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Sistema

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FY2012 Annual Report · Sistema
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ANNUAL REPORT 
of Open Joint-Stock Company 
Sistema Joint-Stock Financial Corporation 
for 2012 

This report has been compiled pursuant to the requirements 
of  the  Federal  Law  "On  the  stock  market".  Financial 
information  set  out  in  this  annual  report  is  based  on  the 
accounting data compiled pursuant to the Russian laws, and 
contains elements of consolidated financial reports compiled 
under international standards. 

Moscow 2013 

1 

 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
CONTENTS 

1.  Sistema’s position in the sector. 

1.1.  Profile of Sistema JSFC. 

1.2.  Shareholders’ equity structure of Sistema JSFC. 

2.  Priority business areas and development strategy. 

2.1.  Mission and strategy of Sistema JSFC. 

2.2.  Portfolio of Sistema JSFC. 

3.  Board of Directors’ Report on the results of the Company's development in the priority 

areas. 

3.1.  Key Events in 2012. 

3.2.  Russian Accounting Standards (RAS) financial results of Sistema JSFC for 

2012. 

3.3.  US GAAP consolidated financial results of Sistema JSFC for 2012. 

3.4.  Credit ratings of Sistema JSFC. 

3.5.  Report on payment of announced (accrued) dividends on the shares of Sistema 

JSFC. 

4.   Outlook and development strategy of the Sistema Group companies. 

4.1. MTS. 

4.2. Bashneft. 

4.3. BPGC. 

4.4. SMM. 

4.5. MTS Bank. 

4.6. Detsky Mir. 

4.7. Intourist. 

4.8. Medsi. 

4.9. RTI. 

4.10. Binnopharm. 

4.11. NIS. 

4.12. RZ Agro Holding. 

4.13. SG-trans. 

4.14. RussNeft. 

4.15. SSTL. 

   5 

5 

5 

   8 

8 

9 

    11 

 11 

16 

28 

28 

    29 

    29 

31 

34 

36 

39 

41 

43 

44 

47 

51 

52 

53 

55 

57 

59 

2 

 
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
5.   Description of core risk factors. 

5.1. External risks.  

5.2. Risks related to the core activities of Sistema JSFC. 

6.  Corporate governance system. 

6.1. General Meeting of shareholders. 

6.2. Board of Directors. 

6.3. President. 

6.4. Management Board. 

6.5. Risk management, internal control and audit system. 

6.6. Development of corporate governance system in 2012. 

7.  Social responsibility.  

     62 

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64 

     68 

69 

72 

78 

79 

80 

82 

     83 

8.   Criteria for and amounts of remuneration of the members of the Board of Directors and 

     88 

top executives of the Company. 

9.   Annex. 

9.1.  Summary  biographies  of  the  members  of  the  Board  of  Directors  and  their 

shareholdings in Sistema JSFC. 

9.2. Information on transactions performed by the members of the Board of Directors 
of Sistema JSFC with the shares of the Company over the period from 1 January 
to 31 December 2012. 

9.3. Summary biographies of the President of Sistema JSFC and the members of the 

Management Board. 

9.4. Information on the number of shares of Sistema JSFC held by the President and 

the Management Board members. 

9.5.  List  of  transactions  performed  by  the  Company  in  the  reporting  year  that  are 
recognised  as  major  transactions  under  the  Federal  Law  "On  joint-stock 
companies", and other transactions covered by the major transactions approval 
procedure pursuant to the Company's Charter. 

9.6.  List  of  transactions  performed  by  the  Company  in  the  reporting  year  that  are 
recognised as  related-party transactions under the Federal Law "On joint-stock 
companies". 

9.7.  Information  on  the  Company's  compliance  with  the  requirements  of  the 

Corporate Conduct Code of the Federal Service for Financial Markets.  

9.8.  Information  on  the  Company's  compliance  with  the  requirements  of  the  UK  

Corporate Governance Code.  

    89 

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96 

98 

104 

105 

110 

110 

123 

3 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
1. SISTEMA’S  POSITION IN THE SECTOR. 

1.1. Profile of Sistema JSFC. 

Overview 
Sistema JSFC (hereinafter – “Sistema”, “Corporation” or “Company”) is Russia's largest publicly listed financial 
corporation. Incorporated in 1993, Sistema is now one of Russia's top 10 companies by revenue, and is one of the 
largest  public investment  holding companies in the world. The investment portfolio of the Company comprises 
stakes  in  predominantly  Russian  businesses  in  a  range  of  sectors,  including  telecommunications,  oil,  electric 
power,  consumer,  high  tech  and  other  industries.  Sistema  is  a  controlling  shareholder  in  most  of  its  portfolio 
companies.  

Sistema's global depository receipts are listed under the symbol "SSA" on the London Stock Exchange (1 GDR is 
equal to 20 ordinary shares). The Company's ordinary shares are listed under the symbol "AFKS" on the MICEX-
RTS Stock Exchange. 

Business concept 
Sistema invests in a range of private and public companies which meet its investment criteria, the main one being 
return  on  invested  capital.  Investments  are  managed  by  Sistema’s  portfolio  managers.  Assets  are  distributed 
among investment portfolios depending on the relevant sector experience of each portfolio manager. Investment 
portfolio  managers  work  on  continuous  improvement  of  the  portfolios’  key  business  indicators  through  the 
corporate  governance  procedures  of  portfolio  companies.  Effective  use  of  key  competences  and  Corporate 
Centre’s financial resources lies at the basis of successful realisation of Sistema assets’ potential. 

Sector 
Bashneft 
MTS 
RTI 
MTS Bank 
SSTL 
Corporate Centre  
Other  

% of 2012 revenue  
50.2 
37.4 
  6.4 
  1.7 
  0.8 
  0.2 
  3.3 

1.2. Shareholders’ equity structure. 

Sistema  has  9,650,000,000  ordinary  shares  outstanding,  with  the  par  value  of  RUB  0.09  each. The  Company’s 
shareholders’ equity amounts to RUB 868,500,000. 

In  February  2005,  Sistema  conducted  an  initial  public  offering  and  listed  its  shares  in  the  form  of  Global 
Depositary  Receipts  on  the  London  Stock  Exchange  under  the  symbol  SSA.  One  GDR  represents  20  ordinary 
shares. The company’s ordinary shares are traded under the symbol AFKS on the MICEX-RTS Stock Exchange. 
Approximately 19% of Sistema’s shares are traded on the London Stock Exchange as GDRs and 5.2% of shares 
are traded on MICEX-RTS. 

The  portfolio  of  Sistema  includes  two  public  companies:  MTS  ADRs  are  traded  on  the  New  York  Stock 
Exchange  (ticker:  MBT)  and  MTS  ordinary  shares  are  traded  on  the  MICEX-RTS  Stock  Exchange  (ticker: 
MTSS), Bashneft ordinary and preference shares are traded on the MICEX-RTS Stock Exchange (ticker: BANE, 
BANEP).  

The Chairman of the Board of Directors Vladimir Evtushenkov is the principal shareholder of Sistema (64.18% of 
shares).  

4 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Chart 1: 

7.67% 

2.67% 

6.47% 

19.01% 

Shareholders' equity structure 

V. Evtushenkov

Deutsche Bank (GDRs)

National Settlement Depository

Sistema Finance Investments

64.18% 

Other

GDR Holders - Top 10 Institutional Investors* 

#  Institutional investor 

1  UBS AG  
2  SKAGEN AS 
3  J.P. Morgan Asset Management  
4  The Vanguard Group  
5  GIC Asset Management Pte.  
6  Baring Asset Management  
7  TKB BNP Paribas Investment Partners  
8  East Capital Asset Management AB 
9  HSBC Global Asset Management  
10 BlackRock Investment Management  
* As of January 30, 2013 

% of total 
GDRs 
25.1 
15.1 
  6.0 
  5.4 
  4.4 
  3.7 
  3.1 
  2.9 
  2.5 
  2.1 

% of authorised share capital  

4.77 
2.87 
1.14 
1.03 
0.84 
0.70 
0.59 
0.55 
0.48 
0.40 

Sistema’s GDR price performance on the London Stock Exchange 
Sistema’s GDR price increased by 20.2% in 2012 and outperformed key indices including RTS and MSCI Russia. 
The closing price of Sistema’s GDR on the London Stock Exchange on the first trading day of 2012 was US$ 
16.81 with Sistema’s market capitalisation of US$ 8,111m, while on the last trading day the price reached US$ 
20.2  with  the  market  capitalisation  of  US$  9,745m.  The  Corporation's  GDRs  reached  a  high  of  US$  23.56  on 
September  12,  2012  and  a  low  of  US$  15.79  on  May  17,  2012.  Average  daily  trading  volume  on  the  London 
Stock Exchange in 2012 amounted to 707,684 GDRs. 

5 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Graph 1: 

Sistema’s GDRs vs RTS Index in 2012* 

* Source: Bloomberg 

Buyback programme 
In May 2012, Sistema launched a buyback programme for its Global Depository Receipts and ordinary shares. In 
aggregate,  Sistema  bought  back  6,452,619  GDRs  at  an  average  price  of  US$  19.96  per  GDR,  and  19,784,700 
ordinary  shares  at  an  average  price  of  RUB  25.96  per  share  within  the  period  from  the  start  of  the  buyback 
programme on June 6, 2012 to its completion on October 15, 2012. 

6 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
2. PRIORITY BUSINESS AREAS AND DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY. 

2.1. Mission and strategy of Sistema JSFC. 

Mission 
Long-term growth of shareholder value through effective management of asset portfolio and achievement of high 
returns on investments. 

Value creation model  
The  investment  portfolio  of  Sistema  is  composed  of  predominantly  Russian  businesses,  which  include  mature 
companies with stable cash flows and developing companies with significant growth potential. Since the mature 
assets  comprise  the  largest  part  of  the  portfolio,  Sistema  has  significant  resources  for  investing  in  developing 
assets and taking new opportunities available in the market.  

Investment strategy 

Criteria and process  
• The Corporation acquires assets mainly in complementary sectors making it possible to use the expertise of the 
Corporation and to realise synergies with the existing portfolio. The Corporation also invests in new economically 
attractive  industries,  such  as  agriculture,  infrastructure,  transportation  and  logistics,  as  well  as  chemicals  and 
petrochemicals.  
• Sistema JSFC concentrates its efforts on large-scale assets and projects worth at least US$ 300m, which enables 
the  company  to  take  a  leading  position  in  the  sector  by  means  of  achieving  synergy  effects,  taking  industry 
consolidation opportunities and ensuring successful implementation of its investment and operational strategy.  
•  The  Corporation  makes  investments  in  accordance  with  the  adopted  internal  investment  criteria  aimed  at 
increasing economic efficiency: 

- 

- 

generation of returns on investments above the long-term cost of capital (IRR>WACC) with a 5-7 year 
payback period; 
focus on projects generating positive income within 3 years.  

Asset management   
•  Sistema  JSFC  creates  its  value  due  to  effective  portfolio  management,  including  the  restructuring  of  existing 
assets, selling to strategic investors or an IPO. 
•  The  Corporation  aims  to  maintain  a  balanced  portfolio  that  includes  large  cash-generating  core  assets  and 
companies at the stage of active business development. 
• The assets are split into portfolios based on the sector expertise of the portfolio manager. The key indicator of 
investment  performance  (KPI)  for  the  management  is  the  TSR  (total  shareholder  return),  which  is  set  for  each 
asset. 
• The Corporation is pursuing a progressive dividend policy. The amount of dividends is determined on the basis 
of the performance results of previous financial periods and equals at least 10% of the Group’s net income under 
US GAAP and a minimum of 10% of net gain from transactions, such as sale of assets. 

Financial discipline 
• To ensure financial stability, Sistema seeks to maintain an optimum level of debt both at the Corporate Centre 
and portfolio company level. 
• The key indicator of financial stability used by the Corporate Centre is the dividend flow / debt ratio, which will 
be kept at the level of 1 in the long-term perspective.  
• The Corporation also aims to acquire assets with an acceptable debt level (Debt/OIBDA of the acquired asset 
<3.0x) in order to maintain a stable financial position for the Group as a whole.  

Cooperation with partners and professionals with relevant sector expertise 
• The Corporation aims to set up and to develop partnerships with leading international and Russian companies, to 
exchange experience and industry-specific expertise, and to diversify financial risks.  
• Sistema JSFC oversees the implementation of portfolio companies’ investment strategy by participating in the 
work of their governance bodies and by engaging industry experts for the work on the boards of directors. 

7 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
2.2. Sistema JSFC portfolio. 

In November 2012, the Board of Directors of Sistema approved a new organisational structure, with assets to be 
split into portfolios.  
With the introduction of a new organisational structure the capital management principles were revised to ensure 
competition  for  project  funding  based  on  NAV  and  IRR.  The  incentive  system  of  the  management  was  also 
improved and tied primarily to the returns generated by investment projects. 

Portfolio companies of Sistema JSFC: 

MTS, a leading telecommunications operator in Russia, Central and Eastern Europe.  

Bashneft, one of the largest oil companies in Russia. 

Bashkirian Power Grid Company (BPGC), one of Russia's largest regional power grid 
companies.  

Sistema Mass-Media (SММ), one of the leading media holding companies in Russia. 

MTS Bank, one of the biggest commercial banks in Russia. 

Detsky Mir Centre, the largest retailer of children's goods in Russia and the CIS.  

VAO Intourist, one of the major companies operating in the tourism market in Russia. 

Medsi  Group  (Medsi),  Russia's  largest  federal  chain  of  commercial  healthcare 
facilities. 

RTI,  the  largest  Russian  company  operating  in  the  field  of  defence,  comprehensive 
security systems, system integration and microelectronics. 

Binnopharm,  a  biopharmaceutical  company  that  operates  Russia’s  largest  full-cycle 
manufacturing facility.  

Navigation-Information Systems (NIS), one of the leading companies in the Russian 
navigation market.  

Russkaya Zemlya (RZ Agro Holding Ltd), a major grain producer. 

SG-trans, one of Russia's largest independent operators in liquefied gas transportation. 

RussNeft, one of Russia's leading oil companies. 

Sistema Shyam TeleServices Limited (MTS India), a mobile operator in India. 

8 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
3. REPORT OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS ON THE COMPANY’S PERFORMANCE RESULTS IN 
PRIORITY AREAS. 

3.1. Key Events in 2012. 

Macroeconomic review of 2012 
In 2012, the key indicators of the Russian economy showed volatile performance. The rapid growth of GDP early 
in the year slowed towards the middle, and the final growth rate turned out to be the lowest over the entire post-
crisis period. Nevertheless, the external environment was mostly favourable for the country and for the Group’s 
businesses throughout the year. Average Urals oil prices remained at the level of 2011, which was US$ 111 per 
barrel.  The  rouble  strengthened  against  the  dollar  and  against  the  euro  by  7.2%  in  real  terms.  The  rise  of  the 
rouble’s value had a generally positive impact on domestic demand figures, and supported Sistema’s businesses 
focused on the Russian market. 

Graph 2 

Graph 3 

GDP growth and oil prices 

Corporate loans vs loans to individuals 

Graph 4 

Graph 5 

Share of household consumption in GDP growth 

Consumer confidence index and retail sector 

Key 2012 events of the Corporation:  

  US$ 885 million dividend from portfolio companies  
  US$ 370 million from the successful exit from power generation  
  20.2% growth in share price 
  New organisational structure 
  High Tech assets restructuring 
  New projects in agriculture 
  Partnership in healthcare business and new opportunities for growth 
 
  New projects in transportation sector 
  Eurobonds issue 
  61% of the Board are independent directors 
  Buyback programme 
  New development strategy in the banking business 
  Developments around SSTL 

Increased transparency of Bashneft’s shareholder structure 

9 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
M&A transactions 

New projects in agriculture 
Objective:  to  create  a  leading  company  in  the  sector;  secure  an  experienced  partner  in  agriculture  to  expand 
scale.  
In April 2012, Sistema announced a joint venture with RZ Agro Ltd in the agricultural sector. RZ Agro Ltd was 
established in 2009 and is affiliated with the Sierentz Group, both controlled by  several members of the Louis-
Dreyfus family. Sistema contributed 46,000 hectares of farm land to the JV, and the total acreage of the JV is now 
87,500 hectares. 

Partnership in the healthcare business and new opportunities for growth 
Objective: to establish a leading full-cycle healthcare provider. 
In  April  2012,  Medsi  commenced  a  merger  of  assets  with  the  State  Unitary  Enterprise  (SUE)  Medical  Centre 
under  the  Administration  of  the  Mayor  of  Moscow  and  the  Moscow  Government,  a  large  group  of  healthcare 
facilities in Moscow. SUE gained a 25.02% stake in the combined entity in exchange for contributing its property 
with the market value of RUB 6.043bn. 

Exit from the power generation business 
Objective: to monetise power generation assets due to regulatory uncertainty; maintain an upside in distribution 
in the event of privatisation opportunities. 
In July 2012, the Board of Directors of Bashkirenergo approved the company’s  reorganisation in the form of a 
spin-off resulting in the establishment of two companies: generating company OJSC Bashenergoactiv, and OJSC 
Bashkirian Power Grid Company. Sistema obtained a 92.48% voting stake in Bashkirian Power Grid Company 
and received RUB 11.2bn in cash and promissory notes from INTER RAO. Sistema no longer has any interest in 
the power generation assets. 

New projects in the transportation sector 
Objective:  to  enter  into  a  new,  growing  sector;  to  build  synergies  with  existing  railcar  fleet;  ability  to  unlock 
hidden value within SG-trans; opportunity to create the biggest player in the sector. 
In August 2012, Bashneft acquired a 50% equity stake in Financial Alliance LLC, a professional railcar operator, 
by transferring its fleet of approximately 4,500 railcars to it.  
In  November  2012,  Sistema  acquired  a  100%  stake  in  SG-trans,  Russia’s  largest  independent  provider  of 
specialised railcars for transporting liquefied petroleum gas for RUB 22.77bn.  
In  December  2012,  Sistema  acquired  a  50%  equity  stake  of  Financial  Alliance  LLC  from  Bashneft  for  RUB 
3.41bn (approximately US$ 110m). As a result, Sistema increased its rolling stock to 34,500 railcars.  

Corporate Highlights 

Bond issue  
In May 2012, Sistema issued a US$ 500m Eurobond with an annual interest rate of 6.95% and a maturity date in 
May 2019. 

61% of directors on the Board are independent 
In June 2012, three new members to the Board of Directors were elected - Brian Dickie, Jeannot Krecké and Marc 
Holtzman, increasing the number of Independent Directors on the Board to 8 out of 13 members.  

Buyback programme 
In  May  2012,  Sistema  launched  a  buyback  programme  for  Sistema’s  Global  Depository  Receipts  and  ordinary 
shares.  In  aggregate  Sistema  bought  back  6,452,619  of  GDRs  at  an  average  price  of  US$  19.96  per  GDR  and 
19,784,700  of  ordinary  shares  at  an  average  price  of  RUB  25.96  per  share  from  the  start  of  the  buyback 
programme on June 6, 2012 to its completion on October 15, 2012.  

New organisational structure 
In November 2012, the Board of Directors of Sistema approved a new organisational structure where assets are 
distributed by portfolios depending on the industrial expertise of the respective portfolio manager. 

Portfolio Highlights 

10 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
New development strategy in the banking business 
Objective: to unlock synergies between financial and mobile services and benefit from the growth of consumer 
finance.  
In  February  2012,  MBRD  changed  its  name  to  MTS  Bank,  and  chose  the  MTS  brand  name  for  its  further 
development.  

In October 2012, Sistema, MTS and MTS Bank signed a non-binding offer for MTS acquiring a 25.095% stake in 
MTS Bank in the course of a new share issue. In March 2013, the transaction was concluded on the agreed terms. 

Development of SSTL 
The licence crisis in India was successfully resolved; licences were acquired on more favourable terms, cashburn 
was reduced. 
In  February  2012,  the  Supreme  Court  of  India  issued  a  judgment  revoking  122  telecom  licences  of  8  telecom 
operators, including 21 of the 22 licences held by SSTL.  
In May 2012, in an attempt to reverse the judgment SSTL filed a curative petition to the Supreme Court. 
In October 2012, Indian mobile operators were due to submit their bids to the country's upcoming 2G spectrum 
auction.  SSTL  did  not  submit  an  application  due  to  an  unjustifiably  steep  recommended  reserve  price  of  INR 
182bn (US$ 3.3bn) for a 5MHz spectrum. 
In  February  2013,  the  Supreme  Court  of  India  dismissed  SSTL's  curative  petition.  In  the  meantime,  SSTL 
informed the Ministry of Telecommunications of India that it was discontinuing its operations in the following ten 
circles: Assam, Andhra Pradesh, Bihar, Himachal Pradesh, Haryana, Jammu & Kashmir, Madhya Pradesh, North 
East, Orissa and Punjab.  

In  March  2013,  SSTL  won  a  spectrum  in  the  800  MHz  band  in  eight  circles  following  its  participation  in  the 
second round of the licence auction. The circles won by SSTL include Delhi, Kolkata, Gujarat, Karnataka, Tamil 
Nadu, Kerala, Uttar Pradesh (West) and West Bengal. The company's operational footprint will also include the 
Rajasthan circle, which was not affected by the Supreme Court’s decision of February 2, 2012. SSTL decided not 
to  bid  for  spectrum  in  Mumbai,  Maharashtra  and  Uttar  Pradesh  (East),  and  will  close  its  operations  in  those 
circles. As a result, SSTL will be able to provide services to 10.45m customers in 9 circles using 3 carriers of 1.25 
MHz each. 

Assets restructuring 

High Tech assets restructuring 
Objective: to expand the systems integration division.  
In  September  2012,  RTI  and  NVision  Group  Managing  Company  LLC  completed  the  transaction  aimed  at 
strategic integration of RTI’s and NVision Group’s information and communication technology assets. As a result 
of the deal, RTI (including the assets of SITRONICS) became the owner of 50%+0.5 shares in NVision Group. 
As part of the transaction RTI contributed cash in the amount of RUB 3bn and some of its assets.  

Increasing the transparency of Bashneft’s shareholder structure 
Objective: to improve ownership structure and corporate governance. 
In April 2012, the EGM of Bashneft approved the consolidation of its downstream assets through a merger of its 
subsidiaries – OJSC Bashkirnefteprodukt, OJSC Ufaneftekhim, OJSC Orenburgnefteprodukt, OJSC Ufa refinery 
plant and OJSC Novoil – with Bashneft. In October 2012, Bashneft completed the reorganisation. 

3.2. Russian Accounting Standards (RAS) financial results of Sistema JSFC 

Revenue, RUB K 
Income from sales, RUB K 
Net income (loss) in the reporting period RUB K 

Revenue structure: 

2012 
26, 460, 099 
20, 114, 968 
88, 026, 615 

2011  
29,208,979 
20,345,902 
(13,605,646) 

2012 

RUB K 

2011  
11 

 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Shareholdings: dividends receivable 
Other income (rental, agent services, guarantees) 
TOTAL: 

26, 104, 253 
355 846 
26, 460, 099 

28,658,070 
550,909 
29,208,979 

The issuer's core business is managing stakes and shareholdings in commercial organisations. 

Structure of other earnings and expenses:    

Interest receivable  
Interest payable 
Other income  
Other expenses 
TOTAL: 

Efficiency indicators 

Productivity of labour, RUB K per employee 
Debt to equity ratio   
Long-term debt to the sum of long-term debt and equity 
Coverage of debt with current income (profit) ratio 
Level of overdue debt, % 

RUB K 

2012 
2, 774, 833 
(4, 575, 040) 
168, 304, 649 
(100, 274, 901) 
66, 229, 541 

2011  
2,799,878 
(5,698,818) 
116,447,056 
(149,036,660) 
(35,488,544) 

2012 
135, 692.8 
0.179 
0.076 
2.41 
0 

2011 
129,817 
0.131 
0.086 
0.65 
0 

Analysis of the financial solvency and the level of the credit risk of the issuer shows that in general the issuer has  
both  considerable  own  funds  and  borrowing  capabilities,  with  no  risk  of  defaulting  on  its  debt  repayment 
obligations. 
Long-term  liabilities  account  for  a  minor  part  in  the  structure  of  borrowings  (46%).  Accounts  receivable  and 
payable are recurring.  

Financial stability indicators 

Net working capital, RUB K 
Current ratio 
Quick ratio 

2012 
(2, 940, 356) 
0.94 
0.90 

2011 
68,720,564 
5.33 
5.32 

Current assets of the Corporation as of December 31, 2012 were RUB 46, 966, 530K, the volume of its short-term 
liabilities as of the specified date amounted to RUB 49, 906, 886K, production costs in 2012 amounted to RUB  
110, 645K. 

Chart 2:                                                                                            Chart 3: 
Liabilities & shareholder equity                                                               Structure of borrowings 

15% 

Equity

Liabilities

85% 

54% 

46% 

Long-term
liabilities

Short-term
liabilities

The  share  of  equity  in  the  structure  of  the  Company’s 
liabilities amounts to 85%. 

The  share  of  long-term  debt  in  the  total  amount  of  the 
Company’s liabilities is 46%. 

12 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Data on fuel, energy and water consumption 

Type of resource 

UoM 

Consumed in 2012 

For reference: consumed in 
2011 

Boiler fuel 

Heat energy 

Electric energy 

Water 

tons of fuel 
equivalent 

G cal 

thousand kW*h 

cubic meters 

0 

5,745.48 

7,328.48 

32,255.33 

0 

2,136.325 

6,953.139 

26,582.0 

3.3. US GAAP consolidated financial results of Sistema JSFC. 
In 2012, Sistema’s consolidated revenues increased by 3.9% and 9.9% year-on-year in US dollar and rouble terms 
respectively,  as  a  result  of  organic  growth  at  MTS,  higher  sales  at  Bashneft,  RTI’s  consolidation  of  NVision 
Group, as well as strong performance at Detsky Mir and MTS Bank. In the fourth quarter of 2012, the Group’s 
revenues were up 13.0% year-on-year.  

In 2012, selling, general and administrative expenses (SG&A) decreased by 1.6% to US$ 3,855.8m year-on-year 
mainly due to the cost efficiency measures taken at MTS, as well as lower costs at the Corporate Centre’s level. 
Depreciation, depletion and amortisation expenses decreased by 3.4% to US$ 3,159.4m year-on-year. 

The  Group’s  adjusted  OIBDA  increased  by  3.3%  year-on-year  in  2012,  largely  as  a  result  of  MTS’  growing 
profitability,  as  well  as  improved  OIBDA  in  Detsky  Mir  and  MTS  Bank.  Year-on-year  decline  in  adjusted 
OIBDA by 1.9% in the fourth quarter was mainly due to higher tax expenses at Bashneft. The Group’s adjusted 
OIBDA margin was 21.9% in the fourth quarter and 25.0% in 2012.  

Adjusted  consolidated  net  income  attributable  to  Sistema  grew  by  80.0%  year-on-year  in  2012,  reflecting 
excellent underlying results across most portfolio companies. The Group reported a 36.9% year-on-year increase 
in adjusted net income in the fourth quarter of 2012. 

Key financial indicators 

(US$m, except for per share amounts) 

Revenues 

Adjusted OIBDA   

Operating income 

2012 

2011 

Year on year 
change 

34, 240.7 

32, 940.9 

8, 543.1 

8,268.5 

3.9% 

3.3% 

3, 718.7 

3, 942.2 

(5.7%) 

Adjusted operating income 

5, 383.6 

4, 999.2 

7.7% 

Net income/(loss) attributable to Sistema 

946.8 

218.0 

334.3% 

Adjusted net income attributable to Sistema  

1, 794.5 

996.8 

80.0% 

Basic and diluted earnings per share (US cents) 

10.2 

2.3 

333.4% 

13 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Operating review1 
MTS  

(US$m) 

Revenues 

OIBDA 

2012 

2011 

Year on year 
change  

12, 435.7 

12, 318.7 

0.9% 

4, 275.7 

5, 187.0 

(17.6%) 

Operating income  

2, 000.8 

2, 851.8 

(29.8%) 

Net income attributable to Sistema 

533.9 

769.5 

(30.6%) 

Despite the weakening of the Russian rouble against the US dollar and the mid-year suspension of the company’s 
operations in Uzbekistan, MTS’ revenues increased by 0.9% year-on-year in 2012 primarily due to the growth in 
sales of handsets and data products. The total subscriber base (including Belarus subscribers)  decreased to 101 
million  customers  as  of  December  31,  2012,  following  the  suspension  of  MTS’  operations  in  Uzbekistan. 
Excluding customers in Uzbekistan, the company’s subscriber base grew by 4.4% year-on-year due to resumed 
operations in Turkmenistan, as well as the growing subscriber base in Russia and Ukraine. 

In 2012, MTS’ OIBDA decreased year-on-year due to recognised loss relating to impairments and provisions in 
Uzbekistan. MTS’ adjusted OIBDA increased slightly year-on-year in 2012 as a result of growing income from 
data services and a reduction in marketing expenses.  

The  average  monthly  service  revenue  per  subscriber  (ARPU)  in  Russia  increased  to  RUB  306  in  the  fourth 
quarter of 2012, compared to RUB 284 in the corresponding period of 2011, as a result of MTS’ on-going efforts 
to  stimulate  voice  and  data  usage.  Russian  subscribers’  monthly  minutes  of  use  (MOU)  increased  by  35.7% to 
323  minutes  in  the  fourth  quarter  of  2012,  compared  to  283  minutes  in  the  fourth  quarter  of  2011,  as  MTS 
continued to focus on increasing voice usage to drive loyalty and customer value.  

In  the  fixed  broadband  business,  the  number  of  households  covered  increased  by  3.0%  year-on-year  to  11.7 
million at the end of the fourth quarter of 2012. The Pay-TV customer base totalled 2.9 million subscribers at the 
end of the reporting quarter. The number of broadband Internet subscribers increased to 2.3 million year-on-year.  

In  November  2012,  MTS  announced  a  strategic  initiative  with  Microsoft,  the  global  IT  leader,  to  promote 
innovative mobile solutions by launching Windows 8 “Ecosystem Demo Zones” in MTS retail stores. 

In  October  2012,  Sistema,  MTS  and  MTS  Bank  signed  a  non-binding  indicative  offer  received  from  MTS  to 
acquire  25.095%  in  MTS  Bank  in  the  course  of  an  additional  share  issue  of  MTS  Bank.  In  March  2013,  the 
transaction was closed on the agreed terms. 

1 Here and hereinafter  the comparison of period to period revenues  is presented on an aggregate basis, excluding revenues from intra-segment (between 
entities in the same segment) transactions, but before inter-segment (between entities in different segments) eliminations, unless accompanied by the word 
“consolidated”. Amounts attributable to individual companies, where appropriate, are shown prior to both intra-segment and inter-segment eliminations and 
may differ from respective standalone results due to certain reclassifications and adjustments. 

14 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
                                                 
 
Bashneft  

(US$m) 

Revenues 

OIBDA 

2012 

2011 

Year on year 
change  

17, 125.2 

16, 549.1 

3.5% 

3, 150.1 

3, 390.7 

(7.1%) 

Operating income 

2, 557.7 

2, 778.8 

(8.0%) 

Net income attributable to Sistema  

1, 279.5 

1, 220.7 

4.8% 

Bashneft’s revenue increased by 3.5% year-on-year in 2012 due to an increase in export volumes, as a result of 
higher exports of oil products, particularly to non-CIS countries.  

Bashneft’s OIBDA decreased by 7.1% year-on-year in 2012, primarily due to higher tax expenses. 

In 2012, Bashneft’s oil production increased by 2.2% year-on-year to 15.4 million tonnes. The company sold 4.9 
million tonnes of oil products in the fourth quarter of 2012, a 2.1% year-on-year increase, with exports amounting 
to 1.1 million tonnes of crude oil and 2.2 million tonnes of oil products.  

The output  of the company’s refineries in 2012 decreased slightly down to 20.8 million tonnes of crude oil due to 
the performance of regular repair works at the Ufa refinery plant. In 2012, the average refining depth was 84.9% 
and light-product yield amounted to 59.7%, while the Nelson complexity index increased from 8.3 to 8.55 as a 
result of increasing the capacity of a delayed coking unit at Bashneft Ufaneftekhim from 1.2 million to 1.6 million 
tonnes per year. 

As of December 31, 2012, Bashneft owned and operated a total of 488 petrol stations.  

In  December  2012,  Bashneft  acquired  LLC  Garsar  and  LLC  Mobel-Neft  holding  licences  for  oilfields  and 
promising subsoil areas in the Ermekeyevsky district in the west of the Republic of Bashkortostan. 

In  November  2012,  the  Consortium  comprising  Bashneft  (70%)  and  Premier  Oil  (30%)  signed  an  exploration, 
development and production service contract (EDPSC) with South Oil Company acting on behalf of the Republic 
of  Iraq  for  Block  12  in  Baghdad.  In  accordance  with  the  signed  contract,  the  Consortium  will  conduct  an 
obligatory  geological  exploration  programme  at  Block  12  for  the  2D  seismic  survey  totalling  2,000  linear 
kilometres  and  drilling  one  exploration  well.  In  addition,  the  Consortium  will  invest  US$  120  million  in 
geological exploration over a five-year period. 

In October 2012, Bashneft completed its reorganisation through  the consolidation of its subsidiaries (OJSC Ufa 
refinery plant, OJSC Novoil, OJSC Ufaneftekhim, OJSC Bashkirnefteprodukt and OJSC Orenburgnefteprodukt), 
resulting in the transition to a single share.  

15 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Bashkirian Power Grid Company (BPGC)2 

(US$m) 

Revenues 

OIBDA 

Operating income 

Net income attributable to Sistema  

2012 

2011 

Year on year change      

373.1 

387.7 

  (3.8%) 

129.0 

84.2 

24.4 

99.3 

57.7 

20.4 

29.9% 

45.9% 

19.7% 

Bashkirian Power Grid Company’s revenues decreased by 3.8% year-on-year in 2012, mainly due to changes in 
the payment procedure for power transmission services effective from July 1, 2012, as well as rouble depreciation 
against the US dollar. 

The  company’s  OIBDA  increased  by  29.9%  year-on-year  in  2012,  mainly  due  to  the  optimisation  of  the 
company’s  organisational  structure  and  decreased  operating  expenses.  The  OIBDA  margin  reached  34.6%  in 
2012, compared to 25.6% in 2011.  

In 2012, distribution grid losses decreased by 0.6 p.p. year-on-year as a result of the reduced commercial losses, 
an increased number of installed electricity meters, and tests conducted to detect non-contractual and non-metered 
consumption and control over electricity meter readings. Transmission grid losses increased in 2012 mainly due 
to a decline in consumer demand and operational factors.  

In  Q4  2012  the  effective  output  of  transmission  grids  remained  virtually  at  the  level  of  Q4  2011,  while  the 
effective output of distribution grids increased by 2.6% year-on-year. 

In  November  2012,  the  reorganisation  of  Bashkirenergo  was  completed.  Pursuant  to  the  agreement  signed 
between Sistema and  INTER RAO UES in May 2012 Bashkirenergo was split  into two companies: generating 
company Bashenergoaktiv and Bashkirian Power Grid Company. Following the completion of the reorganisation 
process Sistema obtained a 92.48% voting stake in Bashkirian Power Grid Company and received RUB 11.2bn in 
cash and promissory notes from INTER RAO UES, payable in installments by September 29, 2013. Sistema no 
longer has any interest in the power generation assets. 

Sistema Shyam TeleServices Ltd. 

(US$m) 

Revenues 

OIBDA 

2012 

2011 

Year on year change         

303.0 

262.3 

15.5% 

(546.5) 

(730.0) 

- 

- 

Operating income (loss) 

(621.2) 

(828.1) 

2

  On  November  07,  2012  Bashkirenergo  was  split  into  2  companies:  Bashkirian  Power  Grid  Company  OJSC  (power  grid 
assets) and Bashenergoaktiv OJSC (generating assets). Sistema- Invest got 92.48% of the voting shares of BPGC OJSC. In 
accordance with the US GAAP standards all generating segment’s operations were excluded from the results. 

16 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
                                                 
Net income (loss) attributable to Sistema  

(462.9) 

(636.1) 

- 

In 2012, SSTL’s revenues increased by 15.5% year-on-year in US dollar terms and by 31.0% in local currency 
terms mainly due to the growth in the revenue share from non-voice and mobile value-added services (VAS). 

SSTL’s total wireless (voice and data) subscriber base reached  15 million customers as of December 31, 2012. 
Blended mobile ARPU in Q4 and full-year 2012 amounted to US$ 1.48 and US$ 1.52 respectively. 

The data card subscriber base increased by 36.9% year-on-year in 2012 and amounted to 1.78 million subscribers. 

Non-voice  revenues  from  both  data  and  VAS  in  2012  increased  to  US$  109  million.  The  share  of  non-voice 
revenue as a percentage of total revenue stood at 36%. 

In  February  2012,  the  Supreme  Court  of  India  revoked  122  licences  issued  to  eight  Indian  operators  in  2008, 
including 21 out of 22 licences held by SSTL.  

In October 2012, Indian mobile operators were due to submit their applications to bid in the country's upcoming 
2G spectrum auction. SSTL did not submit its application. 

In  March  2013,  SSTL  participated  in  new  spectrum  auctions,  acquiring  licences  in  eight  circles,  resulting  in  a 
nine circle footprint, including the Rajastan circle. 

Sistema Mass-media3 

(US$m) 

Revenues 

OIBDA 

2012 

81.8 

20.5 

2011 

101.9 

(32.0) 

Operating income (loss) 

(14.7) 

(73.7) 

Net income (loss) attributable to Sistema  

(11.1) 

(63.9) 

Year on year 

change         

(19.8%) 

- 

- 

- 

Sistema Mass Media’s revenues decreased by 19.8% year-on-year in 2012 largely due to the closure of the studio 
in  Moscow  as  a  result  of  business  restructuring,  changes  in  the  accounting  methods  for  revenue  from  the 
advertising segment and the rouble depreciation against the US dollar.  

Sistema Mass Media’s OIBDA stabilised in 2012 due to the cost optimisation programme, business restructuring 
and organic growth in key high-margin segments.  

The Stream-TV subscriber base increased by 21.0% in 2012 to 7.5 million subscribers, while the share of revenue 
from advertising on Stream-TV as a percentage of total revenue grew by 0.6 p.p. year-on-year to 15.4%. In 2012, 
the  RWS content library grew by  7.3% to 1,600 hours. RWS produced  109 hours of content in-house and sold 
140 hours of content in the reporting year.  

3 The financial results of Stream.ru are consolidated in the SMM financial results for all the periods presented. 

17 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
                                                 
In the third quarter of 2012, SMM continued its business restructuring and closed its film studio in Moscow. The 
studio production business was divided into OJSC ORK (studios) and RWS (production).  

In June 2012, SMM began managing the multimedia content portal Stream.ru (formerly Omlet.ru).  

RTI4 

(US$m) 

Revenues 

OIBDA 

2012 

2011 

Year on year 

change         

2, 376.3 

2, 093.0 

13.5% 

12.5 

154.4 

(91.9%) 

Operating income (loss) 

(83.2) 

50.4 

Net income (loss) attributable to Sistema  

(129.9) 

(18.3) 

- 

- 

RTI consolidates SITRONICS, NVision Group and RTI Systems and is comprised of four principal business units 
(“BU”)  –  Defence  Solutions  BU,  Comprehensive  Security  Systems  BU,  Microelectronics  Solutions  BU  and 
System Integration BU.  

RTI revenues were up 13.5% year-on-year in 2012 due to the consolidation of NVision Group in the third quarter 
of 2012 and growing revenue in Defence Solutions BU.  

The OIBDA loss in 2012 is the result of recognised loss from the impairment of investments in INTRACOM in 
Greece, as well as higher operating expenses following the restructuring.  

In December 2012, RTI, X5 Retail Group N.V. and RUSNANO launched the trial operation of Perekrestok Store 
of the Future. The project benefited from the interaction of NVision Group, and NIIME5 and Mikron. 

In November 2012, RTI and its subsidiaries acquired 83.54% of the voting shares in OJSC NIIDAR. Following 
the transaction, RTI made a mandatory offer to acquire up to 100% of NIIDAR's ordinary shares. 

In September 2012, RTI completed the strategic integration of the assets of RTI Group and NVision Group for IT 
and  communication  technologies.  Following  the  transaction,  RTI  became  the  owner  of  50%+0.5  shares  of 
NVision Group.  

In August 2012, after a mandatory buyout process, RTI became the owner of 100% of the shares of SITRONICS. 
Following the buyout, SITRONICS was delisted from the London  Stock Exchange, and the depositary receipts 
and Depositary Agreements were terminated.  

In June 2012, RTI was included in the Defence News TOP 100 list of the largest defence companies in the world. 

In February 2012, RUSNANO and SITRONICS launched the production of microchips on the basis of the 90 nm 
technology. The project is budgeted at RUB 16.5 billion, including co-financing from RUSNANO in the amount 
of RUB 6.5bn.  

4 Financial results of RTI Systems and SITRONICS are consolidated in RTI financial results for all the periods presented. 

5 Molecular Electronics Research Institute 

18 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
                                                 
 
Binnopharm 

(US$m) 

Revenues 

OIBDA 

Operating income (loss) 

Net income (loss) attributable to Sistema  

2012 

73.8 

16.0 

6.1 

2.1 

2011 

38.5 

Year on year 

change         

91.5% 

1.3 

1,103.2% 

(3.6) 

(4.4) 

- 

- 

Binnopharm’s  revenues  nearly doubled in 2012, reflecting the higher  sales  of Binnopharm’s own products, and 
the expansion of its distribution volumes.  

Binnopharm’s  OIBDA  demonstrated  significant  growth  in  2012,  mainly  due  to  improvements  in  operating 
efficiency, and as a result of completing the government contract for delivering the Hepatitis B vaccine ahead of 
schedule.  

During the reporting year, a new bio-technology product Erythropoietin β 2000 МЕ was added to the company’s 
product portfolio. In 2012, Binnopharm also restarted the production lines for tablets and aerosols. 

