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KP: Government calls for measures to help the building industry

The Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine believes it is necessary to draft a mechanism for supporting solvent demand for housing in Ukraine, Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko has said.

“A mechanism should be drafted to support solvent demand [for housing],” she said at a council on Nov.11.

Tymoshenko said that the government at a meeting on Monday passed a draft resolution aimed at tackling the crisis in the construction industry and relieving the burden on builders through the removal of charges of all types.

She said that the local authorities are currently charging around 50% in taxes on each square meter of housing. The premier noted that the removal of all “supernatural fees” would help decrease the prime cost of housing.

Tymoshenko also stressed the need to take all measures to facilitate regulatory procedures in the construction sector.

“We improved this mechanism yesterday and submitted it to the parliament,” she said.

Zaporizhstal Integrated Iron & Steel Works JSC

Zaporizhstal Integrated Iron & Steel Works JSC is one of the largest industrial enterprises in Ukraine, which products - HRC and CRC ( hot rolled coils and cold rolled coils ) - are well known and are in demand among customers at the domestic market and in many countries of the world.

The Works produces high quality hot-rolled and cold-rolled carbon, low-alloy, alloy and stainless steel products 0.5 to 8.0 mm thick. Main consumers of the Works’ products are welded tube producers, automotive, machine-building, agricultural, transport engineering industries, producers of domestic appliances. The Works holds a stable position in the market moving up the list of major steel producers.

Zaporizhstal JSC is primarily concentrated on development of new markets and mastering of new product types and improvement of its positive image, expansion of Zaporizhstal market share. The foundation of success lies in strict adherence to and consistent perfection of manufacturing processes, high product quality and strict fulfillment of contractual commitments, orientation to the needs of the market and proficient integration of market control mechanisms.

The international acknowledgement of Zaporizhstal in the business world is confirmed by many international awards and certificates.

Certification of Zaporizhstal JSC

At Zaporizhstal JSC special attention is drawn to the product quality aspect. Quality of the supplied raw materials, the shipped products and the compliance with manufacturing processes are controlled. The high quality of the Works? steel products is affirmed by TUV Nord Certificates certifying that hot rolled products 3.0-6.0 mm thick in sheets and coils of steel grades St.2 ps and St.3 ps correspond to the standards EN 10025, EN 10207, DIN 17100, DIN 17172.

Starting from 01.05.2003 the TQM System has been implemented at Zaporizhstal JSC, corresponding to the requirements of international standards ISO 9001:2000.

In October the Works successfully passed the certification audit of the TQM System under ISO standards 9001:2000 carried out by the German supervising society TUV NORD.

Mr. A.J.Putnoki, 1st Deputy Chairman of the Board, Technical Director, has been appointed representative of the management for quality.

The Works? specialists have made use of the experience of working out of similar systems at metallurgical enterprises of Ukraine and the CIS. The work on preparation for certification was done with consulting support from ” TUV Nord Ukraine “.

Special attention was given to training of the personnel and making out of the necessary documentation. 81 standards of the Works were worked out, 21 of which were prepared for the first time. The processes connected with consumers are determined and documented. A uniform order of estimation and choice of suppliers is established. Incoming control requirements are determined more precisely. The required traceability of the products is provided.

A group of internal auditors has been trained at the Personnel Training Centre of the Ukrainian association of quality.

Within the framework of the TQM System consumers, suppliers and personnel regularly fill in questionnaires. The results of the analysis of the questionnaires are used to improve the quality of the products and the TQM System.

A technical re-equipment programme up to 2010 has been worked out at the Works. The provided measures are aimed first of all at the improvement of quality and the competitiveness of the products, replacement of fixed assets, use of the newest technologies, widening of the range of products, protection of the environment and saving of raw materials and power resources.

Fulfilment of the planned measures and constant improvement of the TQM System is considered a pledge of the consumer?s satisfaction and increases the competitiveness of the products.

The creation of the TQM System at Zaporizhstal JSC corresponding to the requirements of international standards ISO, series 9000, is the first step on the path to the achievement of the concept of total quality management (TQM) at the Works.

Nadra Bank

Nadra Bank today is a universal national commercial Bank. Every day the professional team of Nadra Bank works to make the Bank better, even closer to each client. Nadra Bank is the first Bank, which pleasantly surprises by its openness and accessibility.

