity in results of affiliated companies |  | 58 |  | 76 |  | 127
Net income |  | 749 |  | 1,703 |  | 2,654
Basic earnings per common share |  | 0.97 |  | 2.21 |  | 3.46
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding (in thousands) |  | 772,302 |  | 769,749 |  | 767,033

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements

FS - 3

#####

Companhia Siderúrgica Nacional and Subsidiaries
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
Expressed in millions of United States dollars

|  | Years ended December 31,
|  | 2006 |  | 2007 |  | 2008
Cash flows from operating activities |  |  |  |  |  |
Net income for the year |  | 749 |  | 1,703 |  | 2,654
Adjustments to reconcile net income for the year to net cash provided by operating activities |  |  |  |  |  |
Depreciation and amortization |  | 205 |  | 397 |  | 341
Foreign exchange and monetary loss (gain), net |  | (218) |  | (438) |  | 1,265
Interest accrued |  | 302 |  | 246 |  | 345
Accrual for contingencies and disputed taxes payable |  | 282 |  | 47 |  | 48
Accrual for derivatives |  | 218 |  | (415) |  | 294
Gain on sale of short-term investments |  | - |  | (65) |  | -
Gain on dilution of interest in Namisa |  | - |  | - |  | (1,667)
Deferred income tax expense (benefit) |  | 98 |  | (85) |  | (201)
Equity in results of affiliated companies |  | (58) |  | (76) |  | (127)
Allowance for doubtful accounts |  | - |  | 3 |  | 51
Other |  | (9) |  | (24) |  | (166)
Decrease (increase) in operating assets |  |  |  |  |  |
Trade accounts receivable |  | (209) |  | 152 |  | (137)
Inventories |  | (326) |  | 97 |  | (408)
Recoverable taxes |  | (31) |  | 49 |  | (134)
Insurance claim |  | (208) |  | - |  | -
Prepaid Pension Cost |  | - |  | (89) |  | 133
Other |  | (126) |  | (48) |  | (62)
Increase (decrease) in operating liabilities |  |  |  |  |  |
Trade accounts payable |  | 187 |  | (54) |  | 336
Payroll and related charges |  | 28 |  | 11 |  | 6
Taxes payable |  | 135 |  | 64 |  | (229)
Accrued pension cost |  | (35) |  | - |  | 76
Interest paid |  | (363) |  | (381) |  | (393)
Other |  | 298 |  | 170 |  | 42
Net cash provided by operating activities |  | 919 |  | 1,264 |  | 2,067

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements

FS - 4

#####

Companhia Siderúrgica Nacional and Subsidiaries
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
Expressed in millions of United States dollars

|  | Years ended December 31,
|  | 2006 |  | 2007 |  | 2008
Cash flows from investing activities |  |  |  |  |  |
Additions to property, plant and equipment |  | (706) |  | (632) |  | (886)
Proceeds from sale of short-term investments |  | 187 |  | 437 |  | -
Purchase of short-term investments and debt securities |  | (353) |  | - |  | -
Restricted deposits from legal proceedings |  | (19) |  | (561) |  | (176)
Business acquisitions, net of cash acquired |  | (28) |  | (348) |  | -
Proceeds received from insurance claims |  | 90 |  | 134 |  | 160
Proceeds from settlement of derivative instruments |  | - |  | - |  | 1,006
Financial instruments guarantee margin |  | - |  | - |  | (1,347)
Loans to related parties |  | (10) |  | (121) |  | (49)
Net cash used in investing activities |  | (839) |  | (1,091) |  | (1,292)
Cash flows from financing activities |  |  |  |  |  |
Short-term debt, net |  | (762) |  | - |  | -
Proceeds from prepayment agreements |  | - |  | - |  | 3,041
Intercompany loan |  | - |  | - |  | (500)
Long-term debt |  |  |  |  |  |
Proceeds |  | 2,082 |  | 1,659 |  | 1,630
Repayments |  | (733) |  | (1,397) |  | (919)
Treasury stock |  | (17) |  | (32) |  | (147)
Dividends and interest on stockholders' equity |  | (833) |  | (352) |  | (1,238)
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities |  | (263) |  | (122) |  | 1,867
Effects of changes in exchange rates on cash and cash equivalents |  | (99) |  | 203 |  | (313)
Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents |  | (282) |  | 254 |  | 2,329
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of year |  | 1,241 |  | 959 |  | 1,213
Cash and cash equivalents, end of year |  | 959 |  | 1,213 |  | 3,542

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements

FS - 5

#####

Companhia Siderúrgica Nacional and Subsidiaries
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
Expressed in millions of United States dollars

|  | Years ended December 31,
|  | 2006 |  | 2007 |  | 2008
SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURE OF CASH FLOW INFORMATION |  |  |  |  |  |
Cash paid during the year for: |  |  |  |  |  |
Interest |  | 363 |  | 381 |  | 393
Income taxes |  | 79 |  | 821 |  | 446
Business acquisitions: |  |  |  |  |  |
Fair value of assets acquired |  | 215 |  | 475 |  | -
Fair value of liabilities assumed |  | (183) |  | (35) |  | -
Total purchase price |  | 32 |  | 440 |  | -
Amount payable |  |  |  | (90) |  | -
Cash acquired |  | (6) |  | (2) |  | -
Purchase price, net of cash acquired |  | 28 |  | 348 |  | -
Supplemental noncash financing and investing activities: |  |  |  |  |  |
Interest on stockholders' equity and dividends unpaid in the year |  | 81 |  | 298 |  | 432
Effects of FASB Statement No. 158, net of taxes, recognized as accumulated other comprehensive income |  | 38 |  | 234 |  | (239)
Changes in fair value of available-for-sale securities, net of taxes, recognized as accumulated other comprehensive income |  | 24 |  | (30) |  | 4

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements

FS - 6

#####

Companhia Siderúrgica Nacional and Subsidiaries Consolidated Statements of Changes in Stockholders’ Equity and Comprehensive Income Expressed in millions of United States dollars, except for share data

|  | Years ended December 31,
|  | 2006 |  | 2007 |  | 2008
Movement of Common Shares (quantities): |  |  |  |  |  |
Balance, beginning of year |  | 774,546,138 |  | 772,240,338 |  | 769,469,454
Treasury stock acquisition |  | (2,305,800) |  | (2,770,884) |  | (10,800,000)
Balance, end of year |  | 772,240,338 |  | 769,469,454 |  | 758,669,454
Common stock |  |  |  |  |  |
Balance, beginning and end of year |  | 2,447 |  | 2,447 |  | 2,447
Capital surplus |  |  |  |  |  |
Balance, beginning and end of year |  | 53 |  | 53 |  | 53
Treasury stock |  |  |  |  |  |
Balance, beginning of year |  | (239) |  | (256) |  | (288)
Stock acquisition |  | (17) |  | (32) |  | (147)
Stock cancellation |  | - |  | - |  | 109
Balance, end of year |  | (256) |  | (288) |  | (326)

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements

FS - 7

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Companhia Siderúrgica Nacional and Subsidiaries Consolidated Statements of Changes in Stockholders’ Equity and Comprehensive Income Expressed in millions of United States dollars, except for share data

|  | Years ended December 31,
|  | 2006 |  | 2007 |  | 2008
Retained earnings |  |  |  |  |  |
Appropriated |  |  |  |  |  |
Investment reserve |  |  |  |  |  |
Balance, beginning of year |  | 272 |  | 317 |  | 998
Transfer from unappropriated retained earnings |  | 45 |  | 681 |  | 778
Balance, end of year |  | 317 |  | 998 |  | 1,776
Legal reserve |  |  |  |  |  |
Balance, beginning of year |  | 144 |  | 157 |  | 190
Transfer from (to) unappropriated retained earnings |  | 13 |  | 33 |  | (46)
Balance, end of year |  | 157 |  | 190 |  | 144
Total balance, end of year |  | 474 |  | 1,188 |  | 1,920
Unappropriated retained earnings |  |  |  |  |  |
Balance, beginning of year |  | 77 |  | (146) |  | 293
Net income |  | 749 |  | 1,703 |  | 2,654
Dividends and interest on stockholders’ equity (US$1.18, US$0.71 and US$1.86 per share, in 2006, 2007 and 2008, respectively) |  | (914) |  | (550) |  | (1,414)
Stock cancellation |  | - |  | - |  | (109)
Appropriation to reserves, net |  | (58) |  | (714) |  | (732)
Balance, end of year |  | (146) |  | 293 |  | 692
Total retained earnings |  | 328 |  | 1,481 |  | 2,612
Accumulated other comprehensive loss |  |  |  |  |  |
Adoption of FASB Statement No. 158 |  |  |  |  |  |
Balance, beginning of year |  | - |  | 38 |  | 272
Change in the year, net of deferred tax benefit (expense) US$(20) tax in 2006, US$(124) in 2007 and US$123 in 2008 |  | 38 |  | 234 |  | (239)
Balance, end of year |  | 38 |  | 272 |  | 33
Unrealized gain (loss) on available-for-sale securities |  |  |  |  |  |
Balance, beginning of year |  | - |  | 24 |  | (6)
Change in the year, net of deferred tax benefit (expense) US$(12) tax in 2006, US$15 in 2007 and US$(2) in 2008 |  | 24 |  | (30) |  | 4
Balance, end of year |  | 24 |  | (6) |  | (2)
Foreign exchange loss of long-term investment nature |  |  |  |  |  |
Balance, beginning of year |  | - |  | - |  | -
Change in the year, net of current tax benefit of US$194 |  | - |  | - |  | (376)
Balance, end of year |  | - |  | - |  | (376)
Cumulative translation adjustment |  |  |  |  |  |
Balance, beginning of year |  | (1,745) |  | (1,587) |  | (1,271)
Change in the year |  | 158 |  | 316 |  | 146
Balance, end of year |  | (1,587) |  | (1,271) |  | (1,125)
Total accumulated other comprehensive loss |  | (1,525) |  | (1,005) |  | (1,470)
Total stockholders’ equity |  | 1,047 |  | 2,688 |  | 3,316
Comprehensive income: |  |  |  |  |  |
Net income for the year |  | 749 |  | 1,703 |  | 2,654
Effect of Statement 158, net of taxes |  | - |  | 234 |  | (239)
Changes in fair value of available-for-sale securities, net of taxes |  | 24 |  | (30) |  | 4
Foreign exchange loss of long-term investment nature |  | - |  | - |  | (376)
Translation adjustments for the year |  | 158 |  | 316 |  | 146
Total comprehensive income |  | 931 |  | 2,223 |  | 2,189

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements

FS - 8

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Companhia Siderúrgica Nacional and Subsidiaries
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
Expressed in millions of United States dollars, unless otherwise stated

1 Description of business

Companhia Siderúrgica Nacional is a publicly-held company incorporated on April 9, 1941 under the laws of the Federative Republic of Brazil (Companhia Siderúrgica Nacional and its subsidiaries are collectively referred to herein as “CSN” or “the Company”).

a) Consolidation process

CSN is a vertically integrated company that produces a wide range of value-added steel products, such as hot-dip galvanized sheets and tin mill products, and is Brazil’s sole tinplate producer. CSN also runs its own iron ore, limestone and dolomite mines in the State of Minas Gerais, which supply all the needs of its Presidente Vargas Steelworks in the State of Rio de Janeiro. As a complement to its activities, the Company has also made strategic investments in railroads and power supply companies, among others. Abroad, the Company has rolling mills in Portugal and in the United States of America. The Company’s consolidated subsidiaries are:

|  | Direct and Indirect Ownership interest (%) |  | Main activities
Companies |  | 2007 |  | 2008 |  |
Full consolidation |  |  |  |  |  |
CSN Energy |  | 100.00 |  | 100.00 |  | Holding Company
CSN Export |  | 100.00 |  | 100.00 |  | Financial operations and trading
CSN Islands VII |  | 100.00 |  | 100.00 |  | Financial operations
CSN Islands VIII |  | 100.00 |  | 100.00 |  | Financial operations
CSN Islands IX |  | 100.00 |  | 100.00 |  | Financial operations
CSN Islands X |  | 100.00 |  | 100.00 |  | Financial operations
CSN Islands XI (1) |  | 100.00 |  | 100.00 |  | Financial operations
CSN Overseas |  | 100.00 |  | 100.00 |  | Financial operations and holding company
CSN Panama |  | 100.00 |  | 100.00 |  | Financial operations and holding company
CSN Steel |  | 100.00 |  | 100.00 |  | Financial operations and holding company
Sepetiba Tecon |  | 99.99 |  | 99.99 |  | Maritime port services
CSN I (2) |  | 99.00 |  | - |  | Holding company
Estanho de Rondônia - ERSA |  | 99.99 |  | 99.99 |  | Mining
Cia. Metalic Nordeste |  | 99.99 |  | 99.99 |  | Package production
Indústria Nacional de Aços Laminados - INAL (2) |  | 99.99 |  | - |  | Steel products service center
CSN Cimentos |  | 99.99 |  | 99.99 |  | Cement production
Inal Nordeste |  | 99.99 |  | 99.99 |  | Steel products service center
CSN Energia |  | 100.00 |  | 100.00 |  | Trading of electricity
Nacional Minérios |  | 99.99 |  | - |  | Mining and holding company
CSN Aceros |  | 100.00 |  | 100.00 |  | Holding company
CSN Cayman |  | 100.00 |  | 100.00 |  | Financial operations and trading
CSN Iron |  | 100.00 |  | 100.00 |  | Financial operations
Companhia Siderúrgica Nacional LLC |  | 100.00 |  | 100.00 |  | Steel industry
CSN LLC Holding Corp |  | 100.00 |  | 100.00 |  | Holding company
Companhia Siderúrgica Nacional Partner LLC |  | 100.00 |  | 100.00 |  | Holding company
Energy I |  | 100.00 |  | 100.00 |  | Holding company
Tangua |  | 100.00 |  | 100.00 |  | Holding company
CSN Madeira |  | 100.00 |  | 100.00 |  | Financial operations and holding company
Cinnabar |  | 100.00 |  | 100.00 |  | Financial operations and holding company
Hickory |  | 100.00 |  | 100.00 |  | Financial operations and trading
Lusosider Projectos Siderúrgicos |  | 100.00 |  | 100.00 |  | Holding company
Lusosider Aços Planos |  | 99.94 |  | 99.94 |  | Steel industry
CSN Finance |  | 100.00 |  | 100.00 |  | Financial operations and holding company

FS - 9

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Companhia Siderúrgica Nacional and Subsidiaries
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
Expressed in millions of United States dollars, except share and per share data and unless otherwise stated

CSN Holdings |  | 100.00 |  | 100.00 |  | Financial operations and holding company
Cia Metalúrgica Prada (Prada) |  | 99.99 |  | 99.99 |  | Package production
GalvaSud |  | 100.00 |  | 99.99 |  | Steel industry
Pelotização Nacional (1) |  | 99.99 |  | - |  | Mining and holding company
Minas Pelotização (1) |  | 99.99 |  | 99.99 |  | Mining and holding company
CSN Aços Longos (1) |  | 99.99 |  | 99.99 |  | Steel and metal products industry and trading
Nacional Siderurgia (1) |  | 99.99 |  | 99.99 |  | Steel industry
CSN Gestão de Recursos Financeiros (1) |  | 99.99 |  | 99.99 |  | Financial operations and holding company
Congonhas Minérios (1) |  | 99.99 |  | 99.99 |  | Mining and holding company
CSN Acquisitions (1) |  | 100.00 |  | 100.00 |  | Financial operations and holding company
Companhia de Fomento Mineral (1) (2) |  | 100.00 |  | - |  | Mining and holding company
MG Minérios (1) |  | 99.99 |  | - |  | Mining and holding company
Inversiones CSN Espanha S.L. (1) |  | 100.00 |  | - |  | Financial operations and holding company
CSN Finance B.V. (Netherlands) (1) |  | 100.00 |  | 100.00 |  | Financial operations and holding company
International Investment Fund - IIF |  | 100.00 |  | 100.00 |  | Financial operations and holding company
Itamambuca |  | 99.93 |  | 99.93 |  | Mining and holding company
Arame Corporation |  | 100.00 |  | 100.00 |  | Dormant company
TdBB |  | 100.00 |  | 100.00 |  | Dormant company
International Charitable Corporation |  | 100.00 |  | 100.00 |  | Dormant company
Not consolidated |  |  |  |  |  |
Nacional Minérios |  | - |  | 59.99 |  | Mining and holding company
Pelotização Nacional (1) |  | - |  | 59.99 |  | Mining and holding company
MG Minérios (1) |  | - |  | 59.99 |  | Mining and holding company
NMSA Madeira Lda. (3) |  |  |  | 60.00 |  | Financial operations and trading
Inversiones CSN Espanha S.L. (1) |  | - |  | 60.00 |  | Financial operations and holding company
Itá Energética |  | 48.75 |  | 48.75 |  | Electricity Generation
Transnordestina Logística (4) |  | 46.88 |  | 84.50 |  | Railroad transportation
MRS Logística |  | 37.27 |  | 33.27 |  | Railroad transportation
Exclusive investment funds consolidated |  |  |  |  |  |
Mugen – Fundo de Investimento Multimercado |  | 100.00 |  | 100.00 |  | Investment funds
Diplic – Fundo de Investimento Multimercado |  | 100.00 |  | 100.00 |  | Investment funds

(1) Companies incorporated during 2007.
(2) Companies merged during 2008.
(3) Company incorporated during 2008.
(4) Former Companhia Ferroviária do Nordeste (CFN).

2 Summary of significant accounting policies and practices

In preparing the consolidated financial statements in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“US GAAP”), management is required to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses and the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities in the financial statements and accompanying notes. The Company’s consolidated financial statements therefore include various estimates concerning the selection of useful lives of property, plant and equipment, impairment of goodwill and of long-lived assets, allowance for doubtful accounts receivable, computation of fair value of assets and liabilities of Companies acquired and of derivative instruments, contingencies and environmental liabilities, actuarial assumptions utilized in the calculation of employee post-retirement benefit obligation and other similar evaluations. Although these estimates are based on the Company’s knowledge of current events and actions that the Company may undertake in the future, actual results may vary from these estimates.

FS - 10

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Companhia Siderúrgica Nacional and Subsidiaries
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
Expressed in millions of United States dollars, except share and per share data and unless otherwise stated

(a) Basis of presentation

The consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with US GAAP, which differ in certain respects from the statutory financial statements prepared in accordance with the accounting practices derived from the Brazilian Corporation Law, rules and regulations of the Comissão de Valores Mobiliários – the Brazilian Securities Commission or CVM.

The U.S. dollar amounts for the periods presented have been translated from the Brazilian real, the Company's primary functional currency, into U.S. dollars, the Company’s reporting currency, in accordance with the criteria set forth in Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (“SFAS”) No. 52 “Foreign Currency Translation” (“SFAS 52”). Accordingly, the Company has translated all assets and liabilities into U.S. dollars at the exchange rate of R$1.7713 and R$2.3370 to US$1.00 at December 31, 2007 and December 31, 2008, respectively, and all accounts in the statements of income and cash flows (including amounts relative to local currency indexation and exchange variances on assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currency) at the average rates prevailing during the applicable periods. Treasury stock transactions and dividends are translated using the exchange rate as of the date of the transaction. The translation gain or loss resulting from this translation process is included as a component of accumulated other comprehensive loss in stockholders’ equity. Transaction gains and losses that arise from exchange rate fluctuations on transactions denominated in a currency other than the Brazilian real are included in the results of operations as incurred. Certain consolidated foreign subsidiaries have the U.S. dollar as their functional currency since their primary economic environment and cash flows are generated in this currency. Accordingly, these foreign subsidiaries do not generate gains and losses from exchange rate fluctuations when translating the Company’s consolidated financial statements into the reporting currency U.S. dollar.

Stockholders’ equity included in the financial statements presented herein differs from that included in the Company’s statutory accounting records as a result of differences between the variations in the U.S. dollar exchange rate and in the indices mandated, until June 30, 1997, when Brazil was considered to have a highly inflationary economy, for indexation of the statutory financial statements and adjustments made to reflect the requirements of US GAAP.

(b) Basis of consolidation

The consolidated financial statements include the financial statements of CSN and its majority owned subsidiaries, except for our non-consolidated majority-owned subsidiary Namisa, which we deconsolidated as from December 30, 2008 upon Big Jump acquisition and dilution of our interest in Namisa, as further detailed in Note 10.

All significant intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation. The financial statements of all subsidiaries have been prepared in accordance with US GAAP.

(c) Cash and cash equivalents

Cash equivalents are considered to be all highly liquid temporary cash investments, mainly time deposits, with original maturity dates of three months or less.

(d) Short-term investments

Securities for which the Company has positive intent and ability to hold to maturity are classified as held-to-maturity and measured at amortized cost. Securities that are not classified as held-to-maturity or as trading securities are classified as available-for-sale, which are recorded at fair value with the changes recognized as a component of accumulated other comprehensive loss.

(e) Trade accounts receivable

Accounts receivable are stated at estimated realizable values. Allowance is provided, when necessary, in an amount considered by management to be sufficient to meet probable future losses related to uncollectible accounts.

FS - 11

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Companhia Siderúrgica Nacional and Subsidiaries
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
Expressed in millions of United States dollars, except share and per share data and unless otherwise stated

(f) Inventories

Inventories are stated at the lower of average cost or replacement or realizable value. Cost is determined using the average cost method. Costs of production in process and finished goods include the purchase costs of raw materials and conversion costs such as direct labor and an allocation of fixed and variable production overheads. Raw materials and spare parts are valued at cost including freight, shipping and handling costs. Losses for slow-moving or obsolete inventories are recorded when considered appropriate. The Company holds spare parts that will be used within its operating cycle which are classified as other current assets rather than inventories.

(g) Investments in affiliated companies and other investments

The Company uses the equity method of accounting for all long-term investments for which it owns at least 20% of the investee’s outstanding voting stock or has the ability to exercise significant influence over operating and financial policies of the investee. Investments in which the Company has a majority interest, but, through stockholders’ agreements, does not have effective management control are also accounted for under the equity method. The equity method requires periodic adjustments to the investment account to recognize the Company’s proportionate share in the investee’s results, reduced by receipt of investee dividends and interest from stockholders’ equity.

