Fitch Ratings appointed the future issue of bonds of Astana-Finance JSC with the expected rating BВ+

/Fitch Ratings, May 25, 07, title by KASE/ - Today Fitch Ratings appointed the expected rating BB+ to the issue of the first series of bonds of Astana- Finance JSC (AF), Kazakhstan, in the frames of international program of emission of middle-term eurobonds with volume $2 bn. It is expected that it will be the issue of priority three years' bonds with fixed rate with volume 200-300 m. euro. The issuer will be Astana Finance B.V., and as securities will act AF and its daughter company Leasing company Astana-Finance. The final rating will be appointed after receiving of the final documentation, which mainly has to correspond the data, received earlier. Company AF was founded in year 1997 by the Akimat of Astana with aims of helping the development of Astana (credits, leasing, and shareholders equity), of the rapidly growing new capital of Kazakhstan, and the Akmola region, surrounding the capital. Since the moment of its creation the company made the geographical diversification of activity, and also is developing some directions of investment-banking activities. About 25% shares of AF belong to Akimat of Astana, however it is determining the ability of transfer of this stake to Fund for stable development Kazyna (See the message from Fitch dated May 23, 2007 at the Internet site www.fitchresearch.com and Russian language version of the message at www.fitchratings.ru). Contacts: James Longsdon, London, tel.: +44 20 7417 4309 Contacts for press: Alla Izmaylova, Moscow, tel.: + 7 495 956 9901/9903, alla.izmailova@fitchratings.com [2007-05-24]