Astana-Finance intends to enter the market of USA loan capital in the middle of year 2008

/INTERFAX-KAZAKHSTAN, Astana, December 21, 07/ - Kazakhstan company Astana-Finance in the second half of next year intends to borrow loans on investment market of USA, the chairman of company's board Alexander Savchuk announced. "In the second half of next year though London stock exchange we are planning to enter the loan capital market of USA. The speech is about borrowing of loan capital by 144-А standards, which gives the access to this investors' base", - he told to the agency interfax-Kazakhstan on Friday in Astana. A.Savchuk did not specified the supposed volumes of borrowing, having noted that speech is "not about one hundred millions of dollars". "Indicators of our company as of end of year are very favorable, though one of rating agencies after reduction of sovereign rating of country had appropriated to company the "negative" outlook. Nevertheless, we are optimistically watching at our plans for issuing of loan instruments", - A.Savchuk explained, adding that currently "international markets did not estimate the losses from crisis and for stabilization of situation the "quarantine" is needed". He also stressed that loans on USA market will be made by Astana-Finance in the frames of its international program of emission of middle-term bonds with volume of $2 bn. As it was informed, last Wednesday international rating agency Fitch Ratings confirmed the long-term rating of default of the issuer (RDI) in foreign currency of Astana-Finance JSC at "ВВ+" level and changed the rating's outlook from "stable" to "negative".и 25.5% shares of Astana-Finance JSC belong to akimat of capital of Kazakhstan, however in the quarter of 2008 year this shareholding, as it is expected, will be transferred to state fund Kazyna. Astana-finance provides long-term project financing, and also leasing and mortgage services, mainly in Astana and Akmola region. Except this, the company provides various investment-banking services, and also develops business out of limits of its region of activity. [2007-12-24]