In  2012,  Binnopharm  agreed  on  a  merger  with  Alium,  a  leading  pharmaceutical  company.  As  part  of  the 
agreement Sistema’s shareholding in Binnopharm decreased from 100% to 74%, while 26% is currently held by 
Zenitco Finance Management Ltd. The integration was completed in April 2013. 

MTS-Bank6 

(US$m) 

Revenues 

OIBDA 

Operating income (loss) 

Net income (loss) attributable to Sistema  

2012 

2011 

Year on year 

change         

712.3 

560.8 

27.0% 

50.7 

32.3 

15.7 

(6.2) 

(23.5) 

(19.9) 

- 

- 

- 

MTS Bank’s revenues increased by 27.0% year-on-year in 2012. MTS Bank reported significant OIBDA growth 
year-on-year in 2012,  largely due to the increased interest and commission income from its retail business. 

MTS Bank’s loan portfolio, excluding leases, increased by 11.8% to US$ 5,593 million in 2012, compared to US$ 
5,004 million in 2011. Despite the relatively small increase in the loan portfolio before provisions, the structure of 
the portfolio changed significantly in 2012 with a higher volume of retail loans, including mortgages, consumer 
loans and credit cards. The volume of mortgage loans grew by 38% to US$ 623 million, while the consumer loans 

6 In February 2012 Joint-Stock Commercial Bank MBRD changed its name to MTS-Bank OJSC. 

19 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
                                                 
 
portfolio  more than doubled to US$ 558 million. In 2012, interest income grew  by 20.3%  year-on-year to US$ 
575.2 million.  

In  October  2012,  Sistema,  MTS  and  MTS  Bank  signed  a  non-binding  indicative  offer.  Under  the  terms  of  the 
indicative  offer,  MTS  would  acquire  up  to  25.095%  in  MTS  Bank  through  an  additional  share  issue  by  MTS 
Bank  worth  up  to  RUB  5.09  billion.  The  proceeds  from  the  transaction  would  be  contributed  to  MTS  Bank’s 
authorised  capital. In March 2013, the transaction was concluded on the terms announced earlier. 

In April 2012, the EGM of MTS Bank’s shareholders initiated the reorganisation of MTS Bank through a merger 
with Dalcombank. 

Detsky Mir 

(US$m) 

Revenues 

OIBDA 

Operating income 

Net income (loss) attributable to Sistema  

2012 

892.5 

54.3 

35.6 

11.1 

2011 

782.9 

27.4 

9.8 

(5.6) 

Year on year 

change         

14.0% 

97.9% 

264.5% 

- 

Detsky Mir’s revenues increased by 14.0% in 2012 as a result of regional store expansion and higher like-for-like 
sales.  OIBDA  increased  by  97.9%  in  2012,  which  was  primarily  driven  by  higher  revenues  and  the  cost 
optimisation programme.  

The  network  of  retail  outlets  amounted  to  216  stores,  including  20  Early  Learning  Centre’s  (ELC)  franchised 
stores  acquired  in  the  third  quarter  of  2012,  located  in  96  cities  across  Russia  and  Kazakhstan.  The  aggregate 
retail space was 291,000 m2 as of December 31, 2012. In the fourth quarter of 2012, Detsky Mir opened 23 new 
stores. The online store’s delivery network expanded to all the cities covered by the Detsky Mir retail chain, with 
revenues more than tripling to US$ 4.1 million.  

In October 2012, the Board of Directors appointed Vladimir Chirakhov as the CEO of Detsky Mir. 

Intourist 

($USm) 

Revenues 

OIBDA 

Operating income (loss)  

Net income (loss) attributable to Sistema  

2012 

87.5 

(13.5) 

(23.2) 

(24.7) 

2011 

276.6 

43.8 

34.5 

8.9 

Year on year change         

(68.4%) 

- 

- 

- 

20 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Intourist  reported  a  decrease  in  revenues  for  the  full  year  of  2012,  as  a  result  of  the  change  in  the  accounting 
method for the company’s tour operating and retail sales businesses following the transaction with Thomas Cook.  

Intourist reported an OIBDA loss in 2012 due to the recognised losses from the tour operating business in its JV 
with Thomas Cook.  

The  termination  of  a  management  contract  with  the  owners  of  Oktyabrskaya  Hotel  (Nizhniy  Novgorod)  and 
Severnaya Hotel (Petrozavodsk) led to a decrease in the number of rooms owned, managed and rented in 2012. 
The number of tourists travelling through the Thomas Cook JV fell by 19.4% in 2012, mainly due to a decrease in 
package  sales  to  travel  agencies  as  a  result  of  the  growing  trend  of  tourists  making  their  travel  arrangements 
independently. 

Medsi 

(US$m) 

Revenue 

OIBDA 

Operating income  

Net income (loss) attributable to Sistema  

2012 

2011 

223.9 

199.0 

29.1 

12.0 

0.6 

31.1 

19.6 

6.7 

Year on year change         

12.5% 

(6.4%) 

(38.8%) 

(90.1%) 

Medsi revenues increased by 12.5% in 2012,  reflecting the wider range of services provided and the growth in 
patients’ visits.  

Medsi’s  OIBDA  declined year-on-year  for  2012,  due  to  increased  expenses  relating  to  the integration  with  the 
assets of State Unitary Enterprise Medical Centre, and consultancy services expenses.  

In  2012,  the  number  of  patient  visits  and  services  provided  increased  by  20.9%  and  by  47.6%  year-on-year, 
respectively,  while  the  average  cheque  amounted  to  RUB  1,400.  In  the  fourth  quarter  of  2012,  the  number  of 
services provided increased by 77.0%  year-on-year, while the number of patient visits were up 25.5%, and the 
average cheque grew by 28.6% to RUB 1,800. This is mainly due to an increase in the range of services and an 
expansion in the number of hospitals, clinics and rehabilitation centres operated by Medsi. 

In April 2012, Medsi agreed on a merger of its assets with State Unitary Enterprise Medical Centre, a large group 
of  healthcare  institutions  in  Moscow,  which  now  holds  a  25%  share  in  the  united  company.  Following  the 
completion  of  the  merger  in  the  fourth  quarter  of  2012,  Medsi  manages  22  medical  clinics  in  Moscow  and  11 
clinics in the regions, 3 in-patient clinics with a total bed count of 1,160, more than 80 first aid stations  across 
Russia,  an ambulance service, 3 wellness centres in Moscow and 3 sanatoriums in Moscow and Crimea. As of 
December 31, 2012, the total floor space of healthcare facilities was over 230,000 sq.m.  

21 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Corporate Centre  

(US$m) 

OIBDA7 

Net loss 

Debt 

2012 

(240.7) 

(251.7) 

2011 

(219.0) 

(380.6) 

Year on year change         

- 

- 

1, 646.8 

1, 246.8 

32.1% 

The  Corporate  segment  comprises  the  companies  that  control  and  manage  the  Company’s  stakes  in  its 
subsidiaries.  

The  dividends  declared  by  subsidiaries  to  Sistema’s  Corporate  Centre  segment  in  the  second  quarter  of  2012 
amounted to US$ 842.0 million. 

In 2012, the Corporate Centre’s SG&A decreased by 18.1% to US$ 225.7 million. 

In  October  2012,  Sistema  replaced  Deutsche  Bank  Trust  Company  Americas  with  Deutsche  Bank 
Aktiengesellschaft as the depositary for its GDR programme, effective from October 22, 2012.  

In September 2012, the Board of Directors approved a new composition of Sistema’s Management Board. The 
Board also approved a decision to place a new bond issue by public subscription, comprising series 01, 02 and 03 
three-year unconvertible interest-bearing bonds. Each series will consist of 10 million bonds with a face value of 
RUB 1,000 per bond. The EGM later approved the amendments to the Company's Charter in order to allow the 
Company to increase share capital by issuing additional 386 million ordinary shares with a par value of RUB 0.09 
per share. 

In August 2012, Sistema paid its annual dividends of RUB 0.28 per ordinary share for 2011, amounting to a total 
of RUB 2.7 billion.  

Financial review 

Net cash provided by operations slightly increased by 4.9% year-on-year in 2012 to US$ 5,844.3 million. 

Net cash used in investing activities totalled US$ 4,672.3 million in 2012, compared to US$ 5,185.9 million in 
2011.  

The  Group  spent  US$  4,209.6  million  on  capital  expenditure  in  the  reporting  year,  compared  to  US$  4,132.1 
million spent in 2011, as a result of MTS’ planned investment in further deploying its networks, as it develops its 
LTE network. In 2012 the Group paid US$ 889.4 million for the acquisition of businesses, net of cash received, 
including the purchase of SG-trans by Sistema, the cash consideration for the completion of the transaction with 
NVision  paid  by  RTI,  the  acquisition  of  the  Russian  franchise  of  Early  Learning  Centre  by  Detsky  Mir  and 
purchases made by MTS and Bashneft. The Group also used US$ 367.3 million to increase its banking assets and 
US$ 3,438.4 million to increase short-term and long-term investments. 

Net  cash  outflow  from  financing  activities  amounted  to  US$  3,098.6  million  in  2012,  compared  to  US$  481.9 
million  in  2011.  The  Group’s  proceeds  from  borrowings  in  2012  totalled  US$  3,057.4  million,  whereas  the 
principal payments on long-term and short-term borrowings amounted to US$ 4,444.2 million. Cash outflow from 
financial activities in 2012 resulted from payments to the shareholders of subsidiaries totalling US$ 575.8 million 
compared to US$ 871.0 million in 2011, and dividends paid by Sistema of US$ 82.3 million  compared to US$ 
89.4 million in 2011.  

7 Hereinafter OIBDA and net profit (loss) of Corporate Centre are indicated excluding intra Group dividends. 

22 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
                                                 
The  Group’s  cash  balance  from  continuing  operations  stood  at  US$  1,872.7  million  as  of  December  31,  2012 
(excluding an amount of US$  769.4 million which comprises the Group’s banking activities and cash and cash 
equivalents  from  discontinued  operations  worth  US$  0.9  million)  compared  to  US$  2,919.2  million  as  of 
December 31, 2011 (excluding an amount of US$ 1,315.1 million which comprises the Group’s banking activities 
and  cash  and  cash  equivalents  from  discontinued  operations  worth  US$  88.4  million).  The  Group’s  net  debt 
(short-term  and  long-term  debt  less  cash  and  cash  equivalents  and  highly  liquid  deposits)  amounted  to  US$ 
13,509.0 million as of December 31, 2012, compared to US$ 12,454.5 million as of December 31, 2011. 

Non-GAAP financial indicators   

The present  section includes  financial information  prepared  in accordance  with accounting  principles  generally 
accepted in the United States of America, or US GAAP, as well as other financial indicators referred to as non-
GAAP. The non-GAAP financial  indicators should be considered in addition to, but not as a substitute for, the 
information prepared in accordance with US GAAP. 

Operating Income Before Depreciation and Amortisation (OIBDA) and OIBDA margin 

OIBDA represents operating income before depreciation and amortisation. OIBDA margin is an OIBDA indicator 
that equals a percentage of net revenues. The interpretation of OIBDA may differ from the OIBDA indicators of 
other companies; it is not a US GAAP indicator and should be considered in addition to, but not as a substitute 
for, the information contained in our consolidated  US GAAP accounts.  The Corporation believes that OIBDA 
provides useful information to investors because it is an indicator of the strength and performance of our ongoing 
business  operations,  including  our  ability  to  fund  capital  expenditures,  acquisitions  of  businesses  and  other 
investments  and  our  ability  to  raise  and  service  debt.  While  depreciation  and  amortisation  are  considered 
operating  costs  under  US  GAAP,  these  expenses  primarily  represent  the  non-cash  current  period  allocation  of 
costs  associated  with  long-lived  assets  acquired  or  constructed  in  prior  periods.  Our  OIBDA  calculation  is 
commonly used as one of the bases for investors, analysts and credit rating agencies to evaluate and compare the 
current  and  future  operating  performance  and  value  of  companies.  Adjusted  OIBDA  can  be  reconciled  to  our 
consolidated operating results as follows:  

Operating income and OIBDA  

Operating income 
One-off items  

Adjusted operating income  
Depreciation, depletion  
and amortisation  

Adjusted OIBDA  

Net income  

Net income 
One off items  
Adjusted operating income  

4Q 2012 
967.5 

372.6 

4Q 2011 
299.1 

1, 014.8 

2012 
3, 718.7 

1, 664.9 

1, 340.1 

1, 313.9 

5, 383.6 

2011 
3, 942.2 

1, 057.0 

4, 999.2 

(733.4) 

(800.4) 

(3, 159.4) 

(3, 269.4) 

2, 073.5 

2, 114.2 

8, 543.1 

8, 268.5 

4Q 2012 
200.9 
157.1 
357.9 

4Q 2011 
(530.2) 
791.6 
261.4 

2012 
946.8 
847.7 
1, 794.5 

2011 
218.0 
778.8 
996.8 

23 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
3.4. Credit ratings of Sistema JSFC 

Sistema JSFC  

Rating agency 

Date of most recent update 
of the rating 

Long-term credit rating 

Forecast 

Standard & Poor’s  
Fitch  
Moody’s  

13.02.2013 
04.12.2012 
01.11.2012 

BB 
BB-  
Ba3 

Stable 
Stable 
Stable 

3.5. Report on payment of announced (accrued) dividends on the shares of Sistema JSFC.  

Sistema's dividend policy aims to provide a regular and sizeable dividend flow, while allowing the company to 
maintain the financial flexibility to take advantage of attractive investment opportunities in the future.  

Dividends are declared on the basis of results from the previous financial period, and  equal at least 10% of the 
corporation's  consolidated  net  income  under  US  GAAP  (net  of  any  special  dividends  paid).  In  addition,  in  the 
event of a large asset sale for cash, special dividends will be declared in an amount of at least 10% of the net gain 
from  such  a  transaction,  as  determined  by  the  Board  of  Directors.  Under  Russian  law,  the  total  amount  of 
dividends with respect to any year may not exceed the company's annual unconsolidated net income determined 
in accordance with Russian Accounting Standards (RAS). 

On June 30, 2012 the Annual General Meeting of Shareholders (Minutes No. 2-12) approved the total amount of 
dividend payment on Sistema’s shares for 2011 at  RUB2,702,000,000.00, representing a payment of RUB 0.28 
per ordinary share (RUB 5.6 per GDR). The total proposed dividend payment has been determined on the basis of 
Sistema’s  full  year  2012  US  GAAP  net  income  and  the  corporate  centre’s  net  gain  from  the  sale  of  CJSC 
Sistema-Inventure to OJSC MTS in December 2011.  

As of December 31, 2012 the total amount of dividends paid amounted to RUB 2, 701, 785, 762.96. Dividend tax 
on dividends paid to foreign entities and individuals totaled RUB 102, 430, 413.00. 
At present unpaid dividends amount to RUB 214, 237.04. As of December 31, 2012 unpaid dividends amounted 
to RUB 490, 793.66. The reasons for non-payment of the announced dividends: absence of required information 
on dividend recipients. 

24 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
4. OUTLOOK AND STRATEGY OF SISTEMA GROUP COMPANIES. 

4.1. Mobile TeleSystems (MTS) 
Mobile TeleSystems (MTS) is the leading telecommunications group in Russia, Eastern Europe and Central Asia. 
It offers mobile and fixed-line, broadband, and pay TV, as well as content and entertainment services, in one of 
the world's fastest-growing regions. 

Ownership and management 

Company 
MTS 

Effective ownership 
53% 

The President of MTS is Andrey Dubovskov, and the Chairman of the Board of Directors is Ron Sommer. 

Sector 
The  Russian  mobile  telecommunications  market  is  one  of  the  most  developed  in  the  world,  with  the  service 
penetration  rate  still  growing,  reaching  161%  in  2012.  The  marketing  efforts  of  mobile  operators  continue  to 
focus on increasing the loyalty of existing customers by improving quality of service, stimulating consumption 
and enhancing the attractiveness of the product range. The operators' transition to a profit sharing scheme with 
dealers has improved the quality of the subscribers attracted.  

In 2012, the volume of mobile data business in Russia increased by 32% in revenue. The ‘Big 3’8 operators have 
seen  mobile  internet  traffic  rise  by  36%,  while  revenues  from  their  data  businesses  increased  by  112%.  The 
broadband market in Russia grew by 15% and reached 22m households, while the penetration rate of broadband 
services reached 50.1%. MTS is one of the top-5 broadband operators by subscriber numbers.  

At  the  end  of  2012,  the  pay  TV  market  in  Russia  passed  41.24m  households,  with  11.46m  households  having 
access only to satellite TV. The pay TV market grew by 17.9% in 2012.  

Outlook  
Revenue growth in the Russian telecom market is projected at 3.4% annually until 2015. Data services will be the 
main driver for this, while mobile and fixed internet traffic will continue to grow rapidly, and will increase 1.5 to 
2 times every year due to the greater penetration of smartphones and the considerable potential for development 
in the fixed broadband segment. In the next three years, the fixed broadband and pay TV markets are expected to 
increase by 20% in monetary terms.  

The  market  for  mobile  payments  and  convergent  products  created  at  the  interface  of  the  telecom  and  financial 
services markets is projected to grow significantly. The consolidated annual growth rate in the world market of 
mobile payments will amount to 102% in 2012-2014, while the Russian market for mobile billing services will 
grow 15% each year and the Russian retail lending market will grow by 8%.  

Steady growth in 2012  
In 2012, MTS focused on developing mobile data services based on innovative communication technology. Over 
the year, MTS expanded its 3G network in Russia by 24.9%, increasing the number of base stations to more than 
27,000, and launched 4G networks in the Moscow region and in Kazan.  

In  October  2012,  MTS  completed  its  mobile  network  modernisation  project  in  Moscow,  creating  the 
infrastructure required for explosive growth of data traffic and large-scale development of LTE networks. 

Thanks to the GPON project implemented in 2012, the broadband networks based on fibre-optic cables, with a 
speed  of  up  to  200  Mb/sec,  became  available  to  1m  Moscow  households.  Further  development  of  convergent 
services  based  on  GPON  in  Moscow  will  focus  on  selling  off-the-shelf  products,  cloud  services  and  security 
systems.  

8 MTS, Megafon, Beeline 

25 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
                                                 
Operating strategy  
MTS aims to strengthen its position as a leading national mobile operator in Russia and the wider CIS, both in 
subscriber numbers and revenue. MTS will invest in expansion of its 3G networks and preparations for a major 
roll-out  of  4G  networks,  including  searching  for  new  sites,  connecting  base  stations  to  fibre-optic  lines  and 
developing the GPON project in Moscow.  

MTS prioritizes the development of new products. MTS's pay TV will continue expanding due to the launch of 
digital  TV  in  various  Russian  regions  in  September  2012,  and  in  2013,  the  implementation  of  a  hybrid  TV 
platform which will consolidate TV broadcasting on three screens (TV, mobile device and computer), and a CDN 
network. 

MTS is becoming an important player in the Russian retail lending market due to its joint project with MTS Bank. 
The main strategic areas of the MTS Money project are expanding mobile commerce, enhancing mobile payment 
opportunities,  promoting  new  financial  products  to  the  non-banking  market,  and  stimulating  the  sales  of 
smartphones and data-generating devices.  

Investment strategy  
Sistema sees MTS as a promising core asset capable of maintaining good growth rates and increasing shareholder 
value by implementing its operating strategy. This includes the sectors bordering the traditional telecom business, 
which have significant growth potential: retail sales, M2M, content sales on the internet, mobile banking through 
MTS Bank, services based on NFC technology, cloud computing and others. The investment strategy for MTS is 
aimed at delivering a gradual increase in dividend pay-out.  

2012 results 

Financial results 
Indicator, $ m 
Revenue 
OIBDA 
Net income, stake of Sistema 
Debt 

Operating results 
Indicator 
Mobile subscribers (million) 
ARPU (RUB) 
MOU (minutes) 

2012 
12, 436 
4, 276 
534 
7, 631 

2012 
101.0 
297 
304 

2011 
12, 319 
5, 187 
770 
8 ,700 

2011 
106.1 
273 
269 

% 
0.9 
(17.6) 
(30.6) 
(12.3) 

% 
(4.7%) 
9.2% 
13.0% 

Key events of 2012  
In October 2012, Sistema,  MTS and MTS Bank signed a non-binding indicative offer regarding an acquisition of an up to 
25.095% stake in MTS Bank by MTS in a follow-on offering. In March 2013, the transaction was concluded in line with the 
terms announced on October 25, 2012. 

In September 2012, MTS launched Russia’s first TDD (time division duplexing) LTE network in Moscow and the Moscow 
region. 

In  August  2012,  the  Tashkent  Commercial  Court  granted  a  petition  by  the  State  Agency  for  Communications  and 
Information  of  Uzbekistan  (SACI)  to  withdraw  all  operating  licences  of  Uzdunrobita  FE  LLC,  MTS’  wholly  owned 
subsidiary in Uzbekistan. 

In  July  2012,  the  Federal  Service  for  Supervision  in  the  Sphere  of  Communications,  Information  Technologies  and  Mass 
Media (Roskomnadzor) allocated MTS the necessary licence and frequencies to provide LTE telecommunication services in 
Russia. 

In  August  2012,  MTS  resumed  its  operations  in  Turkmenistan,  having  received  the  licences  it  required  to  operate  in  the 
country, and satisfied legal and technical conditions.  

26 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
In June 2012, MTS and Sistema agreed to join forces in developing and managing the multimedia content portal Stream.ru 
(formerly Omlet.ru). 

In June 2012, the AGM of MTS shareholders approved an annual dividend payment of RUB 14.71 per ordinary MTS share 
for the 2011 fiscal year, amounting to a total of RUB 30.4bn. 

In May 2012, MTS  acquired a 100% stake in CJSC Tascom through its subsidiary MGTS. 

In May 2012, MTS signed a memorandum of understanding with OJSC VimpelCom, OJSC MegaFon and OJSC Rostelecom 
to jointly lay and operate an underwater fibre-optic cable joining the Russian Far East with Sakhalin Island. 

In  February  2012,  MTS  received  the  first  licence  in  Russia  to  provide  wireless  communication  services  in  the  LTE  TDD 
(time-division duplexing) standard in 2,595-2,620 MHz range in Moscow and the Moscow region. 

4.2. Bashneft 
Bashneft is a vertically integrated oil company  set up on the basis of the largest fuel and energy producers of the 
Republic  of Bashkortostan.  The  Company  ranks  among  the  top-ten  Russian  oil  producers  and  the  top-five  oil 
refining  companies.  Oil  production  in  2012  reached  15.4m  tonnes,  oil  resources  at  the  end  of  2012  equalled 
2,006.8m barrels. 

Ownership and management 

Company 
Bashneft 

Voting stake 
89% 

Effective ownership 
75% 

The President of Bashneft is Alexander Korsik, and the Chairman of the Board of Directors is Felix Evtushenkov. 

Sector 
In 2012, the economic situation in the Russian oil sector was determined by a fluctuation of world oil prices, where the Brent 
oil  price  per  barrel  grew  on  average  by  0.6%,  up  to  US$  111.4,  and  in  March  2012  the  price  reached  US$  126.2,  its 
maximum over the period. The fluctuation of prices in the external market has an impact on the export duties for crude oil 
and  oil  products  and  the  Mineral  Extraction  Tax,  which  on  average  went  down  by  1.1%,  to  US$  404.3  per  ton. 

Oil  production  in  Russia  in  2012  increased  by  1.3%,  up  to  518m  tonnes.  Despite  the  new  tax  regime  60-66  introduced  in 
2011 and having a negative effect on the economics of refining, the total refining volume grew by 4.6%, reaching 265.9m 
tonnes. The growth of refining volumes was also reflected in the reduction of oil export by 1.7% to 238.9m tonnes (including 
CIS and non-CIS countries). The gasoline prices for 2012 grew on a par with the inflation – by 6.8%. 

Auctions  were  held  in  December  2012  for  three  subsoil  blocks,  including  Shpielmann,  Imilorskoye,  Zapadno-Imilorskoye 
and Istochnoye deposits in the Khanty-Mansiisk autonomous district, and Lodochnoye deposit in the Krasnoyarsk region. 

In 2012, the trend for consolidation in the industry grew stronger, as the largest Russian oil company Rosneft acquired TNK-
BP for US$ 61bn.  

Outlook 
According to industry experts, oil production in Russia is not expected to grow in Russia in 2013, while stabilisation, or a 
slight  volume  reduction,  is  anticipated.  Leading  vertically  integrated  oil  companies  will  increase  their  investments  in 
upgrading refineries, aiming to comply with technical regulations. They may make other significant investments to achieve a 
bigger refining depth and reduce the yields of heavy fractions, for which protective duties are expected to be introduced. 

In accordance with the Energy Strategy of Russia for the period up to 2030 approved by Russia’s government, the main oil 
deposits of West Siberia are petering out, which will soon make it necessary to explore oil resources of the continental shelf 
of the Arctic and Far-Eastern seas, East Siberia and the  Far East. The share of hard-to-recover oil resources is expected to 
grow, and exploitation of oil & gas multi-component deposits will be extended. 

Oil  recovery  in  the  European  part  of  the  country  will  continue  to  grow,  primarily  through  exploration  of  resources  in  the 
Timan-Pechora  province,  on  the  continental  shelf  of  the  Arctic  Sea,  and  in  the  Russian  sector  of  the  Caspian  Sea,  while 
upstream production in the Volga region and in the Urals may decrease. 

Steady growth in 2012  
By applying the latest technology, and with the increased efficiency of geological and technical measures, Bashneft’s 2012 
production  volumes  grew  by  2.2%,  reaching  15.4m  tonnes.  Refining  volumes  dropped  by  1.4%  to  20.8m  tonnes  due  to 

27 

 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
scheduled maintenance at a number of units. In 2012, Bashneft retained its absolute leadership among Russian oil companies 
in refining depth, which was 84.9%.  

Aiming  to  increase  the  raw  material  supply  base,  the  company  has  been  searching  for  and  exploring  new  oil  deposits  in 
recent  years,  both  in  Bashkortostan  and  in  the  Nenets  Autonomous  District,  the  new  strategic  region  for  exploration  and 
production. During late 2011 and early 2012, Bashneft acquired five licenced blocks in the Nenets Autonomous District, with 
a total area of 6,209 sq. m. The company is also undertaking a large new project in the north of Timano-Pechora, developing 
the Trebs and Titov deposits, with aggregate recoverable resources of 140.1m tonnes according to the Russian classification 
(C1+C2). A 3D seismic acquisition on Trebs and Titov deposits was completed in 2012. 

To extend its capabilities in exploring and producing hydrocarbons, in 2012, Bashneft joined an international project in Iraq. 
The  Services  Agreement  for  the  exploration,  development  and  production  of  Block  12  (Iraq)  was  signed  in  November  by 
Bashneft, Premier Oil, and the South Oil Company of Iraq's Ministry of Oil. 

PRMS audit results confirmed Bashneft's oil resources equalled 2,006.8m barrels at the end of 2012, while probable reserves 
went up by 25.7% and reached 528.3m barrels, and possible reserves increased by 12.9%, up to 657.4m barrels. The recovery 
efficiency of proved oil reserves in 2012 equalled 123.4%.  

In 2012, Bashneft completed reorganisation through merger with its downstream subsidiaries – the Ufa Oil Refinery, Novoil, 
Ufaneftekhim,  Bashkirnefteproduct,  and  Orenburgnefteproduct.  The  reorganisation  increased  the  company's  transparency 
and  the  quality  of  corporate  governance,  and  provided  for  centralised  management  of  investment  decisions,  while 
consolidating the cash flows. 

Operating strategy 
In  the  upstream  segment,  Bashneft  aims  to  stabilise  production  at  existing  oil  fields  at  15m  tonnes  a  year,  and  to  start 
production  at  the  Trebs  and  Titov  fields.  Bashneft  also  aims  to  increase  its  reserves  by  executing  M&A  transactions  and 
buying new licences. 

In the downstream segment, the company intends to achieve a refining depth of 94.4% and increase the light product yield to 
73.4%,  while  focusing  on  cost  control,  improving  the  product  quality,  and  securing  capacities  to  produce  100%  of  engine 
fuels  under  the  Bashneft  brand.  The  company's  strategic  plans  also  include  developing  export  logistics  and  controlled 
distribution channels to the end consumer. 

Investment strategy 
Having restructured the oil business and streamlined the corporate structure in 2012, Bashneft represents significant growth 
potential  for  Sistema,  both  through  implementing  the  operational  strategy  and  development  of  key  assets,  and  through 
strategic  partnership  and  M&A  transactions.  The  oil  business  possesses  sufficient  resources  to  provide  a  stable  dividend 
flow. 

Key financial and operating results 2012 

2012 results 

Financial results 
Indicator, $ m 
Revenue 
OIBDA 
Net income attributable to Sistema 
Debt 

Operating results 
Indicator 
Crude production (m tonnes) 
Refining (m tonnes) 
Light product yield (%) 
Depth of refining (%) 

2012 
17, 125 
3, 150 
1, 279 
3, 601  

2012 
15.4 
20.8 
59.7% 
84.9% 

2011 
16, 549 
3, 391 
1, 221 
3, 393  

2011 
15.1 
21.1 
59.9% 
85.9% 

% 
3.5% 
(7.1%) 
4.8% 
6.1% 

% 
2.2% 
(1.4%) 
-0.2 p.p. 
-1.0 p.p. 

Key events of 2012 
In November 2012, the consortium comprising Bashneft (70%) and Premier Oil (30%) signed the exploration, development 
and production service contract (EDPSC) with South Oil Company acting on behalf of the Republic of Iraq, for Block 12 in 

28 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Baghdad. Under the contract, the consortium will conduct an obligatory geological exploration programme at Block 12, for 
2D seismic survey totalling 2,000 linear kilometres and drilling one exploration well. In addition, the consortium will invest 
US$ 120m in geological exploration within a five-year period. 

In October 2012, Bashneft completed a  reorganisation started in March 2012 through consolidation of its subsidiaries (the 
Ufa  refinery  plant,  Novoil,  Ufaneftekhim,  Bashkirnefteprodukt  and  Orenburgnefteprodukt),  resulting  in  the  transition  to  a 
single share. Later, the Bashneft Board of Directors also approved the results of the additional share placements, which were 
exchanged for the common and preferred shares of Bashneft’s subsidiaries as part of the reorganisation process. 

In July 2012, Bashneft’s retail network completed its transition to full compliance with the Euro-5 standard for sales of petrol 
and diesel fuel. 

In June  2012, the AGM of Bashneft approved annual dividend payments of RUB 99 for each ordinary and each preferred 
share for 2011, as well as a new composition of the Board of Directors comprising more independent directors.  

In  June  2012,  as  part  of  a  reorganisation,  Bashneft  and  its  subsidiaries  (the  Ufa  refinery  plant,  Novoil,  Ufaneftekhim, 
Bashkirnefteprodukt and Orenburgnefteprodukt) completed the share buyout process. 

4.3. Bashkirian Power Grid Company (BPGC) 
Bashkirian  Power  Grid  Company  (BPGC)  was  founded  in  November  2012  as  a  result  of  the  reorganisation  of  OJSC 
Bashkirenergo,  one  of  Russia's  largest  regional  energy  companies,  and  incorporated  power  grid  assets  in  the  Republic  of 
Bashkortostan: transmission grids (LLC Bashkirian Grid Company), distribution grids (LLC Bashkirenergo), and a service 
company (LLC Bashenergouchet). 

Ownership and management 

Company 

BPGC 

Effective ownership 

79.2% 

Voting stake 

92.5% 

The CEO of BPGC is Andrey Makarov, and the Chairman of the Board of Directors is Felix Evtushenkov. 

Sector  
Government  control  and  regulation  mechanisms  play  a  defining  role  in  the  development  of  Russia's  power  industry.  A 
government decree issued in May 2012 simplified the procedures of customer transition from guaranteed supply companies 
to  utility  companies,  and  direct  access  to  the  wholesale  power  market.  These  changes  may  have  a  negative  effect  on  the 
financial performance of Russian utility companies and restrain end-user power prices. 

Other  factors  that  had  a  substantial  effect  on  the  industry  in  2012  included  a  government  resolution  on  limiting  tariffs  of 
power enterprises, and rescheduling of the introduction of  new tariffs  from January 1 to July 1, along  with a  'reset' of the 
RAB  system  for  power  grid  companies  and  review  of  the  parameters  for  certain  interregional  distribution  grid  companies 
(IDGCs), effective from July 1.  

Another key development in the industry was the incorporation of OJSC Russian Grids, a single management company for 
the Russian electric power grid system, based on OJSC IDGC Holding. This is expected to ensure further centralised growth 
of the electric grid system and manage the growth of end-user tariffs.  

Russian power grid companies are benefiting from the growth of nationwide power consumption by 1.7% year-on-year. The 
consumption  in  Bashkortostan  has  grown  by  3.1%  on  the  back  of  the  low-height  housing  programme  implemented  in  the 
region during recent years.  

Outlook  
Growth in the investment potential of the power grids sector comes from the government preparations currently underway for 
privatising distribution grid companies, as well as the implementation of pilot IDGC privatisation projects.  

The  industry  is  waiting  for  a  finalized  regulatory  framework  for  controlling  power  grid  company  tariffs,  including  those 
migrating  to  RAB.  Appraisal  standards  for  grid  company  activity  within  the  new  framework  are  expected  to  include 
benchmarking mechanisms, which will provide an incentive for all grid companies to increase their operating efficiency and 
ensure growing profitability for the industry leaders. 

According  to  the  forecast  by  the  Federal  Tariff  Service,  power  consumption  in  Russia  in  2013  is  expected  to  increase  by 
2.1%. The growth rate in Bashkortostan for 2013-2014 is projected at 1%. 

29 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Steady growth in 2012  
The reorganisation of OJSC Bashkirenergo resulting in the establishment of generating company OJSC Bashenergoactiv, and 
OJSC Bashkirian Power Grid Company was a key event in 2012. Sistema no longer has any interest in the power generation 
assets. 

In 2012, BPGC initiated and executed a number of projects aimed at organisational development, internal optimisation and 
ensuring  the  company's  competitiveness.  Important  goals  for  2012  included  cutting  commercial  losses  during  power 
transmission. The newly implemented programme enabled the company to reduce losses in distribution grids from 9.2% in 
2011 to 8.6% in 2012. 

Successful  implementation  of  the  RUB  2.4bn  investment  programme  made  it  possible  to  complete  Phase  II  Akberdino 
substation,  the  reconstruction  of  the  substation,  and  installation  of  an  underground  section  of  the  Zaton-Krasnodonskaya 
overhead  cable  line,  with  the  total  length  of  the  overhead  section  exceeding  6  km.  In  December  2012,  the  company 
commenced a large-scale project in the south-east of Bashkiria, involving reconstruction of the republic's last 110 kV high-
voltage line on timber supports. Relocation of the Glumilino-Krasnodonskaya high-voltage line to an underground cable line 
is in progress. The schematics of power allocation  for the  PGU Power Plant 5  under construction in Ufa are complete. In 
2012, BPGC provided power connections totaling 178.4 MW for new consumers. 

Operating strategy  
The organic growth strategy of BPGC for 2012-2016 provides for a higher operational efficiency in all segments, and will be 
implemented  in  close  collaboration  with  the  local  authorities  and  major  consumers.  The  company  is  planning  to  equip 
consumers  with  metering  units  and  transfer  to  a  ‘smart’  metering  system,  to  upgrade,  partly  replace,  and  increase  the 
efficiency of existing equipment. The Smart Grid pilot project has started, and large-scale work is in the pipeline.  

The electrical grid assets currently have sufficient potential for value growth due to the introduction of the RAB long-term 
tariff-making  system  by  the  electrical  grid  companies,  combined  with  the  elaboration  of  the  regulatory  framework  and 
availability of significant reserves to improve the operating efficiency of the assets. 

Investment strategy  
The investment strategy of Sistema mainly focuses on the consolidation of business in distribution grids both through organic 
growth and M&A transactions, aiming to create a major inter-regional distribution grid company. Sistema will consider the 
possibility  of  participating  in  the  IDGC  privatisation  programme.  In  addition  Sistema  may  consider  monetisation 
opportunities for transmission grids. 

Key financial and operating results 2012 

2012 results 

Financial results 
Indicator, $ m 
Revenue 
OIBDA 
Net income attributable to Sistema 

Operating results 
Indicator 
Transmission grid, effective output (m kW) 
Transmission grid, losses (m kW) 
Distribution grid, effective output (m kW) 
Distribution grid, losses (m kW) 

2012 
373 
129 
24 

2012 
20, 192 
305 
18, 514 
1, 741 

2011 
388 
99 

20 

2011 
21, 296 
315 
17, 962 
1, 815 

% 
(3.8%) 
29.9% 
19.7% 

% 
-5.2% 
-3.2% 
3.1% 
-4.1% 

Key events of 2012 
In July 2012, the EGM of Bashkirenergo’s shareholders approved the decision on the company’s reorganisation in the form 
of a spin-off resulting in two companies: generating company Bashenergoactiv and Bashkirian Power Grid Company. Upon 
completion of the reorganisation process in November, Sistema-Invest obtained a 92.48% voting stake in Bashkirian Power 
Grid  Company  and  received  RUB  11.2bn  in  cash  and  promissory  notes  from  INTER  RAO,  payable  in  installments  by 
September 29, 2013. Sistema no longer has any interest in the power generation assets. 

30 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
4.4. Sistema Mass-Media (SММ) 
Sistema Mass-Media (SММ) is one of the leading media holding companies in Russia, managing assets in pay TV, premium 
movie and TV content production, and advertising. SMM owns and manages CJSC TV Company STREAM (Stream), CJSC 
Russian  Worldwide  Studios  (RWS),  Maxima  Advertising  Agency  (Maxima),  CJSC  TsTV  (TsTV),  and  the  web  portal 
Stream.ru.  

Ownership and management 

Company 
Sistema Mass-Media 

Effective ownership 
75%-1 

The President of SMM is Peter Gerwe, and the Chairman of the Board of Directors is Evgeniy Savostyanov. 

Sector 
According to PriceWaterhouseCoopers, the media market in Russia in 2012 grew by 10.3% to US$ 26.6bn. At the 
end  of  2012,  according  to  J’son&Partners  Consulting,  the  Russian  pay  TV  market  was  31.9m  households 
subscribing to cable, satellite and IPTV, 30.3m of which were active users of the TV services. At the same time, 
the Russian market's revenues still lag behind global trends: ARPU (average revenue per user) in Russia is around 
US$ 4.4, whereas the US figures reach US$ 86.  

Production  of  feature  films  in  Russia  is  decreasing  due  to  low  distribution  monetisation  and  high  competition 
from world leaders in motion picture production. On the other hand, the TV series production rate was stable at 
1,800 hours per year.  

Growth in the Russian advertising  market is outstripping other markets, with an annual growth rate in 2012 of 
13%. Internet and cable/satellite TV remain the most promising advertising market segments. Russia belongs to 
the world's top 10 countries by internet users, and is still showing the highest growth rates in user figures (38% in 
2012).  Russia's  advertising  market  is  highly  concentrated,  with  50  companies  accounting  for  over  70%  of  the 
market. Internal market integration is also significant, with over 80% of budgets attributable to network agencies 
(19 companies or seven groups). 

Outlook  
The  Russian  media  market  will  keep  growing  in  2013-2015,  with  the  internet  remaining  its  basic  platform.  A 
major event in the internet content market in 2012 was the launch of the international iTunes and Google Play 
services. These will heighten competition in the Video On Demand segment but will drive content consumption 
upwards,  due  to  the  popularity  of  the  brands  and  their  high  compatibility  with  existing  devices.  The  industry 
development  in  2013  will  be  aided  by  alliances  of  TV  content  producers  and  OTT  (over-the-top)  service 
operators, as well as the growing penetration of Smart TV with internet access. 

The  advertising  segment  will  consolidate  around  the  major  network  agencies  shaping  the  media  advertising 
landscape.  Growth  in  competition  from  global  market  players  is  also  anticipated  due  to  the  established 
preferences of major Russian advertising clients. Still, the solid growth dynamics according to ZenithOptimedia's 
forecast are expected to make Russia one of the top seven world powers by advertising expenses in 2015.  

The studio production segment is expected to enjoy continued demand for TV series in 2013, although a decrease 
of purchase prices is anticipated owing to growing competition, including that from Western producers.  

Steady  growth  is  projected  for  the  Russian  pay  TV  service  sector:  according  to  IKS-Consulting,  64%  of  all 
Russian families will use pay TV in 2016.  

Steady growth in 2012  
In  line  with  market  demand,  RWS's  studio  business  ramped  up  production  of  mini-TV  series  in  2012,  which 
enabled it to get a higher number of TV channels interested in RWS’ products.  Its content library increased to 
1,600 hours. In 2012, it decided to spin off the production studios into a separate business, OJSC ORK, unrelated 
to  RWS's  producing  activity.  This  will  make  it  possible  to  decrease  the  administrative  load  on  the  producer 
centre, develop the assets independently, and centralise professional expertise. As a result of the restructuring, the 
studio in Moscow was closed, and production transferred to St Petersburg. 

31 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
In  May  2012,  SMM  re-branded  its  Stream.ru  service.  It  launched  applications  for  all  popular  devices  and 
platforms, and by the end of 2012 had created one of the largest high-quality content libraries in Russia.  

Stream TV strengthened its market position and became a leader by average monthly reach in every niche group. 
Stream's  channel  distribution  network  includes  over 1350  cable, satellite  and  IPTV  operators  in  more  than  800 
Russian  cities  and  towns.  The  subscriber  base  grew  by  21%,  to  7.5m  unique  subscribers,  while  the  audience 
increased to 19.5m viewers. 

Operating strategy  
The  company's  film  production  plans  for  2013  include  increasing  the  market  share  of  TV  series  through 
enhancing the number of projects and monetising the library. The main goal of the film production business is to 
achieve net profit, particularly as a result of transferring film production to St Petersburg, and by  expanding the 
company’s customer base. 