Nadra Bank’s logo is essentially different from official and austere logos of other banks. Stylized red flower – is a collective image of favorite Ukrainian flowers - mallow, poppy and marigold. In Ukrainian folk symbolism these flowers signify love to native country and its people, longevity and mystery of life. Opened flower means life, prosperity, openness, warmth of soul and friendly smile. It is a symbol of openness and accessibility of a truly Ukrainian bank for every client. It represents active growth, prosperity and perennial youth.

Today Nadra Bank offers innovative approach to solving any financial need of its clients, tries not only to provide high-quality banking solutions, but to give as much positive emotions to the clients as possible.

As part of large-scale rebrending we developed a number of new and unique products, which main advantages are – integrated approach, individual approach, prompt decision-making.

«Welcome!» service package is one of the first brainchildren of rebranding. Within this package the client may get the comprehensive range of services. Service package includes everything a client needs for effective use of monetary funds: current and accumulation accounts, deposit accounts, payment cards, overdrafts, standing orders. You can choose any service package suitable for you, depending on results you want to achieve. Any of these offers enables not only to save time, but also money with the help of transactions made via ATMs and information and payment terminals of the Bank.

Our customer service encompasses 700 branches in many Ukrainian cities, around 1000 ATMs, approximately 4500 multifunctional РОS-terminals, and contemporary Call center.

Nadra Bank is plastic cards market leader. Up to date we have issued around 7 million payment cards, which according to EMA rankings puts Nadra Bank into second place among Ukrainian financial institutions as to the number of issued cards.

International rating agency Moodу’s Investors Service has confirmed the long-term foreign currency deposit rating of Nadra Bank at B2 / “Stable” Outlook, long-term global local currency deposit rating at В1 / “Stable”, senior unsecured foreign currency debt rating - В1 / “Stable”, the national scale rating - Aа2.ua, bank financial strength rating at E + with a “Stable” outlook.

International rating company Standard and Poor’s assigned a long-term credit rating “В-“ (B minus) to Nadra Bank. Outlook is “Negative”.

International rating agency Fitch Ratings has confirmed ratings of Nadra Bank: a long-term foreign currency issuer’s default rating (IDR) at “ССС” with “Stable” Outlook, short-term foreign currency IDR “C”, individual rating “E”, a support rating “5”.

Special attention the Bank pays to its employees. Nadra Bank employs around 9 thousand of highly skilled professionals. The Bank developed unique internal programs of training, aimed at improvement of client servicing and professional development of employees.

Every day Nadra Bank works to become better and better. We want all changes at our Bank to meet the demands and expectations of our clients.

Nadra Bank Investments

Although the bank management has strategically decided to focus entirely on banking activities, it has also spotted that the shareholders value can be increased by investments in promising non-bank financial services and in real estate. As a consequence, the bank has set up a number of funds managed by independent Asset Management Companies (AMCs), which formulate investment and exit recommendations.

As a policy, the target IRR should be 25% plus. The target lifetime of an investment is expected to be several years.

The bank funds portfolio currently includes companies in consumer lending, risk insurance, leasing, life assurance.

All portfolio companies are run independently. However, the Bank cooperates in cross selling of products both through the bank branch network and through the branch networks of the companies. All cooperation is done on arm’s-length basis on the market conditions. This approach essentially increases value for both the Bank and its customers.

Nadra Bank History

2007

As part of large-scale rebranding in Nadra Bank were developed and implemented new, integrated products: Autopack «All Inclusive», Personal Loan Pack «We are Ready for Everything», «For My Family» deposits, Loan Pack «Housing Solutions».

Loan pack “Housing Solutions” won an award at All-Ukrainian “Bank of the Year - 2007” Awards in nomination “Hypothecation of the Year” and Autopack “All Inclusive” reached the second place in nomination “Banking Product of the Year”.

Based on voting results among the consumers the Bank won the ranking contest «Ukrainian Brand of the Year - 2007» in nomination «New Image» of «Services» category.

As part of rebranding Nadra Bank changed the look of 100 selling sites according to new style.

Ministry of Health of Ukraine, Nadra Bank and All-Ukrainian Charity Fund «Children’s World» sign Memorandum on cooperation in charity program «Healthy Children in Happy Country ».

