posco AMERICA

- Recognized for its performance in upholding the fair trade agreement and great ripple effects of its activities on SMEs

For four straight years, POSCO has received the highest grade in the ``evaluation of mutual growth index for 2015,`` which assesses the results of mutual growth activities among major companies and smallㅡand mediumㅡsized enterprises (SMEs).

On June 30, the Korea Commission for Corporate Partnership (Chairman Chung-young Ahn) held its 41st general meeting at Seoul Palace Hotel and announced the evaluation results of annual mutual growth index for 2015.

The mutual growth index is quantified by evaluating mutual growth levels of major companies, in order to create a fair trade and mutual growth culture among major companies and SMEs.

The performances are graded on a curve by adding the assessment results of fair trade by the Fair Trade Commission and the satisfaction levels of SMEs by the Korea Commission for Corporate Partnership.

The Fair Trade Commission evaluates major companies through both written surveys and field investigations with regard to the following four factors: adoption and implementation of four key practices of fair trade; terms of payment; support for finance, technology and personnel; and support for secondary business partners.

The Commission for Corporate Partnership carries out surveys to determine the satisfaction levels of primary and secondary business partners toward the activities of the major companies in order to enhance mutual growth.

The evaluation of the 2015 mutual growth index has been carried out with 133 major and midsize companies with highest sales volume selected from those with lots of public attention and great impacts through their mutual growth activities.

As a result, 25 companies including POSCO received the Best, 41 companies Excellent, 46 companies Satisfactory, and 21 companies Fair.

Reconfirming its status as a model company for enhancing mutual growth, POSCO will commit to the fulfilling of the Fair Trade agreement to spread fair trade culture, and also make various efforts to help its business partners improve their competitiveness by supporting them with technology and finance, and in uncovering new markets.