The  company's  goals  for  2013  include  increasing  Stream.ru's  market  share  by  both  audience  and  income,  and 
developing its functionality and accessibility from all mainstream devices.  

The  advertising  business  will  develop  the  key  segment  of  outdoor  advertising  by  bringing  in  new  high-margin 
mid-range advertising customers, as well as competing for the advertising budgets of the major customers. 

SMM will look into opportunities to strengthen its position in the advertising market significantly through M&A 
deals and partnerships with other market players. 

In the TV segment, SMM is focused on enhancing its telecom operator and subscriber base, growing incomes and 
monetising additional content.  

Investment strategy  

SMM's investment strategy is aimed at the company's stabilisation and building core assets using TV and digital 
resources. The company is set to develop these areas both organically and through M&A, with a view to creating 
an effective leader in the new media and pay TV sectors. 

2012 results 

Financial results 
Indicator, $ m 
Revenue 
OIBDA 
Net loss attributable to Sistema 
Debt 

Operating results 
Indicator 
Stream TV subscriber base, m 
Library, hours 

2012 
82 
21 
(11) 
33  

2012 
7.5 
1, 600 

2011 
102 
(32) 
(64) 
46  

2011 
6.2 
1, 491 

% 
(19.8%) 
- 
- 
(28.8%) 

% 
21.0% 
7.3% 

Key events of 2012  
In  June  2012,  SMM  started  managing  the  multimedia  content  portal  Stream.ru  (formerly  Omlet.ru)  within  the  agreement 
signed by MTS and Sistema regarding the management of LLC Stream.  

In  the  third  quarter  of  2012,  SMM  continued  its  business  restructuring,  closed  its  film  studio  in  Moscow,  and  divided  its 
studio production business into two entities, OJSC ORK (studios) and RWS (producing). 

4.5. MTS Bank 
MTS Bank is a universal commercial bank of federal scale and is among Russia's biggest banks by equity and net assets. 

32 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Ownership and management 

Company 
MTS Bank 

Effective ownership 
94% 

The  Chairman  of  the  Management  Board  is  Mikhail  Chaikin  (before  February  2013  -  Andrey  Shlyakhovoy),  and  the 
Chairman of the Board of Directors is Alexey Buyanov. 

Sector 
A  liquidity  shortage  in  the  banking  market  at  the  beginning  of  2012  caused  banks  to  depend  heavily  on  private  money. 
Active engagement of all banks with private individuals brought significant growth in private deposits rates in the market, 
which increased by 21.5% over the year. 

Despite  the  liquidity  shortage,  at  the  end  of  2012  Russia's  banking  system  enjoyed  peak  post-crisis  growth  rates,  retail 
lending becoming the most active banking segment. The growth of private debt to banks exceeded 40%, outperforming the 
Central Bank's forecast by 20%.  

The credit card market grew drastically, by over 80%, compared to the 70% rate recorded in 2011. The total number of loans 
in 2012 was up 44.5%, while the number of loans provided through credit cards increased by 74.8%.  

The  share  of  state-run  banks  in  the  country's  total  banking  sector  in  2012  exceeded  60%.  Banking  regulations  continued 
toughening: the H1 capital adequacy ratio increased and Russian banks took measures to implement Basel II and Basel III 
standards.  

Outlook 
Resources being scarce, banks are cutting back on corporate lending. They are giving preference to the retail sector, with its 
associated  higher  margins,  while  tightening  terms  of  lending  to  major  corporate  customers.  Corporate  lending  rates  will 
continue to slow down in 2013. 

The banking industry is becoming increasingly interested in the fastest-growing markets - telecommunications and consumer 
electronics - for providing financial services to individuals. A significant growth in the number of bank card holders and an 
evolution of related services in the retail banking sector is projected for the near future. 

Credit card penetration in Russia is much lower than in developed economies, which creates a favourable environment for 
aggressive  growth. The share of credit cards in the total private  debt to bank is expected to grow  from 6.5% to 16.1% by 
2016. Thanks to the explosive growth of retail card lending, the average annual increase in lending in the retail sector over 
2011-2015 is estimated at 36%.  

Steady growth in 2012 
The key driver of the bank's development in 2012 was a joint project with MTS, integrating telecom and banking platforms. 
In February 2012, the bank changed its name to OJSC MTS Bank (previous name: JSCB MBRD) and began to re-brand. In 
September  2012,  the  reorganisation  of  OJSC  Dalcombank  through  a  merger  with  MTS  Bank  was  completed;  as  a  result, 
MTS Bank received a branch network encompassing the whole of Russia. 

In  mid-2012,  MTS  Bank,  MTS  and  MasterCard  presented  Russia's  first  NFC  shopping  solution  (the  MasterCard  PayPass 
payment service). The segment's development forecasts as well as pilot project results testify to solid prospects for these fast-
growing new payment instruments. In November 2012, the bank issued its millionth MTS Money card. 

In 2012, MTS Bank's retail loan portfolio almost doubled, exceeding RUB 40bn. It plans to increase private debt to the bank 
more than six-fold in the next five years.  

Operating strategy 
The  bank's  operating  goals  include  optimising  internal  business  processes,  cutting  costs  and  improving  customer  service 
quality. Investment in re-branding of the Banking Group is an important part of the  strategy, designed to create a uniform 
concept for promoting financial products and services under the MTS Bank brand. MTS Bank also aims to increase the share 
of high-margin products in the loan portfolio, as well as grow its non-interest income.  

Investment strategy 
To increase  value of its banking assets, Sistema aims to  utilize synergies between the  mobile communication and banking 
markets. 

33 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
As part of the joint project, in October 2012 MTS decided to buy up to 25% of the bank's shares for an amount of up to RUB 
5.09bn.  A  blocking  stake  in  MTS  Bank  enables  MTS  to  influence  the  bank's  development  strategy,  and  develop  its  retail 
segment  and  the  services  with  the  greatest  potential  for  synergies  throughout  the  Group's  entire  business:  credit  cards,  e-
commerce, and distance payments. 

2012 results 

Financial results 
Indicator, $ m 
Revenue 
OIBDA 

Net income/(loss) attributable to Sistema 

Operating results 
Indicator 
Assets, US$ m 
Loan portfolio, US$ m 
-  Loan  portfolio  attributable  to  the  joint  project  with 

MTS, US$ m 

2012 
712 

51 

16 

2012 
6, 977 
5, 596 

234 

2011 
561 
(6) 

(20) 

2011 
6, 958 
5, 097 

14 

% 
27.0 
- 

- 

% 
0.3% 
9.8% 

1, 571.4% 

Key events of 2012 
In February 2012, MBRD changed its name to OJSC MTS Bank and chose the MTS brand name as the basis for its further 
development. 

In  April  2012,  the  EGM  of  MTS  Bank’s  shareholders  initiated  the  reorganisation  of  MTS  Bank  by  merging  with 
Dalcombank. 

In  October  2012,  Sistema,  MTS  and  MTS  Bank  signed  a  non-binding  indicative  offer  regarding  the  issuance  of  up  to  a 
25.095% stake in MTS Bank to MTS through an additional share issue by MTS Bank. In March 2013, the transaction was 
concluded in line with the terms announced on October 25, 2012. 

4.6. Detsky Mir Group 
Detsky Mir Group is the largest retailer of children's goods in Russia and the CIS. Today the group incorporates the Detsky 
Mir  retail  store  chain  in  Russia  and  Kazakhstan,  the  ELC  chain  of  early  development  centres  in  Russia,  the  luxury  centre 
Yakimanka Children's Gallery, and the online stores detmir.ru and elc-russia.ru.  

Ownership and management 

Company 
Detsky Mir - Centre 

Effective ownership 
75%-1 

The CEO of Detsky Mir is Vladimir Chirakhov (before November 2012 – Gennady Levkin), and the Chairman of 
the Board of Directors is Christopher Baxter. 

Sector  
According to Detsky Mir Group, the children's goods market in Russia in 2012 grew by 10.5% and totaled US$ 
14bn. Considering Renaissance Capital forecast for the 4.6% growth of Russia's total consumer market, children's 
goods account for one of its most promising and fast-growing segments. At the same time, Detsky Mir's growth 
rate is almost the double of that of Russia's overall children's goods  market, while the company's  market share 
increased from 5.8% in 2011 to 6.4% in 2012. 

An  especially  important pre-requisite  for the  development  of the  Russian  children's  goods  market  is  legislation 
aimed at reducing unorganized retail, sales of counterfeit products and low-quality goods. Although there were no 
significant changes to the legal framework along these lines in 2012, there is a strong trend towards tightening the 
responsibility  for  violating  trade  regulations  and  toughening  judicial  practices,  especially  after  Russia's  WTO 
accession in August 2012. 

34 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Outlook  
The trend for regional expansion will continue in the Russian  children's goods market over the next few years, 
projected development of the high-quality retail property market being one of the growth factors. Quality retail 
facilities  available  at  significantly  lower  lease  rates  than  those  in  Moscow  and  the  Moscow  region  make  the 
Russian regions especially attractive for retail chain development. 

Further development of retail chains will cause the share of unorganised retail in the children's goods market to 
continue  shrinking.  Another  factor  promoting  this  trend  is  the  change  in  consumption  patterns.  According  to 
RBC's research, growing incomes in Russia not only increase consumption generally, but also encourage sales of 
higher-quality, safer products. 

The most promising market segments remain infant products, children's clothes, and toys, which account for 80% 
of the entire segment.  

Steady growth in 2012  
In 2012, the number of Detsky Mir stores increased by 44% to 216 (including ELC franchise stores), while the 
chain expanded into 22 new cities in three Russian and three Kazakhstan regions. 

In 2012, Detsky Mir acquired the Early Learning Centre (ELC) chain, enabling it to enter the early development 
children's  product  niche,  broaden  its  product  range  by  adding  new  concepts,  and  also  to  adopt  Western 
technologies and successful practices in the segment. 

The company is active in the fast-growing online sales market. The geography of deliveries from the online store 
www.detmir.ru expanded from 13 to 66 cities in 2012. 

Operating strategy  
The company's development strategy is aimed at increasing the operating efficiency of the business, on the back 
of growing revenue per square meter, reducing operational spending and improving purchasing conditions. 

The company is focusing on further developing its own-brand products, a highly profitable business segment that 
also  improves  customer  loyalty.  Further  promotion  of  online  sales  also  remains  one  of  the  company's  priority 
development areas. 

Other operating objectives include optimising business processes, delivery chain management, and improving the 
IT infrastructure. 

Investment strategy  
Sistema's investment strategy is to strengthen Detsky Mir's leading position in the market and further expand the 
chain,  with  a  focus  on  organic  growth  in  the  Russian  regions.  There  is  also  potential  for  M&A  transactions, 
subject to favourable purchasing conditions and synergies with other companies within the Group. 

2012 results 

Financial results 
Indicator, $ m 
Revenue 
OIBDA 
Net income/(loss) attributable to Sistema 
Debt 

Operating results 
Indicator 
Retail floor space, thousand sq.m 
Number of outlets 

2012 
893 
54 
11 
99  

2012 
291 
216 

2011 
783 
27 
(6) 
125  

2011 
236 
150 

% 
 14.0% 
97.9% 
- 
(21.3%) 

% 
23.3% 
44.0% 

35 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Key events of 2012  

In  July  2012,  Detsky  Mir  acquired  the  British  chain  of  children's  early  learning  goods,  Early  Learning  Centre  (ELC) 
franchise in Russia. ELC is a fast-growing company - as of the end of 2012, it included twenty stand-alone outlets, a number 
of corners in Detsky Mir stores, and an online store. 

4.7. VAO Intourist 
VAO  Intourist  is  the  largest  tourism  holding  in  Russia.  It  comprises  VAO  Intourist  Managing  Company,  which  has 
successfully operated and developed in the hotel business for many years, and a tour-operating and retail business managed 
jointly with Thomas Cook. Intourist owns a 49.9% stake in the joint venture with Thomas Cook.  

Ownership and management 

Company 
Intourist 

Effective ownership 
66% 

The  President  of  VAO  Intourist  is  I.  Maydanov  (before  March  2013  –  D.  Bass,  before  May  2012  -  Alexander 
Arutyunov).  The  Chairman  of  the  Board  of  Directors  is  Arnold  Spivakovsky  (before  January  2013  -  Raphael 
Nagapetyants). 

Sector 
In 2012, the outbound tourism market was under pressure due to the  force majeure events of 2011 (revolutions 
and armed conflicts in a number of countries of North Africa and the Middle East). Consumer demand shifted 
towards the countries of Europe and South-East Asia. The average price of package tours remained at the level of 
the previous year, except for the countries with strong price competition (Greece and Spain), where the average 
tour price dropped by 10-15%. Despite positive trends in tourist traffic and the average tour price, the financial 
indicators  of  the  industry's  operators  did  not  improve,  as  the  tough  pricing  competition  exerted  a  downward 
pressure on business profitability.  

About 70% of tourist traffic is concentrated in Moscow and St. Petersburg. According to the results of monitoring 
conducted by STR-Global, the occupancy and profitability rates of hotels in Moscow in 2012 increased by 5% 
and 7%, respectively. According to the State Statistics Service, there were 285 hotels in Moscow in 2012, with a 
total  of  35,000  rooms. The  3-star  hotel  segment  accounts for about  30%  of the entire  hospitality  market.  Non-
Russian hotel operators are mostly represented in the 4- and 5-star hotel segment, with a market share of about 
29%. During the low season, there is strong pricing competition among Moscow hotels of different categories.  

Outlook  
According to the forecast for 2013, the demand structure in the tourist market will remain the same in terms of the 
distribution of price segments and concentration in the lower price segments. It is projected that average prices 
will grow, except in segments experiencing strong competition, and that the influence of global European players 
will strengthen and further structuring of the market will continue. According to the forecast of UNWTO  – the 
World  Tourist  Organisation  –  tourist  traffic  in  Russia  will  grow  at  3-5%  a  year  on  average  over  the  next  few 
years. 

The  hotel  market  will  see  positive  trends  in  the  key  operating  indicators  -  profitability  and  occupancy. 
International  hotel  operators,  such  as  Accor,  Rezidor  Hotel  Group,  Hilton  and  Starwood  Hotels,  continue  their 
expansion in the Russian regions.  

One of the most important trends that will continue to influence the tourist and hotel markets is the increase in the 
number of customers booking their accommodation independently on the internet. Direct customer bookings have 
a positive impact on hotel operators, while in the tour-operating business this trend leads to a decrease in sales.  

Steady growth in 2012  
The  main  goal  of  Intourist  in  2012  was  to  retain  its  position  in  the  hotel  market  and  to  increase  the  operating 
efficiency  of  its  hotel  chain.  Most  of  the  company's  efforts  were  aimed  at  increasing  occupancy  rates  and 
improving  quality.  Active  sales  development,  including  sales  on  the  internet,  made  it  possible  to  increase  the 

36 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
ADR (average price per room/night) and RevPar (Revenue per room) indicators by 20% and 22% respectively, 
and to reduce the managing company's and hotels’ costs.  

Operating strategy 
The  2013  operating  strategy  in  the  hotel  business  is  focused  on  increasing  business  efficiency  through  cost 
optimisation.  Thomas  Cook  is  in  charge  of  developing  and  implementing  the  operating  strategy  of  the  tour-
operating and retail businesses and the main goal of the joint venture is to reach a net income break-even point.  

Investment strategy  
The  investment  strategy  of  Sistema  for  2013-2017  is  to  strengthen  Intourist’s  positions  in  the  hotel  and  tour-
operating markets. The tour-operating business will be developed jointly with Thomas Cook by introducing the 
best management practices. The hotel business will be  reorganized and split into two units: City Hotels 3* and 
Medical SPA. The creation of the City Hotels 3* chain implies bringing in an international brand (franchise) and 
renovating  the  operating  facilities  to  ensure  they  meet  the  brand  standards;  another  objective  is  to  build  new 
facilities in Moscow.  

2012 results 

Financial results 
Indicator, $ m 
Revenue 
OIBDA 
Net (loss)/income attributable to Sistema 
Debt 

Operating results 
Indicator 
Rooms 
Number of tourists, thousands 

2012 
88 
(14) 
(23) 
81 

2012 
2, 610 
584 

2011 
277 
44 
35 
102 

2011 
2, 866 
725 

% 
(68.4) 
- 
- 
-21.1% 

% 
-8.9% 
-19.4% 

Key events of 2012 
In April 2012, the management contract with the owners of Severnaya Hotel (Petrozavodsk) was terminated.  

In  October  2012,  the  management  contract  with  the  owners  of  Oktyabrskaya  Hotel  (Nizhniy  Novgorod)  was 
terminated. 

4.8. Medsi Group (Medsi) 
Medsi  Group  (Medsi)  is  Russia's  largest  federal  chain  of  commercial  prevention  and  treatment  facilities, 
providing a full range of medical services. The Group includes three inpatient facilities, 18 clinics, three clinical-
diagnostic  centres,  two  rehabilitation  centres,  and  three  health  centres  in  Moscow  and  the  Moscow  Region,  as 
well  as  ten  primary  clinics  and  over  80  medical  stations  in  other  Russian  cities,  and  a  rehabilitation  centre  in 
Ukraine. 

Ownership and management 

Company 
Medsi Group 

Effective ownership 
75%-1 

The President of Medsi Group is Khawar Mann (before February 2013 - Tatiana Sergeyeva). The Chairman of the 
Board of Directors is Mikhail Shamolin (before February 2013 - Khawar Mann). 

Sector 
According  to  BusinessStat,  the  Russian  paid-healthcare  services  market  grew  by  9%  in  2012 to  RUB  417.8bn. 
This was caused by the rising price of healthcare services, due in part to promoting service packages, as well as 
the overall growth in the personal incomes of Russians. 

37 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Russian medical centres have lately been actively pursuing their own service contract programmes, while cutting 
back on their voluntary health insurance plans. They have therefore been claiming a potential extra profit of 15-
20% of a policy value, which is normally charged by insurers as a markup. 

The growth of the commercial healthcare services market was also supported by a decline in shadow medicine, 
which resulted from doctors transferring from state-run institutions to private clinics. An overall increase in the 
demands Russians place on the quality of healthcare services was another factor encouraging this growth. 

A  significant  2012  event  was  MD  Medical  Group's  IPO  on  the  London  Stock  Exchange  which  testified  to  the 
high appeal of the industry to financial investors, and to positive expectations of the future development of the 
sector. A number of other major private healthcare services players also have IPO plans for the near future. 

Outlook  
According to analyst forecasts, the growth rate of the paid-healthcare services sector will be around 12% per year 
until  2017,  with  the  increasing  costs  of  services  and  the  commercialisation  of  state-run  medical  institutions 
remaining the key growth factors. 

The  volume  of  commercial  medicine  is  expected  to  grow  in  2013  on  the  back  of  new  legislation  dividing  all 
medical services into either paid or free ones. The new law rigorously limits the list of free services covered by 
mandatory health policies.  

The  inpatient  treatment  segment  is  today's  most  promising  segment  of  commercial  healthcare  services.  There 
were  no  private  inpatient facilities in  Russia  until recently,  as they  were  normally  provided on the premises  of 
state-run medical institutions or by minor inpatient departments of commercial clinical and diagnostic centres. An 
agreement entered into by the State Unitary Enterprise (SUE) and Medsi Group virtually laid the foundations for 
the private inpatient facilities sector in Russia, with a commercial bed count exceeding 1,000.  

Steady growth in 2012  
In  2012,  Medsi  continued  to  expand,  and  remained  the  number-one  provider  of  paid  healthcare  in  Russia.  An 
expansion  of  its  range  of  services,  as  well  as  the  acquisition  of  SUE  healthcare  assets  in  2012,  enabled  the 
company to achieve significant revenue increase. The company attained high financial results due to an increase 
in the total number of patients, growth of the average check indicators and increased overall patient traffic.  

Through  an  agreement  signed  with  SUE  in  early  2012,  Medsi  became  the  owner  of  three  inpatient  treatment 
facilities with a total bed count over 1,000, as well as four adult and one pediatric clinic, two rehabilitation centres 
in Moscow and a centre in Ukraine, giving it the capacity to provide a full range of medical services. The Group's 
product  range  has  been  enhanced  through  the  inpatient  and  rehabilitation  care  segment  –  a  unique  feature  of 
Russia's commercial healthcare market. 

In  2012,  the  company  focused  heavily  on  optimising  its  organisational  structure  and  business  processes.  It 
launched  a  project  to  unify  its  IT  infrastructure  and  create  a  shared  information  space,  and  drafted  a  new 
programme to adopt world-class healthcare service standards.  

Operating strategy  
Medsi's key strategic goals include business expansion, increasing efficiency and profitability through a presence 
in all its target markets, strengthening its position in diseases attracting increasing attention, and developing high-
tech  assistance.  The  company  is  planning  to  use  its  newly  acquired  infrastructure  to  create  an  integrated 
healthcare  services  platform,  encompassing  a  wide  range  of  services  from  initial  consultations  and  outpatient 
diagnostics to inpatient and rehabilitation care. 

The new inpatient care segment is one of the Group's priority areas, and Medsi's strategy envisages modernising 
its inpatient facilities and upgrading them in line with the latest international healthcare standards.  

The  company  also  plans to  continue  developing  its  regional  network  in  Russia  and  the  CIS,  and  to open  up  to 
three new clinics every year, including the possible acquisition of operational regional clinics with solid market 
positions. 

38 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Investment strategy  
Sistema plans to develop its healthcare assets and tap into new market segments through efficient mergers and 
partnerships.  To  improve  Medsi's  corporate  governance,  and  increase  its  investment  attractiveness  and 
recognition  in  international  markets,  we  plan  to  sell  a  25%  stake  to  an  international  partner  with  extensive 
experience in healthcare management. Our investment goal is to prepare Medsi for entering capital markets by 
2016. 

2012 results 

Financial results 
Indicator, $ m 
Revenue 
OIBDA 
Net income attributable to Sistema 
Debt 

Operating results 
Indicator 
Patient visits, ths. 
Services provided, ths. 

Key events of 2012  

2012 
224 
29 
1 
84  

2011 
199 
31 
7 
69   21.7% 

% 
 12.5% 
(6.4%) 
(90.1%) 

2012 

2011 

% 

4, 979 
11, 055 

4, 118 
7, 491 

20.9% 
47.6% 

In  April  2012,  Medsi  commenced  a  merger  of  assets  with  the  State  Unitary  Enterprise  (SUE)  Medical  Centre 
under  the  Administration  of  the  Mayor  of  Moscow  and  the  Moscow  Government,  a  large  group  of  healthcare 
institutions in Moscow. SUE gained a 25% stake in the combined entity in exchange for contributing its property, 
which has a market value of RUB 6.043bn. 

In February 2013, Khawar Mann was appointed new President of Medsi Group. 

4.9. RTI 
RTI  is  the  largest  holding  in  the  field  of  defence,  comprehensive  security  systems,  system  integration  and 
microelectronics.  It  has  its  own  R&D  infrastructure,  and  implements  projects  in  radio  and  space  technologies, 
navigation and microelectronic products, which are unique in scale and complexity. RTI comprises RTI Systems 
Concern (97%), SITRONICS (100%), and NVision Group (50% + 0.5 share). 

Ownership and management 

Company 
RTI 

Effective ownership 
84.6% 

The CEO of RTI is Sergey Boev. The Chairman of the Board of Directors is Evgeny Primakov. 

Sector 
RTI operates in the defence industry, focusing mainly on the IT segment for the airspace defence market, a total 
market of approximately US$ 1bn. There is hardly any direct product competition in the high-tech segments of 
state  defence  contracts,  due  to  unique  competencies  that  differentiate  each  player.  In  the  mass  production  of 
weapons and military equipment, the competitive position is determined by the company's ability to reduce the 
cost of production. 

According to a security systems market survey by AMICO, the Russian security systems market grew by 12% in 
2012 and had an estimated value of approximately US$ 7bn. The narrower segment of comprehensive security 
and  control  systems  for  the  regions  of  Russia  is  on  the  threshold  of  exceptional  growth.  It  is  under  the  strict 
control  of  the  Russian  Government,  because  demand  is  growing  in  more  and  more  regions  as  they  see  the 
possibility of creating intellectual transportation systems and ‘Safe City/Region’ systems.  

39 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
According to Frost & Sullivan, the total value of the Russian microelectronics market in 2012 was estimated at 
US$ 2bn. Advanced semiconductor products are currently in high demand, which, considering the government's 
goal  to  find  import  substitutes,  should  provide  a  maximum  load  on  the  Russian  production  facilities  for 
microelectronics. 

Based on analytical data, the Russian information technologies market went up by 10% in 2012 and reached US$ 
30bn. According to IDC, around 67% of IT expenses in Russia are still allocated to hardware, and only 19% to 
services. Major IT projects are executed as part of federal regional and municipal programmes. 

Outlook 
According to the state programme, government defence expenses in 2013 may reach US$ 70bn. RTI considers the 
defence market to be stable, with long-term government funding. The airspace defence segment RTI operates in is 
among the Russian state’s priority defence areas.  

At present, security systems is one of the fastest growing and most promising segments. According to RTI, the 
expected  rate  of  market  growth  in  the  medium  term  is  15-20%.  In  the  opinion  of  RTI’s  management,  the  key 
trends are: demand growth related to the need for security provision at the major world sports events to be held in 
Russia in 2013, 2014, and 2018; a growing need among security agencies for intellectual analytical systems; the 
development of cognitive information processing and situation analysis centres.  

In 2013-2015, the market for microchips for RFID cards and tags is expected to grow by 10-15% annually, as is 
the  market  for  chips  for  documents  with  electronic  information  carriers.  The  Russian  Government  has  started 
forming  a  regulatory  base  for  developing  microelectronics,  implementing  government  projects,  and  increasing 
major companies' interest in RFID-based solutions. The key competitive advantage for companies in this segment 
will be achieving optimal use of production capacities and vertical integration of the supply chain. 

According to analysts, the growth of the IT market in 2013, especially in the services segment, is expected to be 
10%.  

Steady growth in 2012 
The key factors behind the successful development of RTI in 2012 are expansion of the company's presence in the 
system  integration  market  through  consolidation  of  NVision  Group  and  the  growth  of  revenues  in  defence 
solutions. 

The  merger  of  RTI-based  assets  was  completed  in  2012  with  the  integration  of  Concern  RTI-Systems  and 
SITRONICS, and of SITRONICS and NVision Group assets. The purpose of this consolidation was to create the 
right conditions for developing the CIS's largest system integrator capable of implementing major IT projects and 
having the broadest regional presence among Russian IT companies. 

Major projects successfully completed in 2012 include hardware and software video surveillance facilities for the 
presidential  elections  in  Russia,  a  video  surveillance  system  for  the  parliamentary  elections  in  Ukraine,  and  a 
number of large-scale projects to develop Russia’s missile approach warning system.  

In  the  field  of  integrated  security  systems  in  2012,  RTI  continued  working  on  the  Intellectual  Transportation 
System of Moscow, and commissioned the Resource Management Centre in Tyumen. 

The microelectronics segment began manufacturing and supplying products using the 90 nm technology. 

In  2012,  NVision  Group  expanded  its  chain  of  affiliates  and  implemented  a  number  of  innovative  projects  for 
outsourcing networks, telemedicine, and building GPON networks. It also completed the construction of the IT 
centre for the Sochi Olympics.  

Operating strategy 
The  company  will  achieve  a  leading  position  in  the  government  defence  contracts  market  by  developing  land-
based early-warning intelligence systems and information support for the airspace defence system. It will also do 
this  by  planning  to  develop  modern  radar  stations  for  internal  and  export  purposes,  participating  in  the 

40 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
development  of  satellite  communication  systems  and  forming  its  own  R&D  centres  for  communication 
equipment. 

Investment strategy 
Sistema’s investment strategy aims to improve the efficiency of its assets and to capture leading positions in the 
high-tech  sector  in  Russia.  To  achieve  this,  Sistema  intends  to  develop  three  standalone  businesses  focused  on 
defence,  systems  integration  and  navigation  services.  RTI  is  expected  to  focus  on  defence  projects  and 
microelectronics, SITRONICS will merge with NIS and oversee development of the navigation segment, while 
NVision will retain its focus on systems integration.  

Key financial and operating results 2012 

2012 results 

Financial results 
Indicator, $ m 
Revenue 
OIBDA 
Net loss attributable to Sistema 
Debt 

2012 
2, 376 
13 
(130) 
1, 338 

2011 
2, 093 
154 
(18) 
1, 126 

% 
13.5% 
(91.9%) 
- 
18.8% 

Key events of 2012  
In February 2012, the Military Industrial Committee of the Russian Government appointed Sergey Boev, CEO of 
RTI, as the General Designer for the Missile Approach Warning System. 

In  February  2012,  RUSNANO  and  SITRONICS  began  producing  microchips  using  the  90  nm  technology. 
Launching this new line will double the plant’s capacity, making it possible to produce 36,000 plates a year with a 
diameter of 200 mm. The total budget for the project is RUB 16.5bn, including co-financing from RUSNANO of 
RUB 6.5bn.  

In April 2012, SITRONICS completed the sale of a 3% stake in Intracom Telecom to Rydra Trading Company. 
As a consequence, SITRONICS’ share in Intracom Telecom shrank from 51% to 48%. 

In June 2012, RTI was listed among 2011’s Top-100 world's largest defense companies according to the annual 
international ranking, Defense News Top 100. 

In August 2012, after a mandatory buyout, RTI became the owner of 100% of SITRONICS’ shares. Following 
the  buyout,  SITRONICS  was  delisted  from  the  London  Stock  Exchange,  and  the  depositary  receipts  and 
depositary agreements were terminated.  

In September 2012, RTI completed the strategic integration of the assets of RTI Group and NVision Group for IT 
and  communication  technologies.  Following  the  transaction,  RTI  became  the  owner  of  50%+0.5  shares  of 
NVision Group. The RTI Group made the payment under the transaction partly in cash, and partly by transferring 
to  NVision  Group  the  assets  currently  under  the  management  of  SITRONICS  Information  Technologies  and 
SITRONICS Telecom Solutions (except for Intracom Telecom).  

In  November  2012,  RTI  and  its  affiliates  became  the  holders  of  83.54%  of  voting  shares  in  OJSC  NIIDAR. 
Following the transaction, RTI declared a mandatory offer to acquire up to 100% of NIIDAR's ordinary shares. 

In December 2012, RTI, X5 Retail Group N.V. and RUSNANO launched the trial operation of Perekrestok Store 
of  the  Future.  The  project  benefited  from  the  interaction  of  NVision  Group,  Russia's  largest  integrator,  and 
NIIME  and  Micron,  with  its  full  chain  of  development  and  production  facilities  for  RFID  semi-conductor 
products. 

41 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
is  a  pharmaceuticals  company 

4.10. Binnopharm 
largest  full-cycle  GMP-compliant 
Binnopharm 
manufacturing  facility,  producing  bio-technology  drugs.  The  company  is  focused  on  developing  and  producing 
treatments for such serious conditions as cancer, blood disorders, and infectious and respiratory diseases. It also 
develops genetically engineered medicines, vaccines and cell technology products for use in regenerative therapy. 

that  operates  Russia’s 

Ownership and management 

Company 
Binnopharm 

Effective ownership 
74% 

The CEO of Binnopharm is Pavel Medvedev (before April 2013 - Alexey Chupin). The Chairman of the Board of 
Directors is Dmitry Zubov. 

Sector 
The  Russian  pharmaceutical  market  continues  to  be  one  of  the  fastest-growing  pharmaceutical  markets  in  the 
world. In 2012, the finished pharma products sector grew by 16.4%, mainly as a result of retail price rises.  

In volume, Russian manufacturers account for almost two-thirds of the market, but are still behind international 
players in monetary terms. In 2012, the market share occupied by Russian manufacturers increased by 1 p.p. in 
monetary terms and reached 26.3%, despite a slight reduction in volumes.  

Medicines that are not classified as vital and essential are still the most promising part of the industry, as they 
dominate the current growth rates and are not under pressure from government regulation. 

Outlook 
Most  experts  share  a  positive  view  on  the  prospects  of  the  Russian  pharmaceuticals  market.  According  to  the 
latest  forecast  by  the  Pharmexpert  Market  Research  Centre,  the  growth  in  market  volumes  in  2013-2014  is 
expected to remain at 13-14% annually. Among growth factors are the programme of healthcare modernisation, 
the government programme Pharma-2020, the continuing increase in income per capita, and increasing individual 
health and disease prevention awareness. 

Steady growth in 2012  
In  2012,  Binnopharm's  sales  doubled  as  a  result  of  the  increase  in  sales  of  its  own  products,  as  well  as  the 
extension of distribution volumes.  

The  company  fulfilled  the  RUB  500m  government  contract  for  delivering  the  Hepatitis  B  vaccine  ahead  of 
schedule. It complemented its product portfolio with a new bio-technology product – Erythropoietinβ 2000 МЕ, 
and commissioned its production lines for tablets and aerosols.  

It  also  continued  a  successful  partnership  with  GlaxoSmithKline,  and  its  subsidiary  ViiV  Healthcare,  on  the 
localisation of antiretroviral drugs through manual repackaging of Kivex. In cooperation with ViiV Healthcare, 
Binnopharm also started the distribution of Combivir. 

In  2012,  Binnopharm  started  a  full-scale  operation  for  the  Group's  distribution  division,  with  representative 
offices in Moscow, Ekaterinburg, Rostov-on-Don and Krasnodar.  

The integration of Binnopharm and Alium, a producer of infusion solutions and blood substitutes, also started in 
2012. The deal was structured as an additional share issuance, with Sistema contributing cash and LLC Zenitko 
Finance  Management,  Alium's  assets.  The  combined  entity  will  operate  under  the  Binnopharm  name.  After 
combining Binnopharm's and Alium's assets, Binnopharm represents a group consisting of two large production 
facilities that meet high European standards in pharmaceutical production and several distribution companies. The 
additional share issuance totalled approximately RUB 1.749bn. As a result of the deal, Sistema has decreased its 
shareholding  in  Binnopharm  from  100%  to  74%.  LLC  Zenitko  Finance  Management  holds  a  26%  stake  in 
Binnopharm. 

42 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Operating strategy  
Binnopharm has a goal to become one of the largest Russian developers and manufacturers of pharmaceuticals, 
and to capture 50% of the Russian market of biotech drugs. 

As part of the first stage of biotech production development, the company is expanding its vaccine product  mix 
and launching its own manufacturing facilities for erythropoietin β, interferon α, and filgrastim.  

Developing its own distribution chain in the Russian regions will enable it to continue increasing sales volumes. 

Investment strategy  
Creating  strategic  alliances  and joint  ventures  with  major  foreign  producers of pharmaceuticals  is  an  important 
part  of  Sistema’s  investment  strategy.  We  are  considering  a  number  of  companies  that  have  complementary 
product portfolios or businesses for acquisition. 

Key financial and operating results 2012 

2012 results 

Financial results 
Indicator, $ m 
Revenue 
OIBDA 
Net income/(loss) attributable to Sistema 
Debt 

Operating results 
Indicator 
Capacity utilisation, ampules 
Capacity utilisation, tablets 
Capacity utilisation, aerosols 

2012 
74 
16 
2 
21 

2012 
44.0% 
1.2% 
3.6% 

2011 
39 
1 
(4) 
7 

2011 
16.0% 
0.1% 
3.5% 

% 
91.5% 
1,103.2% 
- 
206.0% 

% 
28 p.p. 
1.1 p.p. 
0.1 p.p. 

Key events of 2012 
In March 2012, Binnopharm launched the first stage of the strategic project with ViiV Healthcare to package the 
Kivex vaccine. 

In July 2012, the company launched the production of aerosols and set up the commercial manufacturing of the 
Salbutamol inhaler for asthma and bronchitis. 

Also in July 2012, Binnopharm completed preparations for the transaction with Panacea Biotec Ltd (India), aimed 
at transferring the technology for producing a vaccine against haemophilus influenza and a combined quintavalent 
vaccine against tetanus, diphtheria, whooping cough, hepatitis B and haemophilus influenza. 

4.11. NIS 
Navigation-Information  Systems  (NIS)  is  a  leader  in  the  Russian  navigation  market,  carrying  out  the  major 
technological projects of GLONASS and the Russian satellite navigation system.  

Ownership and management 

Company 
OJSC NIS 

Effective ownership 
60% 

The CEO of NIS is Alexander Chub (before September 2012 – Alexander Gurko). The Chairman of the Board of 
Directors is Alexey Shavrov. 

Sector  
The  total  volume  of  the  Russian  navigation  and  information  market  in  2012  reached  RUB  18-19bn, 
approximately  RUB  12bn  of  which  was  allocated  to  navigation  systems  and  vehicle  services,  transport  safety 
43 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
projects,  and  cargo  and  passenger  transportation  control  systems.  The  Russian  navigation  and  information 
systems  market  comprises  over  300  players,  and  is  characterized  by  a  high  concentration  rate:  the  10  major 
players  account  for  around  80%  of  the  market.  The  service  market  focuses  mainly  on  security  and  navigation 
services for vehicle owners. 

Major state transport safety projects were completed in the world navigation and information market in 2012. The 
market  also  showed  significant  growth  in  mobile  subscribers'  requirements,  including  seamless  navigation 
technologies and a tendency to use multisystem GLONASS/GPS equipment. GLONASS technologies became the 
standard for the global mass market. 

The main drivers for the development of the Russian market are the major state initiatives: the ERA-GLONASS 
project, road toll systems for heavy vehicles, intellectual city transport systems, cartographic control, as well as a 
growing demand for telematics and navigation services among private clients. 

Outlook  
The Russian navigation market is expected to grow by 20% in 2013. The biggest growth is expected in 2014, with 
the  launch  of  the  ERA  GLONASS  projects,  digital  tachographs,  a  toll-collection  system  for  heavy  trucks,  and 
regional implementation of the GLONASS technology.  

The  services  segment  is  expected  to  outstrip  and  dominate  the  market  in  the  future,  due  largely  to  the 
development of the Connected Car concept. The demand for telematics and navigation services will grow among 
private  clients  and  other  categories  of  users,  owing  to  new  opportunities  for  using  satellite  navigation 
technologies to provide comfort and safety, both on the road and inside the car.  

Steady growth in 2012  
In  2012,  NIS  proceeded  with  the  two  largest  state  projects  –  ERA  GLONASS  and  the  Intellectual  Transport 
System (Moscow). With the introduction of monitoring and dispatcher control systems, over 30,000 vehicles were 
equipped with GLONASS/GPS equipment in 2012. The largest clients included OJSC Transneft, FSUE Post of 
Russia, Olympic Games Transport Directorate, the Russian Ministry of Internal Affairs, the Russian Ministry of 
Emergencies, and the Government of Moscow. 

In  2012,  NIS  undertook  the  strategic  government  initiative  to  promote  GLONASS  technologies  in  the  various 
regions of Russia. Under this programme, regional companies were set up in 19 constituent entites of Russia, and 
they will be future operators of regional navigation and information GLONASS systems.  

Operating strategy  
In 2013, NIS intends to create regional navigation and information systems and roll out these services to federal 
agencies, regional and city authorities, commercial enterprises, and private clients. The full implementation of the 
regional programme will enable NIS to create a federal network in 58 regions, becoming the only provider of a 
broad range of navigation and information and telematics services for all categories of clients in each region. 

Investment strategy 
The investment strategy for NIS focuses on forming the key competencies of the operator business, including the 
development of a centralized technological operator's infrastructure and a fast market entry with a set of the most-
needed  navigation  and  information  services.  The  company  will  pursue  this  strategy  through  organic  growth, 
strategic partnership, and the acquisition of key players in the security and search systems market.  

Key financial and operating results 2012 

2012 results 

Financial results 
Indicator, $ m 
Revenue 
OIBDA 
Net loss attributable to Sistema 
Debt 

2012 
90 
(21) 
(19) 
45 

2011 
112 
(3) 
(5) 
- 

% 
(19.7%) 
- 
- 
- 

44 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Operating results 
Indicator 
Equipped transport (thous. vehicles)* 
*Jointly with regional partners 

2012 
180 

2011 
150 

% 
20.0% 

Key events of 2012  
In  September  2012,  the  NIS  Board  of  Directors  confirmed  the  appointment  of  Alexander  Chub  as  the  CEO. 
Alexander has experience of managing the representative offices of major IT vendors: 3Com, Bull and HP. 

4.12. RZ Agro Holding Ltd 
Russkaya Zemlya (RZ Agro Holding Ltd) is a major grain producer in the South of Russia, with a land pool of 
89,000  hectares,  jointly  controlled  by  Sistema  and  certain  members  of  the  Louis-Dreyfus  family.  At  present, 
Russkaya  Zemlya  comprises  five  farm  units, forming  two regional clusters  in  the  Rostov  region  –  Rostov-East 
and Rostov-South, with 42,000 hectares and 47,000 hectares, respectively. 

Ownership and management 

Company 
RZ Agro Holding Ltd. 

Effective ownership 
47% 

The President of RZ Agro Holding is Stéphane MacFarlane. The Chairman of the Board of Directors is Thomas 
Schultz. 

Sector 
Global factors will create a growth in demand for agricultural products in the future, and for wheat in particular. 
Russia  is  one  of  the  major  exporters  of  wheat,  with  competitive  advantages  such  as  low  production  costs,  the 
potential for profitability improvement, and plenty of arable land. 

The  land  and  water resources  of  Russia  make  it a  unique  place for  grain  farming:  Russia is privileged  to have 
10% of all arable land, 55% of all black soil, and 20% of all fresh water on the planet. Grain farming (mainly for 
wheat)  is  Russia's  most  successful  agricultural  activity;  the  country  continuously  maintains  its  second  or  third 
position in the world wheat export market. 

The 2012 drought harmed many major agricultural producers including Russia, Australia and Brazil. The drought 
in  the  US  was  the  worst  in  56  years.  This  considerably  reduced  the  production  and  reserves  of  major  grains, 
which caused world prices to rise by 50-80%.  

