June 27, 2008

Contact:

Catherine Zhang, catherine_zhang@cargill.com

Cargill donates 3 million RMB to Beijing Normal University for earthquake restoration partnership

BEIJING – Beijing Normal University signed a cooperation agreement with Cargill Investments (China) Ltd on July 27, 2008 to jointly work on education policy research and provide psychotherapy aid for children in the earthquake-affected region of Sichuan Province. The agreement is to implement research on education in the area to promote the healthy growth and development of children and teenagers affected by the disaster. Cargill contributed 3 million RMB to support the research and rehabilitation programs. The ceremony was held at Beijing Normal University.

Director of the basic education bureau of the Ministry of Education, Madam Liu Chuan Sheng, Chairman of the Education Fund of Beijing Normal University, Mr. Dong Qi, vice chancellor of Beijing Normal University attended the ceremony. Cargill China President, Norwell Coquillard, signed the agreement on behalf of all the employees of Cargill.

Madam Liu Chuan Sheng said during the ceremony, “that during the one hundred years history of the university, it has always shared a common fate with its nation. The university has demonstrated a tradition of patriotism, progress, good faith, simplicity, seeking for truth and innovation. It has always been a paragon of virtue and learning. Beijing Normal University is duty-bound to utilize its educational resources to actively participate in the restoration of education in disaster-stricken areas, to provide professional support for the development of fundamental education and to contribute to the healthy growth of children and teenagers in the disaster stricken areas. Cargill has offered us strong support to continue our mission.”

“Our hearts go out to the millions of people impacted by the earthquake, especially the children who have lost their homes and families,” said Norwell Coquillard, President of Cargill China. “We want to play a part to help the Chinese people devastated by the earthquake rebuild their lives. We strongly believe that our donation to the rehabilitation program by Wenchuan Earthquake Taskforce at Beijing Normal University will help these children have a bright and positive future.”

Established in 1865, Cargill, which operates in 66 economies around the world, is an international provider of food, agricultural and risk management products and services. Cargill has a long history in China with over 4,500 employees and 34 production facilities in China today. As a globally known enterprise, Cargill is keenly aware of its social responsibilities as good corporate citizen in China and around the world. In the 2007/2008 fiscal year, Cargill China Cares Council has donated more than RMB 10 million and over 1,200 volunteer hours to citizenship activities in communities across the country where Cargill has facilities. Cargill’s corporate social responsibility programs have been recognized by local communities and have received numerous awards, such as “Charity Star” and “Public Welfare Star Enterprise” by China Children and Teenager Foundation.

Beijing Normal University is a renowned university with a hundred years history that specializes in teachers’ education, education science and basic sciences. It has strong theoretical and practical experience in education theory, national education policy, reform of basic education and the psychological development of teenagers and children. It plays a leading role in China’s education reform and development.

The agreement will combine vast experience of education and education research of Beijing Normal University with the resources of Cargill to contribute to the restoration of Sichuan Province.