Rio,November 14, 2002 (Agencia Brasil-ABR) - Sales volume of laminated and plate steel at the National Steel Company in the third quarter rose 44%, reaching 1.2 million tons, including 97,000 tons that were exported. Cumulative sales for the year reached 3.5 million tons, up 25% over the same period last year.

The CSN increased production 45% between July and September, and 37% for the first nine months of the year, compared to the same periods in 2001. (AB)