(h) Property, plant and equipment

Property, plant and equipment are recorded at cost, including capitalized interest incurred during the construction period of major new facilities. Interest capitalized in foreign currency borrowings excludes the effect of foreign exchange gain and losses. Depreciation is computed under the straight-line method at rates which take into consideration the useful lives of the related assets, as follows (average): buildings - 25 years; equipment - 15 years; furniture and fixtures - 10 years; hardware and vehicles - 5 years. Assets under construction are not depreciated until placed into service.

Costs of developing iron ore and other mines or expanding the capacity of operating mines are capitalized and charged to operations on the units-of-production method based on the total quantity to be recovered. These costs have not been material for the years presented.

Maintenance and repair expenses, including those related to programmed maintenance of the Company’s blast furnaces, are charged to the cost of production as incurred. Any gain or loss on the disposal of property, plant and equipment are recognized on disposal.

(i) Recoverability of long lived assets

Management reviews long-lived assets to be held and used in the Company’s business activities, for the purpose of determining and measuring impairment on a recurring basis or when events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying value of an asset or group of assets may not be recoverable. Write-down of the carrying value of assets or groups of assets is made if and when appropriate in accordance with Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 144, “Accounting for the Impairment or Disposal of Long-Lived Assets,” or SFAS 144. In accordance with SFAS 144, the carrying value of long-lived asset is considered impaired when the anticipated undiscounted cash flow from such asset is separately identifiable and is less than its carrying value. In that event, a loss is recognized based on the amount by which the carrying value exceeds the fair value of the assets. Fair value is determined primarily by using a discounted cash flow analysis. No impairment losses have been recorded for any of the periods presented.

(j) Goodwill

Goodwill represents the cost of investments in excess of the fair value of the net identifiable assets acquired and liabilities assumed. The Company adopts SFAS No. 142 (“SFAS 142”), Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets, under which goodwill is no longer amortized but is tested for impairment at least annually, using a two-step approach that involves identification of reporting units and estimates of fair values. No impairment losses have been recorded for any of the periods presented.

FS - 12

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Companhia Siderúrgica Nacional and Subsidiaries
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
Expressed in millions of United States dollars, except share and per share data and unless otherwise stated

(k) Revenues and expenses

Revenues and expenses are recognized on the accrual basis. Revenues from the sale of goods are recognized upon delivery to customers, when title is transferred and the client has assumed the significant risks and rewards of ownership in accordance with the contractual terms. Revenue is not recognized if there are significant uncertainties as to its realization. The Company reflects value-added taxes as a reduction of gross operating revenues.

Handling and shipping expenses are classified in the income statement as selling expenses. For the years ended December 31, 2006, 2007 and 2008 those expenses amounted to US$142, US$228 and US$264, respectively.

FS - 13

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Companhia Siderúrgica Nacional and Subsidiaries
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
Expressed in millions of United States dollars, except share and per share data and unless otherwise stated

(l) Asset retirement obligations

Retirement of long-lived assets is accounted for in accordance with SFAS 143-“Accounting for Asset Retirement Obligations.” Our retirement obligations consist primarily of estimated closure costs, the initial measurement of which is recognized as a liability discounted to present values and subsequently accreted through earnings. An asset retirement cost equal to the initial liability is capitalized as part of the related asset’s carrying value and depreciated over the asset’s useful life. The provisions of SFAS 143 amounted to US$6 as of December 31, 2008.

(m) Environmental and remediation costs

The Company provides for remediation costs and penalties when a loss is probable and the amount of associated costs is reasonably determinable. Generally, the timing of remediation accrual coincides with completion of a feasibility study or the commitment to a formal plan of action.

Expenditures relating to ongoing compliance with environmental regulations are charged to earnings or capitalized, as appropriate. Capitalization is considered appropriate when the expenditures relate to items that will continue to provide benefits to the Company and primarily pertain to the acquisition and installation of equipment for pollution control and/or prevention. These ongoing programs are designed to minimize the environmental impact of the Company’s operations and are also expected to reduce costs that might otherwise be incurred on cessation of mining activities.

(n) Research and development costs

Expenditures for research and development of new products for the year ended December 31, 2008 were US$17 (US$19 in 2007 and US$21 in 2006). All such costs are expensed as incurred.

(o) Accrued/ Prepaid pension cost

The Company participates in a defined contribution pension plan that provides pension benefits for its employees. Expense is recognized as the amount of the required contribution for the period and is recorded on the accrual basis.

Accrued pension costs are determined in accordance with SFAS No. 87 “Employers Accounting for Pensions” (“SFAS 87”). Amortization of the net transition obligation existing at January 1, 1995, when the Company first adopted SFAS 87, has been computed retroactively as if it were established on January 1, 1989, which is the date that SFAS 87 first became applicable for non-U.S. pension funds. The Company provides disclosures related to its employee pension and post-retirement benefits in accordance with SFAS No. 132 “Employers’ Disclosure About Pensions and Other Post-retirement Benefits” and SFAS No. 132 (revised 2003) “Employers’ Disclosure About Pensions and Other Post-retirement Benefits, an amendment of FASB Statements No. 87, 88 and 106” (“SFAS 132R”).

In September 2006, the FASB issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 158, "Employers' Accounting for Defined Benefit Pension and Other Postretirement Plans - an amendment of FASB Statements No. 87, 88, 106 and 132(R)" ("SFAS 158"). SFAS 158 requires an entity to recognize in its statement of financial position the overfunded or underfunded status of its defined benefit employee pension and postretirement plans, measured as the difference between the fair value of the plan assets and the benefit obligation. SFAS 158 also requires an entity to recognize changes in the funded status of a defined benefit employee pension or postretirement plan within accumulated other comprehensive income, net of tax, to the extent such changes are not recognized in earnings as components of periodic net benefit cost. The Company adopted the aforementioned provisions of SFAS 158 on December 31, 2006. The impact of adopting SFAS 158 on the Company's consolidated financial position is discussed further in Note 15. Additionally, SFAS 158 requires companies to measure plan assets and benefit obligations at their year-end balance sheet date. This requirement, which is effective for fiscal years ending after December 15, 2008, has no effect on the Company since its employee pension or postretirement medical plan assets and liabilities are already measured as of December 31, its year-end balance sheet date.

FS - 14

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Companhia Siderúrgica Nacional and Subsidiaries
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
Expressed in millions of United States dollars, except share and per share data and unless otherwise stated

(p) Accrual for contingencies and disputed taxes payable

The Company accounts for contingencies in accordance with SFAS 5 “Accounting for Contingencies”. The Company's contingencies were estimated by management and were substantially based upon known facts and circumstances, management's experience and the opinions of the Company's tax and legal advisors. The Company records accruals for contingencies for lawsuits which the Company classifies as probable losses. Legal costs are expensed as incurred. Additionally, the Company has (i) certain tax liabilities for which the Company is disputing payment with the applicable taxing authorities, and (ii) certain tax liabilities for which the Company is asserting a right to use certain tax credits to offset such tax liabilities. These items are referred to as disputed taxes payable. Accruals for contingencies, disputed taxes payable and the related legal deposits requested by the courts for those disputes are updated by the interest rate charged by the Brazilian government (the SELIC rate) and inflation, when applicable.

(q) Employee profit participation plan

The parent company sponsors an employee profit participation plan for all parent company employees, which is based on annual EBITDA (earnings before interest, income taxes, depreciation and amortization) determined on the basis of the Company’s statutory financial statements. The plan establishes the distribution of up to a maximum of twice the normal payroll paid in the month of December, provided the EBITDA margin (EBITDA as a percentage of revenues) is equal to or greater than 40% (in 2007 it was limited to one month’s salary per employee plus a specified amount of R$1,054 (US$595)). In 2008, each employee was paid two month salary. Expenses related to the employee profit participation plan in cost of sales, general and administrative expenses and selling expenses amounted to US$22, US$30 and US$30 in 2006, 2007 and 2008, respectively.

(r) Compensated absences

Compensated absences are accrued over the vesting period.

(s) Income taxes

The Company accounts for income taxes in accordance with SFAS No. 109 “Accounting for Income Taxes”, which requires the application of the assets and liability method of accounting for income taxes. The effects of US GAAP adjustments, as well as differences between the tax basis of assets and liabilities and the amounts included in these financial statements, have been recognized as temporary differences for the purpose of recording deferred income taxes. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates in effect for the years in which those temporary differences are expected to be recovered or settled. Under SFAS No. 109, the effect on deferred tax assets and liabilities of changes in tax rates is recognized in income in the period that includes enactment date. A valuation allowance is recorded when management believes it is more likely than not that some portion or all of the deferred tax assets will not be realized.

Beginning with the adoption of FASB Interpretation No. 48, Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes (FIN 48) as of January 1, 2007, the Company recognizes the effect of income tax positions only if those positions are more likely than not of being sustained. Recognized income tax positions are measured at the largest amount that is greater than 50% likely of being realized. Changes in recognition or measurement are reflected in the period in which the change in judgment occurs. Prior to the adoption of FIN 48, the Company recognized the effect of income tax positions only if such positions were probable of being sustained.

The Company records interest and penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits in interest expense (financial income (expense), net) in the consolidated income statements.

FS - 15

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Companhia Siderúrgica Nacional and Subsidiaries
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
Expressed in millions of United States dollars, except share and per share data and unless otherwise stated

(t) Statements of cash flows

Short-term investments that have a ready market and original maturity, when purchased, of 90 days or less are considered to be cash equivalents.

(u) Earnings per share

The Company presents its earnings per share in accordance with SFAS No. 128 “Earnings Per Share”. Basic earnings per share is computed by dividing net income by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the year. Diluted earnings per share is computed in a manner consistent with that of basic earnings per share while giving effect to all potentially dilutive common shares that were outstanding during the year. The Company does not have any potentially dilutive common shares outstanding and, accordingly, diluted earnings per share is equal to basic earnings per share.

(v) Concentration of credit risk

Financial instruments that potentially subject CSN to concentrations of credit risk are cash and cash equivalents, trade accounts receivable and derivatives. CSN limits its credit risk associated with cash and cash equivalents and derivatives by placing its investments with (1) highly-rated financial institutions in short-term investments and (2) Brazilian government notes. With respect to trade accounts receivable, CSN limits its credit risk by performing ongoing credit evaluations and, depending on the results of the evaluation, requiring letters of credit, guarantees or collateral. CSN’s products are utilized in a wide variety of industry segments, therefore accounts receivable and sales are not concentrated in one single industry and, accordingly, management does not believe significant concentration of credit risk with respect to any one industry exists.

(w) Comprehensive income

SFAS No. 130 “Reporting Comprehensive Income” (“SFAS 130”) requires that companies report changes in the equity of a business enterprise during a period resulting from transactions and other events and circumstances from non-owner sources. The Company has adopted SFAS 130 for all years presented and has included comprehensive income as part of the consolidated statements of changes in stockholders’ equity.

(x) Interest attributed to stockholders

As from January 1, 1996, Brazilian corporations are allowed to attribute interest on stockholders’ equity. The calculation is based on the stockholders’ equity amounts as stated in the statutory accounting records and the interest rate applied may not exceed the long-term interest rate (“TJLP”) determined by the Brazilian Central Bank (approximately 7.8%, 6.4% and 6.3% for the years 2006, 2007 and 2008 respectively). Also, such interest may not exceed the greater of 50% of net income for the year or 50% of retained earnings plus accumulated net income and unrealized income reserves, determined in each case on the basis of the statutory financial statements. The amount of interest attributed to stockholders is deductible for income tax purposes. Accordingly, the benefit to the Company, as opposed to making a dividend payment, is a reduction in income tax charge equivalent to the statutory rate applied to such amount. Income tax is imposed on interest payments at the rate of 15%. The Company opted to pay both dividends and such tax-deductible interest to its stockholders, and has therefore accrued the amounts due as of December 31, 2008 and 2007 with a direct charge to stockholders’ equity.

(y) Treasury stock

Treasury stock consists of the Company’s own stock which has been issued and subsequently reacquired by the Company and has not been reissued or cancelled. Such treasury stock is carried at cost of acquisition.

FS - 16

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Companhia Siderúrgica Nacional and Subsidiaries
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
Expressed in millions of United States dollars, except share and per share data and unless otherwise stated

(z) Segment information

SFAS No. 131 “Disclosures about Segments of Enterprise and Related Information” (“SFAS 131”) requires that a business enterprise supplementally disclose certain financial information about its various and distinct operating activities. Such information is to be presented from the point of view of how operating and financial decisions are made for each business sector. The Company has adopted SFAS 131 for all years presented, as further disclosed in Note 19.

(aa) Derivative financial instruments

The Company accounts for derivative financial instruments pursuant to SFAS No. 133, “Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities”, as amended. This standard requires that all derivative instruments be recognized in the financial statements and measured at fair value regardless of the purpose or intent for holding them. Changes in the fair value of derivative instruments are recognized periodically in income as the Company recognizes all derivative financial instruments as non-hedge transactions. Gain and losses are classified as financial income and expense in the statements of income. See Note 21 for additional information.

(ab) Concessions

The Company holds certain governamental concessions which are accounted for in accordance with SFAS 13 - “Accounting for Leases”. Accordingly, the contracts are classified as operating leases or capital leases dependent upon whether certain criteria are met. The Company’s port facilities concession of Tecon is classified as an operating lease.

3 Recently issued accounting pronouncements

The following new accounting standards have been issued and were adopted by the Company as of December 31, 2008:

FSP No. FAS 115- 1 and 124- 1, "The Meaning of Other-Than-Temporary Impairment and its Application to Certain Investments" (FSP No. FAS 115- 1 and 124- 1). The FASB issued FSP No. FAS 115-1 and 124-1 in November 2005, which was effective for us beginning January 1, 2006. This FSP addresses the determination as to when an investment is considered impaired, whether that impairment is other than temporary, and the measurement of an impairment loss. This FSP also includes accounting considerations subsequent to the recognition of an other- than-temporary impairment and requires certain disclosures about unrealized losses that have not been recognized as other- than- temporary impairments. The guidance in this FSP amends SFAS No. 115, "Accounting for Certain Investments in Debt and Equity Securities,” and SFAS No. 124, " Accounting for Certain Investments Held by Not-for-Profit Organizations", and APB Opinion No. 18. The adoption of FSP No. FAS 115-1 and 124-1 did not have a material impact on our consolidated results of operations, cash flows or financial position.

SFAS No. 155, "Accounting for Certain Hybrid Financial Instruments—an amendment to FASB Statements No. 133 and 140" (SFAS No. 155). In February 2006, the FASB issued SFAS No. 155, which amends SFAS No. 133, "Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities" and SFAS No. 140, "Accounting for Transfers and Servicing of Financial Assets and Extinguishments of Liabilities." SFAS No. 155 allows financial instruments that have embedded derivatives to be accounted for at fair value at acquisition, at issuance, or when a previously recognized financial instrument is subject to a remeasurement (new basis) event, on an instrument-by-instrument basis, in cases in which a derivative would otherwise have to be bifurcated. SFAS No. 155 is effective for us for all financial instruments acquired, issued, or subject to remeasurement after January 1, 2007, and for certain hybrid financial instruments that have been bifurcated prior to the effective date, for which the effect is to be reported as a cumulative-effect adjustment to beginning retained earnings. The adoption of SFAS No. 155 did not have any material impact on our consolidated results of operations, cash flows or financial position.

SFAS No. 156, "Accounting for Servicing of Financial Assets—an amendment to FASB Statement No. 140" (SFAS No. 156). In March 2006, the FASB issued SFAS No. 156, which amends SFAS No. 140, "Accounting for Transfers and Servicing of Financial Assets and Extinguishments of Liabilities.” SFAS No. 156 requires recognition of a servicing asset or liability when an entity enters into arrangements to service financial instruments in certain situations. These servicing assets or servicing liabilities are required to be initially measured at fair value, if practicable. SFAS No. 156 also allows an entity to subsequently measure its servicing assets or servicing liabilities using either an amortization method or a fair value method. SFAS No. 156 is effective for us as of January 1, 2007, and must be applied prospectively, except where an entity elects to remeasure separately recognized existing arrangements and reclassify certain available-for-sale securities to trading securities, any effects must be reported as a cumulative- effect adjustment to retained earnings. The adoption of SFAS No. 156 did not have any material impact on our consolidated results of operations, cash flows or financial position.

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Companhia Siderúrgica Nacional and Subsidiaries
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
Expressed in millions of United States dollars, except share and per share data and unless otherwise stated

SFAS No. 157, "Fair Value Measurements" (SFAS No. 157). In September 2006, the FASB issued SFAS No. 157, which defines fair value, establishes a framework for measuring fair value in GAAP, and expands disclosures about fair value measurements. SFAS No. 157 does not require any new fair value measurements. For us, SFAS No. 157 was effective as of January 1, 2008. The adoption of SFAS No. 157 did not have any material impact on our consolidated results of operations, cash flows or financial position. In February 2008, the FASB approved FSP FAS 157-2, which grants a one-year deferral of SFAS 157’s fair value measurement requirements for nonfinancial assets and liabilities, except for items that are required to be recognized or disclosed at fair value. In October 2008, the FASB issued FSP No. FAS 157-3, “Determining the Fair Value of a Financial Asset When the Market for That Asset Is Not Active” (“FSP FAS 157-3”), which clarifies the application of FASB Statement No. 157, “Fair Value Measurements” (“FAS 157”) in an inactive market. The intent of this FSP is to provide guidance on how the fair value of a financial asset is to be determined when the market for that financial asset is inactive. FSP FAS 157-3 states that determining fair value in an inactive market depends on the facts and circumstances, requires the use of significant judgment and in some cases, observable inputs may require significant adjustment based on unobservable data. Regardless of the valuation technique used, an entity must include appropriate risk adjustments that market participants would make for nonperformance and liquidity risks when determining fair value of an asset in an inactive market. FSP FAS 157-3 was effective upon issuance. The Company has no financial assets in inactive markets.

SFAS No. 159, "The Fair Value Option for Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities" (SFAS No. 159). In February 2007, the FASB issued SFAS No. 159, which permits entities to choose to measure many financial instruments and certain other items at fair value. For us, SFAS No. 159 was effective as of January 1, 2008 and had no impact on amounts presented for periods prior to the effective date. We chose not to measure items subject to SFAS No. 159 at fair value, unless required by other standards.

SFAS No. 158, "Employer’s Accounting for Defined Benefit Pension and Other Postretirement Plans, an amendment of FASB Statements No. 87, 88, 106, and 132(R)" (SFAS No. 158). In September 2006, the FASB issued SFAS No. 158, which changes the recognition and disclosure provisions and measurement date requirements for an employer’s accounting for defined benefit pension and other postretirement plans. The recognition and disclosure provisions require an employer to (1) recognize the funded status of a benefit plan — measured as the difference between plan assets at fair value and the benefit obligation – in its statement of financial position, (2) recognize as a component of OCI, net of tax, the gains or losses and prior service costs or credits that arise during the period but are not recognized as components of net periodic benefit cost, and (3) disclose in the notes to financial statements certain additional information. SFAS No. 158 does not change the amounts recognized in the income statement as net periodic benefit cost. We were required to initially recognize the funded status of our defined benefit pension and other postretirement plans and to provide the required additional disclosures as of December 31, 2006. Retrospective application is not permitted. The adoption of SFAS No. 158 recognition and disclosure provisions are discussed in Note 15 to these consolidated financial statements.

SAB No. 108, "Considering the Effects of Prior Year Misstatements When Quantifying Misstatements in Current Year Financial Statements" (SAB No. 108). In September 2006 the SEC issued SAB No. 108, which provides interpretive guidance on how the effects of the carryover or reversal of prior year misstatements should be considered in quantifying a current year misstatement. Traditionally, there have been two widely-recognized approaches for quantifying the effects of financial statement misstatements. The income statement approach focuses primarily on the impact of a misstatement on the income statement — including the reversing effect of prior year misstatements — but its use can lead to the accumulation of misstatements in the balance sheet. The balance sheet approach, on the other hand, focuses primarily on the effect of correcting the period-end balance sheet with less emphasis on the reversing effects of prior year errors on the income statement. The SEC staff believes that registrants should quantify errors using both a balance sheet and an income statement approach (a " dual approach") and evaluate whether either approach results in quantifying a misstatement that, when all relevant quantitative and qualitative factors are considered, is material. SAB No. 108 was effective for our year ended December 31, 2006. SAB No. 108 permits existing public companies to initially apply its provisions either by (i) restating prior financial statements as if the "dual approach" had always been used or (ii), under certain circumstances, recording the cumulative effect of initially applying the "dual approach" as adjustments to the carrying values of assets and liabilities as of January 1, 2006 with an offsetting adjustment recorded to the opening balance of retained earnings. The adoption of SAB No. 108 did not have any material impact on our consolidated results of operations, cash flows or financial position.

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Companhia Siderúrgica Nacional and Subsidiaries
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
Expressed in millions of United States dollars, except share and per share data and unless otherwise stated

FSP No. AUG AIR- 1, "Accounting for Planned Major Maintenance Activities," (FSP No. AUG AIR- 1). In September 2006, the FASB Staff issued FSP No. AUG AIR- 1. This FSP prohibits the use of the accrue-in-advance method of accounting for planned major maintenance activities in annual and interim financial reporting periods, if no liability is required to be recorded for an asset retirement obligation based on a legal obligation for which the event obligating the entity has occurred. The FSP also requires disclosures regarding the method of accounting for planned major maintenance activities and the effects of implementing the FSP. The guidance in this FSP is effective for us as of January 1, 2007 and has been applied retrospectively for all financial statements presented. The adoption of FSP No. AUG AIR-1 did not have any material impact on our consolidated results of operations, cash flows or financial position, as we already apply the direct expensing method of accounting.