Outlook  
Wheat  production  in  Russia  is  expected  to  grow  and  reach  54m  tonnes  by  2018.  According  to  the  Russian 
Ministry  of  Agriculture,  productivity  growth  will  outperform  current  rates,  which  will  provide  for  vast  wheat 
production and export. Experts believe the agricultural sector will become one of the main factors supporting the 
Russian economy, due to modernisation and innovation in agriculture. Emerging markets are expected to increase 
their  import  share  in  the  overall  consumption  from  24-26%  to  30%,  due  to  the  growing  demand  for  wheat  in 
livestock farming.  

Steady growth in 2012  
In 2012, Sistema established RZ Agro Holding Ltd jointly with members of the Louis-Dreyfus family, to enter the 
agricultural sector. The joint venture's land pool in the South of Russia was 89,000 hectares. RZ Agro focuses on 
wheat production and other traditional crops. 

The  company's  main  achievement  in  2012  was  improved  financial  performance  in  spite  of  drought  conditions, 
through  efficient  budget  management  and  adapted  agronomic  practices.  RZ  Agro  also  received  compensation 
from the insurance company for areas affected by the drought.  

In 2012, the Rostov-South cluster was established on the basis of Donskoye and Horse Farm of the First Cavalry 
Army. It was integrated into the company.  

45 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Operating strategy 
The operating strategy of RZ Agro Holding sees growth coming from the creation of self-sufficient clusters, each 
with 30,000-50,000 hectares of closely located arable land. The close locations will allow us to reduce operational 
and investment costs significantly, and to improve the clusters’ management. 

Investment strategy 
Sistema’s  strategy  for  the  joint  venture  is  to  establish  Russia's  leading  agricultural  company  and  to  focus  on 
increasing  its  pool  of  arable  land  through  organic  growth  and  strategic  acquisitions.  The  joint  venture  will 
continuously monitor M&A opportunities in the key grain-producing regions – in the South of Russia and in the 
Central Black Earth Region. 

Key events of 2012 
In April 2012, Sistema, along with RZ Agro Ltd, established an agricultural joint venture to be named RZ Agro 
Holding Ltd. RZ Agro Ltd was created in 2009 and is affiliated with the Sierentz Group, and both are controlled 
by  certain  members  of  the  Louis-Dreyfus  family.  Earlier,  Sistema  acquired  two  grain  and  oilseed  farms  in  the 
Rostov Region of Russia, with a total area of 46,000 hectares. These farms became part of the joint venture, along 
with  the  existing  agricultural  holdings  of  RZ  Agro  Ltd,  which  consist  of  the  management  company  LLC 
Russkaya Zemlya and three grain and oilseed farms in the Rostov Region with a total area of 41,500 hectares. 

4.13. SG-trans 
SG-trans  OJSC  is  Russia's  largest independent  operator  in  liquefied  gas  (LG)  transportation.  SG-trans  operates 
15,000 rail cars, including tank cars especially equipped to transport LG and LG-based products.  

LLC Financial Alliance is a joint venture set up by Sistema and a group representing the company's management. 
As of year-end 2012, Financial Alliance owns, leases and rents 12,000 tank and open cars.  

Ownership and management 

Company 
OJSC SG-trans 
LLC Financial Alliance 

Effective ownership 
100% 
50% 

SG-trans' management 
The President of SG-trans is Alexey Taicher, and the Chairman of the Board of Directors is Mikhail Kurbatov. 

Financial Alliance's management 
The CEO and Chairman of the Board of Directors of Financial Alliance is Alexey Taicher. 

Sector 

The Russian railway freight market is growing at a steady pace, and in 2012 grew by 2.4%. There was practically 
no  market  downturn  during  the  crisis  of  2008-2009,  with  oil  shipments  enjoying  strong  growth.  According  to 
OJSC Russian Railways (RZD), transportation of oil and mineral oil products in 2012 increased by 3.3% to 258.2 
m tonnes. In 2012, transportation of gasoline grew by 5.4% to 38.2m tonnes, diesel fuel by 9.3% to 54.4m tonnes, 
and  transportation  of  masut  by  0.4%  to  68.6m  tonnes.  At  the  same  time,  the  number  of  companies  operating 
specialised  tank  cars  remains  low,  with  more  than  half  the  segment  serviced  by  Sibur-Trans,  Gazpromtrans, 
Lukoil-Trans and SG-trans. 

A key factor in the growing demand for LPG transportation is new legislation passed by the Russian Government, 
which requires oil companies to ensure utilisation of up to 95% of associated petroleum gas starting from 2012. 
Among other factors influencing the sector are an increasing oil conversion ratio, growth in exports of natural gas 
and escalating volume of liquefied petroleum gas production, with natural gas as a by-product.  

Outlook 
According to a forecast by RZD, railway transportation in 2013 is expected to grow by 3.3%. Strengthening of 
prices in the global oil market is expected to have a positive effect on the exports of oil and oil products. 

46 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
In  general,  industry  consolidation  is  expected  in  the  railway  transportation  market,  through  M&A  transactions 
accompanied by a redistribution of transport volumes.  

Freight  car  manufacturers  are  mostly  opposing  a  ban  on  extending  the  operation  of  cars  beyond  their  standard 
service lives. As FCC, Russia's largest petroleum cargo operator, operates the oldest tank car fleet in the market, 
adoption of these measures by the government may lead to increased demand for the services of other operators 
during peak periods. 

Steady growth in 2012 
In 2012, Sistema entered the transportation sector with the goal of creating a top-three player in the industry. In 
November 2012, Sistema acquired a 100% stake in SG-trans, Russia’s largest independent provider of specialised 
railcars for transporting liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), with a railcar fleet of 15,000, for RUB 22.77bn. SG-trans’ 
railcar fleet in 2012 accounted for 47% of the total fleet in Russia, with a 37% share of all volumes in the LPG 
transportation segment. 

In  December  2012,  Sistema  acquired  a  50%  stake  in  Financial  Alliance  from  Bashneft  for  RUB  3.41bn 
(approximately US$ 110m). Financial Alliance’s main client in 2012 was Bashneft, which expanded its pool of 
trading  counterparties  and  needed  additional  transportation  capacity,  using  Financial  Alliance’s  fleet.  In  2012, 
Financial Alliance started a business optimisation programme aiming to increase the company’s competitiveness 
and stimulate organic growth, which led to a significant improvement in its financial indicators.  

The total fleet managed by Sistema thus totals 34,500 rail cars (15,000 in SG-trans, 13,000 in Financial Alliance, 
and  around  7,000  under  management  in  TLC),  which  makes  Sistema  Russia's  top-5/6  player  in  the  railway 
transportation segment.  

Operating strategy  
One  of  the  mid-term  strategic  missions  for  Financial Alliance  is to  expand  the geography  of  freight operations 
using the company's rolling stock, into the CIS and other countries. The rail transportation markets of Ukraine, 
Kazakhstan, Belarus and the Baltic states hold the most potential for regional expansion. 

One of SG-trans' main development lines is the spin-off and sale of non-core assets, as well as the development of 
its  freight  business.  In  particular,  the  company  has  been  assigned  a  goal  to  substantially  raise  its  OIBDA  by 
increasing its market exposure, revising tariffs and improving utilisation of capacity. 

Investment strategy 
Sistema's investment strategy in transport includes participating in the consolidation of the industry, and creating 
of  one  of  the  country's  biggest  players,  capable  of  ensuring  high  return  on  investment,  stable  cash  flows  and 
dividends.  Sistema  is  contemplating  consolidating  all  of  its  transport  assets  under  Financial  Alliance,  and  will 
seek potential M&A targets in the sector.  

Key events of 2012  
In March 2012, Financial Alliance leased 3,485 tank cars. 

In August 2012, Bashneft acquired 50% of the authorised capital of Financial Alliance LLC, a professional railcar 
operator, by transferring its fleet of approximately 4,500 railcars to it.  

In September 2012, Financial Alliance acquired 3,923 cars using Bashneft's equity contribution. 

In November 2012, Sistema acquired a 100% stake in SG-trans OJSC, Russia’s largest independent provider of 
specialised railcars for transporting liquefied petroleum gas, with a railcar fleet of 15,000, for RUB 22.77 bn.  

In  December  2012,  Sistema  acquired  a  50%  stake  in    LLC  Financial  Alliance  from  Bashneft  for  RUB  3.41bn 
(approximately US$ 110m). 

47 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
4.14. Russneft 
Russneft  is  a  vertically  integrated  oil  company,  one  of  Russia's  top  ten  oil  &  gas  companies  by  production. 
Russneft includes 24 production enterprises in 11 Russian regions, CIS and North Africa.  

Ownership and management 

Company 
Russneft 

Effective ownership 
49% 

The President of Russneft is Mikhail Gutseriev, and the Chairman of the Board of Directors is Mikhail Shamolin. 

Sector 
In  2012,  the  economic  situation  in  the  Russian  oil  sector  was  determined  by  a  fluctuation  of  world  oil  prices, 
where the Brent oil price per barrel grew on average by 0.6% up to US$ 111.4, and in March 2012 reached US$ 
126.2, its maximum over the period. The fluctuation of prices in the external market has an impact on the export 
duties for crude oil and oil products, and the Mineral Extraction Tax, that on average went down 1.1%, to US$ 
404.3 per ton. 

Oil production in Russia in 2012 increased by 1.3%, to 518m tonnes. The new 60-66 oil tax reform caused capital 
investment in oil production to soar by 14.8%, to RUB 836.9bn. This growth was due to an increase in production 
drilling volumes, which led to a stabilisation of production in the traditional oil extraction regions.  

Auctions  were  held  in  December  2012  for  three  subsoil  blocks,  including  Shpielmann,  Imilorskoye,  Zapadno-
Imilorskoye  and  Istochnoye  deposits  in  the  Khanty-Mansi  autonomous  district,  and  Lodochnoye  deposit  in  the 
Krasnoyarsk region. 

Outlook 
According to expert opinions, oil production is not expected to grow in Russia in 2013. On the contrary, experts 
anticipate a stabilisation in production or a slight volume reduction. Leading vertically integrated oil companies 
will increase their investments in upgrading refineries, aiming to comply with technical regulations. They should 
make other significant investments to achieve a bigger refining depth and reduce the yields of heavy fractions, for 
which protective duties are expected to be introduced. 

In accordance with the Energy Strategy of Russia for the period up to 2030 approved by the Russia’s government, 
the main oil deposits of West Siberia are petering out, which will soon make it necessary to explore oil resources 
in the continental shelf of the Arctic and  Far-Eastern seas, East Siberia and the Far East. The share of hard-to-
recover  oil  resources  is  expected  to  grow,  and  exploitation  of  oil  &  gas  multi-component  deposits  will  be 
extended. 

Oil recovery in the European part of the country will continue to grow, primarily through exploration of resources 
in the Timan-Pechora province, on the continental shelf of the Arctic Sea and in the Russian sector of the Caspian 
Sea, while upstream production in the Volga region and on the Urals will go down. 

Steady growth in 2012  
In 2012, Russneft increased its oil production by 4.0%, to 13.1m tonnes. The company became one of the oil & 
gas leaders by growth rates, which were well ahead of the industry-average indicators. The Novo-Aganskoye and 
Poselkovoye oilfields were commissioned in 2012. 

In 2012, Russneft increased the efficient use of associated gas by 19%, on the back of steady financing and timely 
construction of facilities.  

In  2012,  the  company  restructured  its  debt  to  Sberbank  and  Glencore:  the  maturity  of  Sberbank's  loan  was 
extended until May 2019, the loan interest was reduced to 7%, and the repayment plan was changed. Russneft met 
all its repayment obligations in due time. The operating and management achievements made it possible to reduce 
the debt burden by US$ 5.03bn as of the end of 2012.  

48 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Operating strategy 
Russneft's  operating  strategy  is  aimed  at  maintaining  the  average  annual  growth  rates  of  oil  production  and  is 
focused  on  production  drilling  and  infrastructure  building.  The  total  investment  for  2012-2017  is  estimated  at 
US$  3.2bn.  Besides,  an  intensification  of  oil  production  at  the  existing  oil  fields  is  envisaged.  The  company's 
financial  goals  include  further  deleveraging,  diversification  of  sources  of  financing,  and  gaining  access  to  the 
international capital markets.  

Investment strategy 
Sistema believes Russneft has significant potential to grow value by  implementing its operational and financial 
strategy. This foresees a near term increase in production and further reduction of the company’s debt, as well as 
growth of its reserve and resources base. 

Key financial and operating results 2012 

2012 results 

Financial results* 
Indicator, $ m 
Revenue 
OIBDA 
Net income attributable to Sistema 
Debt 

2012 
5, 384 
1, 652 
203 
5, 031 

2011 
5, 507 
1, 662 
378 
5, 403 

Operating results 
Indicator 
Oil production (m tonnes) 
Oil reserves (2P), m barrels 
Gas reserves, m cub.f. 
*In accordance with IFRS 
** Financial results of LLC ZMB were excluded from 2011 and 2012 consolidated results due to sale of LLC ZMB in December 2012.  

2011 
12.6 
2, 165 
1, 313, 212 

2012 
13.1 
2, 191 
1, 380, 728 

% 
(2.2%) 
(0.6%) 
(46.3%) 
(6.9%) 

% 
4.0% 
1.2% 
5.1% 

Key events of 2012 

In  August 2012, Russneft obtained a certificate to carry out exploration  works in  Algeria as an onshore operator-investor. 
Russneft's long-term development strategy determines the company's active position in the world mineral markets, and plans 
to enter new regions and expand its geographic footprint internationally. Russneft's area of interest includes raw hydrocarbon 
deposits in Africa and CIS.  

In October 2012, Russneft signed an agreement establishing new loan terms with its key creditors: Sberbank and Glencore. 
The new agreement provides for a reduction of the loan interest rate to 7%. The effective interest rate of the Glencore loan 
was also reduced by 1%. 

In December 2012, Russneft sold LLC Zapadno-Malobalykskoye, following its early loan repayment strategy, and used the 
proceeds for early repayment of its loan to Sberbank. 

4.15. SSTL (MTS India) 

Sistema Shyam TeleServices Ltd (SSTL) is a mobile operator in India. 

Ownership and management 

Company 
SSTL Ltd 

Effective ownership 
56.7% 

The President of SSTL is Vsevolod Rozanov. The Chairman of the Board of Directors is Ron Sommer. 

Sector  
In  February  2012,  the  Supreme  Court  of  India  revoked  122  licences  from  eight  telecom  operators  in  India, 
including 21 licences from SSTL. The order was issued on the grounds that these licences  had been granted in 
violation of procedures and requirement of India’s Department of Telecommunications.  

49 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
As  a  result,  two  operators  (STel  and  Etisalat  DB)  decided  to  leave  the  Indian  market,  and  five  operators 
considerably  scaled  down  their  operations  and  the  size  of  their  businesses.  For  the  first  time,  the  industry 
experienced a significant decline in mobile subscribers. 

Another  factor  causing  reductions  in  subscriber  bases  was  the  introduction  of  new  rules  for  accounting  for  the 
number  of  active  subscribers,  according  to  which  all  Indian  operators  had  to  write  off  part  of  their  subscriber 
bases.  

The outcome of the regulatory crisis was that in 2012 the mobile subscriber base in India fell by 3% from 894m to 
865m, while the penetration of cellular communication services dropped from 74% to 71%. 

In  November  2012,  the  Indian  Government  organised  an  auction  to  sell  the  frequencies  that  had  been  revoked 
earlier. Due to the unjustifiably steep reserve prices, only five operators submitted their bids for the 1,800 MHz 
auction and only 57% of the offered frequencies were sold, mainly at starting prices. In three major circles (Delhi, 
Mumbai  and  Karnataka),  the  frequencies  failed  to  sell  due  to  a  lack  of  bidders.  The  auction  for  the  800  MHz 
spectrum, where SSTL operates, did not take place, because no applications from bidders were received.  

Outlook  
The broadband access market is still in its initial development stage, and considerable growth is expected in the 
mobile data market due to the roll-out of 3G and EVDO networks, as well as the launch of 4G (LTE) networks.  

At the end of 2012, the Indian Government took steps to stabilise the situation and stimulate the development of 
the industry. After the failure of the November auction in 2012, the reserve prices for GSM frequencies in the 
1,800 MHz spectrum in the most expensive licence circles (Delhi, Mumbai, Karnataka) were reduced by 30%, the 
reserve  prices  for  CDMA  frequencies  in  the  800  MHz  spectrum  were  cut  by  half,  and  a  new  auction  was 
scheduled for the remaining undistributed frequencies on March 2013. The frequencies awarded at the auction are 
liberalised  (technologically  neutral),  which  will  create 
the  accelerated 
implementation of advanced technologies and high-speed 3G data services (UMTS, EVDO) and 4G (LTE).  

the  necessary  conditions  for 

Anti-crisis development in 2012 
As a result of the regulatory crisis caused by the decision of the Supreme Court  of India, SSTL had to virtually 
suspend  its  investment  programme.  Since  March  2012,  the  company  has  been  implementing  an  anti-crisis 
strategy, aimed at retaining the business and ensuring its differentiated development. 

This strategy provided for: developing the business in priority licence circles with the most favourable economic 
environments;  reducing  capital  expenses  in  the  second  half  of  2012  down  to  almost  zero;  focusing  on  data 
services; supporting and developing the broadband subscriber base; reducing all operating costs to the minimum 
level.  

As  a  result  of  these  activities  in  2012,  the  company  maintained  its  presence  in  all  22  of  India’s  circles,  and 
deployed  the  high-speed  data  network  in  more  than  150  major  Indian  cities.  The  total  number  of  Indian  cities 
covered by broadband services exceeded 450. 
Despite a slight reduction in the total subscriber base from 15.1m to 15.0m, the  most promising and profitable 
broadband base increased by 33%, to 1.8m. The company’s annual revenue increased by 15.5% to US$ 303.0m 
despite the crisis, while the actual revenue in local currency went up by 31%.  

Post Reporting Period 

In  March  2013,  SSTL  won  a  spectrum  in  the  800  MHz  band  in  eight  circles  following  its  participation  in  the 
second round licence auction. The circles won by SSTL include Delhi, Kolkata, Gujarat, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, 
Kerala,  Uttar  Pradesh  (West)  and  West  Bengal.  The  company's  operational  footprint  will  also  include  the 
Rajasthan circle, which was not affected by the Supreme Court’s decision, the other circles were closed. The final 
footprint  covers  40%  of  the  country's  population,  addresses  over  60%  of  data  potential  and  safeguards  75%  of 
SSTL's  current  revenues.  Finally  SSTL's  footprint  will  include  3  carrier  slots  of  1.25MHz  each  in  9  circles, 
servicing 10.45 million of its customers. The spectrum in 8 circles is technologically neutral and is valid for 20 
years. 

50 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
The  total  cost  of  licences  received  amounted  to  US$  678m.  Payments  for  the  spectrum  will  be  made  in  the 
following  order:  25%  advance  payment,  75%  by  deferred  payments  during  10  years  at  9.75%  per  annum 
(cumulative) starting from 2016. SSTL made no actual payments in 2013 because of  the offset of licence costs 
paid in 2008 in the amount of US$ 296m. Deferred payments since 2016 will amount up to US$ 73m per year 
during 10 years. 

Operating strategy  
SSTL will develop the most economically attractive circles and customer segments with a focus on garnering the 
data opportunity and development of assets that can be transferred to LTE. 

To capture data growth opportunities SSTL will focus on Tier 2/3 cities, where there is  a low variety of choice 
handsets, and low cost voice as a dominant product used on smartphones. SSTL can successfully compete in this 
segment by offering value low cost voice services along with data. A sharper focus on the circles with the greatest 
data potential plays to MTS brand positioning. 

The availability of 5 MHz  spectrum provides an opportunity  for SSTL to migrate to LTE and  to provide users 
with  much  better  experience  than  in  3G.  LTE  roll  out  expenditures  are  estimated  at  US$  200m  with  potential 
synergies of US$ 100m. With the new strategy SSTL is expected to achieve OIBDA breakeven from the end of 
2014 till mid of 2015. 

Investment strategy  
Sistema continues to consider India as a promising telecom market and will focus on implementation of SSTL’s 
operating strategy in the most attractive circles with future plans for LTE roll-out. Sistema will also concentrate 
on substantially reducing the operating losses and the debt of its Indian subsidiary, with total cash requirements in 
2014-2015 to fall further to less than US$ 250m per year. 

Key financial and operating results 2012 

2012 results 

Financial results 
Indicator, $ m 
Revenue 
OIBDA 
Net loss attributable to Sistema 
Debt 

Operating results 
Indicator 
Mobile voice subscribers (m) 
Data subscribers (m) 

2012 
303 
(547) 
(463) 
1, 047 

2012 
13.2 
1.8 

2011* 
262 
(730) 
(636) 
1, 574 

2011 
13.7 
1.3 

% 
15.5% 
- 
- 
(33.5%) 

% 
(4) 
33 

Key events of 2012  
In  February  2012,  the  Supreme  Court  of  India  issued  a  judgment  revoking  122  telecom  licences  of  8  telecom 
operators, including 21 of the 22 licences held by SSTL.  

In May 2012, Sistema Shyam Teleservices filed a curative petition in the Supreme Court seeking re-examination 
of its judgment. 

In October 2012, Indian mobile operators were due to submit their applications to bid in the country's upcoming 
2G  spectrum  auction.  SSTL  did  not  submit  an  application  due  to  an  unjustifiably  steep  recommended  reserve 
price of INR 18,200 crores (US$ 3.3bn). 

In  February  2013,  the  Supreme  Court  of  India  dismissed  SSTL's  curative  petition.  In  the  meantime  SSTL 
informed the Ministry of Telecommunications of India about the closure of services in the following ten circles: 
Assam, Andhra Pradesh, Bihar, Himachal Pradesh, Haryana, Jammu & Kashmir, Madhya Pradesh, North East, 
Orissa and Punjab.  

51 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
In  March  2013,  SSTL  won  a  spectrum  in  the  800  Mhz  band  in  eight  circles  following  its  participation  in  the 
second round licence auction. The circles won by SSTL include Delhi, Kolkata, Gujarat, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, 
Kerala,  Uttar  Pradesh  (West)  and  West  Bengal.  The  company's  operational  footprint  will  also  include  the 
Rajasthan circle, which was not affected by the Supreme Court’s decision. SSTL decided not to bid for Mumbai, 
Maharashtra  and  Uttar  Pradesh  (East),  and  will  close  its  operations  in  those  circles.  As  a  result,  SSTL's  final 
footprint will include three carrier slots of 1.25 Mhz each in nine circles. 

52 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
5. DESCRIPTION OF CORE RISK FACTORS. 
The risks  that the corporation may face are diverse, and many of these arise from  the  processes and factors on 
which Sistema has limited, or no influence. However, the Corporation can mitigate the negative effect, should a 
risk  occur.  Hence,  effective  assessment  and  management  of  risks  remains  an  important  component  of  our 
strategy.  
We have introduced an integrated enterprise risk  management (ERM) system, designed to enable us to achieve 
our strategic goals while keeping the level of risk within limits that are acceptable to our shareholders and senior 
management. Our ERM system was established in compliance with international standards, recommendations and 
best practices in risk management.  

5.1. External risks  
The risks related to changes in the political and economic situation in Russia are significant to Sistema, since the 
bulk of our business is carried out in the Russian Federation (RF).Moreover, many of our subsidiaries maintain 
operations  in  other  emerging  markets,  including  Ukraine,  Uzbekistan,  Armenia,  Belarus  and  India,  which  also 
pose many external risks.  

Economic risks  
•  Sistema’s  business  is  substantially  affected  by  the  state  of  the  global  economy  and  financial  markets,  and 
depends  significantly  on  fluctuation  of  prices  on  oil,  gas  and  other  commodities  exported  by  the  Russian 
Federation.  

•  Weak  macroeconomic  conditions  in  many  of  the  countries  where  we  operate  could  make  it  necessary  to 

reassess the value of goodwill on some of our assets.  

•  An increase in inflation could increase some of our costs, exerting downward pressure on our profit margins 

and perhaps also having a negative impact on domestic demand for the products of our subsidiaries.  

•  Depreciation of the rouble against the US dollar and Euro could increase our costs and reduce our revenues, or 

make it more difficult for us to comply with financial ratios and repay our debts.  

•  Exchange controls and repatriation restrictions could adversely affect our ability to transact business, and may 

lower the value of our investments in the Russian Federation.  

•  The poor condition or further deterioration of the Russian Federation’s physical infrastructure may harm the 
national  economy,  disrupt  the  transportation  of  goods  and  supplies,  add  costs  to  doing  business  there,  and 
interrupt  business  operations  -  all  of  which  may  have  a  material  adverse  effect  on  our  business,  results  of 
operations, financial condition or prospects. 

Political and social risks  
•  Future political and governmental instability, and any significant struggle over the direction of future political 
developments, could lead to increased capital  flight and an overall deterioration in the Russian Federation’s 
investment climate. 

•  Unlawful,  selective  or  arbitrary  government  action  could  create  a  difficult  business  climate  in  the  Russian 

Federation. 

•  Terrorist attacks or the involvement of the Russian Federation in any future economic and military conflicts 

could lead to instability and hinder our planning ability. 

•  Organised crime, fraud, corruption and social instability could create an uncertain operating environment for 

us, and make it more costly to conduct business.  

•  Conflicts between Russian federal and regional authorities and legislation could create an uncertain operating 

environment for us. 

Legal risks and uncertainties  
•  Risks associated with the Russian legal system include, to varying degrees:  

­ 

inconsistencies among, and ambiguities and anomalies regarding, (i) federal laws, (ii) decrees, orders and 
regulations issued by the President, the Government and federal ministers, (iii) regional and local laws, 
rules and regulations  

53 

 
 
 
­ 

­ 

­ 

­ 
­ 

the relative unavailability of Russian legislation and court and administrative decisions in an organised 
manner that supports understanding of such legislation and court decisions 
substantial  gaps  in  the  legal  framework,  due  to  the  delay  or  absence  of  implementing  regulations  for 
certain legislation  
a  lack  of  judicial  independence  from  political,  social  and  commercial  forces,  and  the  difficulty  of 
enforcing court decisions and foreign arbitral awards  
alleged corruption within the judiciary and governmental authorities  
ambiguous  and  inconsistent  court  practices  relating  to  interlocutory  remedies  that  may  disrupt  our 
ordinary business activities.  

•  The lack of developed corporate and securities laws and regulations in the Russian Federation may limit our 

ability to attract future investment.  

•  It is not yet clear how the Strategic Foreign Investment Law and the new customs code among the Russian 

Federation, Belarus and Kazakhstan will affect us and our foreign shareholders.  

•  The accession of the Russian Federation into the World Trade Organisation may lead to uncertainty.  

Legislative and other changes in our operating environment 
•  Shareholder liability under Russian corporate law could result in us becoming liable for the obligations of our 

subsidiaries.  

•  If the minority shareholders of our subsidiaries were to challenge successfully past or future interested-party 
transactions or other transactions, or were not to approve interested-party transactions or other transactions in 
the future, we could be limited in our operational flexibility.  

•  If the FAS was to conclude that Sistema, or any of its significant subsidiaries, had acquired or created a new 
company  in  contravention  of  antimonopoly  legislation,  or  otherwise  violated  competition  rules,  it  could 
impose administrative sanctions.  

•  Our Russian legal entities may be forced into liquidation, their ownership structure may be challenged or their 
subsidiaries’  indebtedness  may  be  accelerated  on  the  basis  of  formal  non-compliance  with  certain 
requirements of Russian law.  

The Russian taxation system  
•  Russian  tax laws, regulations  and  practice  are  complex,  uncertain,  often  not  well  developed,  and  subject to 

frequent changes and various interpretations, which could have an adverse effect on us.  

•  Russian  transfer  pricing  legislation  may  require  pricing  adjustments  and  impose  additional  tax  liabilities 

relating to controlled transactions.  

Stock markets  
•  There is a risk that the shares of Russian companies will grow more slowly than those of their counterparts in 
other  emerging  markets.  The  key  reason  for  this  may  be  a  substantial  outflow  of  capital  from  the  Russian 
market,  caused  by  political  and  economic  factors  inside  the  country  and  by  the  situation  on  world  stock 
exchanges.  

Risks relating to Sistema’s operations  
There can be no assurance that we will be able to achieve the targets set out in our strategy.  
In early 2011, our management team took the decision to transition Sistema into an investment company, and we 
are  continuing  to  implement  this  strategy.  The  key  elements  of  the  strategy  are  to  develop  a  balanced  and  a 
diversified  asset  portfolio,  to  focus  on  sectors  and  geographies  where  Sistema  has  a  competitive  advantage,  to 
pursue  an  active  portfolio  management  approach  and  to  attract  leading  international  and  local  companies  as 
partners in portfolio companies. There can be no assurance, however, that we will be able to achieve the targets 
set out in the strategy, or that current portfolio companies will be managed effectively, while at the same  time 
new investment opportunities are identified.  
There are risks of untimely or incomplete transformation of the organisational structure and the respective human 
resources. Furthermore, even if our initiatives of transformation into an investment holding can be implemented, 

54 

 
we  cannot  assure  you  that  these  initiatives  will  allow  Sistema  to  increase  revenues  from  existing  services  or 
products of its subsidiaries.  
The  success  of  our  new  strategy  depends  on  many  factors,  including,  but  not  limited  to,  receipt  of  necessary 
government approvals, proper identification of customer needs, successful development of technology, the ability 
to  manage  costs  and  expenses,  timely  completion  and  introduction  of  new  services  and  products  by  our 
subsidiaries, differentiation from offerings of our subsidiaries’ competitors and market acceptance.  

We  may  experience  problems  in  identifying  profitable  opportunities  for  acquisitions  and  disposals,  and  in 
integrating acquisitions and implementing restructurings in our business. 
Sistema  has,  in  the  past,  expanded  operations  through  acquisitions  or  changing  its  asset  portfolio  through 
acquisitions  and  disposals,  and  we  may  do  this  in  the  future.  The  process  of  identifying  and  implementing 
acquisitions  entails  certain  risks,  including:  failing  to  identify  and  approach  suitable  new  acquisition  targets; 
failing to conduct adequate due diligence on a target’s operations or financial condition; overvaluing the target 
and  thus  overpaying  for  it;  incurring  significantly  higher  than  anticipated  financing-related  risks  and  operating 
expenses; discovering larger than anticipated or previously undisclosed liabilities. 
Acquiring additional businesses could also place increased pressures on our cash flows, especially if we pay for 
an acquisition in cash. Furthermore, if an acquisition is not completed, or is not completed in a timely manner, 
this may adversely affect our strategic growth objectives or have a material adverse effect on our current business, 
results of operations, financial condition or prospects.  
In  addition,  we  may  experience  problems  with integrating  acquisitions  into  our current  business  and  managing 
them  optimally,  or  in  implementing  necessary  restructurings.  These  risks  include:  failing  to  assimilate  and 
integrate effectively the operations and personnel of an acquired company into our business; failing to install and 
integrate  all  necessary  systems  and  controls,  including  logistics  and  distribution  facilities  and  arrangements; 
conflicts  between  majority  and  minority  shareholders;  hostility  or  lack  of  cooperation  from  the  acquisition’s 
management; the potential loss of the acquisition’s customers. 
We may also dispose of some of our operations. Such disposals entail certain risks, including: potential failure in 
execution; potential undervaluation of the disposed asset; contingent liabilities relating to the sold assets; delays 
in  disposal;  potential  loss  of  synergies  with  the  remaining  assets.  Furthermore,  completion  of  the  pending  or 
contemplated  transactions  -  including  restructurings,  business  combinations  and  financing  -  is,  in  each  case, 
subject to a number of conditions, including corporate and governmental approvals. No assurance can be given 
that these pending or contemplated transactions will be completed on the terms and conditions described, or at all.  

Our  ability  to  maintain  our  competitive  position  and  to  implement  our  business  strategy  depends  to  a  large 
degree on the services of our senior management team and other key personnel.  
Our  senior  management  team  and  its  organisation  are  essential to  the implementation  of  our  business  strategy. 
Furthermore, the continued success of our investment portfolios and their ability to execute our overall strategy 
effectively - including our growth and expansion plans - will depend, in large part, on the organisational efforts of 
our separate management teams supervising each asset within our portfolios. 

Our  ability to  meet our financial  obligations  depends,  to  a  large  extent,  on  receiving  sufficient funds  from our 
subsidiaries.  
Sistema  depends  in  part  on  dividends  from  subsidiaries  to  generate  the  funds  necessary  to  meet  our  financial 
obligations,  including  the  payment  of  principal  and  interest  on  our  present  debt  and  on  any  of  our  borrowings 
incurred in the future. Our subsidiaries may from time to time be subject to regulatory, fiscal or other restrictions 
on their ability to make such payments. For example, certain loans to our subsidiaries are subject to restrictive 
covenants,  including,  but  not  limited  to,  compliance with  certain  financial ratios,  limitations  on  dispositions  of 
assets,  and  limitations  on  transactions  within  our  portfolio  companies.  There  can  be  no  assurance  that  such 
restrictions will not have a material adverse effect on our ability to service our borrowings  or to meet any other 
costs we may incur.  

We depend to a material extent on the success of MTS and Bashneft.  
Sistema’s financial results depend to a material extent on the financial results of MTS and Bashneft. The inability 
of these businesses to generate necessary earnings may adversely affect our ability to service our debt obligations, 
and  to  sustain  our  growth  and  expansion  through  restructurings  and  acquisitions.  As  a  consequence,  risks  and 
events  that  have  a  material  adverse  effect  on  MTS’  and  Bashneft’s  business,  results  of  operations,  financial 
condition or prospects could, in turn, have a material adverse effect on Sistema’s business, results of operations, 
financial condition or prospects.  

55 

 
 
 
 
 
If we are unable to obtain adequate capital or financing, we may have to limit our operations substantially.  
Future  financing  and  cash  flow  from  Sistema’s  operations  may  not  be  sufficient  to  meet  planned  needs  in  the 
event of various unanticipated potential developments, including the following:  
•  lack of external financing sources;  
•  changes in the terms of existing financing arrangements 
•  pursuit of new business opportunities or investing in existing businesses that require significant investment  
•  slower than anticipated revenue growth 
•  regulatory developments 
•  changes in existing interconnect arrangements 
•  deterioration in the economies of the countries where Sistema operates  

Restrictive covenants may  limit our ability to incur debt, finance capital expenditures and to engage in various 
activities.  
Sistema’s bank loans, as well as bank loans and notes of certain subsidiaries contain restrictive covenants.  
These covenants impose restrictions with respect to, inter alia, incurrence of indebtedness, creation of liens on the 
properties, disposal of assets and transactions with affiliates. Such restrictive covenants may limit our operations, 
including  the  financing  of  capital  expenditures,  or  impede  our  ability  to  pay  off  our  indebtedness  on  a  timely 
basis,  or  at  all.  Should  the  operations  of  our  subsidiaries  be  limited,  the  earnings  of  our  subsidiaries  may  fall, 
which, in turn, may limit our ability to use such earnings to service indebtedness or finance operations. Further, 
mergers  and  reorganisations  of  our  subsidiaries  could,  under  certain  circumstances,  trigger  the  restrictive 
covenants  under  their  credit  agreements,  which  may  lead  to  acceleration  of  debt  repayment  under  such  credit 
facilities. Any invocation of these cross-acceleration or cross-default clauses could cause some or all of the other 
debt to accelerate, creating liquidity pressures and affecting our business and operations.  
The  licences  and  permits  required  for  our  business  may  be  invalidated,  suspended  or  may  not  be  issued  or 
renewed, or may contain onerous terms and conditions that restrict our ability to conduct our operations. 
Our operations and properties are subject to regulation by various government entities and agencies in connection 
with  obtaining  and  renewing  various  licences,  approvals,  authorisations  and  permits,  as  well  as  with  ongoing 
compliance with existing laws, regulations and standards. Regulatory authorities exercise considerable discretion 
in  matters  of  enforcement  and  interpretation  of  applicable  laws,  regulations  and  standards,  the  issuance  and 
renewal of licences, approvals, authorisations and permits and in monitoring licenсes’ compliance with the terms 
thereof.  No  assurances  can  be  made  that  our  existing  licences  and  permits,  including  those  held  by  our 
subsidiaries, will be renewed, that any new licences and permits for which we apply will be granted or that we 
will be able to comply with the terms of all applicable licences. There can also be no assurance that any of our 
current or future licences or permits will not be suspended or revoked on any ground. Any of these circumstances 
could have a material adverse effect on our business.  
In the event that deficiencies or ambiguities in privatisation legislation are successfully exploited to challenge our 
ownership  in  our  privatised  subsidiaries  and  we  are  unable  to  defeat  these  challenges,  we  risk  losing  our 
ownership interests in our subsidiaries or their assets.  
Our  business  includes  a  number  of  privatised  companies,  such  as  MGTS,  Bashneft,  Intourist,  SG-Trans  and 
certain of our energy and technology subsidiaries, and our business strategy will likely involve future acquisitions 
of  companies  that  have  undergone  privatisation.  To  the  extent  that  Russian  privatisation  legislation  is  vague, 
inconsistent  or  in  conflict  with  other  legislation,  including  conflicts  between  federal  and  local  privatisation 
legislation, many privatisations are vulnerable to challenge, including selective challenges.  
In the event that any of our privatised companies are subject to challenge as having been improperly privatised 
and we are unable to defeat this claim, we risk losing our ownership interest in the company or its assets, which 
could materially adversely affect our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects.  
We are subject to anti-corruption laws in the jurisdictions where we operate, including the anti-corruption laws 
of the Russian Federation and the US Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (the “FCPA”), and we may be subject to the 
UK Bribery Act of 2010 (the “UK Bribery Act”), and our failure to comply with these could result in penalties 
and reputational harm.  
Any investigation of potential violations of the FCPA, the UK Bribery Act, or other anti-corruption laws by US, 
UK or foreign authorities, could also have an adverse impact on our brand image, business, financial condition 
and results of operations.  
We encounter competition from other companies in all areas of operations.  

56 

 
 
The operations of our telecommunications and technology, oil and energy, banking, retail, media, tourism, private 
healthcare and pharmaceuticals businesses, and others can be affected by a variety of economic and other factors. 
Each business is subject to significant competition from a large number of companies in the Russian Federation 
and  other  countries,  and  competes  on  the  basis  of  various  factors,  including,  but  not  limited  to,  price, 
performance  and  service.  The  inability  of  our  businesses  to  compete  effectively  could  have  a  material  adverse 
effect on our business, results of operations, financial condition or prospects.  
We depend on our ability to maintain a favourable brand image and reputation.  
Developing and maintaining awareness of the brands of our businesses is critical to informing and educating the 
public  about  their  current and  future  products  and  services.  We  believe  the  importance  of  brand  recognition  is 
increasing as markets become more competitive. The successful promotion of the brands of our subsidiaries will 
depend largely on the effectiveness of their marketing efforts and their ability to provide reliable, useful products 
and  services  at competitive  prices.  Brand  promotion activities  may  not  yield increased  operating  revenues,  and 
even  if  they  do,  such  operating  revenues  may  not  offset  the  expenses  our  subsidiaries  incur  in  building  their 
brands.  
Risks relating to Sistema’s portfolio companies  
Risks relating to our Technology and Telecommunication Business include, to varying degrees, the following:  

• Increased competition among operators for a market share in the conditions of maturing sector; 
• Telecommunication  companies’  dependency  on  its  ability  to  implement  the  necessary  infrastructure  to 

manage its growth and partnerships, develop its network and avoid service disruptions;  

• Inability  of  mobile  operators  to  effectively  implement  geographic  expansion  strategy  could  hamper  its 

continued growth and profitability;  

• Operators’ dependency on the proper functioning of its network systems and its ability to avoid disruptions;  
• Inability to respond to rapid technological change;  
• Inability to develop additional sources of revenue;  
• Failure to further develop its distribution network;  
• Inability  to  interconnect  cost-effectively  with  other  telecommunications  operators  to  provide  services  at 

competitive prices;  

• Inability of Russian telecoms to realise the expected benefits from its investments in, and deployment of, 3G 

and 4G wireless services;  

• Dependence on extensive regulation of roaming tariffs, which may negatively impact financial results of the 

Russian operators;  

• Failure to obtain renewals of its frequency allocations and its inability to control its frequencies that may be 

are reassigned to other users;  

• Compliance  with  the  new  Russian  regulations  on  International  Mobile  Equipment  Identity  (“IMEI”) 

numbers;  

• Failure to fulfill the terms of MTS’ licences, renew and receive renewed or new licences with similar terms 

to MTS’ existing licences;  

• Failure to modernise its fixed line infrastructure;  
• Changes  to  the  rules  and  regulations  in  the  Russian  Federation  (implementation  of  per-second  billing, 

cancellation of intra-network roaming, and the implementation of principle of number portability); 

• High competition in the Indian mobile communications market; 
• Unpredictability in India's legislation and court rulings relating to communications and foreign investment 

protection; 

• Incompatibility of LTE technology development with the frequency spectrum used in India; 
• Infeasibility of achieving the planned figures of broadband services volume in India.  

Risks related to our Oil and Energy Business include, to varying degrees, the following:  

• Uncertainties related to the increased influence of the Russian government in the Russian oil and gas sector, 
including  the  ability  of  the  Russian  government  to  mandate  deliveries  of  crude  oil  and  refined  products, 
including at less than market prices;  

• Increased oil excise tax; 

57 

 
• An increase in export duties on oil products, including the introduction of the proposed “60-66-90” export 

duty regime;  

• Bashneft’s inability  to realise its production targets and profits as a results of its development, exploration 

and production projects;  

• Bashneft’s  inability  to  compete  in  the  oil  products  retail  sector,  find  suitable  locations  to  open  new  gas 

stations or encounter moderate costs in remodelling existing gas stations;  

• Inability of Bashneft and Bashkirian Power Grid Company to control declines in crude oil, refined products, 

natural gas, power or petrochemical products prices;  

• Unexpectedly  long  scheduled  repair  and  maintenance  shutdowns  or  unscheduled  shutdowns  at  Bashneft’s 

production facilities;  

• Governmental control of prices for refined products in the Russian market;  
• Bashneft’s failure to estimate and achieve its goals relating to its actual reserves, production targets, revenues 

and expenditures;  

• Dependency of Bashneft and Bashkirian Power Grid Company upon the services provided by, and the assets 

and infrastructure of, third parties; 

• Risks  relating  to  the  ongoing  reform  of  the  Russian  wholesale  electricity  market,  price  liberalisation  and 

tariff regulation in the heat and electricity;  

• Inability  of  Bashkirian  Power  Grid  Company  transmission  assets  to  address  daily,  seasonal  or  yearly 

fluctuations in demand for electricity.  

