Sinochem International Corporation (Shanghai Stock Exchange: 600500) and Monsanto Company (NYSE: MON) today announced that Sinochem and its subsidiaries have signed agreements with Monsanto's Asia and India subsidiaries for the acquisition of Monsanto's butachlor and alachlor businesses and certain other assets.

After successful acquisition of three domestic natural rubber plants, i.e. Hainan Enlian, Yunnan Xiangdong and Hainan Chengxin, Sinochem International has taken its first step of overseas natural rubber business expansion through acquisition of Malaysia Euroma Rubber Industries SEN.BHD, indicating that Sinochem has established a tetedepont for overseas expansion at Southeast Asia - the major producing area of natural rubber.

On May 18, Sinochem International signed an agreement with Nantong Industrial Trade Stated-Owned Assets Management Co., Ltd., stating that Sinochem will acquire 55,440,000 shares from the total 111,744,000 shares of Nantong Jiangshan Agrochemical Chemical Limited Liability Co. (JSAC) owned by the former. Therefore, Sinochem now has 28% of Jiangshan Stock's shares.

Sinochem International Corporation has published its first Corporation Social Responsibility Report, which gave a detailed account of the corporation's efforts and achievements in corporate governance, business obligation and social responsibility since the establishment of the Corporation.

According to Xinhua News agency, Shanghai and Shenzhen Security Exchange 300 index, jointly calculated by Shanghai and Shenzhen Security Exchange, is to be officially launched on April 8, with Sinochem International among the first 300 sample stocks.

In September 2004, approved by the State Administration for Industry and Commerce, Sinochem International Trade Co. Ltd. changed its name to Sinochem International Corporation while still abbreviated as "Sinochem International" .