EITF Issue No. 06-3, "How Taxes Collected from Customers and Remitted to Governmental Authorities Should Be Presented in the Income Statement (That Is, Gross versus Net Presentation)" (EITF No. 06-3). In June 2006, the EITF reached a consensus on EITF No. 06-3 to address any tax assessed by a governmental authority that is directly imposed on a revenue-producing transaction between a seller and a customer and may include, but are not limited to, sales, use, value added, and some excise taxes. For taxes within the issue’s scope, the consensus requires that entities present such taxes on either a gross (i.e. included in revenues and costs) or net (i.e. exclude from revenues) basis according to their accounting policies, which should be disclosed. If such taxes are reported gross and are significant, entities should disclose the amounts of those taxes. Disclosures may be made on an aggregate basis. The consensus is effective for us beginning January 1, 2007. The adoption of EITF No. 06-3 did not have any material impact on our consolidated results of operations, cash flows or financial position. Our policy is and will continue to be to classify such taxes as a deduction from operating revenues.

EITF Issue No. 06-6, "Debtor’s Accounting for a Modification (or exchange) of Convertible Debt Instruments" (EITF No. 06-6). In November 2006, the EITF reached a consensus on EITF No. 06-6. EITF No. 06-6 addresses how a modification of a debt instrument (or an exchange of debt instruments) that affects the terms of an embedded conversion option should be considered in the issuer’s analysis of whether debt extinguishment accounting should be applied, and further addresses the accounting for a modification of a debt instrument (or an exchange of debt instruments) that affects the terms of an embedded conversion option when extinguishment accounting is not applied. EITF No. 06-6 applies to modifications (or exchanges) occurring in interim or annual reporting periods beginning after November 29, 2006, regardless of when the instrument was originally issued. Early application is permitted for modifications (or exchanges) occurring in periods for which financial statements have not been issued. There were no modifications to, or exchanges of, any of our debt instruments within the scope of EITF No. 06-6 in 2007 or 2008. The impact to us of applying EITF No. 06-6 in subsequent periods will be dependent upon the nature of any modifications to, or exchanges of, any debt instruments within the scope of EITF No. 06-6.

The following new accounting standards have been issued, but have not yet been adopted by the Company as of December 31, 2008.

In December 2007, the FASB issued SFAS No. 141 (revised 2007), “Business Combination,” which replaces FASB Statement No. 141, Business Combinations. This Statement retains the fundamental requirements in Statement No. 141 that the acquisition method of accounting (which Statement No. 141 called the purchase method) be used for all business combinations and for an acquirer to be identified for each business combination. This statement defines the acquirer as the entity that obtains control of one or more businesses in the business combination and establishes the acquisition date as the date that the acquirer achieves control. Statement 141 did not define the acquirer, although it included guidance on identifying the acquirer, as does this statement. This statement’s scope is broader than that of Statement No. 141, which applied only to business combinations in which control was obtained by transferring consideration. The result of applying Statement No. 141’s guidance on recognizing and measuring assets and liabilities in a step acquisition was to measure them at a blend of historical costs and fair values, a practice that provided less relevant, representationally faithful, and comparable information than will result from applying this statement. In addition, this statement’s requirement to measure the noncontrolling interest in the acquiree at fair value will result in recognizing the goodwill attributable to the noncontrolling interest in addition to that attributable to the acquirer, which improves the completeness of the resulting information and makes it more comparable across entities. By applying the same method of accounting, the acquisition method to all transactions and other events in which one entity obtains control over one or more other businesses, this statement improves the comparability of the information about business combinations provided in financial reports. This statement applies prospectively to business combinations for which the acquisition date is on or after the beginning of the first annual reporting period beginning on or after December 15, 2008. An entity may not apply it before that date. The effective date of this statement is the same as that of the related FASB Statement No. 160, “Noncontrolling Interests in Consolidated Financial Statements.” The Company will apply such pronouncement on a prospective basis for each new business combination.

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Companhia Siderúrgica Nacional and Subsidiaries
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
Expressed in millions of United States dollars, except share and per share data and unless otherwise stated

In December 2007, FASB issued SFAS No. 160, “Noncontrolling Interests in Consolidated Financial Statements – an amendment to ARB No. 51,” which clarifies that a noncontrolling interest in a subsidiary is an ownership interest in the consolidated entity that should be reported as equity in the consolidated financial statements. This statement is effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning on or after December 15, 2008 (that is, January 1, 2009, for entities with calendar year-ends). Earlier adoption is prohibited. The effective date of this statement is the same as that of the related Statement No. 141(R). This statement shall be applied prospectively as of the beginning of the fiscal year in which this statement is initially applied, except for the presentation and disclosure requirements. The presentation and disclosure requirements shall be applied retrospectively for all periods presented. We are currently evaluating the impact of such new pronouncement in our consolidated financial statements.

SFAS No. 161, “Disclosures about Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities, an amendment of FASB Statement No. 133” (SFAS No. 161). In March 2008, the FASB issued SFAS No. 161, which requires enhanced disclosures about an entity’s derivative and hedging activities and thereby improves the transparency of financial reporting. This Statement is effective for financial statements issued for fiscal years and interim periods beginning after November 15, 2008, with early application encouraged. This Statement encourages, but does not require, comparative disclosures for earlier periods at initial adoption.

In April 2008, the FASB issued FSP FAS 142-3, “Determination of the Useful Life of Intangible Assets”. FSP FAS 142-3 amends the factors that should be considered in developing renewal or extension assumptions used to determine the useful life of a recognized intangible asset under Statement No. 142, “Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets”. For a recognized intangible asset, an entity shall disclose information that enables financial statement users to assess the extent to which the expected future cash flows associated with the asset are affected by the entity’s intent and/or ability to renew or extend the arrangement. FSP FAS 142-3 is effective for financial statements issued for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2008, and interim periods within those fiscal years. Early adoption is prohibited. We are currently evaluating the potential impact of adopting these statements on our consolidated financial position or results of operations.

SFAS No. 162, “The Hierarchy of Generally Accepted Accounting Principles” (SFAS No. 162). In May 2008, the FASB issued SFAS No. 162, which identifies the sources of accounting principles and the framework for selecting the principles used in the preparation of financial statements of nongovernmental entities that are presented in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States (US GAAP). This Statement shall be effective 60 (sixty) days following the SEC’s approval of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (“PCAOB”) amendments to AU Section 411, “The Meaning of Present Fairly in Conformity with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles”.

In June 2008, the EITF reached a consensus on Issue No. 07-5, “Determining Whether an Instrument (or Embedded Feature) is Indexed to an Entity’s Own Stock”. EITF 07-5 provides guidance for determining whether an equity-linked financial instrument (or embedded feature) is indexed to an entity’s own stock, which is the first part of the scope exception in paragraph 11(a) of Statement 133. If an instrument that has the characteristics of a derivative instrument is indexed to an entity’s own stock, it is necessary to evaluate whether it is or would be classified in stockholders’s equity. EITF 07-5 applies to a freestanding financial instrument or embedded feature that has all the characteristics of a derivative in accordance with Statement 133. Accordingly, the company must use two-step approach in order to make this evaluation as follows: (a) evaluate the instrument’s contingent exercise provisions, if any; and (b) evaluate the instrument’s settlement provisions. This Issue is effective for financial statements issued for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2008, and interim periods within those fiscal years. Earlier application by an entity that has previously adopted an alternative accounting policy is not permitted. We are currently evaluating the impact of adoption of EITF 07-5 on our consolidated financial position or results of operations.

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Companhia Siderúrgica Nacional and Subsidiaries
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
Expressed in millions of United States dollars, except share and per share data and unless otherwise stated

In September 2008, the EITF reached a consensus on Issue No. 08-5, “Issuer’s Accounting for Liabilities Measured at Fair Value with a Third-Party Credit Enhancement”. EITF 08-5 requires issuers of liability instruments with third-party credit enhancements to exclude the effect of the credit enhancement when measuring the liability’s fair value. The effect of initially adopting the requirements is included in the change in the instrument’s fair value in the period of adoption. Entities are required to disclose the valuation technique used to measure the liabilities and to discuss any changes in the valuation techniques used to measure those liabilities in prior periods. Entities will also need to disclose the existence of a third-party credit enhancement on the entity’s issued debt. EITF 08-5 is effective for the reporting period beginning after December 15, 2008. Early adoption is permitted. We are currently evaluating the potential impact of adopting this statement on our consolidated financial position or results of operations.

In September 2008, the FASB issued FSP FAS 133-1 and FIN 45-4, “Disclosures about Credit Derivatives and Certain Guarantees: An Amendment of FASB Statement No. 133 and FASB Interpretation No. 45; and Clarification of the Effective Date of FASB Statement No. 161”. FSP FAS 133-1 and FIN 45-4 amends Statement No. 133, “Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities”, and FIN 45, “Guarantor’s Accounting and Disclosure Requirements for Guarantees, Including Indirect Guarantees of Indebtedness of Others”, and clarifies Statement No. 161, “Disclosures about Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities”. This FSP amends Statement No. 133 to require disclosures by sellers of credit derivatives, including credit derivatives embedded in a hybrid instrument. This FSP also amends FIN 45 to require an additional disclosure about the current status of the payment/performance risk of a guarantee. Further, FSP FAS 133-1 and FIN 45-4 clarifies the FASB’s intent that the disclosures required by Statement No. 161 should be provided for any reporting period (annual or interim) beginning after November 15, 2008. The provisions of this FSP that amend Statement No. 133 and FIN 45 are effective for reporting periods (annual or interim) ending after November 15, 2008. Early adoption is encouraged. We are currently evaluating the potential impact of adopting these statements on our consolidated financial position or results of operations.

In November 2008, the EITF reached consensus on Issue No. 08-6, “Equity Method Investment Accounting Considerations” (“EITF 08-6”), which clarifies the accounting for certain transactions and impairment considerations involving equity method investments. The intent of EITF 08-6 is to provide guidance on (i) determining the initial carrying value of an equity method investment, (ii) performing an impairment assessment of an underlying indefinite-lived intangible asset of an equity method investment, (iii) accounting for an equity method investee’s issuance of shares, and (iv) accounting for a change in an investment from the equity method to the cost method. EITF 08-6 is effective for our fiscal year beginning January 1, 2009 and is to be applied prospectively. We are currently evaluating the potential impact of adopting this statement on our consolidated financial position or results of operations.

In December 2008, the FASB issued FSP No. FAS 132(R)-1, “Employers’ Disclosures about Post-Retirement Benefit Plan Assets” (“FSP FAS 132(R)-1”), which amends FASB Statement No. 132 “Employers’ Disclosures about Pensions and Other Post-Retirement Benefits” (“FAS 132”), to provide guidance on an employer’s disclosures about plan assets of a defined benefit pension or other post-retirement plan. The objective of FSP FAS 132(R)-1 is to require more detailed disclosures about employers’ plan assets, including employers’ investment strategies, major categories of plan assets, concentrations of risk within plan assets, and valuation techniques used to measure the fair value of plan assets. FSP FAS 132(R)-1 is effective for our fiscal year beginning January 1, 2009. Upon initial application, the provisions of this FSP are not required for earlier periods that are presented for comparative purposes. We are currently evaluating the potential impact of adopting this statement on our defined benefit pension and post-retirement benefit plan disclosures.

In April 2009, the FASB issued FSP FAS 157-4, “Determining Fair Value When the Volume and Level of Activity for the Asset or Liability Have Significantly Decreased and Identifying Transactions That Are Not Orderly”. FSP FAS 157-4 provides additional guidance for estimating fair value in accordance with Statement No. 157, “Fair Value Measurements”, when the volume and level of activity for the asset or liability have significantly decreased and provides additional guidance on the Statement No. 157 disclosure requirements. This FSP also includes guidance on identifying circumstances that indicate a transaction is not orderly. FSP FAS 157-4 is effective for interim and annual reporting periods ending after June 15, 2009, and should be applied prospectively. Early adoption is permitted for periods ending after March 15, 2009. Earlier adoption for periods ending before March 15, 2009 is not permitted. If a reporting entity elects to adopt early either FSP FAS 115-2 and FSP FAS 124-2, “Recognition and Presentation of Other-Than-Temporary Impairment”, or FSP FAS 107-1 and APB 28-1, “Interim Disclosures about Fair Value of Financial Instruments”, the reporting entity also is required to adopt early this FSP. Additionally, if the reporting entity elects to adopt early this Statement, FSP FAS 115-2 and FSP FAS 124-2 also must be adopted early. This FSP does not require disclosures for earlier periods presented for comparative purposes at initial adoption. In periods after initial adoption, this FSP requires comparative disclosures only for periods ending after initial adoption. We are currently evaluating the potential impact of adopting these statements on our consolidated financial position or results of operations.

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Companhia Siderúrgica Nacional and Subsidiaries
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
Expressed in millions of United States dollars, except share and per share data and unless otherwise stated

In April 2009 the FASB issued FSP FAS 141(R)-1, Accounting for Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed in a Business Combination That Arise from Contingencies. FSP FAS 141(R)-1 amends the provisions in Statement No. 141(R), Business Combinations, for the initial recognition and measurement, subsequent measurement and accounting, and disclosures for assets and liabilities arising from contingencies in business combinations. No subsequent accounting guidance is provided in the FSP, and the FASB expects an acquirer to develop a systematic and rational basis for subsequently measuring and accounting for acquired contingencies depending on their nature. FSP FAS 141(R)-1 is effective for contingent assets or contingent liabilities acquired in business combinations for which the acquisition date is in or after the beginning of the first annual reporting period beginning on or after December 15, 2008. This is the same effective date as Statement No. 141(R). We are currently evaluating the potential impact of adopting these statements on our consolidated financial position or results of operations.

In May 2009 the FASB issued SFAS No. 165, “Subsequent Events”, which establishes general standards of accounting for and disclosure of events that occur after the balance sheet date but before financial statements are issued or are available to be issued. SFAS 165 sets forth the period after the balance sheet date during which management of a reporting entity should evaluate events or transactions that may occur for potential recognition or disclosure in the financial statements, the circumstances under which an entity should recognize events or transactions occurring after the balance sheet date in its financial statements and the disclosures that an entity should make about events or transactions that occurred after the balance sheet date. SFAS 165 becomes effective to interim or annual financial periods ending after June 15, 2009. We do not expect any material impact from adoption of SFAS 165 on our consolidated financial position or results of operations since we already evaluate events or transactions that may affect recognition or disclosure in the financial statements.

In June 2009, the FASB issued SFAS No. 166, “Accounting for Transfers of Financial Assets – an amendment of Statement No. 140”, which improves the relevance, representational faithfulness and comparability of the information that a reporting entity provides in its financial statements about a transfer of financial assets; the effects of a transfer on its financial position, financial performance and cash flows; and a transferor’s continuing involvement, if any, in transferred financial assets. This Statement must be applied as of the beginning of each reporting entity’s first annual reporting period that begins after November 15, 2009, for interim periods within that first annual reporting period and for interim and annual reporting periods thereafter. Earlier application is prohibited. This Statement must be applied to transfers occurring on or after the effective date. We are currently evaluating the impact of adoption of SFAS 166 on our consolidated financial position or results of operations.

In June 2009, the FASB issued SFAS No. 167, “Amendments to FASB Interpretation No. 46(R)”, which improves financial reporting by enterprises involved with variable interest entities. The Board developed this pronouncement to address (1) the effects on certain provisions of FASB Interpretation No. 46 (revised December 2003), “Consolidation of Variable Interest Entities”, as a result of the elimination of the qualifying special-purpose entity concept in FASB Statement No. 166, “Accounting for Transfers of Financial Assets”, and (2) constituent concerns about the application of certain key provisions of Interpretation 46(R), including those in which the accounting and disclosures under the Interpretation do not always provide timely and useful information about an enterprise’s involvement in a variable interest entity. This Statement shall be effective as of the beginning of each reporting entity’s first annual reporting period that begins after November 15, 2009, for interim periods within that first annual reporting period, and for interim and annual reporting periods thereafter. Earlier application is prohibited. We are currently evaluating the impact of adoption of SFAS 167 on our consolidated financial position or results of operations.

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Companhia Siderúrgica Nacional and Subsidiaries
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
Expressed in millions of United States dollars, except share and per share data and unless otherwise stated

4 Insurance claim

On January 22, 2006, we were affected by an accident involving equipment adjacent to Blast Furnace No. 3, mainly impacting our powder collecting system. As a result of this accident the equipment production was interrupted until the end of the first semester of 2006. The cause of the accident was expressly covered by the terms of the insurance policy, as formally confirmed by the insurance company. The total losses resulting from this accident were estimated in approximately US$650, of which we received payment of US$360 during 2006.

Based on preliminary reports issued by independent consultants and on the confirmation of the insurance coverage by the insurance company, we recognized up to December 31, 2006, the amount of US$342 (R$730 million) related to costs incurred to purchase slabs from third-party sources and fixed expenses as an offset to cost of sales and US$9 (R$18 million) as an offset to cost of sales corresponding to the income in the write-off of damaged assets (net book value of approximately US$81 (R$174 million).

At December 31, 2008, we reached a final agreement with the reinsurance companies to recover US$520 (R$1,031 million) of our losses. Accordingly, we received the outstanding balance as of December 31, 2007 of US$105 (R$186 million) and an additional amount of US$55 (R$183 million), recorded as other operating income.

5 Business acquisitions

CFM (Cia. de Fomento Mineral)

In order to strengthen the Company´s position as a player in the iron ore market, the Company acquired 100% of the capital of Companhia de Fomento Mineral e Participações (“CFM”), a mining company located in the State of Minas Gerais, for US$400 and additional US$40 in case no contingent liabilities were raised. In October 2008, the Company was released from paying this latter installment of US$40 since potential labor contingencies were discovered. The Company accounted for this acquisition using Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 141 - Business Combinations (“SFAS 141”) and Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 142 – Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets (“SFAS 142”). Accordingly, the results of operations for the acquired business are included in the accompanying consolidated statements of income beginning June 2007, the closing date of the acquisition, and the related assets and liabilities were recorded based upon their relative fair values as of the acquisition date.

Management’s allocation of the purchase price considerations at the acquisition date, based on the valuation of the acquired assets and liabilities performed by an unrelated third-party appraiser, was as follows:

Current assets |  |
Cash and cash equivalents |  | 2
Trade accounts receivable |  | 3
Inventories |  | 13
Prepaids and other assets |  | 9
Property, plant and equipment |  | 667
Current liabilities |  | (35)
Deferred taxes liabilities |  | (219)
Initial purchase price |  | 440
Contingent consideration resolved |  | (40)
Final purchase price |  | 400

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Companhia Siderúrgica Nacional and Subsidiaries
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
Expressed in millions of United States dollars, except share and per share data and unless otherwise stated

We did not identify any intangible assets in CFM to be recognized apart from goodwill.

The unaudited financial information in the table below summarizes the combined results of operations of the Company and CFM, on a pro-forma basis, as though the companies had been combined as of the beginning of each of the two periods presented. The pro-forma financial information is presented for informational purposes only and is not indicative of the results of operations that would have been achieved if the acquisition had taken place at the beginning of each of the two periods presented. The unaudited pro-forma financial information for 2007 combines the historical results for CSN for 2007, which include the results of CFM as from July 1, 2007 and the historical results of CFM for the period from January

1, 2007 to June 30, 2007, date of the acquisition. The unaudited pro-forma financial information for 2006 combines historical results of CSN and CFM. The following table summarizes the pro-forma financial information, unaudited:

|  | Year ended December, 31
Accounts |  | 2006 |  | 2007
Gross operating revenues |  | 4,898 |  | 7,042
Net operating revenues |  | 3,922 |  | 5,575
Costs of products sold and operating expenses |  | (2,665) |  | (3,723)
Income before income taxes and equity in |  |  |  |
results of affiliated companies |  | 964 |  | 2,153
Income taxes |  | (288) |  | (531)
Net income |  | 734 |  | 1,697
Basic and diluted earnings per share |  | 0.95 |  | 2.21
Weighted number of shares (in thousands) |  | 772,302 |  | 769,749

6 Income taxes

Income taxes in Brazil comprise federal income tax and social contribution (which is an additional federal income tax). The statutory rates applicable for each of the three years presented herein are: 25% for federal income tax and 9% for social contribution. The amounts reported as income tax expense in the financial statements are reconciled to the statutory rates as follows:

|  | Years ended December 31,
|  | 2006 |  | 2007 |  | 2008 |  | 2008 |  | 2008
|  |  |  |  |  | Brazil |  | Foreign |  | Total
Income (loss) before income taxes and equity in results of affiliated companies |  | 987 |  | 2,161 |  | 3,225 |  | (284) |  | 2,941
Federal income tax and social contribution at statutory rates |  | (336) |  | (735) |  | (1,097) |  | 96 |  | (1,001)
Adjustments to derive effective tax rate |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Interest on stockholders’ equity |  | 28 |  | 40 |  | 39 |  | - |  | 39
Nontaxable foreign exchange gain (loss) from subsidiaries or taxed at different rates |  | - |  | 159 |  | - |  | (95) |  | (95)
Nontaxable gain on dilution of interest in Namisa |  | - |  | - |  | 567 |  | - |  | 567
Reductions (additions) to valuation allowance |  | 2 |  | (12) |  | (22) |  | 1 |  | (21)
Reversal of disputed taxes payable (penalties) |  | 18 |  | - |  | - |  | - |  | -
Tax incentives |  | 8 |  | 10 |  | 5 |  | - |  | 5
Other permanent differences |  | (16) |  | 4 |  | 91 |  | 1 |  | 92
Income tax expense per consolidated statements of income |  | (296) |  | (534) |  | (417) |  | 3 |  | (414)

Income tax expense for the years ended December 31, 2006, 2007 and 2008 consist of:

FS - 24

#####

Companhia Siderúrgica Nacional and Subsidiaries
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
Expressed in millions of United States dollars, except share and per share data and unless otherwise stated

|  | 2006 |  | 2007 |  | 2008
|  | Current |  | Deferred |  | Total |  | Current |  | Deferred |  | Total |  | Current |  | Deferred |  | Total
Brazil |  | (179) |  | (113) |  | (292) |  | (551) |  | 72 |  | (479) |  | (609) |  | 192 |  | (417)
Foreign |  | (19) |  | 15 |  | (4) |  | (68) |  | 13 |  | (55) |  | (6) |  | 9 |  | 3
Total |  | (198) |  | (98) |  | (296) |  | (619) |  | 85 |  | (534) |  | (615) |  | 201 |  | (414)