Nadra Bank substantially strengthens its position among leading Ukrainian banks: according to the National Bank of Ukraine the Bank belongs to 5 biggest national financial institutions according to such indicators as net profit and total increment of assets.

International ranking agency Moody’s Investors Service improves Nadra Bank’s rating on national scale: depositary rating in national currency – В2/ “Positive”, depositary rating in national currency – Ва3/”Positive”, rating of unsecured liabilities in foreign currency - Ва3/”Positive”, rating on national scale – Аа1.ua/”Positive”, financial strength rating – Е+ with forecast “Positive”.

In 2007 Nadra Bank starts cooperation with international ranking company Standard & Poor’s. In January of 2008 agency assigned Nadra Bank a credit rating “B”. Rating forecast – “Stable”.

Nadra Bank’s rating is confirmed by Fitch Ratings ranking agency: long-term issuer default rating (IDR) “B”, short-term “B”, individual rating “D/E”, back up rating “5” and back up level of long-term IDR “B”. Also Fitch changes its forecast on long-term IDR from «Stable» to «Positive».

Nadra Bank signs credit agreement to draw down a third participation loan from foreign banks for 85 million US dollars. It is the first participation loan in the history of the Bank, which contains a two-year tranche.

Nadra Bank completes floatation of 3-year Eurobonds for 175 million US dollars.

Nadra Bank signs a credit agreement to draw down a fourth participation loan from foreign banks in the amount of 130 million US dollars.

Nadra Bank signs subsidiary credit agreement with OJSC “Ukreximbank” as part of IBRD project “Second project of export development”.

Nadra Bank signs credit agreement with the Ministry of Finance of Ukraine as part of World Bank project “Enlarged Access to Financial Services Markets”, which objective is the development of financial-crediting market infrastructure in the countryside.

2006

Nadra Bank Signs UN Global Treaty and joins international initiative on business’ social responsibility support. The Bank founds All-Ukrainian Charity Fund «Children’s World».

World Bank and the Ministry of Finance of Ukraine approve the participation of OJSC CB «Nadra» in the project « Enlarged Access to Financial Services Markets».

Nadra Bank announces the start of large-scale rebranding, as part of which new integrated programs are implemented - «Welcome!» tariff package and Real Credit Card «45 days of loan with no interests».

Private floatation of Nadra Bank’s shares among foreign investment funds took place. The price of shares based on the results of floatation reached 19 US dollars. Total block of shares, owned by international investment funds, amounts to around 7.7%.

2005

Nadra Bank is placed first under VISA credit cards issue within CIS and Eastern European countries. Start of the restructuring process for organizational structure to facilitate client-oriented bank’s business philosophy and to be in compliance with the best international banking practice. Nadra Bank is the first Ukrainian bank that signed the Credit Guarantee Facility with US EXIM Bank. Debut syndicated (from foreign banks) unsecured loan facility in the amount of US$32 million with the lowest interest rate is recorded in Ukraine. Completion of debut US$ 100 million 3-year Eurobond issue with the lowest spread rate ever mentioned in the history of Ukrainian commercial banks entering the Eurobond market.

The Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC) establishes US$5.3 credit limit OJSB CB Nadra Bank for sales of U.S. agricultural commodities (GSM-102 guarantee program). Completion of the 8th share issue. Thus total capital amounts to US$ 146 mln.

2004

Nadra Bank is a well-known and reliable financial institution cooperating with export credit agencies. It broadens the spectrum for the Ukrainian import financing in line with a growing demand from customers and is approved by Austrian, Belgian, Danish and Dutch ECAs. By the end of the year, the Bank has issued over 2 million electronic cards. A new share issue is been successfully completed.

In 2004, the Bank starts issuing credit cards in partnership with the European Travel Network international discount company (ETN) and DC cosmetics store network (DC-Ukraine). It was the first time the Bank has launched a program for repayment of funds from manufacturers to a Your Money Maestro card.

2003

The Bank’s international business increases, as did the number of its credit lines and the number of its trade finance transactions. The Bank collaborated with the German bank AKA Ausfuhrkredit-Gesellschaft m.b.H. (AKA) to provide long-term export finance to Ukraine. The Bank also signs Euler Hermes Credit Facility Agreement with AKA.