Risks  related  to  our  Consumer,  High  tech,  Healthcare  and  Banking  Business  include,  to  varying  degrees,  the 
following:  

• Decline in demand for consumer goods and services as well as slow development of consumer lending;  
• Insufficient purchasing power of the Russian population;  
• Underdeveloped  transportation  and  information  infrastructure  in  the  Russian  regions  and,  consequently, 

various barriers to development in the Russian regions;  

• Further concentration and consolidation on the consumer market and in the banking sector;  
• Tighter regulations in the banking, consumer, high tech and healthcare sectors;  
• Stronger competition, including from the world’s leading companies;  
• Possible loss, termination or weakening of connections with suppliers and sellers;  
• Increased prices for raw materials, spare parts and services;  
• Fluctuations in demand due to expected changes of product generations or technological cycles;  
• Decreased volumes of government orders due to reduction of budget funds allocated for high-tech products;  
• Operational and financial instability of small immature companies, including frequent corrections of strategy 

as well as difficult working environments due to high competition. 

Risks relating to our Railway Transport Business include, to varying degrees, the following: 

• Decrease of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) transport volumes as a result of severe competition from captive 

operators of vertically integrated companies, the main users of LPG transportation services; 

• Market risk associated with selling prices for liquefied petroleum gas established by LPG producers; 

• There is no tariff regulation applicable to private transport operators, only the infrastructure and locomotive 
components of railway service prices being subject to governmental control. At the same time, there is a risk 
of negative consequences of future legal changes, including various technical regulation systems in railway 
transport;  

• RZhD's railway infrastructure in a number of regions is now stretched to the limit. Decreasing traffic 

capacity may adversely affect the efficiency of car fleet utilisation. 

58 

 
 
6. CORPORATE GOVERNANCE. 

Maintaining the system of corporate governance and transparency at the level of the world's best practices is one 
of the elements of the strategy of Sistema as an investment company.  

The  corporate governance policy is based on the following fundamental principles:  

•  transparency of all processes for investors and partners 
•  a proactive and professional Board of Directors 
•  a consistent and collective approach to decision-making. 

Sistema  is  guided  by  these  principles  in  all  of  its  activities,  including  strategic  and  financial  management, 
corporate governance throughout the group, HR and social policy, reporting, control and audit, risk management. 

The  principles  and procedures  of  Sistema’s corporate  governance are  set  out in  its  Charter and in a  number  of 
publicly available bylaws that, all together, determine the structure and the scope of the corporation's governance 
and  control  bodies.  The  Corporate  Conduct  Code  and  the  Ethics  Code  set  forth  additional  commitments  for 
Sistema in the area of transparency, social responsibility, and ethical business principles. 

Sistema makes every effort to bring the corporate governance practices in line with the guidelines set out in the 
Corporate  Conduct  Code,  recommended  in  the  Executive  Order  of  the  Federal  Commission  for  the  Securities 
Market of Russia No. 421/r dated 4 April 2002, and in the UK Corporate Governance Code. Should the corporate 
governance  practices  of  Sistema  diverge  from  the  standards  recommended  above,  the  company  provides  an 
explanation  as  to  how  else  it  makes  sure  it  observes  the  balance  of  interests  fixed  in  the  applicable  corporate 
governance standards. 

Sistema's main governing bodies are: the General Meeting of Shareholders, the Board of Directors, the President 
and  the  Management  Board.  The  Board  of  Directors  and  the  President  have  committees  that  develop 
recommendations for forming Sistema's decisions in the respective areas.  

59 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
The  existing  organisational  structure  of  the  company  was  adopted  in  May  2012,  with  adjustments  and 
amendments made in September 2012, and reflects Sistema's transition to the investment company model. At the 
end of 2012 the organisational structure of Sistema comprised four function s, eight investment portfolios and five 
departments. 

6.1. General Meeting of shareholders 
Principles of operation 

The General Meeting of Shareholders is the supreme governing body of Sistema. Its operation is governed by the 
laws of the Russian Federation on joint-stock companies, as well as by the provisions of the corporation’s Charter 
and bylaws. The General Meeting procedure aims to ensure that the rights of the shareholders are respected, and 
all applicable legal requirements, as well as best international practices in corporate governance, are observed. 

Information and materials for the meeting are made available to the shareholders in Russian and English, and are 
published  on  Sistema's  website  (www.sistema.ru;  www.sistema.com).  Together  with  a  notice  of  a  forthcoming 
meeting, shareholders get voting ballots. The venues of Sistema's General Meetings of Shareholders are always 
located in the vicinity of the company headquarters.  

Observance of shareholders' rights to participate in management 

Sistema aims to ensure the maximum protection of shareholders' rights to participate in running the company. The 
fundamental right of a shareholder in this respect is the right to participate in the work of the General Meeting of 
shareholders and the right to vote on items on the agenda.  

For this right to be secured, notice of the conduct of the General Meetings of Sistema as well as voting ballots is 
circulated to all the shareholders at least 30 days before the meeting, all materials covering the agenda items are 
published on the company's website in Russian and English (www.sistema.ru; www.sistema.com). The ballot can 
be filled out by the shareholder in advance and mailed to Sistema to the address specified in the ballot. In this 
case the vote of the shareholder will be taken into account when counting the voting results. 

Depositary  receipt  holders  may  vote  on  the  items  of  Shareholder  Meeting  agendas  by  proxy  through  Deutsche 
Bank AG, which is used as the depositary bank for the GDR programme: 

Global Equity Services,  
Trust and Securities Services, 
Email: adr@db.com 

The votes are collected by the depositary, Deutsche Bank AG, through clearing systems and are included in the 
general  voting  ballot  of  the  depositary,  with  all  votes  cast  for  the  proposed  draft  resolution,  against  it,  and 
abstentions specified. 

Each shareholder can also attend General Meetings of Shareholders in person (or via a representative) and vote on 
the agenda items directly at the Meeting. 

One  of  the  important  rights  of  a  shareholder in  relation  to  participating  in  running  the  company  is  the  right  to 
access documents that the company is obliged to retain in line with the provisions of the Federal Law On Joint-
Stock Companies. To exercise this right, a shareholder should send a written request to the corporate secretary 
asking for access to the documents the shareholder wishes to see. After the time for providing the documents is 
agreed upon, the requested documents will be provided. 

Holders  of  material  blocks  of  shares  are  entitled  to  make  proposals  on  the  agenda  of  the  General  Meeting  of 
Shareholders and nominate candidates to the corporation's  governance and control bodies. Holders of 10% and 
more  %  of  the  company's  voting  shares  also  have  the  right  to  request  an  Extraordinary  General  Meeting  of 
Shareholders  to  be  conducted.  Proposals  on  the  agenda  of  the  Annual  General  Meeting  of  Shareholders  of 
Sistema are accepted in writing, within 100 days after the end of the financial year. In the event an Extraordinary 
General Meeting of Shareholders is conducted with its agenda containing an item on the election of the Board of 
Directors, holders of sufficient blocks of shares have the right to nominate candidates to the Board of Directors. 
60 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Proposals to this effect must be received by the company no later than 30 days before the date of such a meeting. 
The  Board of Directors studies the received shareholders' proposals and includes them in the agenda, provided 
they meet the requirements of Russian law with regard to general shareholder meetings. 

General Meetings held in 2012 and their results 

In  2012,  three  General  Meetings  of  Shareholders  were  held  at  Sistema.  An  Extraordinary  General  Meeting  of 
Sistema was held on 30 June 2012. The Annual General Meeting of Shareholders approved the company's annual 
report  and  accounts,  including  the  Income  Statement  for  2011,  as  well  as  the  amount,  procedure,  forms  and 
timelines for paying dividends on the company's shares, elected members of the Board of Directors and the Audit 
Commission, and approved the auditors.  

As resolved by the Annual General Meeting of Shareholders and recommended by Sistema's Board of Directors, 
RUB 2.702bn was allocated to pay out for dividends, or RUB 0.28 per ordinary share. The dividend amount was 
based on net income under US GAAP for 2011 and net income of the corporate centre from the MTS transaction 
on selling CJSC Sistema-Inventure in December 2011, which is in line with the dividend policy. The dividend 
amount gained was 8% higher than in 2010. 

The following auditors of Sistema were elected for 2012: 

  CJSC BDO - to conduct the RAS audit; 
  CJSC Deloitte and Touche CIS - to conduct the US GAAP audit. 

The auditors were appointed following an open tender organised by the audit committee of the Board of Directors 
of Sistema.  

Moreover, two Extraordinary General Meetings of Shareholders were held in the form of letter ballots: 

14 June 2012 

01 November 2012 

Agenda item considered: Approval of the Bashkirenergo assets swap transaction 
between the Sistema Group and INTER RAO UES. 
The transaction was approved by Sistema's General Meeting of Shareholders. 
Minutes were drawn up on 18 June 2012. 
Agenda  item  considered:  Introduction  of  amendments  to  the  Charter  of  Sistema 
JSFC. 
The General Meeting of Shareholders approved the amendments to the Charter to 
issue 386,000,000 new authorised shares. 
Minutes were drawn up on 02 November 2012.  

6.2. Board of Directors. 
The  Board  of  Directors  of  Sistema  is  responsible  for  the  strategic  governance  of  the  company:  it  determines  the  strategy, 
works out strategic and financial development plans, sets  investment principles, appraises performance of the management 
and assesses risks, approves principles for corporate governance procedures, approves transactions and oversees the work of 
the corporation in general. The terms of reference for the Board of Directors are set out in the Charter of Sistema. 

Composition of the Board of Directors 

The  Board  of  Directors  of  Sistema  effective  at  31  December  2012  was  elected  at  the  Annual  General  Meeting  of  the 
Company's Shareholders on 30 June 2012, and it comprises 13 persons: 

Sistema JSFC Board of Directors as elected on 30 June 2012* 

1. Vladimir Evtushenkov 
2. Alexander Goncharuk 
3. Brian Dickie 
4. Dmitry Zubov 

Chairman 
Deputy Chairman 

* See Annex for brief biographical notes and information on the equity stakes held by the Board members of Sistema JSFC  

61 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
                                                 
5. Vyacheslav Kopiev 
6. Robert Kocharyan 
7. Jeannot Krecké 
8. Roger Munnings 
9. Evgeny Novitsky 
10. Marc Holtzman 
11. Serge Tchuruk 
12. Mikhail Shamolin 
13. David Iakobachvili 

Chart 4: 

Composition of the Sistema JSFC Board of Directors  

61% 
B. Dickie  
R. Kocharyan  
J. Krecke  
R. Munnings  
M.  Holtzman 
S. Tchuruk  
D. Iakobachvili  

8% 
M. Shamolin 

31% 
V. Evtushenkov 
  A. Goncharuk  
D. Zubov  
V. Kopoiev  

Executive Director

Non-Executive Director

Independent Director

Changes to the composition of the Board of Directors 
Former members of the Board of Directors, R. Sommer and L. Melamed, were not re-elected to the Board on 30 June 2012. 
At the same time, new independent directors were elected to the Board: B. Dickie, J. Krecke, and M. Holtzman, who have a 
vast practical experience in organising and managing large companies. 

Meetings of the Board of Directors 
Meetings  of  the  Sistema  Board  are  held  regularly,  according  to  an  annual  calendar,  from  1  January  to  31  December.  The 
agendas  of  the  Board  meetings  are  set  following  the  logics  of  the  strategic  planning  and  reporting  cycle  of  Sistema. 
Additional sessions are organised whenever an urgent matter needs to be considered. Forming the work plan of the Board of 
Directors and including additional items in the plan is within the remit of the Board Chairman.  

In 2012, the Board of Directors had ten sessions: eight scheduled meetings and two extraordinary sessions in the form of a 
letter ballot on urgent matters. In 2012, the Board of Directors considered 89 items in total. 

Number of meetings in person  
Number of letter ballots  
Number of items on the BoD work plan  
Number of items considered by the BoD  

2012 
8 
2 
40 
89 

2011 
8  
2 
44  
108 

In 2012, the Board of Directors considered the following key items: 

1) Corporate strategy of Sistema and approval of the high-level indicators for the strategic planning cycle. 

62 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
2) Investment projects management. 
3) Concept of the new organisational structure of Sistema for development of the corporate structure, approval of the new 
organisational structure. 
4) Development strategies for the core portfolio assets of Sistema:  

telecom assets;  

 
  media assets; 
 
 oil assets;  
 
agricultural assets;  
 
hotel assets;  
 
bank assets;  
 
healthcare assets;  
 
pharmaceutical assets; 
 
 retail assets;  
 
geonavigation assets; 
 
 pan-Indian project of Sistema Shyam TeleServices Ltd.; 
 
 RTI development strategy;  
  MOSDACHTREST development strategy. 

5) Sistema financial results. 
6) Approval of the consolidated budget for Sistema and key performance indicators (KPIs) for the management. 
7) Long-term financial and economic model of the company's development. 
8) Debt and borrowings management. 
9) Placement of securities (exchange-traded bonds). 
10) Report on risk and opportunity management. 
11) The results of implementing adequate procedures to meet applicable anti-corruption laws. 
12) Implementing the priority action plan by the Internal  Control of Sistema.  Results of  comprehensive inspections of the 
corporate centre and subsidiaries and affiliates 
13) Delivery of the corporate strategy in HR management, improvement of existing personnel incentive systems in Sistema 
and in the companies of the Sistema Group; incentive systems for the managers and employees of the investment units of the 
group; approval of documents regulating the implementation of the incentive system after 2012. 
14) Participation in the national projects and federal target programmes of the government. 
15) Sistema's strategy in public relations and investor relations. 
16) Corporate social responsibility of Sistema. 
17) Approval of a new version of the Code of Corporate Ethics of Sistema. 
18) Convening the Annual General Meeting of Shareholders and Extraordinary General Meetings of Shareholders. 
19) Report on the quality of corporate governance in Sistema. 
20) Approval of transactions. 

Chart 5: 

Items reviewed by the Board of Directors in 2012 

Business strategies, investments, new activities

2% 

12% 

17% 

14% 

22% 

16% 

Functional strategies

Appointments and HR policies

7% 

Shareholdings in S/A, groups, alliances, branches

10% 

Approval of transactions

Approval of internal regulations

Financial reporting, planning and audit

Corporate governance

63 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Graph 6: 

In addition to approving transactions, most of the items reviewed by the Board in 2012 were related to strategy, 
corporate governance, shareholdings in subsidiaries and approval of functional strategies aimed at supporting and 
improving the efficiency of efforts taken by the group’s business units.  

The high proportion of items related to equity holdings in subsidiaries, groups and joint ventures  reviewed by the 
Board shows that the Board members closely followed the group’s investment activities, which represents one of 
the key characteristics of the new governance model. The reduction in the total number of transactions reviewed 
by the Board reflects a drop in the number of intra-group transactions. 

Preparation for the meetings and quorum of the Board of Directors 
Materials on the agenda are provided to the Board members of Sistema ten days before meetings, enabling them 
to form their voting position. Most of the main agenda items are also discussed by the committees of the Sistema 
Board  of  Directors  before  the  Board  meeting.  The  work  plan  of  the  Board  of  Directors  determines  which 
committee is to preview each issue.  

Members of the Sistema Board of Directors meet the key speakers and the management at a business dinner the 
evening before the meeting, so they can discuss the items on the agenda of the Board and inquire about the voting 
positions of the parties in an informal environment. 

Meetings of the Board of Directors normally take place with high attendance of the Board members. No meetings 
of the Board of Directors have ever been postponed due to the absence of quorum. 

Participation of the Sistema Board members in meetings of the Board of Directors and its committees in 2012 

 Board of Directors 

Strategy  

Audit and 
Finance  

Nomination, 
Remuneration and 
Corporate 
Governance  

Participation in meetings 

Ethics and 
Control  

IR and Dividend 
Policy  

3/3 

10/11 

6/7 
2/3 
7/7 

16/16 
14/16 

V. Evtushenkov 
A. Goncharuk 
B. Dickie 
D. Zubov 
V. Kopiev 
R. Kocharyan 
J. Krecké 
R. Munnings 
E. Novitsky 
M. Holtzman 
S. Tchuruk 
M. Shamolin 
D. Iakobachvili 
⃰The first number denotes the number of meetings in which the Board member participated, the second number stands for the total number of meetings the 
member could participate in. The composition of the Board of Directors is valid as of 31 December 2012. 

10/10* 
10/10 
5/6 
10/10 
10/10 
10/10 
6/6 
10/10 
10/10 
6/6 
9/10 
10/10 
10/10 

11/11 
9/11 
4/6 

5/5 
3/3 
3/3 
8/8 

1/3 
7/8 
2/3 
8/8 

3/16 
16/16 

6/7 
7/7 

13/16 

11/11 

7/7 

1/7 

7/7 

6/7 

6/7 

5/5 

64 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Committees of the Board of Directors9 
In  2012,  after  the  new  Board  members  were  elected,  the  Board  took  the  decision  to  update  the  profiles  of  the 
Board committees. To achieve this, the Board specified the procedural powers of the committees and updated the 
remit  of  the  existing  committees  of  the  Board  of  Directors.  These  measures  were  undertaken  to  ensure  high 
involvement  of  the  Board  members  in  the  material  aspects  of  the  corporation's  activities,  and  to  help  with  the 
successful transition to the new investment company model. 

Sistema has five committees of the Board of Directors:  

­  Strategy committee 
­  Audit and finance committee  
­  Nomination, remuneration and corporate governance committee 
­  Ethics and control committee 
­ 

Investor relations and dividend policy committee. 

Starting with 2011, as a rule, only members of the Board of Directors are elected to the committees. The main 
role  of  the  committees  is  to  help  the  Board in  preparing  and  adopting  concepts  and  solutions  in  the  respective 
functional areas, as well as in ensuring an in-depth scrutiny of the issues submitted for consideration to the Board 
of  Directors.  The  Board  committees  have  considerable  procedural  powers,  have  a  right  to  bring  in  external 
experts and use other resources of the corporation. 

Strategy committee 

The Strategy committee consists of 7 members, of which six are members of the Sistema Board: V. Evtushenkov 
(Chairman), M. Shamolin, A. Goncharuk, B. Dickie, E. Novitsky, S. Tchuruk, and S. Boev. 

The strategy committee analyses the strategic management issues of Sistema and provides for the functional cycle 
of strategic management, which includes the following aspects: 

  methodology of strategic planning; 
  preliminary approval of strategy and strategic goals; 
 

review of M&A transactions and major investment projects. 

This  committee  also  makes  decisions  about  preliminary  development  of  projects,  assesses  their  risks  and  sets 
priorities. The committee recommends projects for  a review by the Board of Directors of Sistema and evaluates 
and adjusts the project work in progress. 

In 2012, 16 meetings of the committee were held where 21 items were considered, including:  

  15 items relating to the development strategy of the Sistema Group companies 
  5 M&A projects 
  1 item relating to the development strategy of the corporation in general. 

Audit and finance committee 

The  audit  and  finance  committee  includes  five  Board  members:  R.  Munnings  (Chairman),  D.  Zubov,  E. 
Novitsky, M. Holtzman, and D. Iakobachvili.  

The audit and finance committee supervises preparation of financial reports and the internal audit of Sistema and 
its  subsidiaries.  Moreover,  the  committee  oversees  the  work  of  external  auditors,  makes  recommendations  for 
their  appointment  and  the  amount  of  their  remuneration,  and  also  performs  appraisal  for  the  risk  management 
system  and  monitors  its  operation.  The  committee  monitors  compliance  with  the  Russian  legislation  and  with 
corporate finance and reporting requirements. Apart from these tasks, the committee is to assist in the budgeting 
process: preliminary review of the materials at the budget development stage, preliminary review of the financial 
model  of  Sistema  and  also  approval  of  the  valuation  of  related-party  and  major  transactions  submitted  for 
approval to the Board of Directors.  

9 The information on Committees’ work is provided as of December 31, 2012. 

65 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
                                                 
In 2012, this committee held 11 meetings at which 66 items were reviewed, including the following:  

  22 items relating to the preparation and audit of financial reports 
  6 items relating to internal audit 
  21 transactions 
  7 items relating to financial planning and risk management 
  10 items relating related to organisational matters. 

Nomination, remuneration and corporate governance committee 

The nomination, remuneration and corporate governance committee consists of six Board members: R. 
Kocharyan (Chairman), A. Goncharuk, B. Dickie, D. Zubov, R. Munnings, and M. Shamolin. 

The  nomination,  remuneration  and  corporate  governance  committee  previews  the  candidates  to  the  top 
management  positions  of  Sistema  and  candidates  to  the  Boards  of  the  Directors  of  the  key  subsidiaries  of  the 
corporation, participates in the development of and previews the draft functional strategies for HR and incentive 
systems for the company's personnel, and appraises the performance of Sistema's top management for the Board 
of  Directors.  The  committee  also  facilitates  development  of  corporate  governance  practices  in  Sistema  and  its 
subsidiaries and affiliates. 

In  2012,  the  nomination,  remuneration  and  corporate  governance  committee  held  seven  meetings  at  which  19 
items were reviewed, including the following:  

  7 items on incentive system improvement 
  2 items on approval of the nominees to the key top management positions at Sistema 
  2 items on HR policy and changes to the organisational structure of Sistema 
  4 items related to reviewing the key performance indicators (KPIs) 
  4 items on development of corporate governance. 

Ethics and control committee 

The  ethics  and  control  committee  includes  five  Board  members:  A.  Goncharuk  (Chairman);  V.  Kopiev,  R. 
Munnings; R. Kocharyan, M. Shamolin. 

The ethics and control committee forms an efficient system of economic security, internal control and prevention 
of  fraud  and  other  misconduct  which  involves  violations  of  the  current  legislation.  Moreover,  the  committee 
monitors compliance with the requirements of the Code of Ethics of Sistema. 

In 2012, the ethics and control committee held seven meetings at which 23 items were reviewed, including the 
following:   

  9 items on functional strategies in internal control and security  
  5 items on compliance with legislation and corporate ethics standards 
  3  items  related  to  the  results  of  internal  control,  and  assessment  of  the  management's  efficiency  in 

eliminating the identified weaknesses 

  3 items on the efficiency of corruption prevention system 
  3 items related to organisational matters.  

Investor relations and dividend policy committee 

The investor relations and dividend policy committee includes six Board members: D. Iakobachvili (Chairman), 
M. Shamolin, J. Krecké, R. Munnings, M. Holtzman, S. Tchuruk.  

The  investor  relations  and  dividend  policy  committee  aims  to  increase  the  capitalisation  of  the  company  and 
protect  the  rights  and  interests  of  its  shareholders.  In  2012,  in  addition  to  day-to-day  matters,  the  committee 
focused on conducting an in-depth analysis and monitoring of the investment appeal of the company's stock, and 
assessing investors’ perception of the company.  

66 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
In 2012, the committee held eight meetings at which 12 items were considered, including: 

  10 items related to investor relations and dividend policy  
  1 item on public relations 
  1 item related to organisational matters. 

6.3. The President 
The President of Sistema is a permanent chief executive officer whose main function is executive management 
and settlement of relevant matters outside the remit of the General Meeting of Shareholders, Board of Directors 
and  Management  Board,  for  the  purposes  of ensuring  the  profitability  of  the  company  as  well  as  observing  its 
shareholders' rights and legitimate interests. The President acts within the scope of his powers and reports to the 
Board of Directors and the General Meeting of the corporation's shareholders.  

The President of Sistema JSFC is Mikhail Shamolin appointed by the Board of Directors on 10 March 2011.  

Mikhail Shamolin 
President of Sistema JSFC, 
Chairman of Sistema JSFC 
Management Board. 

Was born in 1970 in Moscow.  

In  1992  he  graduated  from  the  Moscow  Automobile  and  Road  Technical 
Institute.  

In  1993  Mikhail  received  his  second  diploma  from  the  Russian  Academy  of 
Public Administration under the President of the Russian Federation.  

In  1996-1997  he  completed  the  finance  and  management  course  for  top 
managers at the Wharton Business School. 

In  1998-2004  he  worked  at 
McKinsey&Co. 

the 

international  consulting  company 

In  2004-2005  -  Managing  Director  for  the  Ferroalloys  Division  at  Interpipe 
Corp (Ukraine). 

From  2005  to  2011  -  Vice  President  for  Sales  and  Customer  Service;  Vice 
President, Head of the MTS Russia business unit; President of MTS. 

On  10  March  2011  Mikhail  Shamolin  was  appointed  President  of  Sistema 
JSFC. 

6.4. Management Board 

Sistema's  Management  Board  determines  the  methods  of  implementing  the  company’s  development  strategy, 
prepares  development  plans,  establishes  and  oversees  compliance  with  investment  procedures,  appraises  the 
performance of personnel, and reviews items that are subsequently submitted to the Board of Directors.  

In 2012 the Management Board held 31 meetings and considered 81 agenda items dealing with all the areas of the 
Corporation’s  business  activity.  In  2012  the  Management  Board  reviewed  agenda  items  in  the  following  key 
areas: 
1) preliminary consideration of items put forward to the Board of Directors; the strategies of the Corporate Centre 
and investment portfolios; 
2) financial activities, forecasts and performance on the quarterly, half-year and annual budgets of Sistema JSFC; 
risk  management  and  a  risk  map;  internal  control;  financial  and  economic  model  of  the  Corporation's 
development;  

67 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
3) procedures for investment projects management; 
4) analysis of the organisational maturity of subsidiaries and affiliates; 
5) HR and social policies; training and development of the employees of Sistema JSFC; charity work; 
6) consideration and preliminary approval of transactions; 
7)  analytical  reviews  of  the  media's  and  investment  community's  perception  of  the  performance  results  of  the 
Corporation. 

Sistema JSFC Management Board composition as of December 31, 201210 

Chairman of the Management Board, President of Sistema JSFC 

1. Mikhail Shamolin 
2. Anton Abugov 
3. Christopher Baxter 
4. Alexey Buyanov 
5. Elena Vitchak 
6. Anna Goldin 
7. Sergey Drozdov 
8. Felix Evtushenkov 
9. Leonid Monosov 
10. Andrey Terebenin 
11. Kirill Tyurdenev 
12. Ali Uzdenov 
13. Alexey Shavrov 

Changes in top management in 2012 
A number of changes in the top management of the company took place in 2012: 

A. Abugov 

24 September 2012 

was  transferred  from  his  position  of  First  Vice 
President,  Head  of  the  Strategy  and  Development 
Function, to the position of First Vice President. 

C. Baxter  

E. Vitchak  

F. Evtushenkov  

L. Monosov  

16 November 2012 

was appointed Senior Vice President 

03 September 2012   was  appointed  Executive  Vice  President,  Head  of  HR 

Department 

24 September 2012   was  transferred  from  his  position  of  First  Vice 
President,  Head  of  the  Core  Assets  Business  Unit,  to 
the position of First Vice President 
was appointed Executive Vice President 

24 September 2012 

R. Nagapetyants  

28 September 2012 

was  relieved  of  his  duties  as  Senior  Vice  President, 
Head of the Developing Assets Business Unit 

K. Tyurdenev 

A. Uzdenov 

24 September 2012   was appointed Executive Vice President 

01 October 2012 

was appointed Vice President 

A. Shavrov 

24 September 2012   was appointed Executive Vice President 

6.5. Risk management, internal control and audit system 

The risk management system of Sistema JSFC is based on a two-tier approach to the management of the risks and 
opportunities of the Corporation, namely, on identifying the risks of S\As and Corporate Centre with their further 
integration, so that their impact on the Corporation as a whole could be assessed. 

10 See Annex for brief biographies and the equity holdings of the Management Board members. 

68 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
                                                 
The integrated risk management system (ERM) of the Corporation includes the following basic principles: 
- 

identification of risks at all levels of management (from top to line management), which includes finding the 
risk owner and making a risk passport; 
assessment and analysis of the identified risks (based on VaR methodology);  
ranging the risks by management level; 
evaluation of the cumulative effect of material risks on the key financial indicators of the Company (Monte 
Carlo modelling); 
development of risk mitigation plans on all management levels;  
a system of control over the implementation of mitigation plans  and evaluation of their effectiveness;  
risk monitoring, quarterly reporting on the risks of the Company. 

- 
- 
- 

- 
- 
- 

The  risk  management  procedures  of  Sistema JSFC are  carried  out  by  the  Risk Management  Group,  which  was 
specially set up for this purpose. 

The  risk  and  opportunity  management  system  of  the  Corporation  is  monitored  on  a  quarterly  basis  by  the 
Management Board and the Risk Management Sub-Committee of Sistema JSFC, which review the effects of the 
mitigation and response measures taken and reassess the identified and/or new risks. 

The President of Sistema JSFC presents a regular report on risk management in the Corporation to the Audit and 
Finance Committee of the Board of Directors of Sistema JSFC. Annual risk report is presented to the members of 
the Board of Directors. 

In 2011 the Board of Directors took the decision to separate the functions of internal control and internal audit of 
the Corporation.  

The Internal Control Service reports to the President and the Ethics and Control Committee of the Sistema JSFC 
Board of Directors. The Internal Control Service is responsible for:  
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 

targeted actions for control of business processes and financial activities; 
control over the elimination of systemic deficiencies in business processes; 
control over compliance with internal procedures and legal requirements; 
control over reports on performance and fulfillment of functional KPIs; 
operation of a Hot Line as a tool for timely detection and efficient prevention of different types of fraud. 

The  main  tools  of  the  Internal  Control  Service  are  audits  and  analysis  of  the  data  received  as  a  result  of  such 
audits. The results obtained by the Internal Control Service are reported to the President of Sistema JSFC and the 
Ethics and Control Committee to ensure that decisions are taken to eliminate the identified deficiencies. 

The Internal Audit Service reports to the Audit and Finance Committee of the Sistema JSFC Board of Directors. 
The Internal Audit Service is responsible for:  
- 
- 
- 

assessing the efficiency of the risk management system and preparing recommendations on improving it; 
auditing the quality of the management business processes; 
assessing the efficiency of the internal control system. 

The main tools of the Internal Audit Service include obtaining information on the above processes, analysing the 
received  information  and  preparing  recommendations and  assessments for the  Sistema  JSFC  management.  The 
results obtained by the Internal Audit Service are reported to the Audit and Finance Committee and the Board of 
Directors  to  enable  decision-making  on  the  improvement  of  the  internal  control  system  and  the  quality  of  risk 
management and corporate governance. 

The Internal Audit Service submits a quarterly report on its performance to the Audit and Finance Committee of 
the Sistema JSFC Board of Directors. 

Pursuant  to  the  decision  of  the  Audit  and  Finance  Committee,  Sistema  JSFC  has  developed  procedures  for 
purchasing  external  audit  services  for  the  purpose  of  auditing  the  financial/  accounting  statements  of  Sistema 
JSFC.  The  Audit  and  Finance  Committee  performs  annual  assessment  of  the  quality  of  audit  services.  If  the 
quality  of  services  provided  by  the  current  auditor  is  recognised  as  unsatisfactory,  the  Audit  and  Finance 

69 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Committee holds a tender and selects a new auditor. If the quality of services of the current auditor is recognised 
as satisfactory, negotiations are conducted on the price of audit services for the next period. In the meantime, to 
ensure the impartiality and objectivity of the auditor, the Audit Committee of Sistema JSFC took the decision that 
a tender for the audit of the RAS and US GAAP financial statements should be conducted at least once every five 
years. 

6.6. Development of corporate governance system in 2012 
In 2012, Sistema took a number of measures to further develop its corporate governance system. 

After  electing  new  members,  the  Board  of  Directors  took  the  decision  to  renew  the  terms  of  references  of  the 
Board's committees as part of completing the company's transition to the investment company model. It was also 
necessary to increase the engagement of the Board of Directors in the important aspects of the company's work 
according  to  the  new  model.  To  achieve  this,  the  procedural  powers  of  the  committees  were  specified  and  the 
remit of the existing committees of the Board of Directors updated.  

As a rule, only  members of the Board of Directors are elected to committees. The committees of the Board of 
Directors have extended procedural powers and the right to use external expertise and other company resources. 
Every  committee  is  responsible  for  a  particular  activity,  which  is  closely  monitored  by  every  member  of  a 
committee.  

These  changes  are  designed  to  ensure  that  Board  members  are  closely  involved  in  the  material  aspects  of  the 
company's activities, and to help with a successful transition to the new investment company model. 

In June 2012, a number of new members were introduced to the Board of Directors. Brian Dickie, Jeannot Krecké 
and  Mark  Holtzman  were  elected  as  independent  directors  of  the  Board  for  the  first  time.  Their  vast  practical 
investment  experience  and  track  record  on  successful  management  of  big  companies  will  make  it  possible  to  
significantly strengthen the business competencies of the Sistema Board of Directors. 

70 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
7. SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY. 
Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) is a comprehensive system that pervades all the activities of the company 
and influences its key strategic business decisions and their day-to-day implementation. Sistema's CSR strategy is 
aimed  at  achieving  practical  results  in  various  spheres  of  public  life:  improving  social  climate,  developing 
Russian culture, increasing the intellectual potential of the country and strengthening its national identity. Thus, 
the CSR policy of Sistema is a long-term investment in the future of the whole of Russia, as well as the company 
itself.  
The main document governing the CSR activities of the company and its subsidiaries is the Policy on Corporate 
Social  Responsibility  of  Sistema.  It  establishes  the  basic  principles  and  priorities  for  cooperation  with  all  the 
stakeholders of the CSR process. The document is also used as a tool for the strategic management of the social 
factors affecting the company's sustainable development, and for the optimisation of our contribution to the social 
and  economic  development  of  the  country  and  the  regions  where  we  operate,  as  well  as  for  enhancing  our 
reputation. 

Another  internal  document  is  the  Code  of  Corporate  Conduct  which  reflects  the  company’s  voluntary 
commitments  made  on  top  of  the  requirements  of  the  applicable  corporate  legislation,  and  the  Code  of  Ethics 
governing corporate relationships with stakeholders.  

Sistema's social responsibility approach to business includes a commitment to the following principles:  

Improving living standards through business development 

 
  Safeguarding occupational health and safety and developing human potential  
  Protecting the environment 
  Contributing to the development of local communities 
  Showing consideration for social expectations and opinions 
  Being open and transparent 

The key CSR principles approved at Sistema Group level are consistently implemented in all portfolio companies. 
We have designed a system for implementing social responsibility  that includes forming standards, building the 
management structure, training personnel, and controlling implementation through a system of indicators. 

When  implementing  the  key  CSR  principles,  we  take  into  account  global  experience  and  adhere  to  best 
international  practices.  Sistema  became  one  of  the  first  Russian  companies  to  join  the  United  Nations  Global 
Compact (in 2002) and to abide strictly by the ten principles of sustainable development enshrined in it. We fully 
embrace the social responsibility concept outlined by the Russian Union of Industrialists and Entrepreneurs in the 
Social  Charter  of  Russian  Business,  and  seek  to  make  our  contribution  to  sustainable  development  permanent, 
consistent and socially understandable.  

Key stakeholders 

Sistema's policy in the sphere of Corporate Social Responsibility is indivisible from achieving sustainable growth 
and  hitting  the  company's  strategic  targets.  Responsible  behaviour  and  taking  into  account  the  interests  of  all 
stake-holders, which includes shareholders, investments, employees, suppliers, partners, public organisations and 
local communities, as well as the state, is essential for business development. 

Sistema JSFC is one of the largest national taxpayers, and its portfolio companies are often notable contributors to 
the budgets of the regions of their presence. 

The  corporation  operates  in  strict  compliance  with  the  ecological  requirements.  Participation  in  environmental 
programmes is part of the Code of Ethics of Sistema.  
Being  participants  of  the  hydrocarbon  market,  the  Corporation's  companies  invest  substantial  funds  in 
environmental measures. For instance, in 2012 Bashneft alone spent RUB1.4bn on these purposes.  

In  the  reporting  period  the  company  implemented  the  strategy  of  health,  safety  and  environmental  protection 
(HSE) designed for a span of 5 years. According to the plan of actions until the end of 2016, the expenses on the 
five-year Functional Strategy should total RUB16.44bn. 
Bashneft's priorities in reducing the negative footprint on the environment are: recycling the oil sludge, including 
that from the Soviet period, building effluent treatment systems, and switching to more environmentally-friendly 

71 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
types of fuel. In 2012 the company moved 100% to selling EURO-5 petrol.   

A significant project in 2012 was the launch of the programme increasing the reliability of pipelines covering the 
period of 2013-2017. Its goal is to minimise the negative impact of oil extraction on the environment, along with 
reducing product losses by reducing equipment failures and pipeline leak rate.  

Under this programme in 5 years' time the company is planning to remodel over 1,258km of pipeline, including 
pipe replacement, and to do a major overhaul of nearly 250km of pipeline.  

Bashneft is planning to allocate RUB11.1bn to the pipeline reliability programme over the span of 2013-2017. 

Responsibility to the community 

Another key focus area of Sistema's Corporate Social Responsibility programme is investing in the social sphere, 
which aims to enhance the educational, scientific and cultural potential of the country. 

Sistema, together with its portfolio companies, is one of the largest employers in Russia. The total headcount of 
the Corporation exceeds 140 thousand employees. With the family members of the employees taken into account, 
the Corporation is responsible for the welfare of about half a million citizens of the Russian Federation.  
Provision of good working conditions necessary for building a high quality of life is an unquestionable priority 
and the corner stone of the Company's CSR policy. 
The Corporation is one of the major philanthropists and investors in the Russian social sphere. Social investments 
were mostly made in the following areas: 

  Science and education  
  Culture  
  Sports  
  Direct support to social initiatives and projects  

Sistema  supports  unique,  innovative  projects,  often  in  the  spheres  that  were,  until  then,  not  in  the  sight  of 
sponsors and charity organisations.   

In 2012 the Corporation's aggregate investments in the social sphere exceeded 2 million roubles. 

Science and education 

Education and science programmes have a special place in Sistema's social investment structure.  

In  addition  to  supporting  young  professionals  and  scientists  the  company  also  invests  in  its  business  and  thus 
provides its enterprises with qualified personnel. By enabling its current and future customers to have access to 
the most advanced technologies at the stage of training Sistema JSFC simulates the formation of strong demand 
for high-tech products and services for years to come.  

The  company  is  engaged  in  a  step-by-step  programme  encompassing:  youth  talent  search;  support  for  young 
people’s academic and creative initiatives; provision of grants and scholarships to students and highly proficient 
teachers  and  promising  research  workers;  joint  educational  projects  with  academic  and  scientific  institutions; 
helping students and young scientists develop their ideas and put them into industrial production.  

Lift to the Future 

Since 2011 Sistema has been developing a large-scale Lift to the Future project, with the mission to help talented 
Russian young people fully unlock their academic and creative potential and to provide them with the opportunity 
of making an independent educational and occupational choice. 

Our key partner in the  Lift to the Future project is Lomonosov Moscow State University, which acted as a co-
founder  of  the  Research  and  Education  Centre  Institute  for  Developing  the  Intellectual  Potential  of  the  Youth. 
Other project participants include Bauman Moscow State Technical University, the Russian Rectors' Union, the 
Russian Union of School Academic Contests, leading scientific teams, and Russian high-tech companies. 

72 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
All Russian universities, research centres, vocational institutions, regional intellectual contest centres, centres for 
talented children, orphanages  etc.  have  been invited to  take  part in the  Lift  to  the  Future  programme.  Thus  we 
create an all-Russian talent bank integrated in a new-type of educational environment.   Every year  at least  100 
students take part in the Lift to the Future scholarship programme.  

As  part  of  the  project,  we  have  already  set  up  a  unique  Lift  to  the  Future  web  portal.  This  portal  consolidates 
information  on  the  academic  programmes  of  all  the  Russian  academic  institutions,  and  the  projects  of  the  key 
federal and regional research centres, vocational education institutions and businesses - and tailors it for a young 
audience. 

An  important  part  of  the  project  is  a  supervision  programme,  where  accomplished  professionals  mentor  young 
people  and  help  them  choose  the  right  field  for  their  further  education.  Today  the  portal  has  over  100,000 
registered participants and over 200 supervisors. 

Results 

Such innovative approaches taken by Sistema help achieve tangible results making the company a leader in CSR 
in  Russia. 

•  We are recognised as the best company in the area of CSR in Russia: Sistema was ranked first in the 
biggest  annual  ranking  Leaders  of  Corporate  Charity  set  up  by  the  Vedomosti  business  daily, 
PriceWaterhouseCoopers and Donors Forum, a non-profit partnership of grant awarding organisations. 
•  Lift to the Future is the best CSR project: in the same ranking, the project has been recognised as one of 
the best charitable programmes aimed at engaging young people in social and economic development.  
•  Lift  to  the  Future  was  approved  by  the  Agency  of  Strategic  Initiatives  in  the  Young  Professionals 
category:  the  meeting  of  the  Supervisory  Board  chaired  by  the  Russian  President  Vladimir  Putin  took 
place on 22 November 2012. 

Other companies of the Group 

BASHNEFT is implementing the Group’s largest social action programme in Bashkortostan: 

MTS: 

  The  social  action  report  of  Bashneft  for  2011  was  awarded  as  the  best  in  the  category  of  Best 
Report  on  Sustainable  Growth  and  Social  Responsibility  at  the  15th  annual  contest  of  annual 
reports  and  corporate  websites  hosted  by  the  Securities  Market  magazine  and  the  Investor.ru 
social network, in partnership with the Russian Federal Financial Markets Service. Through the 
Ufa  branch  of  Sistema's  Charity  Fund,  Bashneft  is  participating  in  the  programme  focusing  on 
providing  potable  water  to  the  Bashkortostan  people,  which  is  part  of  funding  the  social 
infrastructure in Bashkortostan under and agreement with the government of the Republic. 
  The Corporate Volunteer Programme among the employees of Bashneft was launched in 2012. 