For the years ended December 31, 2006, 2007 and 2008, income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes and equity in results of affiliated companies consists of the following:

|  | Years ended December 31,
|  | 2006 |  | 2007 |  | 2008
Brazil |  | 944 |  | 1,562 |  | 3,225
Foreign |  | 43 |  | 599 |  | (284)
Total |  | 987 |  | 2,161 |  | 2,941

The major components of deferred income tax assets and liabilities in the consolidated balance sheets are as follows:

|  | As of December 31,
|  | 2007 |  | 2008
Current assets |  |  |  |
Tax loss carryforwards |  | 2 |  | 143
Inventories – basis difference |  | 16 |  | 16
Expenses deductible when paid |  | 286 |  | 144
Other |  | 6 |  | 56
Current deferred tax assets |  | 310 |  | 359
Non-current assets |  |  |  |
Tax loss carryforwards |  | 103 |  | 93
Deferred charges – basis difference |  | 37 |  | 6
Provision for contingencies |  | 194 |  | 186
Expenses deductible when paid |  | 48 |  | 67
Accrued pension cost |  | - |  | 12
Total non-current deferred tax assets |  | 382 |  | 364
Total deferred tax assets |  | 692 |  | 723
Valuation allowance |  |  |  |
Balance, beginning of year |  | (35) |  | (48)
Additions |  | (12) |  | (22)
Reductions |  | - |  | 1
Translation adjustment |  | (1) |  | (1)
Balance, end of the year |  | (48) |  | (70)
Non-current deferred tax liability |  |  |  |
Property, plant and equipment – basis difference |  | (285) |  | (14)
Prepaid pension cost |  | (47) |  | -
Total non-current deferred tax liabilities |  | (332) |  | (14)
Net deferred tax asset |  | 312 |  | 639

FS - 25

#####

Companhia Siderúrgica Nacional and Subsidiaries
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
Expressed in millions of United States dollars, except share and per share data and unless otherwise stated

The tax loss carryforwards and social contribution negative basis, in the amount of US$711 as of December 31, 2008 will expire as follows:

Expiration dates |  | Amount
December 31, 2009 |  | 6
December 31, 2010 |  | -
December 31, 2011 |  | 37
December 31, 2012 |  | -
December 31, 2013 |  | 22
December 31, 2014 |  | 2
2023 and thereafter |  | 81
Indefinite |  | 563
Total tax loss carryforwards |  | 711

The valuation allowance for deferred tax assets as of December 31, 2008 was US$70 (US$48 as of December 31, 2007). The net change in the total valuation allowance during 2008 was an increase of US$22 (an increase of US$12 in 2007). The valuation allowance at December 31, 2007 and 2008 was primarily related to tax loss carryforwards generated by certain foreign subsidiaries that, in the judgment of management are not more likely than not to be realized in the near future. In assessing the realizability of deferred tax assets, management considers whether it is more likely than not that some portion or all of the deferred tax assets will not be realized. The ultimate realization of deferred tax assets is dependent upon the generation of future taxable income during the periods in which those temporary differences become deductible. Management considers the scheduled reversal of deferred tax liabilities, projected future taxable income and tax planning strategies in making this assessment. Based upon the level of historical taxable income and projections for future taxable income over the periods in which the deferred tax assets are deductible, management believes it is more likely than not that the Company will realize the benefits of these deductible differences, net of the existing valuation allowances at December 31, 2008. The amount of the deferred tax asset considered realizable, however, could be reduced in the near term if estimates of future taxable income during the carryforward period are reduced. The Company’s deferred tax assets, net of valuation allowance, are expected to be realized based on actual levels of our past taxable income and our expectation of sustaining similar levels of profitability in the short, medium and long-terms.

|  | Pretax book income |  | Taxable income
2005 |  | 1,282 |  | 1,772
2006 |  | 987 |  | 787
2007 |  | 2,161 |  | 1,795
2008 |  | 2,941 |  | 564

As of December 31, 2008, the undistributed earnings of the Company’s foreign subsidiaries have been invested and will continue to be indefinitely invested in their operations. These undistributed earnings of the Company´s foreign subsidiaries amounted to US$664 as of December 31, 2008. If circumstances change and the Company decides to repatriate these undistributed earnings, the tax liability in lieu thereof will amount to US$226.

In July 2006, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued FASB Interpretation No. 48, “Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes, an interpretation of FASB Statement No. 109” (FIN 48). FIN 48 provides guidance on recognition, classification and disclosure concerning uncertain income tax liabilities. The evaluation of a tax position requires recognition of a tax benefit if it is more likely than not it will be sustained upon examination. The Company adopted FIN 48 on January 1, 2007. The adoption did not have a material impact on CSN’s consolidated financial statements.

A reconciliation of the unrecognized tax benefits (principal) is as follows:

FS - 26

#####

Companhia Siderúrgica Nacional and Subsidiaries
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
Expressed in millions of United States dollars, except share and per share data and unless otherwise stated

|  | 2007 |  | 2008
Balance, beginning of year |  | 311 |  | 444
Additions for tax positions of current year |  | 63 |  | 42
Translation adjustments |  | 70 |  | (116)
Balance, end of year |  | 444 |  | 370

The balance of total unrecognized tax benefits above at December, 31 2008 contains potential benefits of US$370 (US$444 in 2007) that, if recognized, would affect the effective rate on income from continuing operations.

In addition to the amounts above, interest on unrecognized tax benefits as of December 31, 2007 and 2008, amounts to US$125 and US$134, respectively, which were included in accrual for contingencies in the balance sheet and US$39 and US$50 accrued during 2007 and 2008, respectively, were included in financial income (expense), net in the consolidated statement of income.

In addition, the Company does not expect that these unrecognized tax benefits will change significantly within the next twelve months.

The Company’s major tax jurisdiction is Brazil. The Brazilian tax returns are open to examination by the respective tax authorities for the years beginning in 2004.

7 Cash and cash equivalents

|  | As of December 31,
|  | 2007 |  | 2008
Cash in hand and bank deposits |  |  |  |
Local currency |  | 101 |  | 98
Time deposits |  |  |  |
U.S. dollars |  | 491 |  | 2,844
Local currency |  | 621 |  | 600
Total |  | 1,213 |  | 3,542

Management has been investing surplus cash in time deposits with maturities of three months or less when purchased.

8 Trade accounts receivable

|  | As of December 31,
|  | 2007 |  | 2008
Domestic |  | 431 |  | 521
Export primarily denominated in U.S. dollars |  | 192 |  | 60
|  | 623 |  | 581
Allowance for doubtful accounts |  | (64) |  | (94)
Total |  | 559 |  | 487

FS - 27

#####

Companhia Siderúrgica Nacional and Subsidiaries
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
Expressed in millions of United States dollars, except share and per share data and unless otherwise stated

Supplementary information – valuation account for accounts receivable:

|  | Allowance for Doubtful Accounts
Balance as of December 31, 2006 |  | (51)
Additions – charged to selling expenses |  | (4)
Amounts written-off |  | 1
Translation adjustment |  | (10)
Balance as of December 31, 2007 |  | (64)
Additions – charged to selling expenses |  | (51)
Amounts written-off |  | 6
Translation adjustment |  | 15
Balance as of December 31, 2008 |  | (94)

9 Inventories

|  | As of December 31,
|  | 2007 |  | 2008
Finished goods |  | 380 |  | 256
Products in process |  | 184 |  | 302
Raw material |  | 405 |  | 484
Maintenance supplies |  | 158 |  | 121
Other |  | 25 |  | 2
Total |  | 1,152 |  | 1,165

FS - 28

#####

Companhia Siderúrgica Nacional and Subsidiaries
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
Expressed in millions of United States dollars, except share and per share data and unless otherwise stated

10 Investments in affiliated companies and companies under common control

|  | As of and for the years ended December 31
|  | Direct Ownership 2007 |  | Direct/Indirect Ownership 2008 |  | Investments |  | Equity in results of affiliated companies
Investments in affiliated |  | Total |  | Total |  | 2007 |  | 2008 |  | 2006 |  | 2007 |  | 2008
companies |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Logistic Segment |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
MRS Logística. |  | 37.27% |  | 33.27% |  | 251 |  | 243 |  | 61 |  | 73 |  | 120
Transnordestina |  | 46.88% |  | 84.50% |  | - |  | 104 |  | - |  | - |  | (7)
Itá Energética |  | 48.75% |  | 48.75% |  | 148 |  | 114 |  | 8 |  | 11 |  | 14
Sub-total |  |  |  |  |  | 399 |  | 461 |  | 69 |  | 84 |  | 127
Mining Segment |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Namisa (1) |  | 100% |  | 59.99% |  | - |  | 2,127 |  | - |  | - |  | -
Total |  |  |  |  |  | 399 |  | 2,588 |  | 69 |  | 84 |  | 127
Provision for loss on investments |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Logistic segment |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Transnordestina |  | 46.88% |  | 84.50% |  | (31) |  | - |  | (11) |  | (8) |  | -
Total |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 58 |  | 76 |  | 127

(1) We sold 40% of Namisa’s voting interest on December 30, 2008; accordingly, Namisa’s results have been consolidated until the date of sale. In 2007, Namisa was fully consolidated.

MRS Logística (“MRS”)

The interest in this railroad network was acquired through participation in consortia which obtained, in privatization auctions, the concessions to operate the railway networks of the Rede Ferroviária Federal. MRS provides the principal means of transporting the Company’s raw materials to the Presidente Vargas Steelworks facility. As of December 31, 2008, the Company had direct ownership in MRS’ capital of 22.93% and indirect ownership of 6% through Namisa and 4.3377% through IIF, totaling 33.27% of MRS capital.

Transnordestina Logística S.A. (“Transnordestina”)

The Company's aim is to help CFN improve the efficiency and reliability of its railway networks. On November 30, 2003, the Company increased its interest in CFN from 32.40% to 49.99% by acquiring from CVRD its interest and during 2006, 4.21% of the investment was transferred to BNDES in connection with "Transnordestina" project, and in 2007 the Company increased its ownership by 1.10% to 46.88%.

In the General Meeting held on May 12, 2008, CFN's name was changed to Transnordestina Logística S.A. ("Transnordestina") and at the same date CSN increased its ownership in Transnordestina to 71.24% through use of its advances for future capital increase in the amount of US$81 (R$136 million). Further, on November 17, 2008, CSN increased its ownership to 84.50% by capitalization of US$111 (R$254 million). In association with the Brazilian Federal Government, the Company will invest R$2.1 billion in CFN to lay 1,800 kilometers of track, creating the Nova Transnordestina Railway, which will have a transport capacity twenty times greater than at present and will play an important role in the development of Brazil's Northeast region. Completion is scheduled for 2010. Transnordestina is jointly - controlled by us and Taquari Participaçõees S.A. pursuant to a shareholder's agreement dated November 27, 1997, as amended on May 6, 1999 and on November 7, 2003.

ITÁ Energética S.A. (“ITASA”)

FS - 29

#####

Companhia Siderúrgica Nacional and Subsidiaries
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
Expressed in millions of United States dollars, except share and per share data and unless otherwise stated

Itasa has an ownership of 60.5% in the Consortium Itá, created to explore Itá Hydroelectric Plant, in accordance with the concession contract signed on December 28, 1995 and its addendum No.1 dated of July 31, 2000 celebrated between the National Agency of Electric Energy (“ANEEL”) and the consorted companies Itasa and Tractebel Energia S.A. (former “Centrais Geradoras do Sul do Brasil – Gerasul”).

We hold 48.75% of the subscribed capital and of the total common shares issued by Itasa, a special-purpose company formed for the purpose of owning and operating, under a 30-year concession, 60.5% of the Itá hydroelectric facility on the Uruguay river in Southern Brazil. One of its roles is to engage suppliers and contractors and obtain lines of credit and financings and negotiate adequate guarantees to the borrowings.

Nacional Minérios S.A. (“Namisa”)

On December 30, 2008, we sold 2,271,825 shares of Namisa’s voting capital, one of our mining subsidiaries and, subsequently, Namisa issued 187,749,249 new shares at a price of US$16.20 per share, subscribed and paid up by Big Jump Energy Participações S.A. (“Big Jump”), a company whose shareholders are Brazil Japan Iron Ore Corporation (“BJIOC”) and Posco, increasing its ownership interest to 40%, diluting our voting and total interest in Namisa to 59.99% . BJIOC is a company incorporated by a consortium formed by the Japanese companies Itochu Corporation, JFE Steel Corporation, Nippon Steel Corporation, Sumitomo Metal Industries Ltd, Kobe Steel Ltd and Nisshin Steel Co Ltd, and the Korean company, Posco. Big Jump paid in cash for Namisa’s shares the amount of US$3,041. Upon acquisition, the new corporate structure of Namisa by which Big Jump holds 40% and CSN holds 59.99% of Namisa’s shares and also based on the Shareholders’ Agreement signed by both parties, the Company’s management concluded that Namisa’s balance sheet should be deconsolidated on December 30, 2008; accordingly, Namisa’s results have been consolidated until the date of sale and dilution. For deconsolidating Namisa, the Company analyzed and applied EITF No.96-16 – “Investor’s Accounting for an Investee When the Investor Has a Majority of the Voting Interest but the Minority Shareholder or Shareholders Have Certain Approval or Veto Rights” (“EITF 96-16”) with the purpose of determining whether the minority rights held by the minority shareholder overcome the presumption of SFAS 94 – “Consolidation of All Majority-Owned Subsidiaries” (“SFAS 94”) that all majority-owned investees should be consolidated. Based on the analysis of EITF 96-16, it was concluded that the Asian consortium has effective and significant participation rights rather than protective rights. Substantive minority rights that provide the minority shareholder with the right to effectively participate in significant decisions that would be expected to be related to the investee’s ordinary course of business, although also protective of the minority shareholder’s investment, should overcome the presumption in SFAS 94 that the investor with a majority voting interest should consolidate its investee. Particularly with respect to our non-consolidated subsidiary Namisa, we may be required to reacquire all ownership interest of our Asian partners in the event of a dead-lock with respect to a material issue under our shareholders’ agreement. We and Big Jump Energy Participações S.A. have entered into a shareholders’ agreement in order to govern our joint-control of Namisa. Under certain situations provided for in the shareholders’ agreement, a dead-lock resolution process may be established. This procedure requires us to initiate mediation with our partners and, if no solution is reached, the matter is then submitted to be addressed directly by the senior executives of the companies in dispute. In case the dead-lock remains, the shareholders’ agreement provides for call and put options, which entitles Big Jump Energy Participações S.A. to elect to sell all its ownership interest in Namisa to CSN and CSN to elect to buy all ownership interest of Big Jump Energy Participações S.A. in Namisa, in each case for the fair market value of the respective shares.

The Company and Namisa have signed long-term contracts to ensure supply of iron ore (“run of mine”) extracted from Casa de Pedra mine, and port services rendered by CSN. These contracts have been prepaid by the abovementioned consorted companies at the same amount of US$3,041, recorded as due to related parties in long-term liabilities.

Namisa’s operations are fully integrated and include rail transportation access guaranteed by a long-term contract signed with MRS. At this transaction, CSN capitalized Namisa by transfer of 10% of its ownership in MRS’ capital.

Upon the sale of Namisa’s shares and dilution, CSN adopted income statement recognition as its accounting policy and, accordingly, recorded a net non-operating gain on 40%-dilution of its interest in the amount of US$1,667, as detailed below:

FS - 30

#####

Companhia Siderúrgica Nacional and Subsidiaries
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
Expressed in millions of United States dollars, except share and per share data and unless otherwise stated

|  | Amount |  | Percentage |  | Gain (loss)
Namisa's net equity before capital increase by Big Jump, represented by 287,303,436 shares |  | 395 |  | 40% |  | (158)
Capital increase by Big Jump through issuance of 187,749,249 new shares (US$1.48 per share plus additional paid in capital of US$14.72 per share) |  | 3,041 |  | 60% |  | 1,825
Net non-taxable gain on dilution of interest in Namisa |  |  |  |  |  | 1,667

The gain of US$1,667 abovementioned is non-taxable since a dilution of interest is not considered as a capital gain in accordance with Brazilian tax legislation.

Namisa's assets and liabilities as of December 31, 2008 are presented as follows:

|  | Year ended December 31,
Accounts |  | 2008
Current assets |  | 811
Noncurrent assets |  | 3,720
Current liabilities |  | (667)
Noncurrent liabilities |  | (319)
Stockholder's equity |  | (3,545)

11 Goodwill

As of December 31, goodwill recognized from the business acquisitions of the Company are comprised as follows:

|  | 2007 |  | 2008
Logistics |  |  |  |
MRS Logística |  | 6 |  | 4
|  | 6 |  | 4
Mining |  |  |  |
ERSA |  | 43 |  | 32
|  | 43 |  | 32
Steel |  |  |  |
GalvaSud |  | 60 |  | 47
Prada |  | 53 |  | 40
Lusosider Projectos Siderúrgicos |  | 4 |  | 4
|  | 117 |  | 91
|  | 166 |  | 127

12 Property, plant and equipment

|  | As of December 31, 2007
|  | Cost |  | Accumulated Depreciation |  | Net
Land |  | 73 |  | - |  | 73
Buildings |  | 314 |  | (37) |  | 277
Equipment |  | 4,434 |  | (1,530) |  | 2,904
Furniture and fixtures |  | 60 |  | (45) |  | 15
Mines and reserves |  | 677 |  | (17) |  | 660
Other |  | 178 |  | (91) |  | 87
|  | 5,736 |  | (1,720) |  | 4,016
Construction in |  |  |  |  |  |
progress |  | 808 |  | - |  | 808
|  | 6,544 |  | (1,720) |  | 4,824

FS - 31

#####

Companhia Siderúrgica Nacional and Subsidiaries
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
Expressed in millions of United States dollars, except share and per share data and unless otherwise stated

|  | As of December 31, 2008
|  | Cost |  | Accumulated Depreciation |  | Net
Land |  | 59 |  | - |  | 59
Buildings |  | 335 |  | (43) |  | 292
Equipment |  | 2,699 |  | (489) |  | 2,210
Furniture and fixtures |  | 51 |  | (38) |  | 13
Mines and reserves |  | 7 |  | - |  | 7
Other |  | 138 |  | (55) |  | 83
|  | 3,289 |  | (625) |  | 2,664
Construction in progress |  | 879 |  | - |  | 879
|  | 4,168 |  | (625) |  | 3,543

Construction in progress consists principally of a group of investments in equipment in order to improve the productivity of the Company’s production units and quality of its products. The main investments are in the area of environmental protection, cost reduction, infrastructure and automation, and information and telecommunication technologies. In 2006, 2007 and 2008, capitalized interest amounted to US$10, US$37 and US$116, respectively.

As of December 31, 2007 and 2008, the fixed assets securing financial obligations amounted to US$27 and US$21, respectively.

Casa de Pedra mine is an asset that belongs to CSN which has the exclusive right to explore such mine. Our mining activities of Casa de Pedra are based on the "Manifesto Mina", which confers to CSN full ownership over the mineral deposits existing within our property limits.

As of December 31, 2007 and 2008, the net fixed assets of Casa de Pedra were US$547 and US$655, respectively, mainly represented by US$298 and US$453 of construction in progress. In 2007 and 2008, capitalized interest in Casa de Pedra assets amounted to US$21 and US$20, respectively.

13 Loans and financing

|  | As of December 31,
|  | 2007 |  | 2008
|  | Current portion |  | Long-term |  | Current portion |  | Long-term
|  | CSN |  | Subsidiaries |  | CSN |  | Subsidiaries |  | CSN |  | Subsidiaries |  | CSN |  | Subsidiaries
Foreign Currency |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Pre-export financing (e) |  | 15 |  |  |  | 414 |  |  |  | 21 |  |  |  | 583 |  |
Securitized Receivables (c) |  |  |  | 72 |  |  |  | 388 |  |  |  | 88 |  |  |  | 300
Euronotes (d) |  |  |  | 275 |  |  |  | 950 |  | - |  | - |  | - |  | 950
Perpetual notes (b) |  | - |  | - |  | - |  | 750 |  | - |  | - |  |  |  | 750
Financed imports |  | 35 |  |  |  | 50 |  |  |  | 33 |  | - |  | 42 |  | -
BNDES/Finame |  |  |  |  |  | 44 |  | 2 |  | 4 |  | - |  | 43 |  | 3
Advances on export contracts (g) |  | 190 |  |  |  | 110 |  |  |  | 973 |  | - |  | 100 |  | -
Other |  |  |  | 58 |  |  |  | 133 |  |  |  | 99 |  |  |  | 50
|  | 240 |  | 405 |  | 618 |  | 2,223 |  | 1,031 |  | 187 |  | 768 |  | 2,053
Denominated in |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Brazilian Reais |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
BNDES/Finame (f) |  | 44 |  |  |  | 398 |  | 25 |  | 73 |  | 2 |  | 298 |  | 21
Debentures (a) |  | 181 |  |  |  | 339 |  |  |  | - |  |  |  | 257 |  |
Other |  |  |  | 2 |  | 5 |  | 39 |  | - |  | 3 |  | 2 |  | 37
|  | 225 |  | 2 |  | 742 |  | 64 |  | 73 |  | 5 |  | 557 |  | 58
|  | 465 |  | 407 |  | 1,360 |  | 2,287 |  | 1,104 |  | 192 |  | 1,325 |  | 2,111
Total of loans and financing |  | 872 |  | 3,647 |  | 1,296 |  | 3,436

FS - 32

#####

Companhia Siderúrgica Nacional and Subsidiaries
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
Expressed in millions of United States dollars, except share and per share data and unless otherwise stated

a. In December 2003, the Company issued R$900 million (US$312 translated using the exchange rate as of the date of the transaction) of real-denominated debentures in three tranches: a R$250 million (US$85.5 translated using the exchange rate as of the date of the transaction) tranche with a three-year maturity (liquidated in December 2006) and bearing interest at 106.5% of CDI, a R$400 million (US$136 translated using the exchange rate as of the date of the transaction) tranche with a three-year maturity (liquidated in December 2006) and bearing interest at 107% of CDI, and a R$250 million (US$190.5 translated at the exchange rate as of the date of the transaction) tranche with a five-year maturity, indexed to the IGP-M and bearing interest at 10% per annum.

