OREANDA-NEWS. On July 24, 2009 Sistema (LSE: SSA), the largest diversified public financial corporation in Russia and the CIS, which manages large companies operating in different industries, announced that it has obtained EUR120 million 3-year loan from the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (the “EBRD”). Sistema also bought back from the EBRD its minority stake in SITRONICS. The EBRD elected to exercise its put option with respect to 3.074% stake in SITRONICS which was acquired in September 2006, reported the press-centre of Sistema.

Sistema will use the loan proceeds to finance SITRONICS’ existing and potential hi-tech projects.

Alain Pilloux, Business Group Director for Russia at the EBRD, commented: “Although the EBRD is no longer a shareholder in SITRONICS, this deal highlights our growing support for the company in completing its priority investments, as well as the Bank’s continued involvement in its future.”

Leonid Melamed, President and Chief Executive Officer of Sistema, added: “The EBRD remains one of the key partners of our Group. Due to the current market situation the format of the Bank’s participation in SITRONICS’ development has changed from equity to debt financing on favorable terms.”