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SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
 
 
FORM 6-K
 
Report of Foreign Private Issuer
Pursuant to Rule 13a-16 or 15d-16 of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934
 
For the month of October, 2008

Commission 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)
 

Av. Brigadeiro Faria Lima 3400, 20º andar
São Paulo, SP, Brazil
04538-132
(Address of principal executive office)
 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant files or will file annual reports
under cover Form 20-F or Form 40-F. 

Form 20-F ___X___ Form 40-F _______

 Indicate by check mark whether the registrant by furnishing the information contained in this Form is also thereby furnishing the information to the Commission pursuant to Rule 12g3-2(b) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.  

Yes _______ No ___X____

MATERIAL FACT
COMPANHIA SIDERÚRGICA NACIONAL
Rua São José nº 20, Grupo 1602, parte
Rio de Janeiro/RJ
CNPJ nº 33.042.730/0001 -04

COMPANHIA SIDERÚRGICA NACIONAL (BOVESPA: CSNA3; NYSE: SID), is pleased to inform its respective shareholders and market participants that it established a strategic partnership with a consortium comprised by ITOCHU Corporation, Nippon Steel Corporation, JFE Steel Corporation, POSCO, Sumitomo Metal Industries, Ltd., Kobe Steel, Ltd. and Nisshin Steel Co., Ltd. (the “Consortium”). The transaction consists in the acquisition of 40% of the total capital of Nacional Minérios S.A. (“Namisa”), a subsidiary of CSN, for the aggregate amount of approximately US$ 3.12 billion, payable in cash, and the entering into certain mining products and related port services agreement to be provided by CSN to Namisa.

Today the Consortium’s members obtained their respective corporate approvals for the key terms and conditions of the transaction. CSN already obtained its approvals, which were conditioned on the parties reaching agreement on such key terms and conditions. The approvals are subject to the finalization and execution of the definitive transaction agreements. The parties expect to sign final documentation next Tuesday, October 21st, 2008.

Companhia Siderúrgica Nacional
Otávio de Garcia Lazcano
Investor Relations Officer

 

SIGNATURE
 
 
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.

Date: October 17, 2008

 
COMPANHIA SIDERÚRGICA NACIONAL
By:
/S/ Benjamin Steinbruch
 
Benjamin Steinbruch
Chief Executive Officer

 

 

 
By:
/S/ Otávio de Garcia Lazcano
 
Otávio de Garcia Lazcano
Chief Financial Officer and Investor Relations Officer
 

 

 
FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This press release may contain forward-looking statements. These statements are statements that are not historical facts, and are based on management's current view and estimates of future economic circumstances, industry conditions, company performance and financial results. The words "anticipates", "believes", "estimates", "expects", "plans" and similar expressions, as they relate to the company, are intended to identify forward-looking statements. Statements regarding the declaration or payment of dividends, the implementation of principal operating and financing strategies and capital expenditure plans, the direction of future operations and the factors or trends affecting financial condition, liquidity or results of operations are examples of forward-looking statements. Such statements reflect the current views of management and are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties. There is no guarantee that the expected events, trends or results will actually occur. The statements are based on many assumptions and factors, including general economic and market conditions, industry conditions, and operating factors. Any changes in such assumptions or factors could cause actual results to differ materially from current expectations.