As approved at the Board of Directors Meeting held on December 20, 2005 and ratified on April 24, 2006, the Company issued, on February 1, 2006, 60,000 non-convertible and unsecured debentures, in one single tranche, in the unit face value of R$10. Such debentures were issued in the total issuance value of R$600 million (US$257 translated at the December 31, 2008 exchange rate). Compensation interest is applied to the face value balance of these debentures, representing the Cetip’s 103.6% of CDI, and the maturity of the face value is scheduled for February 2012, without early redemption option. The deeds for these issues contain certain restrictive covenants, which have been duly complied with.

b. In July 2005, the Company issued perpetual notes in the amount of US$750 that bear interest at 9.5% a.a. The Notes have no maturity date; however, as from 2010, the Company has the right to settle the Notes paying the outstanding amounts at that date. The interest payments on the perpetual notes are mandatory and have been paying quarterly since October 14, 2005.

c. In May 2003, June 2004 and June 2005, the Company received the resources of the Notes issued by CSN Islands VI Corp. selling the rights of future exports (Securitization program), and such resources were transferred to CSN at the same interest rates and maturity dates. Such notes have original maturity periods of 7, 8 and 10 years, respectively, and will be repaid through export sales of CSN subsidiaries.

d. On July 24, 1997, CSN Iron issued Euronotes in the amount of US$600, with a maturity of 10 years, at an interest rate of 9.125% p.a., under the guarantee of CSN, represented by a Promissory Note. The interest was due semiannually. The Company has already paid a total amount of the US$521 up to December 31, 2006 and the outstanding amount of the Notes due in 2007 was settled during the year. In December 2003, the Company issued Bonds through its subsidiary CSN Islands VIII in the amount of US$550, which bears annual interest of 9.75% and have maturity in 2013.

In March 2004, through the subsidiary CSN Islands VII, the Company issued Bonds in the amount of US$275, which bears interest of 10.75% . These Bonds mature September 2008, and were liquidated during 2008.

During 2005, the Company issued Bonds through its subsidiary CSN Islands IX in the total amount of US$400, which bears annual interest rates of 10.5% and mature in 2015.

e. Comprised of various bank loans which bear interest rates ranging between 3.45% and 6.04% p.a. and have maturity dates from 2012 through 2014.

f. In January 2007, the Company entered into two new financing contracts of US$398 with BNDES, which amounted to US$371 (including current and long-term portion) as of December 31, 2008, and bear annual interest of 8.7% and 9.7% with maturity date in 2014. The proceeds will be used in certain mining and logistics projects.

g. Consists primarily of U.S. dollar-denominated trade financing, mainly in the form of export sales advances with financial institutions. At December 31, 2008, the Company had US$973 outstanding short-term debt which bears interest rates between 3.25% and 9.00% p.a. and has maturity at various dates through 2009.

Loans with certain agents contain restrictive clauses, with which the Company is in compliance.

At December 31, 2008, the current portion of long-term debt and long-term portion of the Company’s indebtedness had annual interest rates as follows:

FS - 33

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Companhia Siderúrgica Nacional and Subsidiaries
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
Expressed in millions of United States dollars, except share and per share data and unless otherwise stated

|  | % per annum |  | CSN |  | Subsidiaries
Denominated in local currency |  |  |  |  |  |
Long-term interest rate (“TJLP”) |  | TJLP plus 2.7 to 14.0 |  | 73 |  | 1
Other |  | 7.96 |  | - |  | 4
|  |  |  | 73 |  | 5
Denominated in foreign currency |  |  |  |  |  |
United States dollar |  | Zero to 9.55 |  | 1,031 |  | 186
Euro |  | 6.34 |  | - |  | 1
|  |  |  | 1,104 |  | 192
|  |  |  | 1,296
|  | % per annum |  | CSN |  | Subsidiaries
Denominated in local currency |  |  |  |  |  |
Long-term interest rate (“TJLP”) |  | TJLP plus 2.7 to 14.0 |  | 298 |  | 2
General price index (“IGP-DI”) |  | IGP-DI plus 7.9 |  | 2 |  | -
Interbank Certificate of Deposit (“CDI”) |  | 103.6% of CDI |  | 257 |  | 6
Others |  | 4.19 to 7.96 |  | - |  | 50
|  |  |  | 557 |  | 58
Denominated in foreign currency |  |  |  |  |  |
United States dollar |  | Zero to 10.5 |  | 768 |  | 2,028
Euro |  | 3.89 |  | - |  | 25
|  |  |  | 1,325 |  | 2,111
|  |  |  | 3,436

Indices (average) and foreign currency variation applied to debt in each year are as follows:

|  | %
|  | 2006 |  | 2007 |  | 2008
TJLP – Long-term interest rate |  | 7.8 |  | 6.4 |  | 6.3
CDI – Interbank deposit certificate |  | 13.2 |  | 11.7 |  | 12.3
IGPM – General index of market price |  | 3.8 |  | 7.8 |  | 9.8
United States dollar exchange rate change |  | (8.7) |  | (17.2) |  | 31.9
Euro exchange rate |  | 1.8 |  | (7.5) |  | 24.1

The long-term portion of the Company’s debt outstanding at December 31, 2008 becomes due as follows:

2010 |  | 329
2011 |  | 353
2012 |  | 622
2013 |  | 812
2014 and thereafter |  | 570
Perpetual securities |  | 750
Total |  | 3,436

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#####

Companhia Siderúrgica Nacional and Subsidiaries
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
Expressed in millions of United States dollars, except share and per share data and unless otherwise stated

Security for the Company’s debt outstanding at December 31, 2008 was as follows:

Property, plant and equipment |  | 21
Corporate guarantees |  | 41
Imports |  | 36
Bank guarantee |  | 50
Total |  | 148

14 Stockholders’ equity

(a) Capital

On December 31, 2007 and 2008, shares issued were 816,203,838 and 793,403,838, respectively, common shares (post split) with no par value. Outstanding shares were 769,469,454 as of December 31, 2007 and 758,669,454 as of December 31, 2008. The decreases in number of shares in 2008 as compared to 2007 were caused by changes in treasury stock as described in item (b) below.

(b) Treasury stock

During 2008, the Board of Directors approved share buyback programs by the Company to hold in treasury for subsequent sale and/or cancellation, made in accordance with the limits and provisions of CVM’s Instruction No. 10/80. As a result, 10,800,000 shares were repurchased in October 2008 and cancelled upon approval at an Extraordinary General Meeting held on December 3, 2008. At the beginning of 2008, 12,000,000 (post split) shares acquired in prior years were also cancelled. Treasury stock as of December 31, 2008 was as follows:

|  | Amount Paid |  | Per Share Cost (in US$)
Number of Shares (*) |  | for Shares |  | Minimum |  | Maximum |  | Average
34,734,384 |  | 326 |  | 5.87 |  | 21.86 |  | 9.92

(*) Retroactively adjusted as per the stock split approved in January 2008.

While maintained in treasury, these shares are not entitled to receive dividends and have no property or voting rights. As of December 31, 2008, the market value of the shares held in treasury amounted to US$426 (US$1,384 as of December 31, 2007).

(c) Appropriated retained earnings

Brazilian laws and CSN’s By-laws require that certain appropriations be made from retained earnings to reserve accounts on an annual basis. The purpose and basis of appropriation to such reserve accounts are described below:

- Investment reserve - this is a general reserve for future expansion of CSN’s activities.
- Legal reserve - this reserve is a requirement for all Brazilian corporations and represents the annual appropriation of 5% of net income up to a limit of 20% of capital stock, as determined in the Brazilian Corporate Law. This reserve may be used to increase capital or to absorb losses, but may not be distributed as cash dividends.

(d) Dividends and interest on stockholders’ equity

The Company’s By-laws guarantee a minimum annual dividend equal to 25% of the adjusted net income for the year, as required by the Brazilian Corporate Law, which comprises net income after deduction of legal reserve. Interest on stockholders’ equity since January 1, 1996 is considered part of the minimum dividend. Brazilian law permits the payment of cash dividends only from retained earnings as stated in the Company’s statutory accounting records. At December 31, 2007 and 2008, retained earnings as stated in the statutory accounting records was equal to zero. In addition, in accordance with the statutory accounting records, appropriated retained earnings at December 31, 2007 included the amount of US$998 related to the investment reserve, which could be transferred to unappropriated retained earnings and paid as dividends and interest on stockholders’ equity, if approved by the stockholders. As of December 31, 2008, the minimum annual dividend amounted to approximately US$500 which will be paid during 2009.

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Companhia Siderúrgica Nacional and Subsidiaries
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
Expressed in millions of United States dollars, except share and per share data and unless otherwise stated

15 Pension plan

(a) Description of the plans

The Company has pension plans which cover substantially all employees. The plans are administered by the Board of Directors of a foundation named Caixa Beneficente dos Empregados da CSN (“CBS”), a private non-profit pension fund established in July 1960, which has as its members employees (and ex-employees) of the parent company and certain of its subsidiaries that joined the fund by agreement, and CBS’s own employees. The Board of Directors of CBS is comprised of its president and ten members, six of whom are chosen by CSN, the principal sponsor of CBS, and four of whom are chosen by the participants.

Until January 1996, CBS had only a defined benefit plan with benefits based on years of service, salary and social security benefits. On December 27, 1995, the Secretaria de Previdência Complementar (the Brazilian Government’s Secretary for Supplementary Social Security or the “SPC”) approved the implementation of a new benefit plan as of January 1996, called the Plano Misto de Benefício Suplementar (the “Hybrid Plan”), structured in the form of a defined contribution plan. Employees hired after that date can only join the new hybrid plan. Additionally, all active employees who were participants in the old defined benefit plan were offered the opportunity to switch to the new hybrid plan. As of December 31, 2008, CBS had 28,201 participants, of whom 22,721 were contributors (26,422 and 20,962, respectively, at December 31, 2007) enrolled in the benefit plans, including 12,406 active (10,448 at December 31, 2007) and 15,795 beneficiaries (15,974 at December 31, 2007) employees. Of the total participants at December, 31 2008, 15,091 belong to the defined benefit plan and 13,110 to the hybrid plan.

CBS’s assets comprise principally shares of CSN, government securities and properties. At December 31, 2008, CBS owned 35,490,867 common shares of CSN (35,490,867 common shares at December 31, 2007) with a market value at December 31, 2008 of US$435 (US$1,051 at December 31, 2007). During 2008, CBS received US$45 of dividends and interest on stockholders’ equity from these shares. No shares were sold during 2008. Pension assets totaled R$3 billion (US$1.7 billion) and R$2.3 billion (US$1 billion) at December 31, 2007 and 2008, respectively. CBS’s fund managers seek to match the plan assets with benefit obligations over the long-term. Brazilian pension funds are subject to certain restrictions relating to their ability to invest in foreign assets and consequently, the funds primarily invest in Brazilian securities.

(b) Expected long-term rate of return on assets

The expected long-term rate of return on assets of each benefit plan was determined by CBS based on the return expectancy for each asset category, as well as the target allocation of assets between those categories specified in CBS’s investment policy and budget for year 2008. For purposes of determining the expected long-term rate of return on plan assets the Company considered short and long-term scenarios for each category of assets. Accordingly, the resultant rates are shown in the table below:

Assets Allocation (%) |  |
Asset Category |  | December 31, 2007 |  | December 31, 2008 |  | Target |  | Weighted-Average Expected Long-Term Rate of Return (%)
Debt Securities |  | 33.5 |  | 48.5 |  | 50.1 |  | 11.4
Equity |  | 60.7 |  | 44.0 |  | 40.2 |  | 14.5
Securities |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Real Estate |  | 2.5 |  | 3.2 |  | 3.6 |  | 9.9
Loans |  | 3.3 |  | 4.3 |  | 6.1 |  | 18.1
Total |  | 100.00 |  | 100.00 |  | 100.00 |  | 13.2

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#####

Companhia Siderúrgica Nacional and Subsidiaries
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
Expressed in millions of United States dollars, except share and per share data and unless otherwise stated

(c) Defined benefit plan

The Company applies its defined benefit plan actuarial assumptions using December 31 of each year as the measurement date. Information with respect to the Company’s defined benefit plan as of December 31 is as follows.

|  | 2007 |  | 2008
Projected benefit obligation at beginning of year |  | 693 |  | 887
Service cost |  | 1 |  | 1
Interest cost on PBO |  | 83 |  | 84
Actual benefits payments |  | (75) |  | (75)
Change in assumptions |  | - |  | (149)
Effect of exchange rate changes |  | 149 |  | (197)
Actuarial loss |  | 36 |  | 58
Projected benefit obligation at end of year |  | 887 |  | 609
Change in plan assets |  |  |  |
|  | 2007 |  | 2008
Fair value of plan assets at beginning of year |  | 513 |  | 1,025
Actual return on plan assets |  | 460 |  | (283)
Employer contributions |  | 32 |  | 36
Employee contributions |  | 1 |  | 1
Actual benefits payments |  | (75) |  | (75)
Provision to finance the change of discount rate |  | (49) |  | -
Effect of exchange rate changes |  | 143 |  | (179)
Fair value of plan assets at end of year |  | 1,025 |  | 525
Accrued pension cost asset (liability) |  |  |  |
|  | 2007 |  | 2008
Funded status, excess (shortfall) of plan assets over projected benefit obligation |  | 138 |  | (84)
Unrecognized actuarial gain |  | - |  | -
|  | 138 |  | (84)
Prepaid pension cost – non-current assets |  | 138 |  | -
Accrued pension cost – current liabilities |  | - |  | (24)
Accrued pension cost – non-current liabilities |  | - |  | (60)

Changes recognized in accumulated other comprehensive (loss) income before tax |  |
|  | 2008
Transition asset not yet recognized in net periodic pension cost |  | 1
Transition asset recognized in net periodic pension cost during the period |  | (1)
Prior service credit not yet recognized in net periodic pension cost |  | 11
Prior service credit recognized in net periodic pension cost during the period |  | (1)
Net actuarial loss arising in the period |  | (292)
Gain not yet recognized in net periodic pension cost at beginning of period |  | 377
Loss recognized in net periodic pension cost |  | (55)
Total |  | 40
Deferred tax effect |  | (13)
Total recognized in accumulated other comprehensive (loss) income |  | 27

Net periodic pension cost includes the following components for the years presented:

|  | 2006 |  | 2007 |  | 2008
Service cost |  | 1 |  | 1 |  | 1
Interest cost on projected benefit obligation |  | 68 |  | 83 |  | 84
Expected return on plan assets |  | (46) |  | (84) |  | (100)
Amortization gain |  | - |  | - |  | (55)
Net amortization and deferral |  | (1) |  | (1) |  | (1)
|  | 22 |  | (1) |  | (71)
Employee contributions |  | (1) |  | (1) |  | (1)
Net periodic pension cost (credit) |  | 21 |  | (2) |  | (72)

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Companhia Siderúrgica Nacional and Subsidiaries
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
Expressed in millions of United States dollars, except share and per share data and unless otherwise stated

The expected net periodic pension cost, calculated in accordance with SFAS 87 and SFAS 158 for the year ended December 31, 2009, amounts to R$17 million (US$7 translated at the December 31, 2008 exchange rate) for the defined benefit plan as shown in the table below:

Service cost |  | 1
Interest cost |  | 75
Expected return on assets |  | (66)
Net amortization and deferral |  | (2)
Periodic post retirement benefit (credit) |  | 8
Expected employee contributions |  | (1)
Net periodic pension cost |  | 7

Actuarial assumptions used for the calculations were:

Discount rates | 2006 | 2007 | 2008
Inflation plus 6% | Inflation plus 6% | Inflation plus 8.5%
Rates of increase in compensation levels | Inflation plus 1% | Inflation plus 1% | Inflation plus 1%
Expected long-term rate of return on assets | Inflation plus 5% | Inflation plus 6% | Inflation plus 8.5%
Mortality | AT-83 Table segregated by sex (1) | AT-83 Table segregated by sex (1) | AT-83 Table segregated by sex (1)
Disability | Mercer disability multiplied by two | Mercer disability multiplied by two | Mercer disability multiplied by two
Disabled mortality | Winklevoss | Winklevoss | Winklevoss
Turnover | 2% per year | 2% per year | 2% per year
Retirement age | 100% when first eligible for a retirement benefit | 100% when first eligible for a retirement benefit | 100% when first eligible for a retirement benefit

(1) The increase in life expectancy of the general Brazilian population, as well as the life expectancy of the population covered by private pension plans have been discussed in the past few years. Life expectancy both in Brazil and around the world have increased due to a series of events, such as the technological development in medicine, the public health care policies and disease prevention resulting from quality of life programs.

During 2006, the Brazilian government defined that post retirement benefit plans liabilities should be valued considering at least the life expectancies obtained through AT83 mortality table, which is considered to be the mortality table that best reflects the life expectancy in Brazil. The mortality table AT83 was adopted for measuring the actuarial liabilities related to the post retirement benefit presented in this report.

The projected annual inflation rate adopted was 4.5% for all years presented.

The discount rates and expected long-term rate of return on assets have changed for 2008, as management believes the rates more adequately reflects CBS’s assets profitability and Brazil’s projected economic scenario.

Accumulated benefit obligation |  |  |  |
|  | 2007 |  | 2008
Actuarial present value of: |  |  |  |
Vested benefit obligation |  | 885 |  | 607
Non-vested benefit obligation |  | 2 |  | 2
Total accumulated benefit obligation |  | 887 |  | 609

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Companhia Siderúrgica Nacional and Subsidiaries
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
Expressed in millions of United States dollars, except share and per share data and unless otherwise stated

(d) Expected contributions

Defined benefit plan

The expected Company’s contributions for 2009, amounting to R$67.5 million (US$28.9 translated at the December 31, 2008 exchange rate), were estimated based on the actual cost for each valued plan as of the valuation date. The expected benefit payments for 2009, amounting to R$132.8 million (US$56.8 translated at the December 31, 2008 exchange rate), were estimated based on the projected benefit payroll as of the valuation date.

The estimated future benefit payments, translated at the December 31, 2008 exchange rate, are as follows:

2009 |  | 57
2010 |  | 59
2011 |  | 60
2012 |  | 62
2013 |  | 64
2014 to 2018 |  | 346

Hybrid plan

The Company does not expect to make contributions for the defined benefits in 2009 for the hybrid plan. The expected Company’s contributions for the defined contribution portion amount to R$19.2 million (US$8.2 translated at the December 31, 2008 exchange rate).

The estimated future benefit payments, translated at the December 31, 2008 exchange rate, are as follows:

2009 |  | 6
2010 |  | 6
2011 |  | 6
2012 |  | 7
2013 |  | 7
2014 to 2018 |  | 39

(e) Defined contribution plan

The defined contribution plan is funded through contributions of the Company and the participants to the plan. CSN has committed to contribute to the plan a percentage of the salary of each participant, ranging from 3% to 5%. The Company’s contributions to the plan during 2006, 2007 and 2008 amounted to US$6, US$10.1 and US$8.6, respectively.

16 Employee benefits

In addition to the pension fund, the Company makes monthly contributions based on the amount of payroll for government pension, social security and severance indemnity plans, and such payments are expensed as incurred. Also, certain severance payments are due upon dismissal of employees, consisting principally of one month’s salary and a severance payment calculated at 40% plus 10% (according to Supplementary Law No. 110/2001) of the accumulated contributions made to the government severance indemnity plan on behalf of the employee. The amounts paid on dismissal totaled US$7, US$8 and US$6 for the years ended December 31, 2006, 2007 and 2008, respectively. Based on current operating plans, management does not expect that amounts of future severance indemnities will be material.

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Companhia Siderúrgica Nacional and Subsidiaries
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
Expressed in millions of United States dollars, except share and per share data and unless otherwise stated

17 Commitments and contingencies

(a) Accruals and deposits

The accrual for contingencies, disputed taxes payable and the related legal deposit balances are as follows:

|  | As of December 31, 2007 |  | As of December 31, 2008
|  | Deposits |  | Accrual |  | Deposits |  | Accrual
Short-term |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Labor |  |  |  | 58 |  |  |  | 49
Civil |  |  |  | 19 |  |  |  | 20
|  |  |  | 77 |  |  |  | 69
Long-term |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Labor |  | 26 |  | 1 |  | 22 |  | 1
Civil |  | 81 |  | 1 |  | 10 |  | -
Disputed taxes payables |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
IPI |  | 450 |  | 1,179 |  | 512 |  | 953
Income tax and social contribution |  | 286 |  | 569 |  | 333 |  | 504
Other taxes |  | 134 |  | 146 |  | 16 |  | 100
Environmental |  | - |  | 31 |  | - |  | 31
Other |  | 19 |  | 16 |  | - |  | 29
|  | 996 |  | 1,943 |  | 893 |  | 1,618

The provisions for contingencies relate to legal proceedings with respect to which CSN deems the likelihood of an unfavorable outcome to be probable and the loss reasonably estimable. This determination is made based on the legal opinion of CSN’s internal and external legal counsel. CSN believes these contingencies are properly recognized in our financial statements in accordance with Statements of Financial Accounting Standards No. 5 (SFAS No. 5). Those contingencies related to income taxes and social contribution are accounted for based on the “more-likely-than-not” concept in accordance with FIN 48. CSN is also involved in judicial and administrative proceedings that are aimed at obtaining or defending CSN’s legal rights with respect to taxes that CSN believes to be unconstitutional or otherwise not required to be paid by CSN. The Company believes that these proceedings will ultimately result in the realization of contingent tax credits or benefits that can be used to settle direct and indirect tax obligations owed to the Brazilian Federal or State Governments. CSN does not recognize these contingent tax credits or benefits in our financial statements until realization of such gain contingencies has been resolved. This occurs when a final irrevocable decision is rendered by the Courts in Brazil. When CSN uses contingent tax credits or benefits based on favorable temporary court decisions that are still subject to appeal to offset current direct or indirect tax obligations, CSN maintains the legal obligation accrued in the Company’s financial statements until a final irrevocable judicial decision on those contingent tax credits or benefits is rendered. The accrual for the legal obligation related to the current direct or indirect tax obligations offset is not reversed until such time as the utilization of the contingent tax credits or benefits is ultimately realized. The accounting for the contingent tax credits is in accordance with accounting for contingent assets under SFAS No. 5. The Company’s accruals include interest on the tax obligations that CSN may offset with contingent tax credits or benefits at the interest rate defined in the relevant tax law.

