Cotecna Brazil Shares Expertise in Agribusiness Financing Systems

GENEVA, March 18, 2011 - Cotecna Brazil was invited by the International Finance Corporation (IFC)
and the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) to
participate in a conference on agribusiness financing systems.

The objective of the conference that took place from February 28 to March
3 in São Paolo and Brasilia was to introduce the Rural Product Note (Cédula
de Produto Rural - CPR) to a delegation from Ukraine and Russia that included
members of the government, bankers, traders, lawyers, economists, etc.

CPR is an important agribusiness financing instrument that is commonly
used in Brazil. It is a tool that facilitates cash resources for agricultural
and livestock production, enabling producers to make the necessary
investments by putting up their production capacity as collateral to the
financers.

Cotecna presented the company's business model focusing on monitoring
mechanisms that are used to mitigate risks in the agri financing sector. The
company was able to discuss and share its expertise and experience in trade
finance support services with the participants. The IFC is keen to help
transfer proven agribusiness financing systems to countries such as Russia
and Ukraine.

Cotecna has been delivering trade finance support, inspection, testing
and numerous other services to the international trading community throughout
its worldwide network for 36 years and many Government procurement agencies
and international trading firms entrust Cotecna daily with their cargoes.

About the Cotecna Group

Founded in Switzerland in 1974, the Cotecna group offers a wide range of
trade facilitation services, trade security services and quality
certification standards. Cotecna conducts verification and certification
activities across a range of sectors for importers and exporters worldwide.
Areas of particular expertise include: agricultural products (grains, pulses,
oilseeds and feedstuffs to liquid cargoes, sugar, fibers, fruits, coffee,
fertilizers…), metals and minerals, chemical and petroleum products, marine
surveys, industrial equipment surveys, vehicle inspections and consumer
goods. Accredited laboratories and testing facilities ensure the delivery of
high-quality, verifiable results. The Cotecna Group has a combined workforce
of about 4,000 employees and agents in close to 100 offices.
www.cotecna.com

    Contacts:
    Brazil
    Fabio Liborio
    Country Manager
    Cotecna Serviços Ltda.
    Brazil
    Tel: 55-11-3383-1802
    comercial@cotecna.com.br

    Cotecna Press
    Alison Bourgeois
    Vice President Corporate Communications
    Geneva
    Tel: +41-22-849-78-23
    press@cotecna.ch

Contacts: Brazil, Fabio Liborio, Country Manager, Cotecna Serviços Ltda., Brazil, Tel. 55-11-3383-1802, comercial at cotecna.com.br; Cotecna Press, Alison Bourgeois, Vice President Corporate Communications, Geneva, Tel. +41-22-849-78-23, press at cotecna.ch