OREANDA-NEWS. JSOC Bashneft andLLC SAP CIS have signed a memorandum of understanding on strategic cooperation in information technology. The document was signed by Alexander Korsik, President of Bashneft;Michael Kleinemeier, president, Middle & Eastern Europe (MEE) Region, SAP AG, and Vyacheslav Orekhov, General Director of SAP CIS

The main objective of the partnership between Bashneft andSAP is to jointly develop and implement long-term programmes aimed at improving business performance. Bashneft expectsthat, having secured a long-term partnership with SAP, the Company will be able to improve the quality of corporate IT architecture, planning and project implementation, as special conditions and opportunities will be created for drawing onSAP's global expertise and adopting international best practice.

'Bashneft consistently improves its performance and seeks to use the most advanced technology and the latest scientific innovations,' commented Bashneft's President AlexanderKorsik. 'We believe that a new stage of cooperation with SAP, a global leader in developing business management software, will enable the Company to achieve a breakthrough in business process automation and creation of a shared IT environment using state-of-the-art information technology.'

Michael Kleinemeier, President for Central and Eastern Europe at SAP, said that the signing of the memorandum was a significant milestone marking the transition to the level of strategic partnership and development of closer business relationship. 'SAP intends to promote cooperation and supportBashneft in its commitment to innovative business development. We hope that our collaboration will serve the interests and satisfy the needs of both parties,' stated Mr. Kleinemeier.

Vyacheslav Orekhov, General Director of SAP CIS, pointed out that Bashneft is known in the IT community as one of the fastest among oil and gas companies to introduce cutting-edge technologies. 'This makes the Company's decision to use innovative products and services offered by SAP particularlyimportant,' he emphasized. 'We at SAP CIS are convinced that our solutions will help Bashneft to achieve a high level of business efficiency and successfully attain its goals.'