CSN classifies an accrual as short-term when it expects the liability to be settled in 360 days or less. As of December 31, 2008, US$69 had been classified as short-term accrual for contingencies (US$77 as of December 31, 2007). This usually occurs when a final, unappealable and irrevocable judgment has been rendered and the legal processes are in the execution phase. However, given the complexity of the Brazilian legal system and the intricacies of some claims, it is impracticable for Brazilian companies to predict the time period in which final decisions will be reached for such claims. Consequently, these claims are classified as long-term liabilities.

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Companhia Siderúrgica Nacional and Subsidiaries
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
Expressed in millions of United States dollars, except share and per share data and unless otherwise stated

The deposits for contingencies and disputed taxes payable are generally based on (i) accruals recorded in connection with lawsuits, (ii) judicial orders issued in connection with lawsuits and (iii) guarantees in connection with judicial foreclosure proceedings. Such deposits are classified as long-term assets, and the release of such deposits is conditioned upon judicial order. When such a judicial order is granted in CSN´s favor, the deposit is forfeited and returned to us in cash and the deposit account is appropriately offset. When such a judicial order is granted in a manner unfavorable to us, the deposit is used to offset the related liability and the deposit account is appropriately offset.

Labor contingencies

As of December 31, 2008, the amount of the accrual relating to probable losses for these contingencies was US$50 (US$59 in 2007). Our legal counselors periodically revise the accruals based on their judgment and the recent track record on these disputes. Most of the lawsuits are related to alleged joint liability between us and our independent contractors, wage equalization, additional payments for unhealthy and hazardous activities, overtime and disagreement between employees and the Brazilian government over the amount of severance payable by us. The lawsuits related to the alleged joint liability between us and our independent contractors' represent a large portion of the total labor lawsuits against us and are originated from the independent contractors lack of payment of labor charges, resulting in our inclusion in the lawsuits.

Civil contingencies

These are mainly claims for indemnities within the civil judicial processes in which we are involved. Such proceedings, in general, are a result of occupational accidents and diseases related to our industrial activities. Our legal counselors permanently revise the accruals based on their judgment and the recent track record on these disputes. As of December 31, 2008, the amount of the accrual relating to probable losses for these contingencies was US$20 (US$20 as of December 31, 2007).

Disputed taxes payable

• Imposto sobre produto industrializado - IPI (Excise Tax) presumed credit on inputs

The Company has accrued a liability for certain tax liabilities that were offset by credits related to IPI excise tax. The accrual is necessary to offset the contingent gain resulting from the use of IPI excise tax credits. The IPI excise tax credits are similar to value added tax credits related to the purchase of goods used in the production process. Brazilian law prevents companies from recognizing IPI excise tax credits on the acquisition of certain goods. CSN believes that this prohibition is unconstitutional since it is not consistent with general value added tax principles and CSN is challenging this prohibition in the Brazilian courts. In May 2003, we sought and obtained a favorable preliminary order from a Brazilian court authorizing us to compensate federal tax liabilities with IPI excise tax credits under dispute. CSN is awaiting the decision of a Brazilian court of first instance. After such a decision is rendered, CSN expects the decision will be subject to several stages of appellate review before a final unappealable judgment is obtained. The IPI excise tax credit accrual recorded by CSN represents CSN’s statutory obligation to pay taxes that were offset with IPI excise tax credits.

CSN has noted that several other Brazilian companies have challenged the same prohibition and these companies have received both favorable and unfavorable judgments at different stages of the judicial process. Recently, for example, the Federal Supreme Court issued a final, unappealable and irrevocable decision on June 25, 2007 against one taxpayer, denying the use of these credits. On August 27, 2007 the proceeding had an unfavorable decision for the Company, which is paying the amount of US$519 with the Federal Revenue of Brazil in installments and transferred the liability to the accounts of taxes payable in installments. From the unfavorable aforementioned decision, an appeal was filed by the Company, which is awaiting judgment.

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#####

Companhia Siderúrgica Nacional and Subsidiaries
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
Expressed in millions of United States dollars, except share and per share data and unless otherwise stated

• IPI premium credit over exports

The Company has accrued a liability for certain tax liabilities that were offset by IPI premium tax credits. The accrual is necessary to offset the contingent gain resulting from the use of IPI premium tax credits and represents the statutory obligation to pay taxes that were offset by these credits. The IPI premium tax credits relate to export sales made during 1992 to 2002. Tax legislation allowed Brazilian companies to recognize IPI premium tax credits until 1983, when an act of the executive branch of the Brazilian government cancelled such benefits and prohibited companies from recognizing these credits. CSN is challenging the constitutionality of the executive branch’s action since only a law enacted by the Brazilian legislature can cancel or repeal benefits duly enacted by prior legislation. In August 2003, CSN sought and obtained a favorable decision from a Brazilian court of first instance that authorized the use of IPI premium tax credits.

The Brazilian National Treasury appealed such decision and got a favorable decision from Brazilian court of appeals. CSN filed appeals against such decision to both the Brazilian Superior Court of Justice and the Brazilian Federal Supreme Court and is still awaiting decisions from such courts. In September 2006, the National Treasury filed five tax foreclosures against CSN to require payments in the total amount of approximately R$1 billion, referring to the collection of taxes which were offset by the use of IPI premium tax credits.

During 2007, in view of these executions, the distribution of dividends and the payment of interest on shareholders’ equity resolved on April 30, 2007 were suspended and the amount allocated for such purpose was blocked by court decision. On August 29, 2007, the Company offered assets in lien represented by treasury shares in the amount of US$ 270 million (R$536 million translated using the exchange rate as of the date of the transaction). 25% of this amount was substituted by judicial deposits in monthly installments performed up to December 31, 2007 and as these substitutions took place, the equivalent in shares was released from the lien at the share price determined at the closing price of the day prior to the deposit. In view of these events, the Company’s current accounts were unblocked, the court decision to suspend the dividends distribution on this date was revoked, and dividends were paid to shareholders as from September 4, 2007.

As of December 31, 2008, the IPI premium credit accrual represented the accumulated IPI tax credits used of US$953 (US$1,179 as of December 31, 2007), already updated by the SELIC Brazilian base interest rate.

This provision affects the sales taxes line-item of CSN's income statement, and a reversal of this provision would affect the sales taxes and the financial income (expense), net line-items of CSN's income statement.

We have noted that several other Brazilian companies have challenged the same prohibition. Recent decisions in lower courts indicated that companies may be entitled to utilize these credits. However, on June 27, 2007 the Brazilian Superior Court issued a decision against one taxpayer, denying the use of these credits. This decision will be subject to review by the Federal Supreme Court, the highest level of the Courts in this case.

• Income tax and social contribution

As disclosed in Note 6, the Company accounts for the uncertainty in income tax and social contribution in accordance with FIN 48 beginning on January 1, 2007.

“Plano Verão”

The Company claims recognition of the financial and tax effects on the calculation of income tax and social contribution on net income, related to Consumer Price Index – IPC understated inflation, which occurred in January and February 1989, by a percentage of 51.87% (“Plano Verão”). In 2004, the proceeding was concluded and judgment was made final and unappealable, granting to CSN the right to apply the index of 42.72% (Jan/89), of which the 12.15% already applied should be deducted. The application of 10.14% (Feb/89) was granted. The proceeding is currently under accounting investigation.

FS - 42

#####

Companhia Siderúrgica Nacional and Subsidiaries
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
Expressed in millions of United States dollars, except share and per share data and unless otherwise stated

At December 31, 2008, the Company has US$144 million (US$187 million in 2007) as judicial deposit and a provision of US$9 million (US$12 million in 2007), which represents the portion not recognized by the courts.

Social Contribution on Income from Export Revenues

The Company filed a lawsuit challenging the assessment of Social Contribution on Income on export revenues, based on Constitutional Amendment #33/01 and in March 2004, we obtained an initial decision authorizing the exclusion of these revenues from said calculation basis, as well as the offsetting of amounts paid as from 2001. The lower court decision was favorable and the proceeding is waiting for trial of the appeal filed by the Federal Government in the Regional Federal Court. At December 31, 2008, the amount of suspended liability and the offset credits based on the referred proceedings was US$495 (US$557 at December 31, 2007), already adjusted by the SELIC - Brazilian base interest.

• PIS/COFINS–Law No. 9,718/98

PIS and COFINS taxes are assessed on revenues. In 1998, new tax legislation was enacted which required Brazilian companies to pay PIS and COFINS taxes on revenues generated by financial investments. Prior to 1998, the Brazilian constitution dictated that Brazilian companies were only required to pay PIS and COFINS taxes on revenues generated by operating activities. CSN challenged the constitutionality of the assessment of PIS and COFINS taxes on revenues generated by financial investments since, in order to expand the PIS and COFINS tax computation basis, the Brazilian legislature was required to observe a constitutionally mandated waiting period prior to enacting the legislation. In addition, at the time the new tax legislation was enacted, the Brazilian constitution did not allow such taxes to be assessed on revenues generated by financial investments. In February 1999, a lower court confirmed this position. CSN sought and obtained a favorable preliminary order in March 2000. In April 2000, the Brazilian tax authorities appealed to Brazilian court of appeals. On March 6, 2006, Brazilian court of appeals issued a decision unfavorable to CSN. On March 10, 2006, CSN appealed such decision to both the Superior Court of Justice and the Supreme Court. Until the resolution of these appeals, CSN’s rights under the initial favorable decision were in effect. The PIS/COFINS accrual represents CSN’s statutory obligation to pay PIS/COFINS taxes due. CSN has noted that some Brazilian companies obtained favorable final and unappealable judgments in 2005 regarding similar PIS/COFINS legal challenges. Those companies have accordingly reversed some or most of their related disputed tax payment provisions. However, one company did not obtain a favorable decision and was required to pay the related tax obligation.

On May 31, 2007, a decision in our favor was made final and unappealable and was published in the Official Gazette of Justice, on June 16, 2007, when in view of such decision, we reversed the provision existing on that date. The reversal of the provision increased our operating results of 2007 by US$179.

Other non-income tax contingencies

We are party to other judicial and administrative proceedings not described in the notes to CSN’s consolidated financial statements, involving a total of approximately US$2.5 billion as of December 31, 2008 (US$2.6 billion as of December 31, 2007), which are mainly tax assessments received related to fines and penalties on credits used to offset legal and tax-related obligations that were previously considered as remote. The Company’s external legal counsel deemed that the risk of loss arising from these lawsuits was only possible as opposed to probable. Therefore, we did not record accruals for contingencies with respect to these lawsuits.

Other tax contingencies relate to a variety of disputes for which CSN has recorded provisions for probable losses. No single group of similar claims constitutes more than 5% of total contingencies.

(b) Other commitments and contingencies

• Environmental Regulation

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Companhia Siderúrgica Nacional and Subsidiaries
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
Expressed in millions of United States dollars, except share and per share data and unless otherwise stated

The Company is subject to Brazilian federal, state and municipal environmental laws and regulations governing air emissions, waste water discharges, and solid and hazardous waste handling and disposal. The Company is committed to controlling the substantial environmental impact caused by our steelmaking, mining and logistics operations, in accordance with international standards and in compliance with environmental laws and regulations in Brazil. The Company believes that it is in substantial compliance with applicable environmental requirements.

The Company records accruals for remediation costs and environmental lawsuits when a loss is probable and the amount can be reasonably estimated. The Company records provisions for all environmental liabilities and obligations for which the Company is formally enforced by competent authorities. As of December 31, 2008, the Company has a provision for environmental regulation in the amount of US$31 (US$31 as of December 31, 2007) which is considered sufficient by management and its legal advisors to cover all probable losses. No changes in the present conditions and circumstances are expected for the near term which could impact our financial position, results for the year or cash flows.

The main accruals for environmental contingencies as of December 31, 2008 relates to cleaning-up obligations at former coal mines decommissioned by 1989; legal environmental compensation (Federal Law n. .985/2000) projected for new ventures at Santa Catarina, Minas Gerais and Rio de Janeiro states; and cleaning-up obligations due to former operations of Presidente Vargas steelworks. The Company did not include in the accruals the environmental liabilities related to ERSA, since they are by contract the express accountability of the former owner (CESBRA/BRASCAN).

Additionally, we currently have no possible losses arising from environmental lawsuits or remediation costs to incur, that are presently deemed possible. No changes are expected in the near term for that situation.

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Companhia Siderúrgica Nacional and Subsidiaries
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
Expressed in millions of United States dollars, except share and per share data and unless otherwise stated

Commitments

a) “Take-or-pay” contracts

- MRS Logística S.A.

The Company and MRS Logística S.A. entered into a 10-year contract for iron ore transport. According to the "take-or-pay" clause, the Company is committed to pay at least 80% of the tons agreed to be transported by MRS. The volume of iron ore transported by MRS in addition to the minimum agreed (take-or-pay) for a given month may be compensated with lower volumes transported in subsequent months. For the take-or-pay quantities, the Company will pay in accordance with the terms of the contract. The future minimum amounts of required payments at December 31, 2008, translated at the exchange rate at December 31, 2008, are as follows:

|  | Amount (US$)
2009 |  | 107
2010 |  | 107
2011 |  | 107
2012 |  | 107
2013 |  | 107
2014 and thereafter |  | 214
Total |  | 749

- Ferrovia Centro-Atlântica S.A. (“FCA”)

The Company and FCA entered into a long-term contract for mining products transportation which maturity is scheduled for 2013. According to the "take-or-pay" clause, the Company is committed to ship the minimum of 1,900,000 tons per year. The contract also previews that if CSN’s productive expansion occurs, the minimum volume may be increased up to 2,800,000 tons per year. The future minimum amounts of required payments at December 31, 2008, translated at the exchange rate at December 31, 2008, are as follows:

|  | Amount (US$)
2009 |  | 28
2010 |  | 28
2011 |  | 28
2012 |  | 28
2013 |  | 28
Total |  | 140

- ALL – América Latina Logística do Brasil S.A.

The Company and ALL entered into a long-term contract for steel products transportation on the route from Água Branca to Araucária, renewable under terms and conditions agreeable to both parties. According to the "take-or-pay" clause, the Company is committed to ship a minimum volume per month of 30,000 tons and, in case the volume for the month exceeds the minimum, the Company will have the right to a discount in tariffs. Also, CSN may opt for transporting steel products on the return trip from Araucária to Água Branca at a maximum quantity of 600 shipments at a minimum of 50 tons per shipment. The tariffs may be adjusted once a year at each contract anniversary based on the changes in prices of fuel and cumulative inflation rates between anniversaries. For the take-or-pay quantities, the Company will pay in

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Companhia Siderúrgica Nacional and Subsidiaries
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
Expressed in millions of United States dollars, except share and per share data and unless otherwise stated

accordance with the terms of the contract. As of December 31, 2008, the outstanding balance of this take-or-pay contract is US$3, which will be paid at the end of 2009..

- White Martins Gases Industriais Ltda.

To secure gas supply (oxygen, nitrogen and argon), in 2005 the Company signed an addendum related to the 22-year “take-or-pay” agreement with White Martins Gases Industriais entered into in 1994, by which CSN is committed to acquire at least 90% of the annual gas volume contracted from White Martins. The future minimum amounts of required payments at December 31, 2008, translated at the exchange rate at December 31, 2008, are as follows:

|  | Amount (US$)
2009 |  | 41
2010 |  | 41
2011 |  | 41
2012 |  | 41
2013 |  | 41
2014 and thereafter |  | 122
Total |  | 327

- Companhia Estadual de Gás do Rio de Janeiro - CEG RIO

To secure natural gas supply, in 2007 the Company signed a 5-year “take-or-pay” agreement with CEG RIO, by which CSN is committed to acquire at least 286,160,000 m3 of natural gas, which represents 70% of the annual gas volume contracted from CEG RIO. The future minimum amounts of required payments at December 31, 2008, translated at the exchange rate at December 31, 2008, are as follows:

|  | Amount (US$)
2009 |  | 99
2010 |  | 99
2011 |  | 99
2012 |  | 99
Total |  | 396

In addition, if the Company does not acquire the minimum volume agreed, the amount paid which relates to that difference may be compensated in future years, including one year after the contract expiration.

b) Steelmaking (Slab Mills) and Long Steel Production

The Company initiated its 600 thousand ton long products brownfield project in Volta Redonda, in the State of Rio de Janeiro, which will be developed inside its main steelmaking facility. CSN intends to produce 600 thousand tons of long products, such as rod bar and wire rod. The Company will benefit from the existing infrastructure and utilities used to support a blast furnace and a former foundry which were discontinued. The total investment in long steel products production will be of approximately US$354 in the necessary installations, including expanding and upgrading a 30-ton electric furnace. The facility is expected to be concluded in December 2012 and will use surplus pig iron and low value added slabs as raw materials. Additionally, projects which were previously announced, such as the greenfield slab mills in the city of Itaguaí, in the State of Rio de Janeiro, and the greenfield slab mill in the city of Congonhas, in the State of Minas Gerais and the Logistics Platform Project, in the city of Itaguaí, in the State of Rio de Janeiro (except for the ongoing improvements on its Container Terminal and for the expansion of its Solid Bulks Terminal) were put on hold by the Board of Directors due to the uncertainty about the duration of the current global economic scenario.

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Companhia Siderúrgica Nacional and Subsidiaries
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
Expressed in millions of United States dollars, except share and per share data and unless otherwise stated

c) Iron Ore Project

CSN’s iron ore business comprises the expansion of our mining activities and our seaport facilities, the construction of pellet plants and to a lesser extent, the trading of iron ore produced by other companies through our own logistics network. We expect to invest a total of US$4.5 billion to produce and/or sell approximately 90 million tons of iron ore products, of which US$839 million have already been invested. We expect to finance these investments with the National Economic and Social Development Bank (Banco Nacional de Desenvolvimento Econômico Social-BNDES), export credit agencies, the proceeds from offerings of securities and with the free cash flow from our current operations. CSN’s iron ore project schedule and expected investments are the following:

• In January 2004, we announced the approval of investments of approximately US$1.0 billion to expand the annual production capacity of the Casa de Pedra iron ore mine to 53 million tons. In connection with the Namisa joint-venture, we reviewed these figures to US$1.5 billion, and the expansion of the annual production of Casa de Pedra from 53 million to 70 million tons, which is currently being implemented. As of December, 2008, approximately US$540 had already been invested in the increase in production capacity of Casa de Pedra mine and its current annual production capacity is 21 million tons.

• In October 2008, as part of the partial sale of Namisa, some of the capital expenditures which were originally planned for Casa de Pedra were transferred to Namisa, including two pellet plants. For information on our sale of 40% of our ownership interest in Namisa, At the end, the total investments resulted in US$ 2 billion, adding volume to reach 33 million tons, including two pellets plants. The current capacity is now 7 million tons. It is important to mention that those capital expenditure will be executed together with Namisa's new business partner group.

• We are also investing approximately US$1.0 billion in the expansion of the seaport solid bulk terminals in Itaguaí to enable annual exports of 100 million tons of iron ore. Of this amount, approximately US$280 have already been invested. CSN’s current annual export capacity is equivalent to 30 million tons.

d) Cement Project

This project represents the entrance of CSN into the cement market, taking advantage of the slag generated by our blast furnaces and of our limestone reserves, located in Arcos, Minas Gerais. These two raw materials, slag and limestone, which are further transformed into clinker, account for approximately 95% of the production cost to produce cement. We are investing approximately US$384 to build a greenfield grinding mill and clinker furnace, with capacity of 2.3 million tons and 820,000 tons, respectively. We expect the grinding mill to produce 0.4 million of cement in 2009 and to reach its full capacity by 2011. These investments will be financed by BNDES, which has already approved a seven-year credit line of up to US$81 million indexed based on the long-term interest rate (Taxa de Juros de Longo-Prazo), or TJLP, and part indexed on US dollars, as well as the use of free cash flow from our current operations.

e) MRS

The Brazilian Southeastern railway system, covering 1,674 km of track, serves the São Paulo – Rio de Janeiro – Belo Horizonte industrial triangle in Southeast Brazil, and links our mines located in the State of Minas Gerais to the ports located in the states of São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro and to the steel mills of CSN, Companhia Siderúrgica Paulista, or Cosipa, and Gerdau Açominas. In addition to serving other customers, the line transports iron ore from our mines at Casa de Pedra in the State of Minas Gerais and coke and coal from the Itaguaí Port in the State of Rio de Janeiro to the Presidente Vargas steelworks and transports our exports to the ports of Itaguaí and Rio de Janeiro. The railway system connects the Presidente Vargas steelworks to the container terminal at Itaguaí Port, which handles most of our steel exports. Our transport volumes represent approximately 22% of the Brazilian Southeastern railway system’s total volume. As of December 31, 2008, US$1,578 were outstanding and payable by MRS to the Brazilian government federal agencies within the next 18 years, of which US$1,527 are treated as an off-balance sheet item. While CSN is jointly and severally liable with the other principal MRS shareholders for the full payment of the outstanding amount, we expect that MRS will make the lease payments through internally generated funds and proceeds from financing.

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Companhia Siderúrgica Nacional and Subsidiaries
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
Expressed in millions of United States dollars, except share and per share data and unless otherwise stated

f) CFN/ Transnordestina

In August 2006, in order to enable the implementation of a major infrastructure project led by the Brazilian federal government, our Board of Directors approved a transaction to merge Transnordestina S.A. into and with Companhia Ferroviária do Nordeste – CFN. The surviving entity was later renamed Transnordestina Logística S.A. or Transnordestina. Investments of approximately R$5.4 billion were approved to build the Nova Transnordestina Project, which includes an additional 1,728 km of large gauge, world class railway track. The investments will allow the company to increase the transportation of various products, such as soy beans, cotton, sugar cane, fertilizers, oil and fuels, iron ore and limestone. According to a Memorandum of Understandings entered into as of November 25, 2005, the investments will be financed through: R$823 million from FINOR – Northeastern Investment Fund; R$2.6 billion from SUDENE - the Northeastern Development Federal Agency; a R$225 million loan from BNDES to Transnordestina; R$165 million from Brazilian Federal Resources; R$180 million from Brazilian Northeast Bank and another R$1.4 billion equity from CSN, out of which R$675 million will be supported by a loan from BNDES to us. The construction of the first 100 km started in January 2007 and as of December 31, 2008 over US$102 (R$180 million) had already been invested by CSN. This project is expected to be concluded by the end of 2010.

