Australia: ABB Grain Ltd announced on October 7 that holding statements were dispatched for the new ABB shares allocated to previous AusBulk and UGH shareholders on Tuesday, marking the end of the legal process associated with implementing the merger of ABB, AusBulk and UGH.

Without the support of the shareholders of all three companies, the merger simply could not have taken place. This support was overwhelmingly demonstrated at the meetings held on 21 September when more than 90% of votes cast by shareholders were in favour of the merger. Indeed, the support was as high as 97% for some of the resolutions considered by shareholders which is a remarkable result, and which gives us great confidence in what we can achieve as this new, expanded company.

ABB would like to take the opportunity to thank all shareholders for their support throughout the entire merger process and for the time that so many shareholders took to have their say, to attend the grower and/or shareholder meetings and to cast their vote.

With the new holding statements dispatched, normal trading of ABB shares has resumed with all shares now trading under the normal T+3 (day of trading plus three days) settlement basis.

12 October, 2004