Two clients of UGGC & Associés win the PME Chine 2008 prize

Paris, 12 December 2008 – Two clients of UGGC & Associés, Courbis group and SDCEM, have won the PME Chine 2008 prize. Each year, this competition is organized by the French Chamber of Commerce and Industry in China (CCIFC). It rewards installation projects successfully completed by French companies. UGGC & Associés has assisted both companies with their local developments and is still now providing advice to them. Assist companies with their development in China With three offices located in the largest cities (Beijing, Guangzhou and Shanghai), the firm assists many foreign companies with their development in China. UGGC & Associés which represents, 25 associates working in China, deals in particular with issues relating to the creation of legal entities, acquisitions of Chinese companies, and restructuring. •SDCEM-TransRail BV obtains the “Excellence” 2008 prize The PME Chine “Excellence” prize is intended to encourage the development of French companies in China by rewarding the boldness, professionalism and perseverance of a PME (small to medium-size company) that has successfully established a stable activity in this country (for at least two years). SDCEM-TransRail BV, a company producing and distributing electrical equipment, approached the firm, Olivier Lefébure and Alina Quach in particular, to create their new production and distribution entities in China, as well as to set up a joint venture with a Chinese company, in order to submit an offer to a significant call for tenders in the railway sector. •Courbis group gets rewarded for “The most promising development project” The Courbis group is European leader for the transformation of polyurethanes and engineered plastics with high added value. UGGC & Associés, and Alina Quach in particular, was involved in the creation and follow-up of their entities, as well as the development of their investments in Asia. * The PME Chine 2008 prize is organized by the French Chamber of Commerce and Industry in China (CCIFC), in partnership with the Assembly of French Chambers of Commerce and Industry (ACFCI) in connection with its China Plan, with the support of Total Group and Air France, and in cooperation with Economic Missions in China and the China department of the National Committee of France Foreign Trade Counsellors. It was awarded on 14 November 2008 in Shanghai. UGGC & Associés team in Asia UGGC & Associés attorney in Beijing & Taiwan: Franck Desevedavy was admitted at the Paris Bar in 1995 and the Taiwan Bar in 2001 Expert in Foreign Investment Law / Intellectual Property / Environment Law / Litigation and International Arbitration UGGC & Associés attorney in Beijing: Alina Quach was admitted at the Paris Bar in 1998 Expert in Foreign Investment Law / Mergers & Acquisitions / Intellectual Property / Litigation and International Arbitration UGGC & Associés attorney in Shanghai: Arnaud Depierrefeu was admitted at the Paris Bar in 1999 Expert in International Trade Relation Law / Foreign Investment Law / International Collective Proceedings Law / Litigation and International Arbitration UGGC & Associés attorney in Shanghai & New Delhi: Olivier Dubuis was admitted at the Paris Bar in 1996 Expert in Foreign Investment Law / Environment Law / Distribution Law / Financial Law, Mergers & Acquisitions / Litigation and International Arbitration Concerning UGGC & Associés: UGGC & Associés is one of the foremost independent law firms in France. Now with 9 offices (Paris, Brussels, Casablanca, Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Taipei, New Delhi and Doha) located in 4 different geographical areas (Europe, Africa, Asia and the Middle East), and in addition a structured network of correspondents, the firm enjoys a very efficient capacity to work internationally. The firm comprises over 150 lawyers, including 34 partners. One third of these lawyers carry out some of their work outside France. UGGC & Associés assists their clients, private companies, public entities and natural persons, with all of their legal and tax requirements. Each partner is recognized as one of the best specialists in his or her field; together they cover all aspects of business law. Thanks to the trust of its clients and the durability of its teams and lawyers, the firm has been enjoying a significant and constant growth of its turnover for over 15 years. Concerning SDCEM-TransRail BV: SDCEM-TransRail BV is a French PME established in China consisting of 3 entities. It produces and distributes electrical equipment, to the railway industry, hydro-electric power stations, power trans port and distribution in particular. It employs 183 people, including some 50 in China (25 in Tianjin and 25 in Beijing). It is now experiencing a strong growth of its business with the development of new projects, such as high-speed trains, the underground, as well as partnerships with local and international power companies. Concerning Courbis: Already awarded the Prix national de l’innovation 2008 (national innovation prize) by the GEP (Groupement des entreprises para-pétrolières), the Corbis group is European leader for the transformation of polyurethanes and engineered plastics with high added value. Created in 1964 and with Hervé Courbis as its current chairman, the Courbis group consists of 9 poles of excellence specializing in the transformation of plastics and elastomers. The group employs 250 people on 4 industrial sites, including 2 in France, one in Slovakia and one in Beijing. In 2007, its turnover reached EUR 37 million, up 15%, with 6% net profitability. Press contacts: Agence Wellcom Esthel Joubert-Gaillard / Anne-Stéphanie Noirot / Marie Réveillé ejg@wellcom.fr / asn@wellcom.fr / mr@wellcom.fr Tel. : 01 46 34 60 60 - Fax : 01 46 34 05 29