/CORRECTED/ KazMunaiGas Exploration Production (Kazakhstan): Standard & Poor's increases company corporate governance score to CGS 6 on international scale
20.11.08 21:00
/KASE, November 20, 08, resent on request of the issuer/ - KazMunaiGas
Exploration Production (Astana), shares of which are traded in Kazakhstan
Stock Exchange (KASE) of the first category of the official list, disseminated the
press release.
Quotation start
International rating agency Standard & Poor's (S&P) increased the Corporate
Governance Score of JSC KazMunaiGas Exploration Production (KMG EP) from
CGS 5+ to CGS 6 on the international scale. This rating reflects the Company's
state of Corporate Governance and takes into account such factors as the
ownership structure and external influences; shareholders' rights and
relationships with investors and other interested parties; financial transparency,
information disclosure and audit; composition and effectiveness of the Board of
Directors (BoD).
The awarded rating is an acknowledgement of the Management's efforts to
improve the Company's business activities and management processes. Analysts
from S&P point out the following: shareholders of the Company have a wide
range of guaranteed rights and the relationship with the parent company is
transparent and well documented; the AGM and EGM procedures are effective;
the BoD consists of highly qualified professionals with 3 out 8 members being
Independent Directors with vast international experience; KMG EP uses a well-
known international auditor that was selected in an open tender; the auditors'
committee is highly qualified and independent; the investor relations programme
is wide-spread and on-going; financial reporting is conducted regularly and
timely; the dividend policy is well-defined and all shareholders are receiving due
dividends on time; clear policy of remuneration of BoD members and top
management of the Company is effective.
Commenting on this significant award by S&P, the CEO of KMG EP, Askar
Balzhanov said: "Our company is determined to uphold the best practices of
Corporate Governance and to maintain investors' confidence. We continue to
improve all aspects of these processes and demonstrate strict adherence to the
best international practices in this regard".
In 2008 S&P has introduced a new GAMMA rating, created for those who invest
in the companies in the emerging markets, with the primary focus on non-
financial risks. GAMMA rating is a new S&P product that takes into account
shareholders' influence, shareholders' rights, transparency, audit, risk
management, effectiveness of the BoD, strategic processes and motivational
systems. KMG EP is considering moving to the new GAMMA rating in 2009.
*GAMMA - abbreviation from English words: governance, accountability, management
metrics & analysis.
Contact information:
EP KMG, Public Relations (+7 7172 97 7600)
Michael Dorofeev
e-mail: pr@kmgep.kz
EP KMG, Institutional Investor Relations (+7 7172 97 7971)
Assel Kalieva
e-mail: ir@kmgep.kz
Pelham PR (+44 203 178 44 18)
Elena Dobson
e-mail: Elena.dobson@pelhampr.com
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[2008-11-20]