OREANDA-NEWS. On 05 March 2008 was announced, that "BTA Bank" JSC (BTA) was awarded another Global Trade Review’s Best Deal 2007. "BTA Bank" JSC has arranged a US$ 5.3 million loan for Russia’s Marine Gardens. The funds are applied to purchase acrylic glass from Nippura Co. LTD.

The deal is a part of a major Marine Gardens' Moscow Ocean Park project. The new aquarium will be the biggest one in the CIS and Eastern Europe.

The following criteria were applied for the Best Deal 2007 award:

"BTA Bank" JSC is the first trade bank in the CIS to close a deal with Japan Bank for International Cooperation (JBIC);  An off-beat deal with two co-lenders: JBIC with a 60% A-tranche and a 40% B piece from Bank of Tokyo Mitsubishi UFG LTD.

"This deal stands out not only for its financing terms as usually, but also for a structure opted for. The award once again testifies to the quality and competitiveness of BTA services in trade and structured finance that we pursue to vigorously promote both in Kazakhstan and the CIS," says Timur Sabyrbayev, Head of BTA Bank's International Relations and Trade Finance Division.

The city administration backs up the multi-purpose Moscow Ocean Park at Poklonnaya Hill within the tourism development program for Russia’s capital. The first in Moscow and the biggest in Eastern Europe, it will be an all-season ocean park with aquarium as a core. With an apparent entertainment concept it will offer existing excursions. This recreation center is likely to become a major entertainment complex in the city and a favorite recreation area for Moscow locals and visitors.  "BTA Bank" JSC is among biggest banks in the CIS with an extensive banking chain. According to tentative data, as of January 1, 2008 BTA consolidated assets totaled US$ 25.5 billion, a 56% increase from early 2007. Its capital made US$ 3.8 billion. Consolidated net income reached US$ 580 million, a two-fold rise from 2006.

"BTA Bank" JSC operating in the CIS and far-abroad countries is expanding into the CIS. Its strategic bank partners cover Ukraine, four regions in Russia, Belarus, Georgia, Armenia, Kyrgyzstan and Turkey. "BTA Bank" JSC also runs its representative offices in Russia, Ukraine, China and the United Arab Emirates. In Kazakhstan, BTA’s chain embraces 22 branches and 280 cash settlement centers.

"BTA Bank" JSC holds a number of industry awards. Reputed Itogi magazine named BTA "The Best CIS Bank 2007." Euromoney declared BTA "A Leading Bank in Corporate Governance in Emerging Europe 2007." BTA also appeared in the Banker’s TOP 300 and ranked the third in its Highest Movers rating. The Europe Business Assembly (EBA, Oxford, UK) awarded BTA the "Best Enterprise of Europe" in the Eurasian banking sector.