Uralkali, one of the world’s largest potash producers, has signed a loan agreement in the amount of US$1.2 billion with 16 international banks with a loan maturity of 5 years.

AO UniCredit Bank acted as one of Global Coordinators, Coordinating Mandated Lead Arrangers, and exclusive Passport Bank of the facility.

Dmitri Merkuriev, Deputy Head of Large Corporates Department of AO UniCredit Bank, commented: “UniCredit Bank and Uralkali have long-term partnership relations, and we have participated not once in providing financing for the development of the one of the largest Russian companies. In this regard this new deal is a very important milestone for our fruitful cooperation”.

Among other Global Coordinators were ING Bank N.V.and Natixis.

Among other Coordinating Mandated Lead Arrangers and Bookrunners of the pre-export finance facility were ING Bank N.V., Natixis, Sberbank Europe AG, Societe Generale Corporate & Investment Bank and Public Joint-Stock Company Rosbankm. Bank of China (Hungary) Close Ltd, Credit Agricole Corporate and Investment Bank and Intesa Sanpaolo Bank Ireland Plc joined the facility as Mandated Lead Arrangers.

Bank of America Merrill Lynch International Limited, AO Citibank, Commerzbank AG Filiale Luxemburg, Deutsche Bank AG (Amsterdam Branch), and AO Raiffeisenbank became Lead Arrangers and IKB Deutsche Industriebank AG, Agricultural Bank of China (Moscow) Limited and Bank ICBC (Joint Stock Company) acted as arrangers of the facility.

ING Bank N.V. also acted as Documentation Agent, Facility and Security Agent.

Natixis and Societe Generale became market hedge providers and Credit Agricole Corporate & Investment Bank, ING Bank N.V., Intesa SanPaolo Milan Spa, Natixis nd Societe Generale acted as fixed rate providers.

The loan will be used for general corporate purposes including refinancing of Uralkali’s existing loans.

Uralkali (www.uralkali.com) is one of the world’s largest potash producers and exporters. The Company’s assets consist of 5 mines and 7 ore-treatment mills situated in the towns of Berezniki and Solikamsk (Perm Territory, Russia). Uralkali employs ca.11,000 people (in the main production unit). Uralkali’s shares are traded on the Moscow Exchange.