  The company received  IX National Award for its contribution to the development of the Russian 
segment of the Internet (RuNet awards of 2012) in a special nomination "Safe RuNet" (such MTS 
projects  as  Federal  Programme  "Children  in  the  Internet",  the  web  portal  "Safety  is  Simple" 
(safety.mts.ru)).  

  MTS  received  a  Leaders  of  Corporate  Charity-2012  award  in  the  category  Best  Programme 

Promoting Volunteering in Russia, and became a top-10 charitable company in Russia.  

  The  Reputation  Rating  Agency  granted  to  MTS  the  first  national  rating  in  corporate  social 

responsibility – AA(s).  

  MTS  launched  a  unique for  Russia  project  under  the  title of "All  Ages  are  to  Net  Submissive" 

which aims to provide Internet training for elderly people. 

73 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  Jointly  with  the  Lift  to  the  Future  project  and  Cisco,  the  company  launched  an  IT  Fitness  test 

where any Russian can test his or her IT skills, and a contest ''IT for Equal Opportunities''. 

  MTS  projects  in  the  CSR  sphere  (All  Ages  are  to  Net  Submissive,  CSR+Marketing,  Telecom 
Idea) are taken into account in all business processes of the company and are also implemented in 
the other portfolio companies of the Sistema Group. 

DETSKY MIR 

  The company received an award from the national programme "Best Social Projects in Russia". 
  Detsky Mir won the Little Golden Bear national award for goods and services for children, in the 

category "Year's Best Social Project".  

  The  "Contribute!"  campaign  organised  by  the  company  provided  support  to  the  disadvantaged 

Russian citizens totaling 100 million roubles. 

  In 2012, to aid the victims of the natural disaster in Krymsk, the company organised the gathering 
and delivery of a relief consignment for babies under 3 years of age worth RUB500k, set up a hot 
line for insulin-dependent children, etc. 

RTI 

  MIC Sistema-Sarov won the award in Best Project Promoting Innovations (Time of Innovations 
2012)  –  an  independent  award  set  up  by  the  Social  Projects  and  Programmes  Foundation  with 
support  from  the  RF  Economic  Development  Ministry  and  the  RF  Ministry  for  Telecom  and 
Mass Communications, for achievements in the field of innovative work. 

74 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
8.  CRITERIA  FOR  AND  AMOUNTS  OF  REMUNERATION  OF  THE  MEMBERS  OF  THE 
BOARD OF DIRECTORS AND TOP EXECUTIVES OF THE COMPANY. 
The  remuneration  of  the  members  of  Sistema's  Board  of  Directors  is  calculated  on  the  basis  of  the  Policy  on 
remuneration  and  compensations  payable  to  the  Company  Board  members,  approved  by  a  resolution  of  the 
General Meeting of Shareholders of Sistema on 30 June 2006 (Minutes #1-06) as amended by the resolution of 
the General Meeting of the Shareholders of Sistema on 16 February 2009 (Minutes #1-09). The Policy provides 
for the payment of the following to the Board members: 

 
 

fixed amounts for participation in meetings of the Board of Directors and its committees; 
fixed amounts for acting in the capacity of Chairman or Deputy Chairman of the Board of Directors, and 
for chairmanship in the committees under the Board; 

  based on the performance in the year, members of the Board of Directors receive additional performance-
related remuneration in the form of a fixed amount, half of which is payable in shares (US$ 250,000  - 
325,000); 

  given  the  capitalisation  of  the  company  has  grown  over  the  year,  members  of  the  Board  of  Directors 

receive additional remuneration amounting to 0.1% of the incremental capitalisation. 

The short-term (up to 1 year) incentive scheme for the top managers of Sistema in 2012 consisted of the following 
elements: 
 
 

fixed monthly salary determined in line with the internal system of job categories (grades); 
an  annual  bonus  paid  for  achievement  of  investment  key  performance  indicators  set  for  the  entire 
company over a respective reporting period; the investment KPIs of Sistema in 2012 include: iTSR, TSR, 
revenue  of  Sistema    -  dividends  and  funds  from  the  sale  of  businesses,  SG&A  /  NAV,  net  Income  of 
Sistema, debt of Sistema); 
additional  remuneration  for  generating  cash  income  for  the  company  over  the  year,  payable  subject  to 
achievement of the year's investment KPIs, or additional bonus payable exclusively at the discretion of 
the Board of Directors. 

 

The long-term (over 1 year) incentive scheme for the top managers of Sistema in 2012 consisted of the following 
elements: 
 

a  three-year  long-term  incentive  programme  (2012-2014)  aimed  at  building  the  shareholder  value  of 
Sistema and at creating additional preconditions for maintaining long-term relations of employment and 
corporate relations between the company and its management; 
an option programme for initiating and developing M&A projects aimed at strengthening the interest of 
the management towards searching for, acquiring and developing new assets that increase the shareholder 
value and the market capitalisation of Sistema. 

 

No remuneration is paid for the executive work of the managers sitting on the Management Board of Sistema. 

In  2012,  the  top  executives  of  the  company  received  an  aggregate  remuneration  of  RUB  996,076,264. 
Remuneration paid to the Board of Directors members of Sistema in 2012 totalled RUB 122,402,181. 

75 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
9.  ANNEX. 

9.1. SUMMARY BIOGRAPHIES OF THE MEMBERS  OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS AND THEIR 
SHAREHOLDINGS IN SISTEMA JSFC 

Full name, Title 

Brief Professional Background 

Vladimir 
Evtushenkov 

Chairman of the 
Board of Directors. 
Non-executive 
director. 

Alexander Goncharuk 

Deputy Chairman of the 
Board of Directors. 
Non-executive Director. 

Vladimir Evtushenkov was born in 1948 in the Smolensk region.  

In 1973 he graduated from the Moscow Mendeleyev Chemical-Engineering Institute, 
in  1980  –  Economic  Faculty  of  the  Moscow  State  University  n.a.  M.  Lomonosov. 
Doctor of Science in Economics. 

1975-1982  -  Machine  Shop  Manager;  Deputy  Director;  Chief  Engineer  of  the 
Karacharovo Factory of Plastics. 
1982 to 1987 – Chief Engineer, First Deputy Director General of Polymer Scientific 
and Production Association.  
1987-1988 - Head of Technical Department; Head of the Chief Department of Science 
and Technology of the Moscow City Executive Committee. 
1990 –  Chairman of the Moscow Municipal Committee for Science and Technology.  

In 1993 together with a group of associates Mr. Evtushenkov formed Sistema Joint-
Stock Financial Corporation. At present he is the principal shareholder, the Chairman 
of the Sistema JSFC Board of Directors and the Chairman of the Strategy Committee 
of the Board of Directors. 

Mr.  Evtushenkov  is  an  active  member  of  a  number  of  government  commissions  for 
improvement  of  the  competitiveness  of  the  Russian  industry,  development  of  high 
technologies and innovations, science and culture; a member of the National Council 
for corporate governance, member of the management boards of the main associations 
of entrepreneurs in Russia: the Russian Union of Industrialists and Entrepreneurs, the 
Russian  Chamber  of  Industry  and  Commerce,  Chairman  of  the  Russian  side  of  the 
Russian-Arab Business Council.  

Mr.  Evtushenkov  is  the  Chairman  of  the  Council  of  Trustees  of  the  Fund  for 
Development of the State Russian Museum “Friends of the Russian Museum”. He also 
heads the Board of Trustees of the Sistema Charitable Foundation. 

Share in the authorized capital of Sistema JSFC – 64.1843%. 
Alexander Goncharuk was born in 1956 in Sevastopol. 

In 1978 he graduated from the Sevastopol Higher Navy and Engineering School, and 
in 1987 – the Grechko Navy Academy. 

1995-1998 – Vice-President of Sistema JSFC. 
Mr. Goncharuk headed Sistema Telecom from 1998 to 2003, SITRONICS from 2003 
to 2006, Sistema JSFC from 2006 to 2008. 

1998 and 2002-2003 – Chairman of the Board of Directors of MTS. 

Mr. Goncharuk is Chairman of the Board of Directors of SITRONICS, member of the 
Board of Directors of Bashneft, RussNeft and some other companies,  member of the 
Board of Trustees of the Sistema Charitable Foundation. 

76 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Alexander Goncharuk has been a member of the Board of Directors of Sistema JSFC  
since 1996. Chairman of the Ethics and Control Committee, member  of the Strategy 
Committee,  member  of  the  Nomination,  Remuneration  and  Corporate  Governance 
Committee of the Sistema Board of Directors.  

 Share in the authorized capital of Sistema JSFC – 1.0032%. 

Brian Dickie 

Brian Dickie was born in 1955 in Belfast, the United Kingdom. 

Independent Director. 

Graduated  from  the  Oxford  University  with  a  Master  of  Arts  degree  in  English 
literature, obtained an MBA degree in Harvard Business School. 

In 1981-1998 Brian worked for BOOZ, ALLEN & HAMILTON INC, an international 
management consulting company.   

From 1993 to 1998 - President, Chairman of the Management Board of the company's 
branch in New-York; previously Brian was a managing partner of the company in the 
Asia-Pacific  region  (Singapore);  provided  strategic  and  operational  consulting  to 
major  corporations  and  government  agencies  in  North  America,  Europe  and  Asia-
Pacific region. 

In  1999-2003  Mr.  Dickie  was  President  of  TXU  ENERGY,  USA,  where  he  headed 
Retail,  Generation  (32  nuclear,  gas-fired  and  coal-fired  power  stations)  and  Trading 
divisions;  simultaneously  he  oversaw  the  new  businesses  of  the  Group  including 
telecoms (USA) and international utilities businesses (Australia, Asia, Latin America).  

From  2003  to  2012  Brian  worked  with  INVESTCORP,  a  Bahrain-based  alternative 
investment company. Prior to 2010 he was Managing Director of the European private 
equity  division  (London).  At  present  Mr.  Dickie  is  a  senior  advisor,  member  of  the 
Investment  Committee  of  Gulf  Opportunity  Fund,  one  of  the  divisions  of 
INVESTCORP;  and  also  a  Chairman/Board  member  of  a  number  of  companies  in 
Europe and the Middle East.  

Mr. Dickie has been a member of the Board of Directors of Sistema JSFC from 2012. 
He  is  a  member  of  the  Nomination,  Remuneration  and  Corporate  Governance 
Committee of the Sistema Board of Directors.  

   Share in the authorized capital of Sistema JSFC – 0.00%. 
Dmitry Zubov was born in 1954 in the Gorkiy region. 

In  1977  he  graduated  from  the  Moscow  Automobile  and  Road  Technical  Institute. 
Doctor of Science in Economics. 

1992-1999 - Director General of Alon Close-Type JSC, later he held senior positions 
in MosEximBank, IBN Sistema and PromChemInvest.  

In 1999 Mr. Zubov was elected member of the Board of Directors of Sistema JSFC, 
in 2000 – Deputy Chairman of the Board of Directors. At present he is the member of 
the  Nomination,  Remuneration  and  Corporate  Governance  Committee,  member  of 
the Audit and Finance Committee. Member of the Board of Trustees of the Sistema 
Charitable Foundation. 
Share in the authorized capital of Sistema JSFC - 0.9764%. 
Vyacheslav Kopiev was born in 1954 in Moscow.  

In  1977  graduated  from  the  Cybernetics  Department  of  the  Moscow  Institute  of 
Engineering  and  Physics,  in  1993  -  from  the  Law  Department  of  the  Russian 
77 

Dmitry Zubov 

Non-executive 
Director. 

Vyacheslav Kopiev 

Non-executive 
Director. 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Academy  of  Management,  in  1994  -  from  the  Economics  Department  of  the 
International Marketing and Management Academy. PhD in Technical Sciences, PhD 
in Legal Sciences. Author of more than 70 scientific works. 

In 1989-1997 Mr. Kopiev occupied leading positions at the Administrative Board of 
the Union of Engineering Societies, including Director for International Relations and 
Innovation.  He  also  served  as  Chairman  of  the  Board  of  Directors  of  JSC  Sputnik 
from 1990 to 1997. From  1995  – Deputy Chairman of the Executive Committee of 
the Russian-British Chamber of Commerce and Industry. 

In  1997  Mr.  Kopiev  was  appointed  Vice-President  of  Sistema  JSFC,  from  2000  to 
2003 – Senior Vice-President, Head of the External Business Environment Complex. 
From 2003 to 2010 – Deputy Chairman of the Sistema JSFC Board of Directors.  
President of the Sistema Charitable Foundation. 

Member  of  the  Presidential  Council  of  the  Russian  Federation  for  development  of 
physical education and sports, professional sports, preparations for the XXII Olympic 
Games and XI Paralympic Games in 2014 in Sochi, President of the Russian Rugby 
Union.  

Member of the Sistema JSFC Board of Directors since 1997. Member of the  Ethics 
and Control Committee.  

Robert Kocharyan 

Independent Director.  

Share in the authorized capital of Sistema JSFC – 0.0569%. 
Robert  Kocharyan  was  born  in  1954  in  Stepanakert,  the  Nagorno-Karabakh 
autonomous district.  
In 1982 he graduated from the Yerevan Polytechnic Institute. 

Jeannot Krecké  

Independent 
Director. 

1991-1994    –  Deputy  of  the  first  Supreme  Council  of  the  Nagorny-Karabakh 
Republic  (NKR),  Chairman  of  the  State  Defense  Committee  of  NKR  and  Prime 
Minister of NKR.  
1994-1997 – President of NKR. 
1997-1998 - the Prime Minister of the Republic of Armenia. 
1998–2008 – the President of the Republic of Armenia. 

Member of the Sistema JSFC Board of Directors since 2009. 
Chairman  of  the  Nomination,  Remuneration  and  Corporate  Governance  Committee, 
member of Ethics and Control Committee of the Sistema Board of Directors. 

Share in the authorized capital of Sistema JSFC – 0.0032%. 
Jeannot Krecké  was born in 1950 in Luxembourg. 

Graduated from the Free University of Brussels. Later when studying in the USA he 
specialized  in  economics,  accounting  and  taxation.  He  co-authored  an  annually 
published manual on taxation in Luxembourg, as well as books on tax control and tax 
fraud. 

2004-Minister of Sport of Luxembourg. 

2004-2011  -  Minister  for  Economy  and  External  Trade  of  Luxembourg,  
representative  of  the  Luxembourg  Government  in  the  Council  of  Ministers  of  the 
European Union. 

Co-founded the Alzheimer Association Luxembourg and became its President (1987-

78 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
1997). President of the Alzheimer Fund since 1997. 

In  1970-1977  played  for  the  Luxembourg  national  football  team;  participated  in 
transatlantic and polar expeditions (Greenland, Svalbard). 

Member of the Sistema JSFC Board of Directors since 2012. 
Member of IR and Dividend Policy Committee of the Sistema Board of Directors. 

Roger Munnings 

Share in the authorized capital of Sistema JSFC – 0.0004%. 
Roger Munnings was born in 1950 in the United Kingdom.  

Independent Director.  

He graduated from the Oxford University with a degree of Master of Arts in politics, 
philosophy, and economics.  

At  present  Mr.  Munnings  is  a  member  of  the  UK  Government's  working  group  on 
trade and investments between Great Britain and Russia, as well as Chairman of the 
Institute of Audit Committees in Russia. 

Since  1974  Roger  Munnings  has  had  a  long  and  successful  career  in  international 
auditor KPMG, especially during his time in the office of the President and Managing 
Partner  of  KPMG  in  Russia  and  the  CIS  (1996-2008),  as  well  as  Chairman  of  the 
world energy and natural resources committee of KPMG (1993-2008). Mr. Munnings 
is  Deputy  Chairman  of  the  management  board  of  the  Association  of  European 
Business (AEB) and member of the Institute of certified accountants of England and 
Wales. 

Roger Munnings is actively involved in the social activities in Russia being a member 
of  the  Russian  National  Council  on  Corporate  Governance,  the  Russian  Union  of 
Industrials  and  Entrepreneurs,  the  Russian  institute  of  directors,  the  management 
board  of  the  American-Russian  business  council,  the  management  board  of  the 
Russian-British chamber of commerce etc. 

Mr. Munnings is a member of the Board of Directors of Sistema JSFC from 2010. He 
is  also  Chairman  of  the  Audit  and  Finance  Committee,  member  of  the  Nomination, 
Remuneration  and  Corporate  Governance  Committee,  IR  and  Dividend  Policy 
Committee and the Ethics and Control Committee of the Board of Directors. 

Share in the authorized capital of Sistema JSFC – 0.0022%. 
Evgeny Novitsky was born in 1957 in the Tomsk region. 

In 1985 he graduated from the Moscow Bauman Higher Technical  School. In 1989-
90 he studied management at the Moscow State University of International Relations 
and the University of Manchester, UK; Candidate of Technical Sciences. 

1985-1987  -  engineer and mathematician  at  the  Moscow  Bauman  Higher Technical 
School. 
1987-1990 - completed a post-graduate course.  
1991-1995 he was in charge of developing and producing a series of Russian-made 
computers, as well as of organising IBM computers assemblage at Quantum Factory 
(in  Zelenograd),  was  the  Chairman  of  the  Board  of  Directors  of  the  Russian  IT 
company IVK (Information and Innovation Company). Author of a monograph and a 
number  of  publications,  member  of  the  Board  of  Trustees  of  the  Bauman  Moscow 
State Technical University.  

Since 1995 Mr. Novitsky worked at Sistema JSFC as the President of the Company 

79 

Evgeny Novitsky 

Independent Director. 

 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Marc Holtzman 

Independent Director 

and from January 2005 to February 2006 he was the Chairman of the Corporation’s 
Board  of  Directors.  Since  2006  –  non-executive  director  and  since  2010  – 
independent director of the Sistema JSFC Board of Directors. Currently he is also a 
member  of  the  Strategy  Committee,  the  Audit  and  Finance  Committee,  member  of 
the Board of Trustees of the Sistema Charitable Foundation. 

Share in the authorized capital of Sistema JSFC – 1.9925%. 

Marc Holtzman was born in 1960 in the USA. 
He  holds  a  Bachelor  of  Arts  degree  in  economics  from  Lehigh  University.  In 
addition,  Mr.  Holtzman  is  Vice  President  at  BarclaysCapital,  and  serves  as  non-
executive Chairman of the Board of Directors of Indus, a leading oil company listed 
on the London AIM, with market capitalization of about USD 2bn.  
He is member of the Board of Directors of Prospect Global Resources and Bank of 
Kigali, a leading commercial bank in Rwanda.  
Mr. Holtzman also serves as a member of the Board of Directors of the United States 
Space Foundation and as a member of the Board of Trustees of the Colorado Animal 
Rescue Shelter. 
Drawing  on  almost  two  decades  of  political  and  public  service,  Mr.  Holtzman  has 
developed  close  relationships  with  governmental  and  political  leaders  around  the 
world.  He  was  on  the  Board  of  Trustees  of  the  Almaty  Regional  Financial  Center.  
Mr.  Holtzman  co-founded  and  served  as  a  member  of  the  Board  of  Directors  of  a 
non-partisan, non-profit group "Poland for Europe".  
In 1989-1998 he lived and worked in Eastern Europe and Russia as a guest lecturer of 
the  World  Economic  Development  Congress  and  Harvard  University's  John  F. 
Kennedy School of Government. 
2003–2005  –  President  of 
the  University  of  Denver.  The  University  has 
approximately 10,000 students and includes the Daniels College of Business which, 
during Holtzman’s tenure, was ranked by The Wall Street Journal as being among the 
world’s top fifty MBA programs. 
Before  2003  Mr.  Holtzman  served  as  Secretary  of  Technology  of  the  Colorado 
government.  In  addition,  he  was  Chairman  of  Colorado’s  Information  Management 
Commission and Co-Chairman of the Commission on Science and Technology. Mr. 
Holtzman  helped  guide  Colorado’s  economic  transformation  into  a fully  diversified 
technology hub. 

Member  of the  Sistema JSFC  Board  of  Directors  since  2012.  Member  of the  Audit 
and  Finance  Committee  and  IR  and  Dividend  POlicy  Committee  of  the  Sistema 
Board of Directors. 

Share in the authorized capital of Sistema JSFC – 0.00%. 

Serge Tchuruk 

Serge Tchuruk was born in 1937 in France.  

Independent Director.  

Serge graduated from Ecole Polytechnique. 

1964-1979 - Mobil Corporation (France and USA); Chief Executive Officer of Mobil 
Benelux.  

1980-1986  he  worked  at  Rhone-Poulenc,  an 
international  chemical  and 
pharmaceutical company, where he had various managerial jobs, and in 1983 he was 
appointed Managing Director of the company.  

1986-1990 - Chairman and the CEO of Orkem (earlier known as CDF-Chimie).   

1990-1995  -  the  Chairman  and  the  CEO  of  Total,  one  of  the  largest  oil  and  gas 
80 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Mikhail Shamolin 

President, Chairman of 
the Management 
Board. 
Executive Director. 

David Iakobachvili 

Independent Director. 

companies globally.   

In 1995 Serge Tchuruk became CEO of Alcatel.  

Member  of  the  Board  of  Directors  of  Sistema  JSFC  from  2011,  member  of  the 
Strategy  Committee,  member  of  the  Investor  Relations  and  Dividend  Policy 
Committee.  

Share in the authorized capital of Sistema JSFC – 0.0013%. 
Mikhail Shamolin was born in 1970.  

In 1992 he graduated from the Moscow Automobile and Road Technical Institute. In 
1993 Mikhail received his second diploma from the Russian Academy of Public 
Administration under the President of the Russian Federation.  

In 1996-97 he completed the finance and management course for top managers at the 
Wharton Business School. 

1998-2004 - worked at the international consulting company McKinsey&Co. 

2004-2005  -  Managing  Director  for  the  Ferroalloys  Division  at  Interpipe  Corp. 
(Ukraine). 

2005-2011 - Vice President for Sales and Customer Service; Head of the MTS Russia 
business; President of MTS OJSC. 

On 10 March 2011 Mikhail Shamolin was appointed President and Chairman of the 
Management Board of Sistema JSFC.  

Member  of  the  Strategy  Committee;  Ethics  and  Control  Committee;  Nomination, 
Remuneration  and  Corporate  Governance  Committee;  IR  and  Dividend  Policy 
Committee of the Sistema Board of Directors; member of the Board of Trustees of 
the Sistema Charitable Foundation. 

Share in the authorized capital of Sistema JSFC – 0.0339%. 
David Iakobachvili was born in 1957 in Georgia. 

Studied  at  Civil  and  Industrial  Engineering  Department  of  the  Georgian  Technical 
University in Tbilisi. 

1986-2000 – private entrepreneur involved in various projects: official dealership of 
General Motors cars, tourism and hotel business, timber processing, management of 
furniture supplies, retail management, communications and banking.  
In 1992 became one of the founders of a famous food company, Wimm-Bill-Dann. 

1992-2001 – served as member of the Board of Directors, later the Chairman of the 
Board of Directors of Wimm-Bill-Dann Foods OJSC. 

At present serves on the Boards of Directors of a number of companies: CJSC Gorki-
2  Agro-Complex,  Airport  Financial  Services  Limited,  OJSC  Melnichniy  kombinat 
No.4  (grain  mill),  LLC  Kolmogorovskaya-2  mine,  LLC  Promuglesbyt  Managing 
Company and some other companies. 

Since  2000  –  member  of  the  Management  Board  of  the  Russian  Union  of 
Industrialists  and  Entrepreneurs  (employers),  since  June  2004  –  member  of  the 
Management Board's Bureau of the Union. 

Serves  on  the  Board  of  Directors  of  Sistema  JSFC  since  2011.  He  is  also  the 

81 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Chairman of Investor Relations and Dividend Policy Committee and member of the 
Audit and Finance Committee of the Board of Directors of Sistema JSFC. 

Share in the authorized capital of Sistema JSFC – 0.0031 %. 

82 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
9.2.  INFORMATION  ON  TRANSACTIONS  PERFORMED  BY  MEMBERS  OF  THE  BOARD  OF 
DIRECTORS OF SISTEMA JSFC WITH THE SHARES THEY HOLD IN THE COMPANY OVER THE 
PERIOD 1 JANUARY - 31 DECEMBER 2012 

Board  member  

V. Evtushenkov 

Date 
of the 
transaction 
09.07.2012 

A. Goncharuk 

16.01.2012 

24.05.2012 

09.07.2012 

16.01.2012 

09.07.2012 

D. Zubov 

V. Kopiev 

16.01.2012 

09.07.2012 

08.08.2012 

Transaction  

Subject of the transaction  

crediting 
holder's account 

securities 

to 

the 

122,191 
registered shares 

ordinary 

to 

to 

the 

securities 

securities 

crediting 
holder's account 
the 
Debiting  securities  from 
holder's 
crediting 
account, 
securities  to  the  account  of  a 
nominal holder – DCC 
crediting 
holder's account 
crediting 
holder's account 
crediting 
holder's account 
crediting 
holder's account 
crediting 
holder's account 

securities 

securities 

securities 

securities 

the 

the 

the 

the 

the 

to 

to 

to 

to 

102,897 
registered shares 
48,250,000 
registered shares 

ordinary 

ordinary 

122,191 
registered shares 
9,114,968 
registered shares 
122,191 
registered shares 
1,997,144 
registered shares 
122,191 
registered shares 

ordinary 

ordinary 

ordinary 

ordinary 

ordinary 

the 
Debiting  securities  from 
holder's 
crediting 
account, 
securities  to  the  account  of  a 
nominal  holder  –  BANK 
CREDIT SWISS  

2,000,000 
registered shares 

ordinary 

R. Kocharyan 

09.07.2012 

crediting 
holder's account 

securities 

to 

the 

127,808 
registered shares 

ordinary 

J. Krecké 

09.07.2012 

crediting 
holder's account 

securities 

to 

the 

1,950  global  depositary 
receipts   

R. Sommer 

16.01.2012 

crediting 
holder's account 

securities 

to 

the 

1,577,378 
registered shares 

ordinary 

R. Munnings 

09.07.2012 

crediting 
holder's account 

securities 

to 

the 

127,808 
registered shares 

ordinary 

L. Melamed 

16.01.2012 

09.07.2012 

securities 

crediting 
holder's account 
crediting 
holder's account 

securities 

to 

the 

to 

the 

7,810,741 
registered shares 
122,191 
registered shares 

ordinary 

ordinary 

E. Novitsky 

09.07.2012 

crediting 
holder's account 

securities 

to 

the 

122,191 
registered shares 

ordinary 

83 

 
 
 
S. Tchuruk 

09.07.2012 

M. Shamolin 

16.01.2012 

crediting 
holder's account 

securities 

to 

the 

127,808 
registered shares 

ordinary 

crediting 
holder's account 

securities 

to 

the 

3,147,750 
registered shares 

ordinary 

09.07.2012 

crediting 
holder's account 

securities 

to 

the 

122,191 
registered shares 

ordinary 

D. Iakobachvili 

09.07.2012 

crediting 
holder's account 

securities 

to 

the 

122,191 
registered shares 

ordinary 

84 

 
 
 
 
9.3. SUMMARY BIOGRAPHIES OF THE PRESIDENT OF SISTEMA JSFC AND THE MEMBERS OF 
THE MANAGEMENT BOARD 

Full name, Title 

Brief Professional Background 

Mikhail Shamolin 
President of Sistema JSFC. 

Chairman of the Sistema 
JSFC Management Board. 

Was born in Moscow in 1970.  

In  1992  he  graduated  from  the  Moscow  Automobile  and  Road  Technical 
Institute.  In  1993 received  his  second  diploma  from  the  Russian  Academy  of 
Public Administration under the President of the Russian Federation.  

In  1996-1997  he  completed  the  finance  and  management  course  for  top 
managers at the Wharton Business School. 

1998-2004 he worked at the international consulting company McKinsey&Co. 

•2004-2005 - Managing Director for the Ferroalloys Division at Interpipe Corp 
(Ukraine). 

2005-2011  -  Vice  President  for  Sales  and  Customer  Service;  Vice  President, 
Head of the MTS Russia business unit; President of MTS OJSC. 

On 10 March 2011 Mikhail Shamolin was appointed President and Chairman 
of  the  Management  Board  of  Sistema  JSFC.  Holds  positions  of  Executive 
Director,  member  of  the  Strategy  Committee,  member  of  the  Ethics  and  
Control  Committee,  member  of  Nomination,  Remuneration  and  Corporate 
Governance  Committee,  member  of  IR  Committee  of  the  Sistema  Board  of 
Directors,  member  of  the  Board  of  Trustees  of  the  Sistema  Charitable 
Foundation. 

Members of the Management Board: 

Full name, Title 

Brief Professional Background 

Anton Abugov 

Was born in 1976 in Mytishchi, the Moscow Region. 

First Vice President of 
Sistema JSFC. 

Member of the Sistema JSFC 
Management Board. 

In 1998 he graduated from the Academy of the National Economy under the 
Government of the Russian Federation with a degree in management. 

1995-1999  –  Deputy  Executive  Officer  of  the  Department  of  Transactions 
with Securities, Trader of Closed-Type Joint-Stock Company United Financial 
Group. 
1999-2002 – Head of the Corporate Finance Department of Closed Joint-Stock 
Company United Financial Group. 
2003-2006 – Managing Director, Head of the Corporate Finance Division of 
JSCB ROSBANK.  
2006-2012  –  First  Vice  President,  Head  of  the  Strategy  and  Development 
Function of Sistema JSFC. 
Since September 2012 - First Vice President of Sistema JSFC. 

85 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Christopher Baxter 

Was 

born 

in 

England 

in 

1963.  

Senior Vice President of 
Sistema JSFC. 

Member of the Sistema JSFC 
Management Board. 

Graduated from  Imperial College  London in  1987  with  First  Class  honours 
as a Master of Engineering and was made a Fellow of the Royal Society of 
Arts  Manufactures  and  Commerce  in  recognition  of  exemplary  academic 
performance. 

1987-1995  held  various  positions  at  Chase  Manhattan  Bank  (now  part  of 
JPMorgan), 
President. 
1995-2002  –  Energy  and  Power  investment  banking  consultant,  Merrill 
Lynch. 

position 

Vice 

incl. 

of 

2002-2012  –  Head  of  Investment  Banking  Department  of  Renaissance 
Group,  member  of  the  Renaissance  Credit  (Group’s  consumer  bank)  Board 
of Directors. 

Since November 2012 – Senior Vice President of Sistema JSFC. 

Alexey Buyanov 

Was born in 1969 in Moscow.  

Senior Vice President, Head 
of the Finance and 
Investment Function of 
Sistema JSFC. 

Member of the Sistema JSFC 
Management Board. 

In  1992  he  graduated  from  the  Moscow  Physics  and  Technology  Institute 
with a degree in Applied Mathematics and Physics. 

1995-1998  –  Head  of  Division,  Vice  President,  First  Vice  President  of 
Sistema Invest.  
1998-2002 – Vice President of Mobile TeleSystems (MTS). 
2002  –Vice  President,  Head  of  the  Financial  Restructuring  Department  of 
Sistema JSFC.  
2002-2005 – First Vice President of Sistema JSFC.  
From  2005  –  Senior  Vice  President,  Head  of  Finance  and  Investment 
Function of Sistema JSFC. 

Chairman  of  the  Board  of  Directors  of  MTS-Bank  OJSC,  member  of  the 
Board  of  Directors  of  MTS  OJSC,  Bashneft  OJSC,  Sistema  Shyam 
TeleServices Limited (SSTL) and some other companies. 

Elena Vitchak 

Was born in 1971 in Moscow. 

Executive Vice President, HR 
Department Head of Sistema 
JSFC. 

Member of the Sistema JSFC 
Management Board. 

In  1992  graduated  from 
the  Rostov  State  University  (Linguistics 
Department); in 2005 received a diploma in Human Resources Management 
from the State Academy of Investment Specialists. 

Member of the National Union of HR Specialists of Russia. Member of the 
HR Committee of the Association of Russian Banks. 

2002-2008  -  HR  Department  Director  at  the  Capital  Insurance  Group  (IFD 
Capital). 

2008-2010 - HR Department Director, member of the Management Board at 
Sistema Hals OJSC. 

2010-2012 - Senior Vice President, Director of the HR Department at OJSC 

86 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
MTS-Bank. 

Since  September  2012  –  Executive  Vice  President,  HR  Department  Head, 
Sistema JSFC. 

Anna Goldin 

Was born in 1963 in Leningrad. 

Vice President, Head of the 
Sistema JSFC Legal 
Function. 

Member of the Sistema JSFC 
Management Board. 

Graduated  from  the  University  of  California  in  Berkeley,  Boalt  Hall, 
Doctor of Law. 

1988-1989  –  Lawyer/Trainee  at  Baker  &  McKenzie,  Gibson,  Dunn  & 
Crutcher, Morrison & Foerster. 
1990-2007 – Lawyer, Partner, Managing Partner at Latham & Watkins. 
Since June 2007 – Vice President, Head of the Legal Function of Sistema 
JSFC. 

Sergey Drozdov 

Was born in 1970 in Arkhangelsk. 

Senior Vice President, Head 
of the Corporate Governance 
Function of Sistema JSFC 

Member of the Sistema JSFC 
Management Board 

In 1993 graduated from the Ordzhonikidze State Academy of Management 
with  a  degree  in  Engineering  and  Economy.  Candidate  of  Economic 
Sciences.  

1994-1995 – Head of the Financial Innovations and Marketing Department 
of Moscow Property Fund. 
1995-1998  –  Executive  Director,  Deputy  Head  of  the  Department  of 
Development and Investments of Sistema JSFC.  
1998-2002 – Vice President, First Vice President of Sistema Invest. 
2002  –  Acting  First  Vice  President,  Head  of  the  Corporate  Property 
Department of Sistema JSFC. 
2002-2011  –  First  Vice  President;  Senior  Vice  President,  Head  of  the 
Property Function of Sistema JSFC. 
Since  April  2011  –  Senior  Vice  President,  Head  of  the  Corporate 
Governance Function of Sistema JSFC. 

Felix Evtushenkov 

Was born in 1978 in Moscow.  

First Vice President of 
Sistema JSFC. 

Member of the Sistema JSFC 
Management Board. 

In 2000 graduated from the Griboyedov Institute of International Law and 
Economy with a degree in law.  

1999-2000 – Assistant to the President; Executive Director of the Industry 
Department of Sistema Invest. 
2000-2008  –  Deputy  Director  General;  Director  General;  President  of 
Sistema-Hals. 
2008-2011 – Vice President, Head of the Consumer Assets Business Unit 
of Sistema JSFC. 
2011-2012 – First Vice President, Head of the Core Assets Business Unit of 
Sistema JSFC. 
Since 2012 - First Vice President of Sistema JSFC. 

Chairman of the Board of Directors of Bashneft OJSC, BEGC OJSC;  
Member  of  the  Board  of  Directors  of  RussNeft  OJSC,  United 
Petrochemical Company OJSC and some other companies. 

Leonid Monosov 

Was born in 1958 in Mozyr’ (Belarus). 

87 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Executive Vice President of 
Sistema JSFC. 

Member of the Sistema JSFC 
Management Board. 

Andrey Terebenin 

Vice President, Head of the 
Corporate Communications 
Function of Sistema JSFC. 

Member of the Sistema JSFC 
Management Board. 

In 1980 graduated from the Moscow Institute of Railroad Transport with a 
degree in industrial and civil construction. 

For  his  services  and  many  years  of  work  in  construction  received  awards 
and  the  title  of  Honored  Construction  Worker  of  the  Russian  Federation. 

1999-2007 - General Director of Moskapstroy OJSC. 

2007-2010 
Department of Moscow Government. 

-  Head  of  Municipal  Capital  Development  Contracts 

2010-2012 - Vice President of Olympstroy State Corporation. 

Since  March  2012  -  Executive  Vice  President  of  Developing  Assets 
Business Unit; Executive Vice President of Sistema JSFC. 
Was born in 1962 in Moscow. 

In  1985  graduated  from  the  Moscow  State  Institute  of  International 
Relations with a degree in international relations and Arabic.  

Held  a  number  of  management  positions  at  the  Publishing  House 
Economicheskaya Gazeta, Dun&Bradstreet CIS and AIG Russia.  
1999-2006  -  Partner  at  the  Triangle  Porter  Novelli  Communications 
Agency;  Director  General  and  Partner  at  the  R.I.M.  Porter  Novelli 
Communications Holding.  
2006-2011 – Vice President for Corporate Communications of MTS OJSC. 
Since  May  2011  -  Vice  President,  Head  of  the  Sistema  JSFC  Corporate 
Communications Function. 

Kirill Tyurdenev 

Was born in 1977 in Moscow. 

Executive Vice President of 
Sistema JSFC. 

Member of the Sistema JSFC 
Management Board. 

Ali Uzdenov 

Vice President of Sistema 
JSFC 

Member of the Sistema JSFC 
Management Board 

In  1999  graduated  from  the  Moscow  State  Institute  of  International 
Relations; the same year got law degree (LL.M) in Manchester University.  

1999-2000 - Unilever.  
2000-2004 – A.T.Kearney (management consulting). 
2004-2007 – McKinsey & Co. 
2007-2012  –  Deputy  Director  General  on  strategy  and  corporate 
development of SIBUR-Fertilizers OJSC. 
Since  April  2012  held  the  positions  of  Executive  Vice  President  of 
Developing  Assets  Business  Unit;  Executive  Vice  President  of  Sistema 
JSFC. 
Was born in 1962 in Kislovodsk (Stavropol region). 

In 1985 graduated from the Rostov Institute of Railroad Engineers with the 
degree Automatics, Telematics and Intercom at Railway Transport. 

In  1990  he  continued  his  education  at  the  International  Survival  School 
(Italy). 

1994-1997 - Head of the Rostov Commodity Exchange. 

88 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
1997-1998 - Director of Ayaks LLC. 

1998-2001 - Director of the Rostov office of Bashneft OJSC. 

2001-2007 - Chairman of the Kormmash OJSC Board of Directors. 

2007-2009 - General Director of Rostovregiongas LLC. 

2009-2012 - First Vice President for Refining and Sales of Bashneft OJSC. 

Alexey Shavrov 

Was born in 1971 in Leningrad. 

Executive Vice President of 
Sistema JSFC 

Member of the Sistema JSFC 
Management Board 

Graduated  from  the  Moscow  State  Institute  of  International  Relations  with a 
degree in international relations. 

1992-1996 – Cargill Enterprises. 
1996-2000  –  General  Director  (Russia  and  CIS)  of Oleina  (Switzerland) and 
Cereol Group (France-Italy). 
2000-2002  –  General  Director  (Russia  and  CIS)  of  Unibrasco  (UBC  Group 
branch, Switzerland). 
2002-2004 – Deputy General Director, member of the Management Board of 
United Engineering Factories OJSC. 
2004-2005 – General Director of Istok Group of Companies. 
2005-2006  –  General  Director,  member  of  the  Board  of  Directors  of  Cascol 
Group of Companies. 
2006-2010  –  Managing  Director,  member  of  the  Management  Board  of  A-1 
Group Investment Company (Alpha-Group). 
Since  March  2012  held  the  position  of  Executive  Vice  President  of 
Developing Assets Business Unit of Sistema JSFC. 

89 

 
 
 
 
 
9.4. INFORMATION ON THE NUMBER OF SHARES OF SISTEMA JSFC HELD BY THE 
PRESIDENT AND THE MANAGEMENT BOARD MEMBERS 

Management Board members 

Number of owned shares 

Mikhail Shamolin 

Anton Abugov 

Christopher Baxter  

Alexey Buyanov 

Elena Vitchak 

Anna Goldin 

Sergey Drozdov 

Felix Evtushenkov 

Leonid Monosov 

Andrey Terebenin 

Kirill Tyurdenev 

Ali Uzdenov 

Alexey Shavrov  

3, 269, 941 shares of Sistema JSFC 

5, 029, 243 shares of Sistema JSFC  

 0  shares of Sistema JSFC  

4, 596, 627 shares of Sistema JSFC  

   0  shares of Sistema JSFC  

11, 027, 030 shares of Sistema JSFC  

23, 545, 381 shares of Sistema JSFC  

 739, 688 shares of Sistema JSFC  

   0 shares of Sistema JSFC  

400, 160 shares of Sistema JSFC  

   0  shares of Sistema JSFC  

  0  shares of Sistema JSFC  

   0 shares of Sistema JSFC  

90 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
9.5. LIST OF TRANSACTIONS PERFORMED BY THE COMPANY IN THE REPORTING YEAR THAT 
ARE RECOGNIZED AS MAJOR TRANSACTIONS UNDER THE FEDERAL LAW "ON JOINT-STOCK 
COMPANIES", AND OTHER TRANSACTIONS COVERED BY THE MAJOR TRANSACTIONS 
APPROVAL PROCEDURE PURSUANT TO THE COMPANY'S CHARTER 

Persons that are 
considered as related 
parties to the 
transaction  

Shareholder holding 
jointly with his 
affiliates over 20 
(twenty) % of 
Sistema JSFC voting 
shares.  

No. of the Minutes 
of the body that 
approved the 
transaction and 
date of taking the 
decision   

01-12 
14.06.2012 
Item 1 

Subject of the 
transaction  

Transaction 
counterparties  

Amount of the 
transaction  

Granting to 
Sistema OJSC 
regulated by GB 
legislation the 
Guarantee in 
provision of 
performance of 
guarantee and 
other obligations, 
imposed on 
Sistema Invest  
and ECU GEST 
HOLDING S.A. 
in accordance with 
the Agreement 
concluded 
between INTER 
RAO EES OJSC, 
Sistema Invest, 
ECU GEST 
HOLDING S.A. 
and Sistema JSFC 

RAO 
INTER 
OJSC, 
UES 
Invest, 
Sistema 
ECU 
GEST 
HOLDING  S.A. 
and Sistema JSFC  

500, 

000 
22, 
(twenty 
000.00 
two  billion  five 
hundred  million) 
RUB 

91 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
9.6.  LIST  OF  TRANSACTIONS  PERFORMED  BY  THE  COMPANY  IN  THE  REPORTING  YEAR  THAT 
ARE  RECOGNIZED  AS  RELATED  -  PARTY  TRANSACTIONS  UNDER  THE  FEDERAL  LAW  "ON 
JOINT-STOCK COMPANIES" 

No. of the Minutes 
of the body that 
approved the 
transaction and 
date of taking the 
decision 

01-12 
04.02.2012 
Item 7.2.1.  

