Company Name: Euronext
Public Availability Date: November 19,2004
Securities Act of 1933 - Rule 902(b)
November 10, 2004
RESPONSE OF THE OFFICE OF INTERNATIONAL
CORPORATE FINANCE
DIVISION OF CORPORATION FINANCE
Re: Euronext Brussels SA/NV
Based on the facts presented, the Division will not object if the reference to the
Bourse de Bruxelles in Rule 902 (b) under the Securities Act of 1933 is deemed to
be a reference to Euronext Brussels SA/NV. This position is based on the
representations made to the Division in your letter, and any different facts might
require a different conclusion.
Sincerely,
Michael Pressman
Special Counsel
Incoming Letter:
October 19, 2004
Paul M. Dudek, Esq.
Office of International Corporate Finance
Securities and Exchange Commission
450 Fifth Street, NW
Washington, DC 20549
USA
January 26, 2004
Dear Mr. Dudek:
We represent the underwriters of an offering of ordinary shares of a Belgian
company, which will be listed on Euronext Brussels SA/NV. Clifford Chance LLP
represents the underwriters as to matters of Belgian law and have provided the
information under "Euronext Brussels SA/NVBackground" below. The offering will
be made outside the United States to non-U.S. persons in reliance on the exemption
from registration provided by Regulation S of the Securities Act 1933, as amended
(the "1933 Act").
We respectfully request your confirmation that the Securities and Exchange
Commission (the "SEC") will not object if Euronext Brussels SA/NV, as successor in
interest to the Bourse de Bruxelles as described below, is deemed to be as
"Designated Offshore Securities Market" as defined in Rule 902(b)(1) of Regulations
S promulgated under the 1933 Act. Euronext Brussels SA/NV Background
The Societe de la Bourse de Valeurs MobiliLres de Bruxelles (officially abbreviated
as the "Bourse de Bruxelles" ) was established by the Kingdom of Belgium Law of
December 4, 1990 on Financial Transactions and Financial Markets. Pursuant to
Article 7 of the Law of March 10, 1999 and to Article 1 of the Royal Decree of April
11, 1999, the Societe de la Bourse de Valeurs MobiliLres de Bruxelles was changed
into a limited liability company under public law. Subsequently, pursuant to Article
25, § 1 of the Law of 12 August 2000, the Societe de la Bourse de Valeurs MobiliLres
de Bruxelles was changed into a limited liability company under private law without
interruption of its legal identity. The Royal Decree of September 17, 2000 granted formal authorization to the
shareholders of the Societe de la Bourse de Valeurs MobiliLres de Bruxelles to
contribute their shares to Euronext NV. This decree made possible, under Belgian
law, the merger of Paris Bourse SBF, Euronext Amsterdam and the Societe de la
Bourse de Valeurs MobiliLres de Bruxelles into Euronext NV. As a result, the Societe
de la Bourse de Valeurs MobiliLres de Bruxelles became a 100% subsidiary of
Euronext NV. Subsequently, upon a decision of its shareholders dated October 10, 2000, the
Societe de la Bourse de Valeurs MobiliLres de Bruxelles amended its statutes and
changed its name to "Euronext Brussels SA/NV". Euronext Brussels SA/NVhas now replaced the Societe de la Bourse de Valeurs
MobiliLres de Bruxelles on the list of Belgian regulated markets published pursuant
to EU directive 93/22/CEE. A summary of the differences of certain attributes of the
Bourse de Bruxelles and Euronext Brussels SA/NV, prepared by Clifford Chance LLP,
Belgian counsel to the underwriters, is attached to this letter as Appendix I. In
addition, based on advice from such Belgian counsel, we represent that Euronext
Brussels SA/NV has the attributes set forth in Rule 902(b)(2)(i)-(vii) of Regulation
S. Request Rule 902(b)(1) of Regulation S promulgated under the 1933 Act includes the Bourse
de Bruxelles in the definition of "Designated Offshore Securities Market". We submit
that, in light of the transactions described above, Euronext Brussels SA/NV, as
successor in interest to the Bourse de Bruxelles, should be deemed to be a
"Designated Offshore Securities Market" as defined in Rule 902(b)(1) of Regulations
S promulgated under the 1933 Act. We therefore respectfully request your confirmation that the SEC will not object if
issuers, security holders, dealers and others act in accordance with the assumption
that Euronext Brussels SA/NV is deemed to be a "Designated Offshore Securities
Market" as defined in Rule 902(b)(1) of Regulations S promulgated under the 1933
Act. If you have any questions with respect to the conversion to limited liability company
status or the request contained in this letter, or require any further information or
documentation in this respect, please contact the undersigned.
A copy of this letter is being furnished to Euronext Brussels SA/NV.
Sincerely yours, Sincerely,
Jeffrey Small
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