32006M4231

Brussels, 22.06.2006

SG-Greffe(2006) D/203236-203237

To the notifying parties

Dear Madam(s) and/or Sir(s),

Subject: Case No. COMP/M.4231 - ARCELOR / MITSUI / AMSA JV

Notification of 16/05/2006 pursuant to Article 4 of Council Regulation (EC) No. 139/2004 [1]

Publication in the Official Journal of the European Union No. C 123, 24/05/2006, page 14

1. On 16/5/2006, the Commission received a notification of a proposed concentration pursuant to Article 4 of Council Regulation (EC) No 139/2004 by which the undertakings Arcelor Steel Service Centres SAS (“Arcelor Steel Service Centres”, France), belonging to the Arcelor group (“Arcelor”, Luxembourg) and Mitsui &Co UK plc , ultimately controlled by Mitsui &Co Ltd (“Mitsui”, USA) acquire within the meaning of Article 3(1)(b) of the Council Regulation joint control of the undertaking AMSA Steel Service Centre (Pty) (“AMSA”, Republic of South Africa) by way of purchase of shares.

2. The business activities of the undertakings concerned are :

- Arcelor Steel Service Centres: processing and distribution of steel:

- Mitsui: world-wide trading in a number of commodities, including, without limitation, steel

- AMSA: steel distribution in South Africa

3. After examination of the notification, the Commission has concluded that the notified operation falls within the scope of Council Regulation (EC) No. 139/2004 and of paragraph 5, subparagraphs (a) and (b) of the Commission Notice on a simplified procedure for treatment of certain concentrations under Council Regulation (EC) No. 139/2004 [2].

4. For the reasons set out in the Notice on a simplified procedure, the Commission has decided not to oppose the notified operation and to declare it compatible with the common market and with the EEA Agreement. This decision is adopted in application of Article 6(1)(b) of Council Regulation (EC) No. 139/2004.

For the Commission,

signed,

Philip LOWE

Director General

[1] OJ L 24, 29.1.2004 p. 1

[2] OJ C 56, 05.3.2005 p.32

--------------------------------------------------