The Company guarantees CFN’s borrowings from BNDES which amount to US$104 at December 31, 2008. Those borrowings are for purposes of financing the investments in infrastructure of Transnordestina. The maximum amount for future payments the guarantor may be required to make under the guarantee is US$104.

As of December 31, 2008, CSN holds 84.5% of the capital stock of Transnordestina S.A., which has a 30-year concession granted in 1998 to operate Brazil’s Northeastern railway system. The Northeastern railway system covers 4,238 km of track and operates in the states of Maranhão, Piauí, Ceará, Paraíba, Pernambuco, Alagoas and Rio Grande do Norte. It also connects with the region’s leading ports, thereby offering an important competitive advantage through opportunities for intermodal transportation solutions and made-to-measure logistics projects. As of December 31, 2008, R$38.7 million was outstanding over the remaining 18-year term of the concession, of which R$37.7 million are treated as an off-balance sheet item. CSN is jointly and severally liable for the full payment of the outstanding amount.

g) Itaguaí CSN Logistics Platform Project

The Company holds the concession to operate a solid bulks terminal, one of four terminals that form the Itaguaí Port, located in the State of Rio de Janeiro, for a term expiring in 2022 and renewable for another 25 years. Itaguaí Port, in turn, is connected to the Presidente Vargas steelworks, Casa de Pedra and CFM by the southeastern railway system. Our imports of coal and coke are made through this terminal. Under the terms of the concession, CSN undertakes to unload at least 3.4 million tons of coal and coke from our suppliers through the terminal annually, as well as shipments from third parties. Among the approved investments that the Company announced is the development and expansion of the solid bulks terminal at Itaguaí to also handle up to 160 million tons of iron ore per year.

Regarding our seaport Itaguaí Logistic Platform Project, announced on May 7, 2008, our capital expenditures investments were put on hold by the Board of Directors except for the following related projects:

• Expansion of the existing Container Terminal from 440 thousand container year to 640 thousand container year, including improvements on the existing berths. We expect to invest approximately US$162.

• Expansion of the Solid Bulks Terminal in Itaguaí to enable annual exports of approximately 100 million tons of iron ore as described above.

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Companhia Siderúrgica Nacional and Subsidiaries
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
Expressed in millions of United States dollars, except share and per share data and unless otherwise stated

h) Sepetiba Tecon Concession

We own 99.99% of Sepetiba Tecon S.A., or Tecon, which has a concession to operate, for a 25-year term that is renewable for another 25 years, the container terminal at Itaguaí Port. As of December 31, 2008, US$139 (R$325 million) of the cost of the concession remained payable over the next 18 years of the lease.

The future minimum rental payments, as of December 31, 2008, are due as follows:

|  | Amount (US$)
2009 |  | 8
2010 |  | 8
2011 |  | 8
2012 |  | 8
2013 |  | 8
2014 and thereafter |  | 99
Total |  | 139

i) Iron ore supply agreement with Namisa

The Company entered into long-term agreements at the full amount of U$S3,041 with its non-consolidated subsidiary Namisa to supply iron ore from the Casa de Pedra mine, with maturity scheduled for 2041, as further described below:

Port Operating Service Agreement

On December 30, 2008, we received approximately US$2.2 billion as pre-payment for a prepayment agreement with Namisa with a term of 35 years. Under this agreement, we are required to render port services to Namisa, which consists of transporting from 17.1 million tons to 39.0 million tons of iron ore annually. Depending on the market price for these port services, we may receive additional amounts under this agreement, which is set to expire on 2043.

High Silica ROM

On December 30, 2008, we received approximately US$665 as pre-payment for a take-or-pay agreement with Namisa with a term of 30 years. Under this agreement, we are required to provide high silica crude iron ore ROM to Namisa in a volume that ranges from 42.0 million tons to 54.0 million tons per year. Depending on the market price for high silica crude iron ore ROM, we may receive additional amounts under this agreement, which is set to expire on 2038.

Low Silica ROM

On December 30, 2008, we received approximately US$177 as pre-payment for a take-or-pay agreement with Namisa with a term of 35 years. Under this agreement, we are required to provide low silica crude iron ore ROM to Namisa in a volume that ranges from 5.0 million tons to 2.8 million tons per year. Depending on the market price for low silica crude iron ore ROM, we may receive additional amounts under this agreement, which is set to expire on 2043.

j) Covenants

Certain long-term debt instruments contain financial covenants by which the Company is required to maintain levels of leverage, liquidity and ratio indices, such as debt to EBITDA and interest coverage. As of December 31, 2008, the Company was fully compliant with its financial covenants.

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Companhia Siderúrgica Nacional and Subsidiaries
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
Expressed in millions of United States dollars, except share and per share data and unless otherwise stated

18 Guarantees

The Parent Company provides guarantees on obligations of its subsidiaries to third parties. The Parent Company has also provided unconditional and irrevocable guarantees for obligations of certain of its affiliates as follows:

|  | Currency |  | Notional |  | Expiration Date |  | Conditions
|  |  |  | (in US$ s |  |  |  |
|  |  |  | Millions) |  |  |  |
Transnordestina |  | R$ |  | 10.3 |  | Nov 13, 2009 |  | BNDES loan guarantee
Transnordestina |  | R$ |  | 8.6 |  | Nov 15, 2020 |  | BNDES loan guarantee
Transnordestina |  | R$ |  | 5.6 |  | Nov 15, 2015 |  | BNDES loan guarantee
Transnordestina (2) |  | R$ |  | 9.8 |  | Apr 6, 2009 |  | BNDES loan guarantee
Transnordestina (2) |  | R$ |  | 8.2 |  | Apr 28, 2009 |  | BNDES loan guarantee
Transnordestina |  | R$ |  | 7.7 |  | Sep 18, 2009 |  | BNDES loan guarantee
Transnordestina (2) |  | R$ |  | 8.5 |  | Feb 16, 2009 |  | BNDES loan guarantee
Transnordestina (2) |  | R$ |  | 2.1 |  | May 26, 2009 |  | BNDES loan guarantee
Transnordestina |  | R$ |  | 38.5 |  | Nov 2, 2009 |  | BNDES loan guarantee
Transnordestina |  | R$ |  | 2.8 |  | Nov 1, 2010 |  | BNDES loan guarantee
Transnordestina |  | R$ |  | 1.6 |  | Sep 14, 2009 |  | BNDES loan guarantee
|  |  |  |  |  |  |  | Collateral signature in guarantee contract
|  |  |  |  |  |  |  | for writ of summons, pledge, appraisal
CSN Cimentos |  | R$ |  | 11.6 |  | Indeterminate |  | and registration.
|  |  |  |  |  |  |  | Collateral signature in guarantee contract
CSN Cimentos |  | R$ |  | 3.4 |  | Indeterminate |  | for tax foreclosure
|  |  |  |  |  |  |  | To guarantee the warrantee’s responsibility
Prada |  | R$ |  | 0.3 |  | Indeterminate |  | regarding tax foresclosure
|  |  |  |  |  |  |  | To guarantee the warrantee’s responsibility
Prada |  | R$ |  | 1.2 |  | Indeterminate |  | regarding tax foresclosure
|  |  |  |  |  |  |  | To guarantee the warrantee’s responsibility
Prada |  | R$ |  | 0.1 |  | Indeterminate |  | regarding ICMS
|  |  |  |  |  |  |  | To guarantee the warrantee’s responsibility
|  |  |  |  |  |  |  | regarding tax foresclosure filed by Parana
Prada |  | R$ |  | 2.6 |  | Indeterminate |  | State
|  |  |  |  |  |  |  | To guarantee the warrantee’s responsibility
Prada |  | R$ |  | 0.1 |  | Indeterminate |  | regarding tax foresclosure
|  |  |  |  |  |  |  | To guarantee the warrantee’s responsibility
Prada |  | R$ |  | 0.1 |  | Indeterminate |  | regarding tax foresclosure
|  |  |  |  |  |  |  | To guarantee the warrantee’s responsibility
|  |  |  |  |  |  |  | regarding the purchase and sale of electric
Prada |  | R$ |  | 0.2 |  | Jan 3, 2012 |  | power
|  |  |  |  |  |  |  | To guarantee the warrantee’s responsibility
|  |  |  |  |  |  |  | regarding infraction notes to the Revenue
Metalic |  | R$ |  | 0.4 |  | Indeterminate |  | Services of Ceará State

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Companhia Siderúrgica Nacional and Subsidiaries
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
Expressed in millions of United States dollars, except share and per share data and unless otherwise stated

|  |  |  |  |  |  |  | To guarantee the warrantee’s responsibility
CSN Energia |  | R$ |  | 0.4 |  | Indeterminate |  | regarding tax foresclosure
|  |  |  |  |  |  |  | Collateral by CSN to issue the Export
Sepetiba Tecon (2) |  | R$ |  | 2.1 |  | June 1, 2009 |  | Credit Note
|  |  |  |  |  |  |  | Collateral by CSN to issue the Export
Sepetiba Tecon |  | R$ |  | 6.4 |  | May 5, 2011 |  | Credit Note
CSN Islands VIII(1) |  | US$ |  | 550.0 |  | Dec 16, 2013 |  | Guarantee by CSN in Bond issuance
CSN Islands IX (1) |  | US$ |  | 400.0 |  | Jan 15, 2015 |  | Guarantee by CSN in Bond issuance
CSN Islands X (1) |  | US$ |  | 750.0 |  | Perpetual |  | Guarantee by CSN in Bond issuance
|  |  |  |  |  |  |  | Guarantee by CSN in Promissory Notes
Cinnabar |  | US$ |  | 20.0 |  | Oct 29, 2009 |  | issuance
CSN Madeira |  | US$ |  | 76.8 |  | Aug 21, 2009 |  | Guarantee by CSN in Import Loan
|  |  |  |  |  |  |  | Guarantee in agreement for the rendering
Nacional Minérios S.A. |  | US$ |  | 20.0 |  | Dec 31, 2009 |  | of external guarantee
Aços Longos |  | US$ |  | 17.3 |  | Indeterminate |  | Letter of Credit for equipment acquisition
CSN Cimentos |  | US$ |  | 0.9 |  | Aug 30, 2009 |  | Letter of Credit for equipment acquisition

(1) Finance subsidiaries 100% owned by the Company which, fully and unconditionally, guarantees the installments.
(2) Expired on the maturity date mentioned above and renewed after the expiration date.

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Companhia Siderúrgica Nacional and Subsidiaries
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
Expressed in millions of United States dollars, except share and per share data and unless otherwise stated

19 Segment and geographical information

The Company has adopted SFAS No. 131 “Disclosures about Segments of an Enterprise and Related Information” (“SFAS 131”) with respect to the information it presents about its operating segments. SFAS 131 introduces a “management approach” concept for reporting segment information, whereby financial information is required to be reported on the same basis that the chief operating decision maker uses such information internally for evaluating segment performance and deciding how to allocate resources to segments. Accordingly, we analyze our segment information as follows:

Steel – comprises our steel manufacturing and sales activities;

Mining – comprises iron ore and tin mining by our mining subsidiaries, as well as mining operations of the Casa de Pedra mine;

Logistics – comprises our infrastructure as a whole, with our transportation systems as they pertain to the operations of our port as well as our investments in railroad investees. Also, we consider in this segment our energy subsidiaries; and

Cement – comprises operations under development of our cement subsidiary, which started up activities in May 2009.

The information presented to top management with respect to the performance of each segment is generally derived directly from the accounting records together with certain intersegment allocations. Corporate transactions, such as loans and financing and cash surplus investments, are allocated within our steel segment.

Sales by geographic area are determined based on the location of the customers. On a consolidated basis, domestic sales are represented by revenues from customers located in Brazil and export sales represent revenues from customers located outside of Brazil

The majority of the Company’s long-lived assets are located in Brazil.

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Companhia Siderúrgica Nacional and Subsidiaries
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
Expressed in millions of United States dollars, except share and per share data and unless otherwise stated

|  | Year ended December 31, 2006
|  | Steel |  | Mining |  | Logistics |  | Cement |  | Eliminations |  | Consolidated
Results |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Revenues |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Domestic sales |  | 3,402 |  | 98 |  | 74 |  |  |  | (24) |  | 3,550
Export sales |  | 1,263 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 1,263
Sales taxes. |  | (879) |  | (13) |  | (7) |  |  |  |  |  | (899)
Discounts, returns and allowances |  | (68) |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | (68)
Cost and operating expenses |  | (2,484) |  | (36) |  | (70) |  |  |  | 24 |  | (2,566)
Financial income (expenses), net |  | (535) |  |  |  | 2 |  |  |  |  |  | (533)
Foreign exchange and monetary loss |  | 216 |  |  |  | 2 |  |  |  |  |  | 218
Other non-operating income |  | 22 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 22
Income taxes |  | (304) |  |  |  | 8 |  |  |  |  |  | (296)
Equity in results of affiliated companies |  | 58 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 58
Net income (loss) |  | 691 |  | 49 |  | 9 |  |  |  | - |  | 749
Other information |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Total assets |  | 8,420 |  | 15 |  | 94 |  | 19 |  |  |  | 8,548
Capital expenditures |  | 687 |  | 3 |  | - |  | 16 |  |  |  | 706
Investments in affiliated companies |  | - |  | - |  | 275 |  |  |  |  |  | 275
Goodwill |  | 60 |  | 35 |  | 5 |  |  |  |  |  | 100
Depreciation and amortization expenses |  | (203) |  | - |  | (2) |  |  |  |  |  | (205)
Sales by geographic area |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Asia |  | 48 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 48
North America |  | 614 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 614
Latin America |  | 94 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 94
Europe |  | 465 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 465
Others |  | 42 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 42
Export sales |  | 1,263 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 1,263
Domestic sales |  | 3,402 |  | 98 |  | 74 |  |  |  | (24) |  | 3,550
Total |  | 4,665 |  | 98 |  | 74 |  |  |  | (24) |  | 4,813

FS - 53

#####

Companhia Siderúrgica Nacional and Subsidiaries
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
Expressed in millions of United States dollars, except share and per share data and unless otherwise stated

|  | Year ended December 31, 2007
|  | Steel |  | Mining |  | Logistics |  | Cement |  | Eliminations |  | Consolidated
Results |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Revenues |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Domestic sales |  | 5,090 |  | 49 |  | 160 |  |  |  | (16) |  | 5,283
Export sales |  | 1,477 |  | 218 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 1,695
Sales taxes. |  | (1,053) |  | (187) |  | (65) |  |  |  |  |  | (1,305)
Discounts, returns and allowances |  | (156) |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | (156)
Cost and operating expenses |  | (3,130) |  | (347) |  | (189) |  | (6) |  | 16 |  | (3,656)
Financial income (expenses), net |  | (568) |  | 319 |  | 30 |  |  |  |  |  | (219)
Foreign exchange and monetary loss |  | 447 |  | (14) |  | 5 |  |  |  |  |  | 438
Other non-operating income |  | 81 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 81
Income taxes |  | (522) |  | (7) |  | (5) |  |  |  |  |  | (534)
Equity in results of affiliated companies |  | (12) |  | (4) |  | 92 |  |  |  |  |  | 76
Net income (loss) |  | 1,654 |  | 27 |  | 28 |  | (6) |  | - |  | 1,703
Other information |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Total assets |  | 7,255 |  | 3,975 |  | 744 |  | 91 |  |  |  | 12,065
Capital expenditures |  | 362 |  | 192 |  | 29 |  | 49 |  |  |  | 632
Investments in affiliated companies |  |  |  |  |  | 399 |  |  |  |  |  | 399
Goodwill |  | 117 |  | 43 |  | 6 |  |  |  |  |  | 166
Depreciation and amortization expenses |  | (221) |  | (147) |  | (26) |  | (3) |  |  |  | (397)
Sales by geographic area |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Asia |  | 48 |  | 7 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 55
North America |  | 665 |  | 99 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 764
Latin America |  | 96 |  | 14 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 110
Europe |  | 614 |  | 90 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 704
Others |  | 54 |  | 8 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 62
Export sales |  | 1,477 |  | 218 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 1,695
Domestic sales |  | 5,090 |  | 49 |  | 160 |  | - |  | (16) |  | 5,283
Total |  | 6,567 |  | 267 |  | 160 |  | - |  | (16) |  | 6,978

FS - 54

#####

Companhia Siderúrgica Nacional and Subsidiaries
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
Expressed in millions of United States dollars, except share and per share data and unless otherwise stated

|  | Year ended December 31, 2008
|  | Steel |  | Mining |  | Logistics |  | Cement |  | Eliminations |  | Consolidated
Results |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Revenues |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Domestic sales |  | 6,934 |  | 402 |  | 223 |  |  |  | (182) |  | 7,377
Export sales |  | 850 |  | 980 |  | - |  |  |  |  |  | 1,830
Sales taxes. |  | (1,734) |  | (53) |  | (48) |  |  |  |  |  | (1,835)
Discounts, returns and allowances |  | (185) |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | (185)
Cost and operating expenses |  | (3,765) |  | (562) |  | (194) |  | (4) |  | 182 |  | (4,343)
Financial income (expenses), net |  | (383) |  | (11) |  | 14 |  |  |  |  |  | (380)
Foreign exchange and monetary loss |  | (1,186) |  | (65) |  | (14) |  |  |  |  |  | (1,265)
Other non-operating income |  | 77 |  | (2) |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 75
Gain on dilution of interest in subsidiary |  | - |  | 1,667 |  | - |  | - |  |  |  | 1,667
Income taxes |  | (469) |  | 56 |  | (1) |  |  |  |  |  | (414)
Equity in results of affiliated companies |  | - |  | - |  | 127 |  |  |  |  |  | 127
Net income (loss) |  | 139 |  | 2,412 |  | 107 |  | (4) |  | - |  | 2,654
Other information |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Total assets |  | 10,385 |  | 4,545 |  | 603 |  | 176 |  |  |  | 15,709
Capital expenditures |  | 716 |  | 14 |  | 40 |  | 116 |  |  |  | 886
Investments in affiliated companies |  |  |  | 2,127 |  | 461 |  |  |  |  |  | 2,588
Goodwill |  | 89 |  | 32 |  | 6 |  |  |  |  |  | 127
Depreciation and amortization expenses |  | (298) |  | (38) |  | (4) |  | (1) |  |  |  | (341)
Sales by geographic area |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Asia |  | 20 |  | 826 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 846
North America |  | 312 |  | - |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 312
Latin America |  | 112 |  | - |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 112
Europe |  | 381 |  | 148 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 529
Others |  | 25 |  | 6 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 31
Export sales |  | 850 |  | 980 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 1,830
Domestic sales |  | 6,934 |  | 402 |  | 223 |  |  |  | (182) |  | 7,377
Total |  | 7,784 |  | 1,382 |  | 223 |  |  |  | (182) |  | 9,207

Intersegment sales in 2006 and 2007 occurred from logistics to steel segments. In 2008, US$11 was from logistics to steel and US$171 was from mining to steel segment.

FS - 55

#####

Companhia Siderúrgica Nacional and Subsidiaries
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
Expressed in millions of United States dollars, except share and per share data and unless otherwise stated

20 Transactions with related parties

The transactions with related parties, relating primarily to purchases and sales in the ordinary course of business and other intercompany operations, resulted in the following balance sheet and income statement amounts. Purchase trade transactions, sale of products and raw materials and contracting of services with subsidiaries are performed under usual conditions applicable to non-related parties, such as prices, terms, charges, quality etc.

The balances at December 31, 2006, 2007 and 2008 and transactions for the years ended December 31, 2006, 2007 and 2008 with related parties are as follows:

|  |  |  |  |  | 2006
|  |  |  |  |  | Expenses
|  | Assets |  | Liabilities |  | (Revenues)
MRS Logística |  | 50 |  | 24 |  | 76
Ita Energética |  | 2 |  |  |  | 39
CFN/Transnordestina |  | 79 |  |  |  | (6)
CBS – prepaid and accrued pension cost |  | 33 |  | 213 |  | 62
Fundação CSN |  |  |  |  |  | 2
Total |  | 164 |  | 237 |  | 173

|  | 2007
|  |  |  |  |  | Expenses
|  | Assets |  | Liabilities |  | (Revenues)
MRS Logística |  | 48 |  |  |  | 139
Ita Energética |  | 2 |  | 6 |  | 59
CFN/Transnordestina |  | 151 |  |  |  | (8)
CBS – prepaid pension cost |  | 138 |  |  |  | 2
Fundação CSN |  |  |  |  |  | 7
Total |  | 339 |  | 6 |  | 199

|  | 2008
|  |  |  |  |  | Expenses
|  | Assets |  | Liabilities |  | (Revenues)
MRS Logística |  |  |  | 1 |  | 259
Ita Energética |  | 2 |  | 5 |  | 67
CFN/Transnordestina |  | 3 |  |  |  | (8)
Nacional Minérios |  | 232 |  | 3,154 |  |
NMSA Madeira |  | 503 |  |  |  |
CSN Islands VI |  | 39 |  |  |  |
CBS – accrued pension cost |  |  |  | 84 |  | 61
Fundação CSN |  |  |  |  |  | 2
Total |  | 779 |  | 3,244 |  | 381

During 2008, the Company, through one of its subsidiaries, exported US$36 of steel products to its subsidiary Lusosider, in Portugal; these export transactions were made using a third party. These export transactions have been eliminated in our consolidated financial statements.

