Press Information

Brussels, 25 November 2008

Orgalime expresses relief as BHP Billiton abandon bid for rival Rio Tinto

“We are relieved, as the merger would have reduced competition in the market for raw materials, particularly iron ore and have a considerable impact on the industry we represent” said Adrian Harris, Secretary General of Orgalime, the European engineering industries association.

Orgalime represents the mechanical, metalworking, electronic and electrical engineering industry, Europe’s largest manufacturing sector (NACE 28 to 33).

“Our companies, which are predominantly SMEs and family-owned, not only serve
industry customers and consumers in internal market, but compete on global markets, where our industry’s exports account for one third of manufactured exports from the European Union” he added.

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