Russian IR Society to Join GIRN

MOSCOW and LONDON, July 22, 2011 -

On 22 July 2011 the steering committee of the Global
Investor Relations Network (GIRN) unanimously endorsed the
admission of Financial Communications and Investor Relations
Association (ARFI) to GIRN.

Confirming the admission, Mike Mitchell the General Manager of
the UK Investor Relations Society and GIRN’s Chairman, said:

“I am delighted that we are extending the global IR network to
include IR professionals in Russia. With the development of
multinational companies and cross border investors it is important
that we should also match this with high standards of IR around the
world.”

Olga Rink, ARFI’s executive director, comments:

“ARFI is proud to represent the Russian IR community in GIRN. I
am sure that GIRN, being a common platform allowing national
associations from 25 countries to exchange and unify best practice,
is a true benefit for all the non-profit organizations and their
members.”

Information about ARFI

Russia’s Financial Communications and Investor Relations
Association (ARFI), previously known as AFBID, was formed in 2000.
In 2008 it was reorganized and renamed. Among its members and
participants are major Russian stock exchanges, financial news
agencies, other companies and individuals specializing in the
sphere of business information distribution and financial
communications. In 2007-2008 ARFI initiated official recognition of
the profession of IR Specialist in Russia.

Additional information at href="www.arfi.ru/">www.arfi.ru

Information about GIRN

GIRN aims to support the further development and practice of
global investor relations, in line with the rapid development of
global capital markets and the increasing demands for greater
disclosure and transparency following the effects of the financial
crisis. The Global Investor Relations Network serves as a unique
global platform for the Investor Relations profession.

Mike Mitchell has been the General Manager of the UK Investor
Relations Society since 2007 and was elected as GIRN’s Chairman in
2011.

Mike is supported by the three person Steering Committee that
focuses on issues relating to the further development of GIRN:

• Tom Enright, President and CEO, CIRI - Canadian Investor
  Relations Institute
• Ian Matheson, CEO of the Australasian Investor Relations
  Association
• Jeffrey D. Morgan, President and CEO, NIRI - National Investor
  Relations Institute (USA).

Additional information at href="www.girnet.org/aboutus">www.girnet.org/aboutus

GIRN Contact:
Michael Mitchell Chairman, GIRN, and General Manager, UK Investor
Relations Society
Email:Michael.mitchell@irs.org.uk
P. +44(0)20-7379-1763
F. +44(0)20-7240-1320

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