Moody's может повысить долгосрочный рейтинг железных дорог Казахстана
18.10.02 00:00
/REUTERS, Лондон, 18.10.02/ - Международное рейтинговое агентство
Moody's Investor Service сообщило, что может пересмотреть в сторону
повышения долгосрочный рейтинг эмитента "Ва2", присвоенный
казахстанской железнодорожной монополии Казахстан темир жолы.
Решение Moody's связано с повышением в сентябре валютного рейтинга
Казахстана сразу на две ступени, до инвестиционного уровня "Ваа3".
Ниже следует полный текст сообщения Moody's на английском языке:
"Moody's Investor Service today placed the Ba2 long term issuer rating of
Kazakhstan Temir Zholy ("KTZ"), the national railway company of the Republic of
Kazakhstan, on review for possible upgrade. The action reflects the upgrade of
the Republic of Kazakhstan's foreign currency ceiling for bonds and of the
rating of the government's foreign currency bonds to Baa3 from Ba2.
The rating of KTZ is based on the critical economic dependence of the republic
of Kazakhstan on the railway system and the 100% ownership of KTZ by the
government. Therefore, the rating is related to the sovereign rating of the
Republic. Moody's notes that while the rating is related to the sovereign
rating, it is not explicitly linked to it and may over time move independently
from adjustments in the debt rating of the republic.
The review will focus on the strength of the relationship with the government
and implied support going forward in light of the current restructuring of the
company. KTZ in the past has been an integrated railway company owning the
infrastructure and operating freight and passenger transportation services.
Moody's notes that in the first stage of the restructuring plan the following
measures have already been implemented: Reorganization of the Republican State
Enterprise "Kazakhstan Temir Zholy" into a "Closed Joint Stock Company
Kazakhstan Temir Zholy National Company" (100% owned by the government), change
of structure, divestiture of auxiliary activities and the creation of a
"Passenger Transportation Open Joint Stock Company" with 100% of shares owned
by KTZ.
Under the second stage it is supposed to develop the competitive market in
auxiliary and freight transportation activities and to transfer the freight
operations into a separate, government owned entity. The review will assess the
impact of these changes as well as the influence of independent freight
transporters on KTZ's position in transportation activities and the continued
intention of the government to regulate tariffs and fees in a way that ensures
that fees to be paid by operators for infrastructure access and lease of
locomotives will cover all costs at KTZ including debt interest as well as
provide profits for the company. The review will also assess the potential
negative impact of the construction of new pipelines in Kazakhstan for oil and
gas export on the relative significance of railway operations for the economy.
Kazakhstan Temir Zholy, headquartered in Astana City, is the national railway
company of the Republic of Kazakhstan".
[2002-10-18]