FS - 56

#####

Companhia Siderúrgica Nacional and Subsidiaries
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
Expressed in millions of United States dollars, except share and per share data and unless otherwise stated

21 Derivatives and financial instruments

21.1 General description and accounting practices

Although most of the Company’s revenues are denominated in Brazilian reais, as of December 31, 2007 and 2008, US$3,486 and US$4,039, respectively, of the Company’s debt was basically denominated in foreign currencies, which includes short and long-term debt and accrued finance charges. Accordingly, the Company is exposed to market risk from changes in foreign exchange rates and interest rates. The Company manages risk arising from fluctuations in currency exchange rates, which affect the amount of Brazilian reais necessary to pay foreign currency denominated obligations, by using derivative financial instruments, primarily cross-currency swaps with financial institutions.

While such instruments reduce the Company’s foreign exchange risks, they do not eliminate them. The credit risk exposure is managed by restricting the counterparties on such derivative instruments to major financial institutions with high credit quality. Therefore, the Company’s management believes that the risk of nonperformance by the counterparties is remote.

The Company’s contracts do not meet the accounting criteria to qualify as hedges of an exposure to foreign currency or interest rate risk. Therefore, the Company has accounted for the derivative transactions by calculating the unrealized gain or loss at each balance sheet date, and changes in the fair value of all derivatives are recorded in current operations.

As of December 31, 2008, the consolidated position of outstanding derivative agreements was as follows:

|  | Agreement |  | Market value
|  | Maturity |  | Notional Amount |  |
Foreign Exchange swaps (contracted by exclusive funds) |  | From Jan 2 to Dec 11, 2009 |  | US$1,530 |  | US$127
Equity swaps |  | Sep 10, 2009 |  | US$1,051 |  | (US$685)
Interest swaps Libor x CDI (registered with CETIP) |  | Feb 12, 2009 |  | US$150 |  | (US$1)

FS - 57

#####

Companhia Siderúrgica Nacional and Subsidiaries
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
Expressed in millions of United States dollars, except share and per share data and unless otherwise stated

21.2 Detailed transactions

a) Foreign exchange swap agreements–U.S. dollars

The Company entered into cross-currency swap agreements (intended to protect the Company from the effect that a devaluation of the real would have in its liabilities denominated in foreign currency). Basically, the Company swapped its indebtedness index from the U.S. dollar to the interbank deposit certificate-CDI. The notional amount of these swaps aggregated as of December 31, 2008 was US$1,530 (US$1,360 as of December 31, 2007). The contracts outstanding at December 31, 2006, 2007 and 2008 were as follows:

Issued date |  | Maturity date |  | 2006 |  | Market Value 2007 |  | 2008
10/02/06 |  | 01/02/07 |  | (6.2) |  |  |  |
12/19/05 |  | 01/02/07 |  | (45.3) |  |  |  |
10/02/06 |  | 01/02/07 |  | (4.1) |  |  |  |
10/02/06 |  | 01/02/07 |  | (2.1) |  |  |  |
10/02/06 |  | 01/02/07 |  | (4.1) |  |  |  |
10/02/06 |  | 01/02/07 |  | (4.1) |  |  |  |
10/02/06 |  | 01/02/07 |  | (2.1) |  |  |  |
10/02/06 |  | 01/02/07 |  | (2.1) |  |  |  |
10/02/06 |  | 01/02/07 |  | (4.1) |  |  |  |
10/02/06 |  | 01/02/07 |  | (2.1) |  |  |  |
10/02/06 |  | 01/02/07 |  | (2.1) |  |  |  |
10/02/06 |  | 01/02/07 |  | (2.1) |  |  |  |
10/02/06 |  | 01/02/07 |  | (2.1) |  |  |  |
10/02/06 |  | 01/02/07 |  | (2.1) |  |  |  |
10/02/06 |  | 01/02/07 |  | (2.1) |  |  |  |
10/02/06 |  | 01/02/07 |  | (2.1) |  |  |  |
10/02/06 |  | 01/02/07 |  | (4.1) |  |  |  |
10/02/06 |  | 01/02/07 |  | (4.1) |  |  |  |
12/01/06 |  | 04/02/07 |  | (1.1) |  |  |  |
12/01/06 |  | 07/02/07 |  | (2.1) |  |  |  |
12/01/06 |  | 07/02/07 |  | (1.1) |  |  |  |
05/16/07 |  | 01/02/08 |  |  |  | (58.8) |  |
05/16/07 |  | 01/02/08 |  |  |  | (15.2) |  |
05/16/07 |  | 01/02/08 |  |  |  | (7.3) |  |
05/16/07 |  | 01/02/08 |  |  |  | (7.3) |  |
05/16/07 |  | 01/02/08 |  |  |  | (29.4) |  |
09/03/07 |  | 01/02/08 |  |  |  | (6.0) |  |
09/03/07 |  | 01/02/08 |  |  |  | (5.8) |  |
09/24/07 |  | 01/02/08 |  |  |  | (13.1) |  |
03/18/08 |  | 03/16/09 |  |  |  |  |  | 4.7
07/29/08 |  | 07/24/09 |  |  |  |  |  | 18.8
07/30/08 |  | 07/27/09 |  |  |  |  |  | 9.4
08/05/08 |  | 07/31/09 |  |  |  |  |  | 6.2
08/08/08 |  | 08/03/09 |  |  |  |  |  | 2.9
08/18/08 |  | 08/13/09 |  |  |  |  |  | 28.8
08/19/08 |  | 08/14/09 |  |  |  |  |  | 27.0
08/29/08 |  | 08/24/09 |  |  |  |  |  | 14.5
10/01/08 |  | 07/24/09 |  |  |  |  |  | 18.7
10/24/08 |  | 04/20/09 |  |  |  |  |  | 0.3
11/21/08 |  | 11/16/09 |  |  |  |  |  | (1.5)
11/27/08 |  | 11/19/09 |  |  |  |  |  | 0.6
11/28/08 |  | 12/11/09 |  |  |  |  |  | 0.1
12/01/08 |  | 01/02/09 |  |  |  |  |  | (1.1)
12/03/08 |  | 12/11/09 |  |  |  |  |  | (0.3)
12/08/08 |  | 11/30/09 |  |  |  |  |  | (1.7)
12/16/08 |  | 12/11/09 |  |  |  |  |  | (0.1)
|  |  |  | (101.4) |  | (142.9) |  | 127.3

FS - 58

#####

Companhia Siderúrgica Nacional and Subsidiaries
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
Expressed in millions of United States dollars, except share and per share data and unless otherwise stated

b) Equity swap agreements

The contracts outstanding at December 31, 2007 which were settled in September 2008 were as follows:

Issued date |  | Maturity date |  | Notional amount |  | Receivable |  | Payable |  | Market value
04/07/03 |  | 09/05/08 |  | 35.8 |  | 644.9 |  | (52.6) |  | 591.5
04/09/03 |  | 09/05/08 |  | 5.6 |  | 100.5 |  | (8.3) |  | 92.2
04/10/03 |  | 09/05/08 |  | 2.0 |  | 36.1 |  | (2.9) |  | 33.2
04/11/03 |  | 09/05/08 |  | 1.0 |  | 18.6 |  | (1.5) |  | 17.1
04/28/03 |  | 09/05/08 |  | 1.1 |  | 17.8 |  | (1.6) |  | 16.2
04/30/03 |  | 09/05/08 |  | 0.1 |  | 1.3 |  | (0.1) |  | 1.2
05/14/03 |  | 09/05/08 |  | 0.2 |  | 3.3 |  | (0.3) |  | 3.0
05/15/03 |  | 09/05/08 |  | 0.4 |  | 7.5 |  | (0.6) |  | 6.9
05/19/03 |  | 09/05/08 |  | 1.0 |  | 19.0 |  | (1.5) |  | 17.5
05/20/03 |  | 09/05/08 |  | 0.3 |  | 4.9 |  | (0.4) |  | 4.5
05/21/03 |  | 09/05/08 |  | 0.4 |  | 8.1 |  | (0.6) |  | 7.5
05/22/03 |  | 09/05/08 |  | 0.3 |  | 6.4 |  | (0.5) |  | 5.9
05/28/03 |  | 09/05/08 |  | 0.4 |  | 8.3 |  | (0.6) |  | 7.7
05/29/03 |  | 09/05/08 |  | 0.4 |  | 7.8 |  | (0.6) |  | 7.2
06/05/03 |  | 09/05/08 |  | 0.1 |  | 1.8 |  | (0.1) |  | 1.7
Total |  |  |  | 49.1 |  | 886.3 |  | (72.2) |  | 813.3

These swap agreements are related to 29,684,400 of the Company’s ADRs and are intended to enhance the return of CSN's financial assets by adding exposure to equity securities that historically yield higher long-term returns than fixed income assets, hence diminishing the impact of the cost of carry of CSN's long-term debt in the net consolidated financial expenses. The maturity of these agreements was on September 5, 2008 and the financial settlement was on September 8, 2008 resulting in proceeds of US$1,006.

FS - 59

#####

Companhia Siderúrgica Nacional and Subsidiaries
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
Expressed in millions of United States dollars, except share and per share data and unless otherwise stated

On September 5, 2008, the Company entered into a new total return equity swap agreement. The agreement outstanding at December 31, 2008, is as follows:

Issued date |  | Maturity date |  | Notional amount |  | Receivable |  | Payable |  | Market value
09/05/08 |  | 09/10/09 |  | 1,050.8 |  | 380.2 |  | (1,065.4) |  | (685.1)

This swap agreement, which was entered into without cash and having as counterparty Goldman Sachs International, is pegged to 29,684,400 American Depositary Receipts (“ADR”) of Companhia Siderúrgica Nacional (purchased) and Libor of 3 months + spread of 0.75% p.a. (sold). The gains and losses from this agreement are directly related to foreign exchange fluctuations, the Company’s ADRs and Libor quotation. The fair value of this agreement is recorded in derivative liabilities in the balance sheet, and the change in fair value is recorded in financial income (expense), net in the statement of income.

In addition to the loss of this agreement between September 5 and December 31, 2008, in the amount of US$685, the Company recorded a gain in the previous agreement, throughout 2008, in the amount of US$155, resulting in a net loss of US$530.

The Company is required to maintain a deposit related to the guarantee margin with the counterparty and, at December 31, 2008, this margin totaled US$1,059 and was daily remunerated by the FedFund rate. Due to the temporary restriction as to withdrawal of this deposit, this amount has not been included as cash and cash equivalents.

c) Metals swap agreements

Throughout 2007, the Company contracted Zinc swaps to set the price of part of its Zinc needs. Up to December 31, 2007, the Company maintained 5,000 tonnes of Zinc with settlement based on average Zinc prices from September to December 2007. The price used for the settlement of each agreement is the average price of the calendar month prior to the date of its settlement. They are generally agreements in the Brazilian over-the-counter market with first-tier financial institutions as counterparties. All agreements were settled in January 2008 with a realized gain of US$ 35 thousand (R$62 thousand).

21.3 Fair value of financial instruments, other than derivatives

Excluding the financial instruments presented in the table below, the Company considers that the carrying amount of its financial instruments generally approximates fair market value due to the short-term maturity or frequent repricing of these instruments, and the fact that non-indexed instruments are stated at present value.

The financial instruments recorded in the Company’s balance sheets as of December 31, 2007 and 2008, in which fair value differs from the book value, are as follows:

|  | Book Value |  | Fair Value
|  | 2007 |  | 2008 |  | 2007 |  | 2008
Loans and financing (current portion and long- term) |  | 4,519 |  | 4,732 |  | 4,592 |  | 4,627

The amounts presented as “fair value” were calculated according to the conditions that were used in local and foreign markets at December 31, 2008, for financial transactions with identical features, such as: volume and term of the transaction and maturity dates. Mathematical methods are used presuming there is no arbitrage between the markets and the financial assets. Finally, all the transactions carried out in non-organized markets (over-the-counter market) are contracted with financial institutions previously approved by the Company’s Board of Directors.

FS - 60

#####

Companhia Siderúrgica Nacional and Subsidiaries
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
Expressed in millions of United States dollars, except share and per share data and unless otherwise stated

(a) Exchange rate risk

Although most of the Company’s revenues are in Brazilian reais, as of December 31, 2008, US$4,019 of the Company’s consolidated loans and financing were denominated in foreign currency (US$3,486 as of December 31, 2007). As a result, the Company is subject to changes in exchange rates and manages the risk of these rate fluctuations to the value in Brazilian reais that will be necessary to pay the liabilities in foreign currency, using derivative financial instruments, mainly futures contracts, swaps and forward contracts and foreign exchange option agreement, as well as investing of a major part of its cash and funds available in securities remunerated based on U.S. dollar exchange variation.

(b) Credit risk

The credit risk exposure with financial instruments is managed through the restriction of counterparties in derivative instruments to large financial institutions with high quality of credit. Thus, management believes that the risk of non-compliance by the counterparties is not significant. The selection of customers as well as the diversification of its accounts receivable and the control on sales financing terms by business segment are procedures that CSN adopts to minimize occasional problems with its trade partners. Since part of the Company’s funds available is invested in the Brazilian government bonds, there is exposure to the credit risk with the government.

22 Fair value measurement

SFAS 157 establishes a fair value hierarchy that prioritizes the inputs to valuation techniques used to measure fair value. The hierarchy gives the highest priority to unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities (Level 1 measurements) and the lowest priority to unobservable inputs (Level 3 measurements). The three levels of the fair value hierarchy under SFAS 157 are described below:

Level 1

Unadjusted quoted prices in active markets that are accessible at the measurement date for identical, unrestricted assets or liabilities;

Level 2

Quoted prices in markets that are not active, or inputs that are observable, either directly or indirectly, for substantially the full term of the asset or liability;

Level 3

Prices or valuation techniques that require inputs that are both significant to the fair value measurement and unobservable (supported by little or no market activity).

The following table sets forth the Company’s financial assets and liabilities measured at fair value by level within the fair value hierarchy. As required by SFAS 157, assets and liabilities are classified in their entirety based on the lowest level of input that is significant to the fair value measurement.

|  | Fair value at December 31, 2008
|  | Level 1 |  | Level 2 |  | Level 3 |  | Total
Assets |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Cash equivalents |  | - |  | 3,444 |  | - |  | 3,444
Derivatives |  | - |  | 127 |  | - |  | 127
|  | - |  | 3,571 |  | - |  | 3,571
Liabilities |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Derivatives |  | - |  | 686 |  | - |  | 686

FS - 61

#####

Companhia Siderúrgica Nacional and Subsidiaries
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
Expressed in millions of United States dollars, except share and per share data and unless otherwise stated

The Company’s cash equivalent instruments are classified within Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy because they are related to essentially to time deposits with maturity of three months and CDB (Bank Certificates of Deposit), with post fixed interest rates and no penalty in case of withdrawal.

Our derivative instruments are comprised of foreign exchange swaps, equity swaps and interest swaps and all are classified within Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy since, even though we may obtain all the variables from official external sources, fair value measurement needs to be composed using pricing models generally used to value similar instruments. Where possible, the Company verifies the values produced by its pricing models to market prices. Valuation models require a variety of inputs, including contractual terms, market prices, yield curves, risk-free interest rates, credit spreads, measures of volatility, and correlations of such inputs. Our derivatives trade in liquid markets and, as such, model inputs can generally be verified and do not involve significant management judgment. Such instruments are classified within Level 2 of the fair value measurement.

The Company manages its nonperformance risk by restricting the counterparties to prime and major institutions with high credit quality. Accordingly, the Company believes its nonperformance risk is remote.

From the Company’s perspective, as the retail market is the principal market in which the Company transacts its financial instruments, in the case the Company transfers its rights and obligations, it would do with financial institutions in that market. In that case, the transactions price represent the fair value to the Company at initial recognition, that is, the price that the Company would receive or pay to sell or transfer the financial instruments in transactions with the financial institutions in the retail market (exit price). For post-measurement purposes, the fair value of the financial instruments is the price that the Company would receive or pay to sell or transfer the financial instruments in transactions with the financial institutions in the retail market (exit price) dealt at the balance sheet date.

23 Financial income (expenses), net

The breakdown of the financial results for the years ended December 31, 2006, 2007 and 2008 are represented below:

|  | 2006 |  | 2007 |  | 2008
Derivatives |  | (218) |  | 416 |  | 125
Interest Income |  | 129 |  | 79 |  | 100
Interest Expense |  | (431) |  | (680) |  | (550)
Other financial income (expenses), net |  | (13) |  | (34) |  | (55)
|  | (533) |  | (219) |  | (380)

Derivatives include contracts not held for trading purposes which upon settlement are presented on a net basis. Management considers the facts and circumstances of these contracts and applies EITF 03-11 – “Reporting Realized Gains and Losses on Derivative Instruments That Are Subject to FASB Statement No. 133 and Not “Held for Trading Purposes” as Defined in Issue No. 02-3” to determine the basis of presentation for these instruments.

24 Insurance coverage

The Company renewed, for the period from February 21, 2008 to February 21, 2009, and with international reinsurance companies, the All Risks coverage for operational risks for the Presidente Vargas Steelworks, Casa de Pedra Mine, Arcos Mine, Paraná Branch, Coal Terminal - Tecar, GalvaSud (property damages and loss of profits), Container Terminal -Tecon and ERSA Estanho de Rondônia (loss of profits), in the total risk amount of US$9.57 billion (property damages and loss of profit) and maximum indemnification amount, in the event of a claim, of US$750 million (property damages and loss of profits), equivalent to R$1.3 billion. For the period comprised from February 22, 2009 to February 19, 2010, the Company is negotiating coverage for operational risks with insurance and reinsurance companies in Brazil and abroad.

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Companhia Siderúrgica Nacional and Subsidiaries
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
Expressed in millions of United States dollars, except share and per share data and unless otherwise stated

The risk assumptions adopted, given their nature, are not part of the scope of a financial statements audit, and, consequently, they were not examined by our independent auditors.

25 Subsequent events

(a) Share repurchase

At the Board of Directors’ Meeting held on January 7, 2009, the reopening of the repurchase program of shares issued by the Company was approved up to the limit of 9,720,000 shares, to be held in treasury and their subsequent sale or cancellation. The operations authorized by the new repurchase program could have been carried out between January 8 and 28, 2009, but there was no repurchase up to the maturity of the program.

On February 2, 2009, the Board of Directors approved the reopening of the repurchase program of shares issued by the Company up to the limit of 9,720,000 shares, to be held in treasury and subsequently sold or cancelled. The operations authorized by the new repurchase program could have been carried out between February 3 and 25, 2009, but there was no repurchase up to the expiration of the program.

(b) Nova Transnordestina Project

On February 13, 2009, the Company entered into a Financing Agreement with BNDES, for the transfer of funds, in the form of capital, in Transnordestina Logística S.A., with the purpose of enabling investments in the “Nova Transnordestina” Project, concerning the construction and improvement, within the scope of influence of the Northeast Network, of lines, and line sections and sub-sections in the Eliseu Martins (PI)/Trindande (PE), Salgueiro (PE)/Missão Velha (CE), Salgueiro (PE)/Trindade (PE) and Salgueiro (PE)/Suape (PE) stretches, as well as the preparation of studies and projects. The credit amount is R$675million.

Additionally, the Company acted as the intervening party in the application, by its jointly-controlled subsidiary Transnordestina, for a financing with BNDES, aimed at investments in the construction, within the scope of influence of the Northeast Network, of lines, and line sections and sub-sections in the Missão Velha (CE) / Salgueiro (PE), Salgueiro (PE) / Trindade (PE) and Eliseu Martins (PI) / Trindade (PE) stretches, also with the purpose of enabling investments in the “Nova Transnordestina” Project.

(c) Prepayment of dividends

At the Board of Directors’ Meeting held on March 24, 2009, the Board of Directors approved the payment of dividends in the amount of R$1.5 billion.

(d) Agreement between CSN and Companhia Vale do Rio Doce (“Vale”)

On April 24, 2009, CSN entered into an agreement with Vale aiming to conclude all pending legal actions between the two companies, including those (i) related to the alleged right to indemnification or compensation deriving from the exclusion of the “right of first refusal” concerning both the acquisition of surplus iron ore produced by the Casa de Pedra mine and the Casa de Pedra mine itself (“Right to Indemnification”); (ii) arising out of liabilities established in the contracts comprising transactions related to the so-called unwinding of cross-shareholdings between Vale and CSN carried out in December 2000 (“Liabilities of the Unwinding of Cross-Shareholdings”); and (iii) referring to other pending issues related to such matters. Pursuant to the agreement, CSN and Vale performed a mutual, full and general non-financial settlement regarding the matters established therein.

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Companhia Siderúrgica Nacional and Subsidiaries
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
Expressed in millions of United States dollars, except share and per share data and unless otherwise stated

(e) Annual General Meeting

At the Annual General Meeting held on April 30, 2009, shareholders approved the Company’s distribution of net income for the year ended December 31, 2008, as follows:

> • Payment of dividends and interest on shareholders’ equity in the amounts of US$738.1 and US$130.4, respectively. Soon after the announcement of the payment of dividends on March 24, 2009, the Company was prevented from proceeding with the transfer of approximately US$354.2 to our shareholders by a court order issued by a trial state tax court judge in the State of Rio de Janeiro. For this reason, the Company paid its shareholders on April 2, 2009 the approximate amount of US$313.4. We are taking all measures to reverse the court order and proceed with the payment of the remaining dividend amount, as announced;

> • Ratification of declarations of prepayment of dividends approved by the Board of Directors on August 12, 2008 in the amount of US$99 (R$160,000 thousand translated at the exchange rate on August 12, 2008 of US$1.00 to R$1.6161), corresponding to US$0.128665 per share, and on March 24, 2009 in the amount of US$642 (R$1,500,000 thousand translated at the exchange rate on December 31, 2008 of US$1.00 to R$2.3370), corresponding to US$1.223406 per share;

> • Allocation of the amount of US$99 to the investment reserve, so as to support the investment projects included in the current year's Capital Budget, which is hereby approved, in compliance with the provisions of Article 196 of Law 6,404/76;

> • Recording of unrealized income reserve created on the non-mandatory dividend in the amount of US$1,067 (R$2,493,493 thousand translated at the exchange rate on December 31, 2008 of US$1.00 to R$2.3370); and

> • Given that the maximum limit of the legal reserve was reached, no amounts will be allocated to this reserve.

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