02-12 
17.03.2012 
Item 6.5.2.  

Subject of the 
transaction 

Transaction 
counterparties 

Amount of the 
transaction 

Persons that are 
considered as related 
parties to the 
transaction 

The Guarantee 
Agreements on 
the liabilities of 
Sistema Shyam 
TeleServices 
Limited being 
signed with Bank 
of China Limited 
(Shenzhen 
Branch)  
The Agreement 
with Raiffeisen 
Bank on the letter 
of credit 
guaranteed by 
Sistema JSFC 
signed for the 
purposes of  
securing the credit 
liabilities of 
Sistema Shyam 
TeleServices 
Limited 

Sistema JSFC 
Bank 
of  China 
Limited  (Shenzhen 
Branch)  
Sistema 
Teleservices 
Limited 

Shyam 

Credit amount: 
up to  
50, 000, 000.00 
(fifty million) 
USD; the Credit 
may be granted 
in tranches 

V. Evtushenkov 
R. Sommer  
M. Shamolin 
A. Buyanov 
F. Evtushenkov 

Shyam 

Sistema JSFC 
Sistema 
TeleServices 
Limited 
Raiffeisen Bank  

Up to INR 10, 
000, 000, 000.00 
(ten billion) 
which equals ca 
198 million USD 
at the rate of INR 
50.3130 per 1 
USD set as of the 
date of taking the 
decision 

V. Evtushenkov 
R. Sommer  
M. Shamolin 
A. Buyanov 
F. Evtushenkov  

03-12 
21.04.2012 
Item 2.9. 

Sistema’s JSFC 
contribution to the 
charter capital of 
Stream LLC 

Sistema 
Stream LLC  

JSFC 

496, 112, 222.00 
(four hundred 
and ninety-six 
million one 
hundred and 
twelve thousand 
two hundred and 
twenty two) 
RUB 

Shareholder holding 
jointly with his 
affiliates over 20 
(twenty) % of 
Sistema JSFC voting 
shares.  
R. Sommer  
M. Shamolin 
R. Nagapetyanz 

03-12 
21.04.2012 
Item 6.2.  

Making changes 
and amendments  
to the Letter of 
credit facility 
agreement as of 
December 29, 
2011, as amended 
on March 21, 
2012 (“Letters of 
credit 

Sistema JSFC 
The  Royal  Bank  of 
Scotland N.V. 
Sistema 
TeleServices 
Limited 

Shyam 

Up to 300m USD 
(an 
equivalent 
amount  in  Indian 
rupees)  

V. Evtushenkov 
R. Sommer  
M. Shamolin 
A. Buyanov 
F. Evtushenkov  

92 

 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
agreement”), 
regarding the 
letters of credit 
granted by The 
Royal Bank of 
Scotland N.V. in 
the amount of up 
to 300m. USD (an 
equivalent amount 
in Indian rupees) 
to secure the 
obligations of  
Sistema Shyam 
TeleServices 
Limited 
Conclusion of 
Guarantee 
Agreement 
between Sistema 
JSFC and 
Gazprombank 
OJSC on securing 
the liabilities of 
Sistema Shyam 
TeleServices 
Limited 
Granting a 
guarantee by 
Sistema JSFC  on 
credit liabilities of 
Sistema Shyam 
TeleServices 
Limited to Central 
Bank of India for 
the amount of 
INR 5bn. 

03-12 
21.04.2012 
Item 6.3.3. 

03-12 
21.04.2012 
Item 6.4.2. 

JSFC  

Sistema 
Gazprombank 
OJSC 

Equivalent of  
200, 000, 000.00 
(two hundred 
million) of USD 
in Indian rupees 

V. Evtushenkov 
R. Sommer  
M. Shamolin 
A. Buyanov 
F. Evtushenkov  

Shyam 

Sistema JSFC   
Sistema 
TeleServices 
Limited 
Central  Bank  of 
India 

5, 000, 000, 000.
00 (five billion  
Indian rupees) 

V. Evtushenkov 
R. Sommer  
M. Shamolin 
A. Buyanov 
F. Evtushenkov  

03-12 
21.04.2012 
Item 6.5.5. 

Sistema’s JSFC 
contribution to the 
charter capital of 
Altai Resort LLC  

Sistema  JSFC  Altai 
Resort LLC ОАО  

08-12 
03.10.2012 
Item 1.4. 

Acquiring by 
Sistema JSFC of 
UNPZ OJSC 
preferred 
registered shares 

Sistema 
UNPZ OJSC  

JSFC  

08-12 
03.10.2012 
Item 1.8. 

Acquiring by 
Sistema JSFC of 
Ufaneftekhim 

Sistema 
Ufaneftekhim  

JSFC  

Up to   
1, 009, 000, 
000.00 (one 
billion nine 
million) RUB 

Shareholder holding 
jointly with his 
affiliates over 20 
(twenty) % of 
Sistema JSFC voting 
shares.  

471, 765, 130.00 
(four hundred 
and seventy-one 
million seven 
hundred  and 
sixty-five 
thousand one 
hundred and 
thirty) RUB 
861, 153, 990.00 
hundred 
(eight 
sixty-one 
and 

Sistema JSFC 
shareholder 

Sistema JSFC 
shareholder  

93 

 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
OJSC preferred 
registered shares  

08-12 
03.10.2012 
Item 1.11. 

Acquiring by 
Sistema JSFC of 
Novoil OJSC 
preferred 
registered shares  

Sistema 
Novoil OJSC  

JSFC  

one 
and 

nine 
and 

million 
hundred 
fifty-three 
thousand 
hundred 
ninety) RUB 
584, 417, 820.00 
(five 
hundred 
and  eighty-four 
four 
million 
hundred 
and 
seventeen 
thousand 
hundred 
twenty) RUB  

eight 
and 

Sistema JSFC 
shareholder  

08-12 
03.10.2012 
Item 1.14. 

09-12 
27.10.2012 
Item 6.3.4. 

10-12 
14.12.2012 
Item 8.4.4. 

10-12 
14.12.2012 
Item 8.6.4.  

10-12 
14.12.2012 
Item 8.7.2.  

Acquiring by 
Sistema JSFC of 
Bashneft OJSC 
preferred 
registered shares  

Reduction of 
Sistema’s stake 
(ordinary 
registered book-
entry shares) of 
NIS OJSC in 
favour of Sistema 
Telecom Assets 
LLC 

Acquiring by 
Sistema JSFC a 
50% equity stake 
of Financial 
Alliance LLC 

Granting by 
Sistema JSFC the 
credit to Sistema 
Shyam 
TeleServices 
Limited for the 
purpose of further 
refinancing of 
Gazprombank 
(Switzerland) 
Limited loan 
Granting 
guarantee on 
Sistema Shyam 
TeleServices 

Sistema 
Bashneft OJSC  

JSFC  

Sistema JSFC 
Sistema 
Assets LLC  

Telecom 

Up to   
7, 970, 000, 000.
00  (seven  billion 
nine hundred and 
seventy  million) 
RUB 

Sistema JSFC 
shareholder, member 
of the Board of 
Directors and 
members of the 
Management Board 
of  Sistema JSFC  

Not less than   
229, 500, 000.00 
hundred 
(two 
twenty-nine 
and 
million 
five 
hundred 
thousand) RUB 

Shareholder holding 
jointly with his 
affiliates over 20 
(twenty) % of 
Sistema JSFC voting 
shares.  

Sistema 
Bashneft OJSC  

JSFC  

Up to  
3, 410, 000, 000.
00 (three billion 
four hundred and 
ten million) RUB 

Sistema JSFC  
Sistema 
TeleServices 
Limited 

Shyam 

230, 000, 000.00 
hundred 
(two 
and 
thirty 
million) USD  

Shareholder holding 
jointly with his 
affiliates over 20 
(twenty) % of 
Sistema JSFC voting 
shares.  
A. Goncharuk 
A. Buyanov 
S. Drozdov 
F. Evtushenkov 
Shareholder holding 
jointly with his 
affiliates over 20 
(twenty) % of 
Sistema JSFC voting 
shares.  

V. Evtushenkov 
M. Shamolin 
A. Buyanov 

Sistema JSFC  
Sistema 
TeleServices 
Limited 

Shyam 

74 (seventy-four) 
%  of  the  total 
cost 
the 
of 
extended 

Shareholder holding 
jointly with his 
affiliates over 20 
(twenty) % of 

94 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
Limited liabilities 
to ICICI Bank 
Limited under 
Guarantee Facility 
Agreement, based 
on which ICICI 
Bank Limited 
provided and 
prolonged the 
bank guarantees 
(FBG) in favour 
of the Department  
of 
Telecommunicati
ons of the Indian 
Ministry of 
Communications 
that secure the 
fulfillment of the 
terms and 
conditions of the 
licence 
agreements by 
Sistema Shyam 
TeleServices 
Limited  

Sistema JSFC voting 
shares.  

V. Evtushenkov 
M. Shamolin 
A. Buyanov 

amounts 

Guarantees, 
which 
up to  
1, 110, 000, 000.
00  (one  billion 
one  hundred  and 
ten  million)  of 
rupees, 
Indian 
which 
is 
equivalent to  
20, 408, 914.00 
(twenty  million 
hundred 
four 
thousand 
eight 
nine 
hundred 
fourteen)  USD 
the  rate  of  
(at 
Indian 
54.388 
rupees  per  1  US 
dollar),  as  well 
as 
interest 
payments, 
payment  of  fees 
and 
other 
payments 
stipulated  by  the 
Guarantee 
Facility 
Agreement 

95 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
9.7. INFORMATION ABOUT THE COMPANY’S COMPLIANCE WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE 
CODE OF CORPORATE CONDUCT OF THE FEDERAL SERVICE FOR FINANCIAL MARKETS 

Provisions of the 
Corporate Conduct Code 

Observed / not 
observed 

Comment 

General Meeting of Shareholders   

1  A notice of the forthcoming Annual General Meeting 
of  shareholders  shall  be  distributed  not  later  than  30 
days  before  the  day  of  the  Meeting  unless  a  longer 
term is provided for by legislation. 

2  The  procedure  of  announcement  on  holding  the 
Annual  General  Meeting  of  shareholders  shall  allow 
shareholders  to  properly  prepare  for  participation  in 
the meeting. 

3  Shareholders may familiarise themselves with the list 
of  persons  who  have  the  right  to  attend  the  Annual 
General  Meeting  of  shareholders,  starting  from  the 
date of announcement of holding the General Meeting 
of  Shareholders  and  till  the  closure  of  the  Annual 
General  Meeting  of  shareholders,  and  in  case  of 
holding the meeting in the form of a letter ballot – till 
the deadline for acceptance of ballot papers. 

4  Shareholders  can  familiarise  themselves  with  the 
subject 
to 
(materials)  which 
information 
is 
presentation  during  preparation  for 
the  Annual 
General  Meeting  of  shareholders,  through  electronic 
means of communication 

5  Shareholders  may  introduce  an  agenda  item  for  the 
Annual  General  Meeting  of  shareholders  or  demand 
convocation  of  the  Annual  General  Meeting  of 
shareholders  without  presenting  an  extract  from  the 
register of shareholders if his/her rights for shares are 
accounted for in the system of keeping the register of 
shareholders, and in the event when his/her rights for 
shares are registered in the depo account  - an extract 
from 
the  depo  account  shall  be  sufficient  for 
exercising the above-said rights.  

6  Joint-Stock Company’s internal documents should set 
out  procedures  for  registering  participants  of  the 
Annual General Meeting of shareholders. 

Observed  

This provision  was added to the Charter of 
Sistema JSFC (item 28.9). 

Observed 

Observed 

Observed     

Observed 

Announcement about the meeting is sent to 
shareholders  by  mail  and  is  published  on 
website 
Company’s 
the 
(www.sistema.ru/www.sistema.com). 

accordance  with  Sistema 

In 
JSFC 
Regulations on  Annual General Meeting of 
Shareholders  (“AGM”)  (approved  by  the 
Minutes of Sistema JSFC AGM No. 2-10 as 
of  June  30,  2010)  shareholders  have  the 
right  to  familiarise  themselves  with  the  list 
of  persons  who  may  attend  the  Annual 
General  Meeting  of 
shareholders  by 
addressing 
the  Company’s  Corporate 
Secretary.  
complete 
The 
information  relating  to  the  AGM  on  the 
Company’s  website 
Internet 
(www.sistema.ru/www.sistema.com). 

Company 

publishes 

the 

in 

accordance  with  Sistema 

In 
JSFC 
Regulations on  Annual General Meeting of 
Shareholders  (“AGM”)  (approved  by  the 
Minutes of Sistema JSFC AGM No. 2-10 as 
of  June  30,  2010),  there  is  no  requirement 
that  shareholders  should  prove  their  right 
with specific documents, with the exception 
of the extract from the depo account.  

Observed 

Regulated by Sistema JSFC Regulations on 
General Shareholders’ Meeting. 

Work of the Board of Directors 

1  The Joint-Stock Company’s Charter should define the 
authority  of  the  Board  of  Directors  regarding  annual 
approval  of  the  Joint-Stock  Company’s  financial  and 
business plan. 

Observed 

In accordance with the Company’s Charter, 
the  competence  of  the  Board  of  Directors 
includes:  “determining the priority areas of 
the  Company’s  activity,  determining  the 
strategy  of  the  Company’s  development, 
approving  the  Company’s  annual  budgets 
(financial plans), considering the main areas 
of  activities  and  development  strategy  of 
subsidiaries.” 

96 

 
 
 
 
 
 
2  The  risk  management  procedure  should  be  approved 
the  Joint-Stock 

the  Board  of  Directors  of 

by 
Company. 

3  The  Board  of  Directors  shall  have  the  right  to 
determine  requirements  to  the  qualifications  and 
remuneration of the CEO and heads of the Joint-Stock 
Company’s main structural divisions. 

Observed 

Observed 

4  The  Joint-Stock  Company’s  Charter  of  the  Board  of 
Directors  shall  provide  for  the  right  of  the  Board  to 
approve  the  terms  of  agreements  with  the  CEO  and 
members of the Management Board. 

Observed 

5  The  Joint-Stock  Company’s  Board  of  Directors  shall 
include at least 3 independent directors who meet the 
requirements of the Code of Corporate Conduct. 

Observed  

6  No  members of the Joint-Stock Company’s Board of 
Directors  shall  have  criminal  record  for  economic 
crimes or crimes against the state, interests of the state 
and  local  governments  or  on  whom  administrative 
penalties  were  imposed  for  offenses  in  the  areas  of 
entrepreneurial  activity,  finances,  taxes  and  duties  or 
equity markets. 

Observed 

7  In the Board of Directors there are no persons who are 
shareholders,  general  directors  (managers),  members 
of  governing  bodies  or  employees  of  legal  entities  
competing with the Company. 

Observed 

8  Joint-Stock Company’s internal documents set out the 
requirement  on  holding  the  Board  of  Directors 
meetings at least once in six weeks. 

Observed 

Appendix 3 to the Minutes of the Board of 
Directors  No. 03-09  of  April  22,  2009. 
Resolution  of  the  Board  of  Directors  dated 
March 05, 2011, Minutes No. 03-11. 

approving 

The  competence  of  the  Board  of  Directors 
includes:  appointment  of  the  President  of 
the  Company;  determining  the  number  of 
members  of 
the  Management  Board, 
election  of  its  members;  approving  the 
terms  of  the  agreement  with  the  President 
the  Company’s 
and  with  members  of 
Management  Board;  early  termination  of 
authority  of  the  President  of  the  Company 
the  Company’s 
and  members 
of 
the 
Management  Board, 
principles  of  performance  assessment  and 
the 
remuneration  system,  as  well  as 
controlling  activity  of  the  Company’s  top 
officials  who  are  directly  reporting  to  the 
Company’s President. 
In accordance with the Company’s Charter, 
terms of agreements with the President and 
members  of  the  Company’s  Management 
Board  shall  be  approved  by  the  Board  of 
Directors. 
As  of  December  31,  2012,  the  Board  of 
Directors includes 8 members of the Board 
of  Directors  who  meet  the  criteria  of  the 
Code of Corporate Conduct for independent 
directors: B. Dickie, R. Kocharyan,  
J. Krecke, R. Munnings, E. Novitsky,  
M. Holtzman, S. Tchuruk, D. Iakobachvili. 

The  Company  has  reviewed  this  issue  and 
does  not  have  any  information  on  such 
offenses  committed  by  the  members  of  its 
Board of Directors. 

information  available  to 
According  the 
the  Sistema  Board  of 
Sistema  JSFC, 
Directors  does  not  include  persons  being 
shareholders,  general  directors  (managers), 
members of a governing body or employees 
of  a  legal  entity  which  competes  with 
Sistema JSFC. 
According 
the  Company's  Charter, 
to 
meetings of the Board of Directors are held 
as necessary but at least 2 times per quarter.  

9  Meetings  of  the  Joint-Stock  Company’s  Board  of 
Directors  shall  be  held  at  least  once  in  six  weeks 
during the year for which the Joint-Stock Company’ s 
Annual Report is compiled. 

10  Joint-Stock Company’s internal documents set out the 
procedure  for  holding  meetings  of  the  Board  of 
Directors. 

Observed 

In  2012  10  meetings  of  the  Board  of 
Directors were held. 

Observed 

The  procedure  to  hold  meetings  of  the 
Board  of  Directors  is  determined  by  the 
Regulations  on  Board  of  Directors  and 

97 

 
 
11  Joint-Stock  Company’s  internal  documents  provide 
for the right of the Board members to get information 
functions 
necessary 
from 
their 
the  Joint-Stock 
executive  bodies  and  heads  of 
Company’s main structural divisions. 

for  performing 

Observed 

Working  Procedures  of  the  Sistema  JSFC 
Board of Directors. 

The  right  of  members  of  the  Board  of 
Directors  to  get  any  information  on  the 
activities  of  Sistema  JSFC  is  stipulated  by 
the Sistema JSFC Regulations on the Board 
of Directors. 

12  The company shall establish a committee of the Board 

Observed 

of Directors responsible for strategic planning. 

The  Company  has  established  the  Strategy 
Committee of the Board of Directors. 

13  The company shall establish a committee of the Board 
of  Directors  which  recommends  the  auditor  to  the 
Board  of  Directors  and  interacts  with  the  latter,  as 
well  as  with  the  Joint-Stock  Company’s  Auditing  
Commission. 

14  The company shall establish a committee of the Board 
of  Directors  responsible  for  determining  the  criteria 
for selecting candidates to be appointed to the  Board 
of  Directors  and  for  developing  the  Joint-Stock 
Company’s remuneration policy. 

Observed 

Observed 

The Company has established the Audit and 
the  Board  of 
Finance  Committee  of 
Directors. 

the 
has 
The  Company 
Nomination,  Remuneration  and  Corporate 
Governance  Committee  of  the  Board  of 
Directors.  

established 

15  The  Nomination  and  Remuneration  Committee  shall 

Observed 

be chaired by an independent director. 

The  Committee  is  chaired  by  independent 
director R. Kocharyan. 

16  The  Joint-Stock  Company  shall  have 

internal 
regulations  approved  by  the  Board,  which  set  out  a 
procedure for forming the committees of the Board of 
Directors and their working procedures. 

Observed 

The  Company  has  approved  the  Terms  of 
Reference  that  set  out  the  powers  of  the 
Board  Committees  and  the  procedure  of 
their establishment and operation. 

17  The  Joint-Stock  Company’s  Charter  sets  out  a 
procedure  to  determine  the  quorum  of  the  Board  of 
Directors  that  ensures  participation  of  independent 
directors in meetings of the Board of Directors. 

Not observed 

18  The issuer’s internal documents shall provide for the 
obligations  of 
the  Board  of 
the  members  of 
Directors,  members  of  a  collective  executive 
governing body, person who carries out functions of 
the  sole  executive  body,  including  the  governing 
organisation and its officials, to disclose information 
on the possession of the issuer's securities as well as 
sale and (or) purchase of the issuer’s securities. 

Observed 

Executive bodies 

1  The  Joint-Stock  Company  shall  have  a  collective 

Observed 

executive body (Management Board). 

2  Joint-Stock  Company’s  internal  documents  set  out 
procedures for approval of transactions outside of the 
Joint-Stock Company’s financial and business plan. 

Observed  

The  quorum  of  the  Board  of  Directors  is 
determined  according  to  the  number  of 
members  of 
the  Board  of  Directors 
attending  the  sitting  regardless  of  their 
status  of  an  independent,  non-executive  or 
executive director. 
This 
the 
is 
requirement 
Corporate Conduct Code of Sistema JSFC, 
the  Regulations  on  the  Board  of  Directors 
and  the  Management  Board  of  Sistema 
JSFC,  as  well  as  internal  documents  that 
set  out  liabilities  of  the  Company  in 
implementing 
the 
legislation  on  preventing  illegal  use  of 
insider information. 

requirements 

included 

of 

in 

The  Company  has  formed  a  collective 
executive  body  –  the  Management  Board 
(provided for by the Charter) 
Procedures  for  approval  of  transactions 
outside  of  the  budget  are  set  out  in  the 
Corporation’s budget policy, the Regulation 
on contracts approval and the Regulation on 
such 
mergers 
transactions  are  preliminary  reviewed  by 
the  Audit  and  Finance  Committee.  When 
the  Board  of 
necessary,  resolution  of 

acquisitions.  All 

and 

98 

 
 
3  Executive  bodies  shall  not  include  persons  who  are 
shareholders,  general  directors  (managers),  members 
of  a  governing  body  or  employees  of  a  legal  entity 
which competes with the Joint-Stock Company. 

Observed 

Observed 

4  The  Joint-Stock  Company’s  executive  bodies  do  not 
include  persons  with  criminal  record  for  economic 
crimes or crimes against the state, interests of the state 
and  local  governments  or  on  whom  administrative 
penalties  were  imposed  for  offenses  in  the  area  of 
entrepreneurial activity or finances, taxes and receipts 
or equity market. 

5  The  Joint-Stock  Company’s  Charter  or 

internal 
documents  prohibit  the  management  company  (the 
manager)  from  performing  similar  functions  in  a 
competing company as well as from having any other 
property relations with the Joint-Stock Company apart 
from  the  provision  of  services  to  the  management 
company (the manager). 

6  Joint-Stock  Company’s  internal  documents  shall  set 
out  obligations  of  executive  bodies  to  refrain  from 
actions which lead or may lead to a conflict between 
the  Joint-Stock 
their 
Company,  and  in  case  of  such  conflict  of  an 
obligation to inform the Board of Directors of that. 

interests  and 

interests  of 

7  The  Joint-Stock  Company’s  charger  or 

documents  shall  set  out  criteria 
management company (manager). 

internal 
the 

to  select 

Directors  introduces  amendments  to  the 
budget. 

to 

being 

persons 

available 

According 
information, 
executive  bodies  of  Sistema  JSFC  do  not 
include 
shareholders, 
directors  general  (manager),  members  of  a 
governing  body  or  employees  of  a  legal 
entity which competes with the Company. 
According  to  the  information  available  to 
Sistema JSFC, executive bodies of Sistema 
JSFC do not include such persons. 

Observed 

Provided  by  the  Company’s  Charter  (item 
34.10). 

Observed  

Not applicable  

Such  requirements  are  contained  in  the 
Regulations  on  the  Board  of  Directors, 
Regulations  on  the  Management  Board, 
Regulations  on  the  President  and  in  the 
contracts  with  the  President  and  members 
of the Company’s Management Board. 

It  is  not  necessary  because  there  is  no 
managing  company  and  there  are  no  plans 
to engage the same to perform functions of 
the Company’s sole executive body. 

8  Joint-Stock  Company’s  executive  bodies 

shall 
monthly present reports on their work to the Board of 
Directors. 

Observed 

9  Agreements  concluded  by  the  Joint-Stock  Company 
with the General Director (management organisation, 
manager) set out his/her liability for failure to comply 
with regulations on the use of confidential and insider 
information. 

Observed 

Corporate Secretary  

The  Board  of  Directors  quarterly  reviews 
financial  results  of  the  Company's  activity. 
The  Company’s  management  weekly 
compiles  a  report  on  the  most  important 
events  and  provides  it  to  members  of  the 
Board of Directors. 

There is a requirement regarding protection 
of  confidential  information  in  the  contracts 
with  the  President  and  members  of  the 
Company’s Management Board.  

secretary) 

1.  The  Joint-Stock  Company  shall  have  an  official 
(company 
duty 
is to ensure compliance of the Joint-Stock Company’s 
bodies  and  officials  with  procedural  requirements 
which  guarantee  implementation  of  rights  and  legal 
interests of the Company’s shareholders. 

whose 

Observed 

The  Company  has  appointed  the  Corporate 
Secretary. 

2  Joint-Stock Company’s Charter or internal documents 
shall  set  out  a  procedure  to  appoint  (elect)  the 

Observed 

The  Board  of  Directors  has  approved  the 
Regulations  on  the  Corporate  Secretary 
99 

 
 
 
 
 
 
which  sets  out  responsibilities  of 
the 
Corporate  Secretary  and  procedure  of 
his/her appointment. 

Partially observed  These  requirements  are  included  in  the 

Regulations on the Corporate Secretary. 

Partially observed  Regardless  of  absence  of  this  norm  in  the 
always 
this 

is 

requirement 

Charter, 
observed in practice. 
In  the  above  cases  the  Sistema  Board  of 
Directors engages an independent appraiser. 

Observed  

Not observed 

Such  actions  are  hardly  probable  because 
there is a controlling shareholder. 

secretary of the Company and his/her responsibilities. 

3  The  Joint-Stock  Company’s  Charter  shall  set  out  the 
requirements  for  the  candidate  for  the  position  of  a 
Company’s secretary. 
Material corporate actions  

1  The  Joint-Stock  Company’s  charter  or 

internal 
documents  shall  include  a  requirement  to  approve 
large transactions prior to performing them. 

2  Mandatory  engagement  of  an  independent  appraiser 
for  assessing  the  market  value  of  the  property  which 
is a subject of a large transaction. 

and 

3  The  Joint-Stock  Company’s  charter  shall  prohibit 
from  undertaking  any  actions  during  acquisition  of 
large  stakes  of  the  Joint-Stock  Company’s  shares 
(takeover) which are directed at protection of rights of 
executive  bodies  (members  of  such  bodies)  and 
members of the Board of Directors of the Joint-Stock 
Company 
the 
actions  which 
shareholders’  position  (in  particular,  prohibiting  the 
Board  of  Directors  from  adopting,  before  the  end  of 
the period allocated for shares acquisition, resolutions 
on  issuing  additional  shares,  securities  convertible 
shares  or  securities  granting  the  right  to  acquire  the 
Company’s  shares,  even  if  the  right  to  adopt  such 
resolutions  is  given  to  the  Board  of  Directors  by  the 
Charter). 

aggravate 

4  The  Joint-Stock  Company’s  charter  or 

internal 
documents  shall  include  a  requirement  regarding 
mandatory engagement of an independent appraiser to 
determine  the  ratio  for  converting  shares  during 
reorganisation. 

Not observed 

Disclosure of information 

1  The Joint-Stock Company shall have an approved by 
the  Board  internal  document  which  sets  out  its  rules 
and  approach 
(the 
to 
Regulations on the Information Policy). 

information  disclosure 

2  The  Joint-Stock  Company’s  internal  documents  shall 
contain a list of information, documents and materials 
which  should  be  provided  to  shareholders  for  taking 
decisions  on  agenda  items  presented  to  the  Annual 
General Meeting of shareholders. 

Observed 

Observed 

3  Disclosure of financial information on the Joint-Stock 

Observed 

Company’s activities. 

4  The  use  of  additional  forms  and  methods  of 

Observed 

information disclosure. 

There  is  no  such  provision  in  the  Charter, 
but in case of reorganisation, in accordance 
with  the  Regulations  on  the  Board  of 
Directors, the Board of Directors of Sistema 
JSFC  will  be 
the  decision  on 
taking 
defining the ratio for converting shares only 
if there are substantial grounds for this, for 
example,  the  opinion  of  an  independent 
appraiser. 

The  Board  of  Directors  has  approved  the 
Regulations  on  the  Information  Policy  of 
the Corporation. 

of 

list 

additionally 

The 
provided 
information  is  contained  in  the  Code  of 
Corporate  Conduct,  the  Regulations  on  the 
Information  Policy  and  the  Regulations  on  
the  General  Meeting  of  shareholders  of 
Sistema JSFC. 
Russian  Accounting  Standard 
(RAS) 
financial statements are disclosed annually. 
GAAP  financial  statements  are  disclosed 
quarterly. 

The  Company  has  established 
the  IR 
Department.  It  regularly  holds  meetings 
with  investors  and  organizes  road  shows. 
The  Department  maintains  the  corporate 
Internet 
website 

the 

in 

100 

 
 
5  The  issuer  shall  disclose  information  about  the 
remuneration  received  by  members  of  the  Board  of 
Directors,  members  of  the  collective  executive  body 
and by the person who performs functions of the sole 
executive  body,  including  the  management  company 
and the manager. 

Observed 

6  The Joint-Stock Company shall have a website in the 
Internet  and  regularly  disclose  information  on  its 
activity. 

Observed 

(www.sistema.ru/www.sistema.com)  with 
extensive information about the Company’s 
activities. 

about 

information 

The 
remuneration 
received  by  members  of  the  Board  of 
Directors,  members  of 
the  collective 
executive  body  and  by  the  person  who 
performs  functions  of  the  sole  executive 
body  is  disclosed  in  the  Annual  report 
(Section  8)  and  quarterly  reports  (Section 
5.3).  
The address of the Sistema JSFC website in 
the 
www.sistema.ru/ 
Internet: 
www.sistema.com. 

7  The  Joint-Stock  Company’s  internal  documents  shall 
contain a requirement for disclosure of information on 
the  Company’s  transactions  with  persons  who,  in 
accordance with the Charter, are considered the Joint-
Stock Company’s top officials as well as on the Joint-
Stock Company’s transactions with companies where 
Joint-Stock  Company’s 
top  officials  directly  or 
indirectly own 20 and more percent of the Joint-Stock 
Company’s  authorized  capital  or  on  which  such 
persons may otherwise exert substantial influence. 
8  The  Joint-Stock  Company’s  internal  documents  shall 
include a requirement for disclosure of information on 
all transactions which may affect the market value of 
the Joint-Stock Company’s shares. 

9.  The  company  shall  have  an 

internal  document 
approved  by  the  Board  of  Directors  for  the  use  of 
material  information  on  the  Joint-Stock  Company’s 
activities, shares and other securities of the Company 
and  transactions  with them  when  such information is 
not commonly available and when its disclosure may 
exert substantial influence on the market value of the 
Joint-Stock Company’s shares and other securities. 

Control of financial and business activities 

Partially observed  Observed 

according 

to 

requirement 
transactions. 

regarding 

the 
legal 
related-party 

Observed 

Observed 

Observed  according  to  requirements  of  the 
Russian legislation on security markets and 
requirements  of  the  UK  security  market 
regulator.  Disclosure  principles  are  set  out 
in  the  Regulations  on  the  Information 
Policy of Sistema JSFC. 
the 
The  Board  of  Directors  approved 
Regulations  on  the  Information  Policy  of 
Sistema  JSFC  (Minutes  No.  04-10  as  of 
April 21, 2010). 

1  The  company  shall  have  procedures  approved  by  the 
board of  directors  for  internal  control  over  the  Joint-
Stock Company’s financial and business activities. 

Observed  

2.  The  Joint-Stock  Company  shall  have  a  special 
division which ensures compliance with procedures of 
internal control (control and audit service). 

Observed 

The internal control procedures are stated in 
the  regulatory  documents  of  Sistema  JSFC 
approved by the Board of Directors and the 
President of the Corporation. 
The Company has established the following 
divisions: 
-Internal  Audit  Department  (functionally 
reporting 
to  Sistema  JSFC  Board  of 
Directors  through  the  Audit  and  Finance 
Committee  of  the  Board  of  Directors). 
Internal  Audit  Department  acts  in  order  to 
evaluate the reliability and efficiency of the 
existing internal control system; 
-Control    and  Project  Support  Department 
(functionally  reporting  to  Sistema  JSFC 
Board  of  Directors  through  the  Ethics  and 
Control  Committee  of 
the  Board  of 
Directors;  administratively  reporting  to  the 

101 

 
 
3  The  Joint-Stock  Company’s  internal  documents  shall 
contain  a  requirement  for  the  Board  of  Directors  to 
determine the structure and composition of the Joint-
Stock Company’s control and audit service. 

Observed  

4  The  Joint-Stock  Company’s  control  and  audit  
services  do  not  include  persons  with  criminal  record 
for  economic  crimes  or  crimes  against  the  state, 
interests  of  the  state  and  local  governments  or  on 
whom  administrative  penalties  were  imposed  for 
offenses  in  the  area  of  entrepreneurial  activity, 
finances, taxes and duties or equity market. 

Observed 

Project 

control 

and 
performs 
the 

Support 
over 
internal  control 

President of Sistema JSFC). 
The  Control 
Department 
compliance  with 
procedures. 
The  Terms  of  Reference  of  the  Internal 
Audit  Department  and  the  Control  and 
Project Support Department, which set forth 
the structure and composition of these units, 
were approved. 
There are no such employees in the Internal 
Audit  Department  and  the  Control  and 
Project Support Department. 

5  The  control  and  audit    services  do  not  include  any 
persons  being  the  shareholders,  general  directors 
(managers),  members  of  a  governing  body  or 
employees of a legal entity  which competes  with the 
Joint-Stock Company. 

Observed 

 There  are  no  such  employees 
the 
Internal  Audit  Department  and  the  Control 
and Project Support Department. 

in 

6  The  Joint-Stock  Company’s  internal  documents  shall 
set  out  a  deadline  for  presentation  to  the  control  and 
audit service of documents and materials for assessing 
financial  and  business  transactions,  as  well  as  a 
liability  of  the  Joint-Stock  Company’s  officials  and 
employees for their failure to present the same by the 
deadline.  

7  The  Joint-Stock  Company’s  internal  documents  shall 
set  out  an  obligation  of  the  control  and  audit  service 
to inform the audit committee,  and if the latter is not 
available  –  the  Joint-Stock  Company’s  board  of 
directors, about identified irregularities. 

Observed 

Observed 

8  Internal documents shall contain a requirement for the 
control  and  audit  service  to  perform  a  preliminary 
assessment  of  the  reasonability  of  operations  which 
are  not  included  in  the  Joint-Stock  Company’s 
financial and business plans. 

Observed  

9  The  company  shall  have  an 

internal  document 
approved by the Board of Directors which determines 
the  procedure  for  the  Auditing  Commission  to  carry 

Observed 

required 

The  Internal  Audit  Department  and  the 
Control and Project Support Department of 
Sistema JSFC  have the right to request and 
receive  any 
information  on 
financial and business transactions and have 
the  right  to  independently  determine  the 
deadline for presenting such information. 
In accordance with item 2.3 of the Terms of 
the  Audit  and  Finance 
Reference  of 
the  Board  of  Directors, 
Committee  of 
within  the  framework  of  internal  function 
development  and  its  performance  control, 
the Audit and Finance Committee regularly 
reviews  the  performance  results  of  the 
Internal Audit Department. 
In accordance with item 2.1 of the Terms of 
Reference  of 
the  Ethics  and  Control 
Committee  of  the  Board  of  Directors,  the 
Committee is supposed to review the results 
of  complete  audits  of  the  Corporation 
performed  by 
the  Control  and  Project 
Support  Department  as  well  as  review  the 
its  performance 
remediation  plan  and 
control. 
A  preliminary  assessment  of  the  feasibility 
of operations which are not included in the 
the 
financial  and  business  plans  of 
Corporation 
the 
is  performed  within 
“Tender  Procedures  and  Procurement” 
Code.  The  Control  and  Project  Support 
Department  employees  are  members  of 
procurement commissions. 
The  Board  of  Directors  and  the  General 
Shareholders’ Meeting approved  the Terms 
of  Reference  on  the  Auditing  Commission 
102 

 
 
 
out audits of the Joint-Stock Company’s financial and 
business activities 

10  The  Audit  Committee  shall  assess  the  audit  report 
prior to its presentation to shareholders at the Annual 
General Meeting of shareholders.    

Observed 

of  Sistema  JSFC  (Minutes  No.  2-04  as  of 
September 01, 2004). 
In accordance with item 2.2 of the Terms of 
Reference  of 
the  Audit  and  Finance 
Committee  as  of  September  24,  2011, 
within  the  framework  of  interaction  with 
the  Corporation’s  auditors,  the  Audit  and 
Finance  Committee  analyses  and  evaluates 
the 
internal  auditors’  performance  and 
reviews their observations. 

Dividends          

1  The  company  shall  have  an 

internal  document 
approved by the board of directors which is used as a 
guideline 
when  making 
the 
recommendations  on 
the  amount  of  dividends 
(Regulations on the Dividend Policy). 

board 

by 

Observed 

The  Company 
approved 
Regulations on the Dividend Policy. 

has 

the 

103 

 
 
 
9.8.  INFORMATION  ON  THE  COMPANY'S  COMPLIANCE  WITH  THE  REQUIREMENTS  OF  THE  UK  

Observed / not 
observed 

Comment 

CORPORATE GOVERNANCE CODE 

Provisions of the Code 

to  discharge 

A. LEADERSHIP 
A.1. The Role of the Board 
A.1.1.  The  work  of  the  Board  of  Directors  shall 
be  organised  efficiently.  The  board  shall  meet 
its  duties 
regularly  enough 
effectively. 
There  should  be  a  formal  schedule  of  matters 
specifically reserved for decision of the Board of 
Directors. 
The  annual  report  should  include  a  statement  of 
how the board operates, including a statement of 
which  types  of  decisions  and  on  which  issues 
were  taken  by  the  board  of  directors  and  the 
management board. 

Observed 

Observed 

Observed 

A.1.2  The  annual  report  should  identify  the 
chairman, 
the  chief 
the  deputy  chairman, 
executive, the senior independent director and the 
chairmen and members of the board committees. 

Observed 

The annual report should  indicate  the number of 
meetings  of  the  board  and  its  committees  and 
individual attendance by directors. 

Observed 

А.1.3.  The  Company 
ensure  due 
indemnification  coverage  for  members  of  the 
Board of Directors.  

shall 

Observed 

A.2.  Division  of  responsibilities  between 
Chairman and President 
A.2.1  The  roles  of  chairman  and  chief  executive 
should  not  be  exercised  by  the  same  individual. 
The  division  of  responsibilities  between  the 
chairman  and  chief  executive  should  be  clearly 
established,  set  out  in  writing  and  agreed  by  the 
board. 

Observed 

A.3. Chairman of the Board of Directors 
А.3.1. The chairman should on appointment meet 
the independence criteria set out in B.1.1 below.  

Not observed 

the 

information  on 

The Board of Directors of Sistema JSFC meets at 
least 8 times per year, and this allows reviewing 
and  taking  decisions  on  issues  within  the  sphere 
of its competence.  
The  competence  of  the  Board  of  Directors  is  set 
out  in  the  Charter  of  Sistema  JSFC  (item  32  of 
the Charter).  
The  Annual  Report  of  the  Company  for  2012 
includes a statement on  how  the Board operates, 
including  the  report  on  key  issues,  issues  on 
which  decisions  were  taken  by  the  Board  of 
Directors and the Management Board (items 6.2, 
6.4 of the Annual Report). 
The  Annual  Report  of  the  Company  for  2012 
includes 
election  of 
V. Evtushenkov  as  Chairman  of  the  Board  of 
Directors of the Company and on  the election of 
Deputy Chairmen of the Board of Directors (item 
6.2 of the Annual Report). 
Besides, the 2012 Annual Report of the Company  
includes  information  on  the  President  of  the 
Company,  Chairmen  and  members  of  the  Board 
Committees (item 6.2 of the Annual Report). 
Company's  statutory  documents  do  not  provide 
for the position of a senior independent director. 
The  Annual  Report  of  the  Company  for  2012 
includes  information  on  the  number  of  meetings 
of the Board of Directors and Board Committees, 
as well as attendance by members (item 6.2.). 
According  to  item  2.4.5.  of  the  Terms  of 
Reference  of 
the 
Company insures liability of the Board members 
from  legal  actions  or  claims  in  relation  to 
business  decisions  or  other  actions  taken  in 
connection  with  the  performance  of  his/her 
functions  as  a  member  of  the  Board  of  Director 
of the Company or its affiliates (D&O Policy). 
Additionally,  the  members  of  the  Board  of 
Directors signed Indemnification Agreements. 

the  Board  of  Directors, 

Russian  legislation  and  Sistema  JSFC  Charter 
stipulates  that  the  individual  performing  the 
functions  of  the  sole  executive  body  of  Sistema 
JSFC  cannot  simultaneously  chair  the  Board  of 
Directors  of  Sistema  JSFC  (item  31.1  of  the 
Charter).  The  responsibilities  of  the  Chairman, 
the  members  of  the  Board  of  Directors  and  the 
President are clearly distinguished by the Charter 
of Sistema JSFC. 

