OREANDA-NEWS. May 05, 2014. Sistema JSFC ("Sistema" or the "Group") (LSE: SSA), the largest publicly-traded diversified holding company in Russia and the CIS, announces that it has signed binding agreements to participate in a private placement of OZON Holdings Limited ("OZON"), one of Russia's largest e-commerce businesses.

The closing of the transaction was completed upon signing.

Under the agreement, Sistema has acquired a 10.8% stake for USD 75 million in OZON. MTS, Sistema's telecoms subsidiary, has also acquired a 10.8% stake at the same valuation. As a result, two representatives from Sistema and MTS are expected to join OZON's Board of Directors.

OZON owns five e-commerce companies in Russia: OZON.ru, the largest multi-category online shop in Russia with more than 750,000 unique visitors per day;  Sapato.ru, one of the leading e-commerce store of shoes, accessories and apparel; OZON.travel, the leading Russian online travel agency; О-Courier, OZON's dedicated delivery service operating a network of companies and agents across Russia and Kazakhstan with over 2,200 pick-up points; and OZON Solutions, a B2B consultancy, which helps businesses to succeed in the e-commerce universe. 

Further details on this transaction can be found in the presentation available on www.sistema.com

Mikhail Shamolin, President and CEO, commented:

"Sistema's investment in OZON provides the Group with an excellent entry into Russia's rapidly growing e-commerce sector. Having captured over 16 million unique monthly visitors, OZON is a household brand with a loyal customer base, growing goods assortment and an excellent logistical platform. This investment, while financial in nature, also provides Sistema's other businesses with numerous partnership and synergies opportunities which will prove mutually beneficial for all."