BEIJING, Feb 04, 2008 (MARKET WIRE via COMTEX News Network) -- Agria Corporation (NYSE: GRO), an innovative China-based
agri-solutions provider, today announced that it has appointed David
M. Pasquale to the position of Senior Vice President.
In his new position, Mr. Pasquale will be based in New York and will
be responsible for developing, implementing and leading Agria's
investor relations and corporate communications initiatives, including
proactive communication with equity research analysts, shareholders,
media, and other financial constituencies in order to raise the
visibility of Agria among the broader investment community.
Mr. Alan Lai, Chairman and co-CEO of Agria Corporation, commented,
"We are excited to have David on board with Agria. His appointment
emphasizes our commitment to proactively raising awareness and
understanding of Agria's distinctive business model, competitive
strengths, geographic leadership and growth prospects. David's
expertise and proven track record of executing investor relations and
financial communications programs will help drive our efforts on Wall
Street as we continue to build shareholder value by leveraging our
proven operational and commercialization ability, extensive sales and
distribution network, and record of innovation."
Mr. Pasquale brings wide-ranging investor relations, communications
strategy, positioning and crisis communications experience working
with U.S.-listed public companies domiciled in China, Singapore, Korea
and Taiwan. He most recently served as Executive Vice President at
The Ruth Group, a leading investor relations and public relations
firm based in New York City, where he was instrumental in driving the
firm's growth since September 1999. He previously worked at Citigate
Dewe Rogerson, The Hudson Stone Group and N.W. Ayer & Partners, all
based in New York City. Mr. Pasquale holds a Bachelor of Science, cum
laude, from Providence College.
About Agria Corporation
Agria Corporation (NYSE: GRO) is an innovative China-based
agri-solutions provider focusing on research and development,
production and distribution of three different types of upstream
agricultural products. Its diversified portfolio of products
comprises corn seeds, sheep breeding and seedlings, including
proprietary products developed through its own research and
development capability. The company has access to approximately
27,000 acres of farmland in seven provinces and its extensive
distribution network provides direct or third party distribution in
14 provinces. For more information about Agria Corporation, please
visit www.agriacorp.com.
Safe Harbor Statement
This announcement contains forward-looking statements. These
statements are made under the "safe harbor" provisions of the U.S.
Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These
forward-looking statements can be identified by terminology such as
"will," "expects," "anticipates," "future," "intends," "plans,"
"believes," "estimates," "confident" and similar statements. Among
other things, the business outlook and quotations from management in
this announcement, as well as Agria Corporations strategic and
operational plans, contain forward-looking statements. Agria may
also make written or oral forward-looking statements in its periodic
reports to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission on Forms 20-F
and 6-K, etc., in its annual report to shareholders, in press releases
and other written materials and in oral statements made by its
officers, directors or employees to third parties. Statements that are
not historical facts, including statements about Agria's beliefs and
expectations, are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking
statements involve inherent risks and uncertainties. A number of
important factors could cause actual results to differ materially
from those contained in any forward-looking statement. Potential
risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, Agria's
limited operating history makes it difficult to evaluate our future
prospects and results of operations; natural or man-made disasters
could damage our seed production, which would cause us to suffer
production losses and a material reduction of our revenues; outbreaks
of disease in livestock and/or food scares in China would materially
and adversely affect our sheep breeding business; we primarily rely
on arrangements with village collectives to produce our corn seed
products, and if we are unable to continue these arrangements or
enter into new arrangements with other village collectives to
increase our production, our total land acreage devoted to corn seed
production may decrease and our growth may be inhibited; our growth
prospects may be materially and adversely affected if we are unable
to continue to develop or acquire products to meet the demands of
Chinese farmers or to produce our existing products in sufficient
quantities; and one or more of our distributors may engage in
activities that are harmful to our brand and to our business, and
other risks outlined in Agria's filings with the U.S. Securities and
Exchange Commission, including its Form F-1/A filed on November 2,
2007. All information provided in this press release is as of
February 4, 2008, and Agria does not undertake any obligation to
update any forward-looking statement, except as required under
applicable law.
Contacts:
In China:
Matt Feng
Investor Relations
China Tel: 86 13311300320
matt.feng@agriacorp.com
In the U.S.:
David Pasquale
Senior Vice President
U.S. Tel: +914-337-1117
david.pasquale@agriacorp.com
SOURCE: Agria Corporation