Following the successful implementation of the development of the branch network and the regional outlets, the Bank is represented in every Ukrainian oblast and issues about one million electronic cards and. Moody’s upgrades the Bank’s rating to Ukraine’s country rating ceiling of “B2” from “B3” which is accompanied by the country’s sovereign rating.

2002

In 2002, Commerzbank AG and Hermes Insurance Company start working with the Bank on a program for long-term financing of German exports to Ukraine. As part of a diversification of its activities, the Bank obtains a NBU license to import and trade precious metals and Moody’s upgrades the Bank’s rating to Ukraine’s country rating ceiling of “B3” – the highest one for Ukraine. The Bank obtains approvals from German, Italian and Hungarian official export credit agencies and the Export-Import Bank of the USA (USExim). The Bank also becomes the leading Ukrainian bank for EBRD and IBRD credit lines.

The Association of Ukrainian Banks (the AUB) and the members of the Europay International Payment System (EMA), rank the Bank among the top three Ukrainian banks (based on the number of Ukrainian electronic cards issued). The number of the Bank’s branches and outlets increases to 152.

2001

The Bank makes a significant breakthrough in the electronic cards market because the number of issued electronic cards exceeds 100,000 and it has over 60 ATMs.

The Bank acquires the right to make QuickPay money transfers via Western Union. The Bank also works on the EBRD micro financing program in Kharkiv and Kyiv. The Bank joins VISA International as a principal member. In the same year, the Bank enters into an agreement with Ria Telecommunications, Inc. for servicing international money transfers through the Ria Envia system, making the Bank one of the leaders in low-cost cross-border fund transfers.

The Bank becomes Ukraine’s first financial institution to be assigned “Caa3” long-term credit rating by Moody’s in 2001. The Bank continues to develop its international presence further when it was approved by EGAP, the official credit agency of the Czech Republic, and the Black Sea Trade and Development Bank chooses the Bank for its first credit line in Ukraine for pre-export financing. The Bank’s expansion into western and southern oblasts continues.

2000

The highest available rating for a business entity domiciled in Ukraine is assigned to the Bank by the international rating agencies, Thomson Financial BankWatch and FITCH IBCA. The Bank expands its regional services by entering into special cooperation agreements with the regional state authorities of the Sumy and Vinnytsya oblasts, which enables the Bank to start servicing various state-owned and municipal companies, institutions and organizations. In the same year the Bank took over two more banks, Kyiv-Pechersk Joint Stock Commercial Bank and Slobozhanschyna Joint Stock Commercial Bank. The Bank also opens a representative office in Budapest, Hungary. The Hungarian Export-Import Bank establishes limits for lending and for confirmation of documentary transactions. The Bank, together with three other Ukrainian banks, becomes a member of the EBRD Trade Facilities Program.

1999

In 1999, the Bank starts to develop its international presence. In an IMF pilot project, the Bank is assigned the highest rating of all the rated Ukrainian banks under the CAMEL system. The Bank becomes a member of the Society for Worldwide Interbank Financial Telecommunications (SWIFT) and begins offering electronic payment services. The Bank also starts issuing Eurocard/MasterCard cards, as a principal member. The Bank joins the group of institutions-partners effecting money transfers within the Western Union International system. In the same year the Bank starts trading in Ukrainian Government foreign currency denominated bonds, a new financial instrument. The Bank was also one of the Ukrainian administrators of the credit lines provided by the European Commission (European Union Project TACIS EDUK 9602).

1993-1998

In 1998, the Bank obtains a credit line from EBRD aimed at supporting SMEs as well as a credit line from IBRD aimed at restructuring the coal mining industry. The Bank also begins to issue American Express electronic cards, as an associate member.

In 1997, the Bank changes its strategic goals entering into new markets and targeting customers from a broader range of industries.

In 1995, the Bank participates in the first merger in the Ukrainian banking industry when it acquired Luhansk Ugleprogress Joint Stock Bank.

On 26 October 1993, the Bank is registered as an open joint stock company commercial bank with the NBU (registry number 205) for an unlimited period of time focusing solely on the coal-mining industry. It also establishes correspondent relations with various foreign banks, including Deutsche Bank Trust Company America, Dresdner Bank AG and Commerzbank AG, which enabled it to conduct settlements in all of the major international currencies.