The  Chairman  of  the  Board  of  Directors  of  the 
Company 
the 
Corporation,  V.  Evtushenkov,  a  non-executive 

the  main  shareholder  of 

is 

104 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
A  chief  executive  should  not  be  chairman  of  the 
same  company.  If  exceptionally  a  board  decides 
that  a  chief  executive  should  become  chairman, 
the  board  should  consult  major  shareholders  in 
to 
advance  and  should  set  out 
shareholders at the time of the appointment and in 
the next annual report. 

its  reasons 

Observed 

Partially observed 

independent 

director.  The 

A.4. Non-executive directors 
A.4.1.  The  board  should  appoint  one  of  the 
independent  non-executive  directors  to  be  the 
senior 
senior 
to 
independent  director  should  be  available 
shareholders if they have concerns which contact 
through  the  normal  channels  of  chairman,  chief 
executive  or  other  executive  directors  has  failed 
to 
is 
inappropriate. 

for  which  such  contact 

resolve  or 

A.4.2.  The  chairman  should  hold  meetings  with 
the non-executive directors without the executives 
present. 

Partially observed 

Led  by  the  senior  independent  director,  the  non-
executive  directors  should  meet  without  the 
chairman present at least annually to appraise the 
chairman’s  performance  and  on  such  other 
occasions as are deemed appropriate. 

Not applicable 

A.4.3.  Where  directors  have  concerns  which 
cannot  be  resolved  about  the  running  of  the 
company or a proposed action, they should ensure 
that  their  concerns  are  recorded  in  the  board 
minutes.  

Observed 

Observed 

B. EFFECTIVENESS. 
B.1. The Composition of the Board 
B.1.1.  The  board  should  identify  in  the  annual 
report  each non-executive director it considers to 
be independent.  
The  board  should  determine  whether  the  director 
is  independent  in  character  and  judgment  and 
whether  there  are  relationships  or  circumstances 
which  are  likely  to  affect,  or  could  appear  to 
affect, the director’s judgment.  
The board should state its reasons if it determines 
that a director is independent notwithstanding the 

member  of  the  Board,  who  does  not  meet  the 
independence criteria.  
According  to  the  Russian  legislation  and  the 
Company's  Charter,  the  person  carrying  out 
functions  of  the  Company's  sole  executive  body 
cannot at the same time serve as the Chairman of 
the  Board  of  Directors.  The  division  of 
responsibilities  between  the  Board  Chairman, 
Board  members  and  the  President  is  clearly 
defined in the Charter of the Company. 

Formal  meetings  of  the  Sistema  Board  are  not 
held  without the presence of  executive directors. 
At  the  same  time,  regular  informal  meetings  of 
the Sistema Chairman with independent directors 
are held.  
The  Company’s  regulations  do  not  provide  for 
the position of a senior independent director. 

Prior to every meeting of the Board of Directors, 
independent  members  of  the  Board  hold  an 
informal  meeting  in  the  form  of  a  business 
dinner, which is also attended by the management 
of the Company, for discussing urgent matters of 
governing the Company and organising the work 
of the Board of Directors. 
Chairman’s  performance  appraisal  is  performed 
within  the  framework  of  Sistema  Board  of 
Directors’ appraisal as a whole. 

The whole course of the meeting of the Board of 
Directors  is  recorded  in  writing  in  the  form  of 
statements  from  participants  and  is  subsequently 
analysed  to  ensure  that  all  elements  of  decisions 
that were made are reflected in the minutes.  
According  to  the  Working  Procedures  of  the 
Board of Directors of the Company (approved by 
the  Board  of  Directors  on  October  27,  2007), 
directors  have  an  opportunity  to  express  their 
special opinion within 24 hours after the meeting. 
All  Board  members  are  provided  with  a  copy  of 
minutes of every Board meeting. 

Information on every non-executive  director that 
meets  independence  criteria  is  included  in  the 
2012 Annual Report (item 6.2.). 
There  are  8  directors  who  meet  independence 
criteria: B. Dickie, R. Kocharyan, J. Krecke,  
R. Munnings, E. Novitsky, M. Holtzman,  
S. Tchuruk, D. Iakobachvili. 

105 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
should 

comprise 

existence of relationships or circumstances which 
may appear relevant to its determination11. 
B.1.2.  In  large  companies  (according  to  FTSE 
350  list)  at  least  half  the  board,  excluding  the 
chairman, 
non-executive 
directors determined by the board as independent. 
B.2. Appointments to the Board 
B.2.1.  There  should  be  a  nomination  committee 
which  should 
for  board 
appointments  and  make  recommendations  to  the 
board.  The  nomination  committee  should  make 
available its terms of reference, explaining its role 
and the authority delegated to it by the board. 

the  process 

lead 

A  majority  of  members  of 
the  nomination 
committee  should  be  independent  non-executive 
directors. 

The  chairman  or  an  independent  non-executive 
director  should  chair  the  committee,  but  the 
the  nomination 
chairman  should  not  chair 
the 
committee  when 
appointment of a successor to the chairmanship. 

is  dealing  with 

it 

Observed 

Not applicable 

Observed 

Sistema  JSFC  is  not  in  FTSE  350  list,  however, 
more than 60% (8 of 12 members)12 of the Board 
members meet independence criteria.  

Partially observed  The  Nomination,  Remuneration  and  Corporate 
Governance  Committee  was  established  and  is 
active. 
The Terms of Reference of the Committee define 
the powers of the Nomination, Remuneration and 
Corporate  Governance  Committee.  One  of  the 
key  functions  of  the  Committee  is  provisional 
review  of  candidates  presented  to  the  Board  of 
Directors for appointment  to  top positions in the 
Company.  But  the  Committee  does  not  review 
appointments to the Board of Directors, as it is in 
the sphere of competence of shareholders. 

Partially observed  Half  of 

the  members  of 

the  Nomination, 
and  Corporate  Governance 

non-executive 

Remuneration 
Committee meet independence criteria  
(B. Dickie, R. Kocharyan, R. Munnings). 
R.  Kocharyan, 
independent 
director  chairs  the  Nomination,  Remuneration 
and Corporate Governance Committee. 
The  Nomination,  Remuneration  and  Corporate 
Governance  Committee  is  not  responsible  for 
selecting  candidates  to  the  Board  of  Directors. 
This 
the  sphere  of  competence  of 
in 
is 
shareholders. 

B.2.2. The nomination committee should evaluate 
the  balance  of  skills,  knowledge  and  experience 
on  the  board  and,  in  the  light  of  this  evaluation, 
prepare  a  description  of  the  role  and  capabilities 
required for a particular appointment. 

the  Board  of 
Partially observed  Candidates  for  members  of 
Directors  are  proposed  by 
the  Company's 
shareholders according to items 23, 28 of Sistema 
JSFC Charter. 
Requirements  to  the  Company's  Board  members 
are  set  out  in  the  Terms  of  Reference  of  the 
Company's  Board  of  Directors.  Among  other 
things,  a  candidate  should  have  sufficient 
professional experience, should not be previously 
convicted of economic crimes, not be under a ban 
on  taking  managerial  positions.  The  candidate 
should  not  be  a  member  of  governance  and 
control  bodies  of 
that  are 
competitors  of  the  Company  or  be  an  affiliated 
person of such companies. 
The  Nomination,  Remuneration  and  Corporate 
Governance  Committee  does  not  develop  formal 
requirements  to  candidates  to  the  Board  of 
Directors,  as  a  candidate  proposed  to  the  Board 
Membership by shareholders must be included in 

the  companies 

11 Including if the director: a) has been an employee of the company or group within the last five years; b) has, or has had within the last 
three years, a material business relationship with the company either directly, or as a partner, shareholder, director or senior employee  of a 
body  that  has  such  a  relationship  with  the  company;  c)  has  received  or  receives  additional  remuneration  from  the  company  apart  from  a 
director’s fee, participates in the company’s share option or a performance-related pay scheme, or is a member of the company’s  pension 
scheme;  d)  has  close  family  ties  with  any  of  the  company’s  advisers,  directors  or  senior  employees;  e)  holds  cross-directorships  or  has 
significant  links  with  other  directors  through  involvement  in  other  companies  or  bodies;  f)  represents  a  significant  shareholder;  or  g)  has 
served on the board for more than nine years from the date of their first election. 

12 B. Dickie, R. Kocharyan, J. Krecke, R. Munnings, E. Novitsky, M. Holtzman, S. Tchuruk, D. Iakobachvili. 

106 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
                                                 
 
 
B.2.3.  Non-executive  directors 
should  be 
appointed  for  a  specified  term  and  can  be 
reelected or relieved of their duties subject to the 
applicable corporate law.  
Any  term  beyond  six  years  for  a  nonexecutive 
director should be subject to particularly rigorous 
review, and should take into account the need for 
progressive renewal of the board composition. 

Observed 

Not applicable  

the  voting  list  according  the  legislation  of  the 
Russian Federation. 
In accordance with Russian legislation, the Board 
members  are  elected  at  the  Sistema  AGM  for  a 
one-year  term  (till  the  next  AGM)  and  can  be 
reelected an unlimited number of times. 
In  accordance  with  the  Russian  legislation,  the 
Board members are  elected at  the  Sistema  AGM 
for  a  one-year  term  (till  the  next  AGM)  and  can 
be reelected an unlimited number of times. 
The information on the performance of the Board 
of Directors over the past year, including data on 
the  members’  attendance,  is  disclosed  annually, 
and the shareholders make their own conclusions 
on  the  quality  of  work  of  the  Board  and  its 
particular members.  

B.2.4.  A  separate  section  of  the  annual  report 
should  describe  the  work  of  the  nomination 
committee,  including  the  process  it  has  used  in 
relation  to  board  appointments.  This  section 
should include a description of the board’s policy 
on  diversity,  including  gender,  any  measurable 
objectives  that  it  has  set  for  implementing  the 
policy,  and  progress  on  achieving  the  objectives. 
An  explanation  should  be  given  if  neither  an 
external  search  consultancy  nor  open  advertising 
has been used in the appointment of a chairman or 
a  non-executive  director.  Where  an  external 
search  consultancy  has  been  used,  it  should  be 
identified  in  the  annual  report  and  a  statement 
made  as  to  whether  it  has  any  other  connection 
with the company. 

A  separate  section  of  the  annual  report  should 
include  a  description  of  the  board’s  policy  on 
diversity. 
A  separate  section  of  the  annual  report  should 
include  objectives  of  the  nomination  committee 
and progress on achieving the objectives. 
B.3. Nominations 

Partially observed  The  Annual  Report  (item  6.2)  includes  the 
information on the responsibilities and powers  of 
the  Nomination,  Remuneration  and  Corporate 
Governance Committee of the Sistema Board, as 
well as on the issues reviewed by the Committee. 
The  Committee  does  not  have  the  powers  to 
directly  nominate  candidates  to  the  Board  of 
Directors,  since  it  lies  within  the  scope  of 
authority of the shareholders. 
In  2012  the  Nomination,  Remuneration  and 
Corporate Governance Committee did not engage 
any external consultants. 

Partially observed  The Board of Directors consist of (1)13 executive, 
(4)14  non-executive  and 
independent 
directors. 
The  section  “Board  Committees”  includes  the 
information on the tasks and objectives of NRCG 
Committee, and the list of the issues reviewed. 

Observed 

(8)15 

B.3.1.  For  the  appointment  of  a  chairman,  the 
nomination  committee  should  prepare  a  job 
specification, including an assessment of the time 
commitment expected. 

Observed 

to 

A  chairman’s  other  significant  commitments 
the  board  before 
should  be  disclosed 
appointment  and  included  in  the  annual  report. 
Changes to such commitments should be reported 
to  the  board  as  they  arise,  and  their  impact 
explained in the next annual report. 

Observed 

B.3.2.  The  terms  and  conditions  of  appointment 
of  non-executive  directors  should  be  made 
available  for  inspection  to  any  interested  parties 

Observed 

The  type  of  work  and  tasks  of  the  Board 
Chairman  are  set  out  in  the  Terms  of  Reference  
of the Board of Directors of the Company. 
A  Chairman of the Board of Directors is  elected 
by  the  decision  of  all  the  members  of  the  Board 
of Directors at the first meeting after the Annual 
General Meeting of shareholders. 
Information  on  all  positions  held  by 
the 
Chairman of the Company's Board of Directors is 
disclosed  and  included  into  the  2012  Annual 
Report  (Section  9.1).  The  Chairman  of  the 
Company's  Board  of  Directors  V. Evtushenkov 
does  not  hold  a  position  of  a  chairman  of  other 
significant companies except Sistema JSFC. 
Terms  and  conditions  of  appointment  of  non-
executive directors of the Board of Directors  are 
Company's  website 
available 

the 

on 

13 M. Shamolin 
14 V. Evtushenkov, A. Goncharuk, D. Zubov, V. Kopiev 
15 B. Dickie, R. Kocharyan, J. Krecke, R. Munnings, E. Novitsky, M. Holtzman, S. Tchuruk, D. Iakobashvili 

107 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
                                                 
at  the  company's  office  and  during  the  Annual 
General Meeting of shareholders. 

The  letter  of  appointment  should  set  out  the 
expected 
time  commitment.  Elected  board 
members  should  undertake  that  they  will  have 
sufficient time to meet what is expected of them. 

Information  on  all  other  positions  held  by  the 
non-executive  Board  members 
other 
companies  (with  the  time  commitment  required) 
should  be  disclosed  to  the  Board  of  Directors. 
Information  on  changes  to  such  data  should  be 
made available when such changes occur. 

in 

B.3.3.  Executive  directors  can  neither  be 
appointed  as  non-executive  directors  nor  be  a 
Chairman  at  more  than  one  major  company 
included in the FTSE 100 list. 

at 

(www.sistema.ru/www.sistema.com), 
the 
Company's office and during the Annual General 
Meeting of shareholders to its participants. 
According  to  the  Russian  legislation  all  Board 
members  are  elected  for  1  year  and  could  be  re-
elected an unlimited number of times. 

Observed 

Partially observed  Before  candidates  are  proposed  for  appointment 
to the Board they familiarise themselves with the 
work  plan  of  the  Board  of  Directors  for  the 
coming  year,  the  rights  and  obligations  of  the 
Board  members  and  provisional  membership  in 
the Board committees.  
During  the  induction,  a  Corporate  Secretary  of 
the  Company  explains  to  every  new  member  of 
the  Board  its  procedures  and  preliminary  time 
commitments  for  their  fulfillment.  Before  the 
election,  all  candidates 
sign  a  document 
confirming their agreement with the proposal that 
includes,  among  other  issues,  an  agreement  to 
follow  all  norms  of  internal  documents  of  the 
Company applicable to the Board members. 
Attendance  of  meetings  and  involvement  of  the 
Board members in discussion of agenda  items is 
recorded and analysed for subsequently including 
this  information  into  the  report  on  the  quality  of 
corporate governance. 
Biographies  of  candidates  to  the  Company's 
Board, including information on positions held in 
other  organisations,  are  presented  at  the  Annual 
General  Meeting 
and 
of 
information on acting Board members is included 
in the Annual Report.  
All candidates to the Board of Directors fill in the 
questionnaire  for  candidates  for  providing  the 
Company with the necessary information. 
The  obligation  to  disclose  any  changes  to  the 
information  provided  by  members  of  the  Board 
of  Directors  is  set  out  in  the  Regulations  on  the 
Company's Board of Directors (item 2.3). 
As of December 31, 2012 the Board of Directors 
includes  13  members,  1  of  them  is  an  executive 
director (M. Shamolin). 
M. Shamolin is the President of the Company and 
a  board  member  of  some  companies  of  Sistema 
Group, which are out of the FTSE 100 list. 
Sitting  on  the  boards  of  the  companies  of  the 
Sistema  Group  is  one  of  the  main  duties  of 
executive directors, therefore, this does not create 
any  conflict  of  interests  for  the  work  at  the 
Company. 

shareholders, 

Observed 

B.4. Professional development 
B.4.1.  The  chairman  should  ensure  that  new 
directors  receive  full  induction  on  joining  the 
board. As part of this, the directors should be 
able  to  meet  the  main  shareholders  of  the 
company. 

Observed 

Every candidate to the Board of Directors before 
the  election  meets  the  Board  Chairman,  Board 
members  and  the  management  and  receives 
information  on  work  of  the  Board  of  Directors, 
his/her  role  in  the  Board  of  Directors  and  the 
Company's business.  
The  Corporate  Secretary  gives  consultation  to 
new members of the Board on the procedures and 
organisation  of  work  of  the  Board  and  its 
committees  and  provides  necessary  statutory 
documents,  documents  describing  the  company's 

108 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
B.4.2  The  chairman  should  regularly  review  and 
agree  with  each  director 
training  and 
development needs. 

their 

Observed 

B.5. Information and Support 
B.5.1. The board should ensure that directors have 
access  to  independent  professional  advice  at  the 
company’s expense where they judge it necessary 
to  discharge  their  responsibilities  as  directors. 
Committees  should  be  provided  with  sufficient 
resources to undertake their duties. 
B.5.2.  All  directors  should  have  access  to  the 
advice  and  services  of  the  company  secretary, 
who  is  responsible  to  the  board  for  ensuring  that 
board procedures are complied with.  

Observed 

Observed 

B.6. Performance assessment  
B.6.1.  The  Annual  Report  shall  contain  the 
information  on  procedures  for  assessing  the 
performance  of  the  Board  of  Directors,  its 
Committees and every director. 

Observed 

B.6.2.  Assessment  of  the  performance  of  the 
board  of  FTSE  350  companies  should  be 
externally  facilitated  at  least  every  three  years. 
The external facilitator should be identified in the 
annual report and a statement made as to whether 
they have any other connection with the company. 

B.6.3.  The  non-executive  directors,  led  by  the 
senior independent director, should be responsible 
for  performance  evaluation  of  the  chairman, 
taking  into  account  the  views  of  executive 
directors. 

Not applicable 

Not applicable 

B.7. Re-election 

strategy,  business,  markets  of  presence  and 
financial reports.  
The  above  induction  procedure  for  new  Board 
members is not formalised. 
The  members  of  Sistema  JSFC  Board  of 
Directors  with  consent  of  the  Chairman  of  the 
Board  of  Directors  represent  the  Company  at 
various  international  symposiums,  conferences, 
professional seminars etc. 

The  Regulations  on  Sistema  JSFC  Board  of 
Directors (item 2.2.1) provides for the right of the 
Board  members  to  engage  external  expertise  of 
the  documents  of  any  issue  of  the  agenda. 
Independent expertise is arranged by the Board of 
Directors Administration. 
According  to  the  Terms  of  Reference  of  the 
Corporate  Secretary  of  the  Company,  the  last 
version  of  which  was  approved  by  the  Board  of 
Directors (Minutes dated February 14, 2004), one 
of  the  functions  of  the  Corporate  Secretary  is 
facilitating  the  work  of  the  Board  of  Directors, 
including:  providing  Board  members  with 
requested  information  and  documents  regarding 
Company's  work,  distribution  among  Board 
members  of  materials  for  the  meetings  of  the 
Board,  facilitation  of  the  work  of  the  Board 
Committees. 

their 

giving 

fill 
opinion 

The  process  of  performance  assessment  of  the 
Board  of  Directors  is  set  out  in  item  6.5  of  the 
2009 Annual Report of the Company. Since 2009 
there is a process of self-appraisal of the Board of 
in 
Directors  work.  Board  members 
questionnaires 
on 
organisation  of  work  of  the  Board  of  Directors: 
membership,  structure,  process  and  organisation 
of  work  of  the  Board  of  Directors,  work  of 
committees  of  the  Board of  Directors,  quality  of 
decisions  of  the  Board  of  Directors  in  relevant 
areas.  The  Board  of  Directors  Administration 
annually  surveys  all  members  of  the  Board, 
analyses results and provides the final analysis to 
the  Nomination,  Remuneration  and  Corporate 
Governance Committee, the Board Chairman and 
the members of the Board of Directors.  
Sistema JSFC is not on the FTSE 350 list.  

Performance  assessment  of 
the  Board  of 
Directors’  Chairman  is  carried  out  during  the 
appraisal  of  the  performance  of  the  Board  of 
Directors in general.  
The  Company’s  regulations  do  not  provide  for 
the position of senior independent director. 

109 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
B.7.1.  All  candidates  to  the  board  should  be 
subject  to  election  by  shareholders  at  the  first 
annual  general  meeting  after  their  appointment, 
and  to  re-election  thereafter  at  intervals  of  no 
more than three years.  
Non-executive  directors  who  have  served  longer 
than  nine  years  should  be  subject  to  annual  re-
election.  The  names  of  directors  submitted  for 
election or re-election should be accompanied by 
sufficient  biographical  details  and  any  other 
relevant  information  to  enable  shareholders  to 
take an informed decision on their election. 
Information  about  nominees  to  the  Board  of 
Directors  shall  include  biographical  data  about 
the  nominees  and/or  any  other  information  to 
enable shareholders to take an informed decision 
about  electing  or  re-electing  members  of  the 
Board of Directors.  
B.7.2.  The  board  of  directors  should  explain  to 
shareholders  why  they  believe  an  individual 
should  be  elected  non-executive  member  of  the 
Board of Directors. 

the  event  of  reelecting  a  non-executive 
In 
director, 
to 
the  chairman  should  confirm 
shareholders  that,  following  formal  performance 
appraisal, the individual’s performance continues 
to be effective. 

Observed 

Observed 

Partially observed 

According 
to  the  Russian  legislation  Board 
members  are  elected  at  the  Annual  General 
Meeting of shareholders for 1 year (for the period 
till 
the  next  Annual  General  Meeting  of 
shareholders)  and  could  be  re-elected  unlimited 
number of times. 
The  Terms  of  Reference  on  the  Board  of 
Directors (item 2.5.5) provide for Board member 
independence  criteria,  stating  that  the  directors 
who  have  served  longer  than  nine  years  should 
not be defined as independent. 

Information  on  candidates  to  the  Board  of 
Directors  including  their  biographical  details  is 
provided  among  other  materials  for  the  Annual 
General  Meeting  of  shareholders  which  elects 
members  of  the  Board  of  Directors  of  the 
Company. 
Shareholders  are  provided  with  biographical 
details  and  professional  skills  of  candidates  and 
shareholders  make  independent  conclusions  on 
their competence and advisability to elect them to 
the Board. 

Partially observed  Every year when new members of the Board  are 
appointed, information on the work of the Board 
of  Directors  in  the  previous  year  is  disclosed, 
including  attendance  of  meetings  by  the  Board 
members  and  the  work  of  Committees  where 
Board  members  participated.  Shareholders  take 
independent  decisions  on  the  quality  of  work  of 
the Board of Directors and their members. 

C. ACCOUNTABILITY. 
C.1 Financial reporting 
С.1.1. The directors should explain  in the annual 
report their responsibility for preparing the annual 
report  and  accounts,  and  state  that  they  believe 
that  the  annual  report  and  accounts,  taken  as  a 
whole,  are  fair,  balanced  and  understandable  and 
provide 
for 
information 
shareholders 
company’s 
performance, business model and strategy.  

necessary 

assess 

the 

the 

to 

There should be a statement made by the auditors 
about  their  responsibilities  related  to  the  audit  of 
financial reports. 
С.1.2. The directors should include in the annual 
report  an  explanation  of  the  basis  on  which  the 
company  generates  or  preserves  value  over  the 
longer term (the business model) and the strategy 
for delivering the objectives of the company 

C.1.3.  The  directors  should  report  in  annual  and 
half-yearly  financial  statements  that  the  business 
is  a  going  concern,  with  supporting  assumptions 
or qualifications as necessary 

Partially observed  The  Annual  Report  does  not 

include 

the 
respective  statement  of  the  Board,  however,  this 
provision  is  observed  via  reviewing  the  Annual 
Report and financial accounts of the Corporation 
at  the  Board  and  Audit  &  Finance  Committee 
meetings.  The  results  of  review  and  discussion 
are reflected in the Minutes. 

Observed 

Financial  reports  of  the  Company  are  disclosed 
annually and include the auditor's opinion. 

include 

Partially observed  The  Annual  Report  does  not 

the 
respective  statement  of  the  Board,  however,  this 
provision  is  observed  via  reviewing  long-term 
business model and the strategy at the Board and 
Audit  &  Finance  Committee  meetings.  The 
results  of  review  and  discussion  are  reflected  in 
the Minutes. 
Partially observed  The  Annual  Report  does  not 

include 

the 
respective  statement  of  the  Board,  however,  this 
provision  is  observed  via  reflecting  supporting 
assumptions or qualifications, if necessary, in the 
report of independent auditor review, which is an 
integral part of annual and half-annual reporting. 

С.2. Risk management and Internal control 
С.2.1.  The  board  should,  at  least  annually, 
conduct  a  review  of  the  effectiveness  of  the 

Observed 

The  Board  of  Directors  annually  reviews  the 
report of the Internal Control and Project Support  

110 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
group’s  system  of  internal  controls  and  should 
report to shareholders that they have done so. The 
review  should  cover  all  material  controls, 
including  financial,  operational  and  compliance 
controls and risk management systems. 

C.3 The Audit Committee and Auditors 
С.3.1.  The  board  should  establish  an  audit 
committee  of  at  least  three  independent  non-
executive  directors  (for  large  companies).  At 
least  one  member  of  the  audit  committee  shall 
have relevant financial experience. 

to 

the 

relating 

reviewing 

to  monitor 

integrity  of 

С.3.2.  The  main  role  and  responsibilities  of  the 
audit committee should be set out in written terms 
of reference and should include: 
- 
the  financial 
statements  of  the  company  and  any  formal 
the  company’s 
announcements 
significant 
financial  performance, 
financial reporting judgments contained in them; 
-  to  review  the  company’s  internal  financial 
controls  and,  unless  expressly  addressed  by  a 
separate  board  risk  committee  composed  of 
independent  directors,  or  by  the  board  itself,  to 
review  the  company’s  internal  control  and  risk 
management systems; 
-  to  monitor  and  review  the  effectiveness  of  the 
company’s internal audit function; 
- to make recommendations to the board, for it to 
put  to  the  shareholders  for  their  approval  in 
general  meeting,  in  relation  to  the  appointment, 
the  external 
re-appointment  and  removal  of 
auditor  and  to  approve  the  remuneration  and 
terms of engagement of the external auditor; 
-  to  review  and  monitor  the  external  auditor’s 
independence 
the 
effectiveness  of  the  audit  process,  taking  into 
consideration 
relevant  UK  professional  and 
regulatory requirements; 
-  to  develop  and  implement  policy  on  the 
engagement of the external auditor to supply non-
audit services, taking into account relevant ethical 
guidance  regarding  the  provision  of  non-audit 
services  by  the  external  audit  firm;  and  to  report 
to the board, identifying any matters in respect of 
which  it  considers  that  action  or  improvement  is 
needed  and  making  recommendations  as  to  the 
steps to be taken; and 
- to report to the  board on how it  has discharged 
its responsibilities. 
С.3.3.  The  terms  of  reference  of  the  audit 
committee,  setting  forth  the  main  powers  and 
responsibilities  delegated  to  it  by  the  board, 
should be in place.   

objectivity 

and 

and 

Department  of  the  Company  on  results  of  the 
year with analysis of existing control systems and 
detected deficiencies. 
A report of the Auditing Commission is attached 
to the materials of every Annual General Meeting 
of Sistema JSFC. 

Partially observed  The  Audit  and  Finance  Committee  of  Sistema 
JSFC  has  been  established  and  is  active.  The 
Committee  includes  5  members  of  the  Board  of 
Directors, 4 of whom meet independence criteria 
-  R. Munnings,  E. Novitsky,  M.  Holtzman  and 
D. Iakobachvili. 
R. Munnings  is  Chairman  of  the  Audit  and 
Finance Committee of the Board of Directors. He 
independence  criteria  and  has  vast 
meets 
experience in financial audit. 
The remit  of the Audit and Finance Committee is 
determined  in  the  Terms  of  Reference  on  the 
last  version  of  which  was 
Committee, 
approved by the Board of Directors on September 
24, 2011). 
The  Terms  of  Reference  on  the  Audit  and 
Finance  Committee  in  general  meets  Section 
C.3.2. of UK Corporate Governance Code. 

Observed 
essential aspects 

the 

all 

in 

Observed 

The powers and responsibilities of the Committee 
are determined in the Terms  of Reference  of the 
Audit  and  Finance  Committee  which  were 
approved by the Board of Directors on September 
24, 2011. 

C.3.4.  Where  requested  by  the  board,  the  audit 

Observed 

This  requirement  is  observed  by  reviewing  the 

111 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Annual  Report  and  financial  accounts  at  the 
Audit and Finance Committee meetings. 

The Audit and Finance Committee reviews issues 
of  the  functioning  of  the  hot  line  used  by  the 
Company's  employees  and  other 
interested 
parties  for  raising  concerns  about  possible 
improprieties 
the  financial  sphere  on  a 
in 
confidential basis. 

the 

is  monitoring 

According to the Terms of Reference of the Audit 
and Finance Committee of the Company's Board 
of  Directors,  one  of  the  key  functions  of  the 
internal  audit 
Committee 
system  of  the  Company.  The  Internal  Audit 
Department  carries  out  internal  audit  functions. 
The Audit and Finance Committee together  with 
the head of the above mentioned Department and 
the  Company's  management 
the 
implemented  activities  aimed  at  removing  the 
deficiencies of internal business processes. 
According to the Terms of Reference of the Audit 
and Finance Committee of the Company's Board 
of  Directors,  the  Committee  analyses  external 
auditors’ performance, and provides the Board of 
Directors  with 
regarding 
appointment,  reappointment  or  removal  of  the 
external auditors. 

recommendations 

analyses 

The Annual Report includes the statement on the 
policy  of 
and 
independence. 

auditor’s  objectivity 

the 

Observed 

Observed 

Observed 

Observed 

committee  should  provide  advice  on  whether  the 
annual  report  and  accounts,  taken  as  a  whole,  is 
fair,  balanced  and  understandable  and  provides 
the  information  necessary  for  shareholders  to 
assess 
the  company’s  performance,  business 
model and strategy. 

the 

and 

proportionate 

C.3.5.  The  audit  committee  should 
review 
arrangements by which staff of the company may, 
in  confidence,  raise  concerns  about  possible 
improprieties  in  matters  of  financial  reporting  or 
other  matters.  The  audit  committee’s  objective 
should be to ensure that arrangements are in place 
for 
independent 
investigation  of  such  matters  and  for  appropriate 
follow-up action. 
С.3.6.  The  audit  committee  should  monitor  and 
review  the  effectiveness  of  the  internal  audit 
process. Where there is no internal audit function, 
the  audit  committee  should  consider  annually 
whether  there  is  a  need  for  an  internal  audit 
function  and  make  a  recommendation  to  the 
board,  and  the  reasons  for  the  absence  of  such  a 
function  should  be  explained  in  the  relevant 
section of the annual report. 

C.3.7.  The  audit  committee  should  have  primary 
responsibility  for  making  a  recommendation  on 
the  appointment,  reappointment  and  removal  of 
the  external  auditors.  FTSE  350  companies 
should put the external audit contract out to tender 
at  least  every  ten  years.  If  the  board  does  not 
accept  the  audit  committee’s  recommendation,  it 
should  include  in  the  annual  report,  and  in  any 
papers 
re-
the  audit 
statement 
appointment,  a 
committee  explaining  the  recommendation  and 
should set out reasons why the board has taken a 
different position. 

appointment  or 

recommending 

from 

that 

issues 

the  significant 

C.3.8.  A  separate  section  of  the  annual  report 
should  describe  the  work  of  the  committee  in 
discharging its responsibilities. The report should 
include: 
the  committee 
- 
considered in relation to the financial statements, 
and how these issues were addressed; 
-  an  explanation  of  how  it  has  assessed  the 
effectiveness of the external audit process and the 
to 
approach 
or 
taken 
reappointment  of 
the  external  auditor,  and 
information on the length of tenure of the current 
audit firm and when a tender was last conducted; 
and 
-  if  the  external  auditor  provides  non-audit 
services, 
auditor 
objectivity and independence is safeguarded. 

explanation  of  how 

appointment 

the 

an 

D. REMUNERATION 
D.1.  The 
remuneration 

level 

and 

components 

of 

112 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
D.1.1.  In  designing  schemes  of  performance-
related  remuneration  for  executive  directors,  the 
the 
remuneration  committee 
provisions in Schedule A to this Code. 

should 

follow 

D.1.2.  Where  a  company  releases  an  executive 
director  to  serve  as  a  non-executive  director 
elsewhere, the remuneration report should include 
a statement as to  whether or not the  director will 
retain  such  earnings  and, 
the 
remuneration is. 

if  so,  what 

D.1.3.  Levels  of  remuneration  for  non-executive 
directors should reflect the time commitment and 
responsibilities of the role. Remuneration for non-
executive  directors  should  not  include  share 
options or other performance-related elements. If, 
exceptionally,  options  are  granted,  shareholder 
approval  should  be  sought  in  advance  and  any 
shares acquired by exercise of the options should 
be  held  until  at  least  one  year  after  the  non-
executive  director  leaves  the  board.  Holding  of 
the 
share  options  could  be 
determination  of  a  non-executive  director’s 
independence (as set out in provision B.1.1). 

relevant 

to 

what 

consider 

remuneration  committee  should 
D.1.4.  The 
carefully 
compensation 
commitments  (including  pension  contributions 
and  all  other  elements)  their  directors’  terms  of 
appointment  would  entail  in  the  event  of  early 
termination.  The  aim  should  be 
to  avoid 
rewarding  poor  performance.  They  should  take  a 
robust  line  on  reducing  compensation  to  reflect 
departing directors’ obligations to mitigate loss. 

Observed 

The  provisions  of  Schedule  A 
the  UK 
Corporate  Governance  Code,  in  general,  are 
observed  at  executive  directors’  remuneration 
system development. 
The items of Schedule A are disclosed below. 

to 

do 

Partially observed  Members  of  the  Management  Board  elected  as 
the  members  of  Boards  of  Directors  of 
receive 
subsidiaries 
additional 
not 
remuneration  for  work 
in  such  Boards  of 
Directors.  Members  of  the  Management  Board 
(executive directors) who are the members of the 
Boards  of  Directors  in  other  companies  receive 
remuneration for  work in Boards of Directors of 
such companies according to their regulations. 
The  information  on  the  size  of  remuneration 
received by employees of the Company for acting 
as  a  Board  member  at  other  companies  is  not 
disclosed. 
Board  members  of  Sistema  JSFC 
receive 
additional  remuneration  for  serving  as  Chairman 
of the Board of Directors, Deputy Chairman and 
Chairman  of  any  Board  Committee.  Special 
remuneration  is  paid  for  participation  in  the 
Board  meetings  and  meetings  of  the  Board 
Committees. 
Share options are not granted for the work on the 
Board of Directors. 

Observed 

Observed 

to 

the  Policy  on 
item  1.6  of 
According 
remuneration  and  compensations  for  the  Board 
members  of  the  Company,  in  the  event  of  early 
termination  of 
the  director's  appointment, 
remuneration is calculated on a pro rata basis. 

D.1.5. Notice or contract periods should be set at 
one year or less. If it is necessary to offer longer 
notice  or  contract  periods 
to  new  directors 
recruited  from  outside,  such  periods  should 
reduce to one year or less after the initial period. 

Observed 

According  to  the  Russian  legislation  all  Board 
members of Sistema JSFC are elected by General 
Shareholders’ Meeting for 1 year (till next AGM) 
and  could  be  re-elected  an  unlimited  number  of 
times. 

D.2. Procedure 
D.2.1. The Board of Directors should establish a 
Remuneration  Committee  consisting  of  at  least 
three  independent  non-executive  directors  (for 
large companies).  

Observed 

The  Nomination,  Remuneration  and  Corporate 
Governance  Committee  was  established  and  is 
active.  6  Directors  are  the  members  of  the 
Committee, 2 of them are non-executive directors 
(A.  Goncharuk,  D.  Zubov)  and  3  of  them  meet  
independence  criteria  (B.  Dickie,  R.  Kocharyan, 
R. Munnings) 

113 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
remuneration  committee 

The 
should  make 
available its terms of reference, explaining its role 
and the authority delegated to it by the board. 

Observed 

Where  remuneration  consultants  are  appointed, 
they should be identified in the annual report and 
a  statement  made  as  to  whether  they  have  any 
other connection with the company. 

D.2.2.The  remuneration  committee  should  have 
delegated  responsibility  for  setting  remuneration 
for  all  executive  directors  and  the  chairman, 
including  pension  rights  and  any  compensation 
payments.  

Not applicable 

Observed 

Observed 

Observed 

The  committee  should  also  recommend  and 
monitor  the  level  and  structure  of  remuneration 
for  senior  management.  The  definition  of  ‘senior 
management’ 
should  be 
determined  by  the  board  but  should  normally 
include  the  first  layer  of  management  below 
board level. 

this  purpose 

for 

D.2.3.The  board  itself  or,  where  required  by  the 
Articles  of  Association,  the  shareholders  should 
determine  the  remuneration  of  the  non-executive 
directors  within  the  limits  set  in  the  Articles  of 
Association. Where permitted by the Articles, the 
board may however delegate this responsibility to 
a  committee,  which  might  include  the  chief 
executive. 

Shareholders  should  be  invited  specifically  to 
approve all new long-term incentive schemes and 
significant changes to existing schemes. 

Observed 

and 

Regulations 

responsibilities  of 

the  
The  powers 
Nomination,  Remuneration 
and  Corporate 
Governance  are  determined  in  the  Terms  of 
Reference which were approved by the Board of 
Directors on September 24, 2011. 
The 
the  Nomination, 
and  Corporate  Governance 
Remuneration 
Committee  is  posted  on  the  Company's  website 
(www.sistema.ru/www.sistema.com) 
is 
available on demand from shareholders. 
In  2012  no  external  remuneration  consultants 
were  engaged  in  the  work  of  the  Company's 
Board of Directors. 

and 

on 

to 

compensation 

and  procedure 
and 

for  paying  out 
Amount 
remuneration 
the 
Company's  Board  member  are  set  out  in  the 
Policy  on  remuneration  and  compensations,  the 
last  version  of  which  was  approved  by  the 
Annual  General  Meeting  of  shareholders  as  of 
June 30, 2006 (Minutes  No. 1-06),  with changes 
and  amendments  made  by  extraordinary  General 
Shareholders’  Meeting  of  Sistema  JSFC  on 
February 16, 2009 (Minutes No. 1-09). 
In case  changes/amendments  are necessary  to be 
made  to  the  above  Policy,  the  Nomination, 
and  Corporate  Governance 
Remuneration 
necessary 
Committee 
changes/amendments. 

develops 

One  of  the  key  functions  of  the  Nomination, 
and  Corporate  Governance 
Remuneration 
Committee  according  to  the  respective  Terms  of 
Reference is preliminary review of terms of labor 
contracts  of  the  President  and  Board  members 
presented  for  consideration  of  the  Company's 
Board of Directors, evaluation of performance of 
the Company's top management and defining the 
size of their remuneration. 
The  Policy  on  remuneration  and  compensations, 
the  last  version  of  which  was  approved  by  the 
Annual  General  Meeting  of  shareholders  as  of 
June 30, 2006 (Minutes  No. 1-06),  with changes 
and  amendments  made  by  extraordinary  General 
Shareholders’  Meeting  of  Sistema  JSFC  on 
(Minutes  No.  1-09), 
February  16,  2009 
establishes 
calculating 
formula 
remuneration  of  the  Board  members.  A  special 
decision  of  the  Nomination,  Remuneration  and 
Corporate  Governance  Committee 
for  such 
payments is not required. 
Long-term incentive schemes are approved by the 
Board  of  Directors  and,  when  needed,  by  the 
Annual  General  Meeting  of  shareholders,  and 
shareholders  discuss  such  matters  both  at  the 
level  of  the  Board  of  Directors  and  the  level  of 
the Annual General Meeting of shareholders. 

clear 

for 

E. RELATIONS WITH SHAREHOLDERS  
E.1 Dialogue with shareholders 
E.1.1. Shareholders’ opinions on the development 

Observed 

Representatives  of 

the  majority  of 

large 

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of the company are communicated to the board. 
The  chairman  should  regularly  discuss  strategy 
with major shareholders. 
Non-executive  directors  should  be  offered  the 
opportunity 
to  attend  meetings  with  major 
shareholders and should expect to attend them if 
requested by major shareholders. 

The  senior  independent  director  should  hold 
sufficient  meetings  with  shareholders  to  discuss 
development of the company.  

Not applicable 

E.1.2  The  annual  report  should  state  how  the 
members  of  the  board  develop  an  understanding 
of 
the  views  of  major  shareholders  about 
development of the company. 

Observed 

E.2 Constructive use of the AGM 
E.2.1.The minutes of the meeting should include 
the  number  of  persons  that  participated  in  the 
voting  on  every  agenda  item  and  the  number  of 
votes "for", "against" and "abstained". 
E.2.2.  The  company  should  ensure  that  all  valid 
proxy appointments received for general meetings 
are  properly  recorded  and  counted.  The  AGM 
minutes  should  include  the  number  of  persons 
participated on each item of the agenda, as well as 
proportion  of  "for",  "against"  and  "abstained"  on 
each item of the agenda. 
E.2.3. All members of the Board of Directors are 
the  general  meeting.  Committee 
to  attend 
chairmen  should  be  available  for  answering 
questions of shareholders.  

Observed 

Observed 

Observed 

E.2.4. The  company  should  arrange  for  a  Notice 
of  the  AGM  and  related  papers  to  be  sent  to 
shareholders at least 20  working days before the 
meeting. 

Observed 

shareholders  are  members  of  the  Board  of 
Directors of the Company. The IR Department of 
the Company works with the largest institutional 
investors. Results of its work, including views of 
main  institutional  investors  of  the  Company  on 
strategy  and  development  outcomes  of 
the 
Company, are regularly reviewed by the Board of 
Directors within the IR strategy of the Company.  
It  is  mandatory  for  all  members  of  the  Board  of 
Directors,  including  non-executive  directors,  to 
the  Annual  General  Meeting  of 
attend 
shareholders. 
The  Company's  statutory  documents  do  not 
provide  for  the  position  of  a  senior  independent 
director. 
Prior to every  meeting of the Board of Directors 
independent  members  of  the  Board  hold  an 
informal  meeting  in  the  form  of  a  business 
dinner, which is also attended by the management 
of the Company. 
Information  on  independent  members  of  the 
Board  of  Directors  is  available  to  shareholders 
via  the  Company's  website.  If  shareholders  have 
relevant questions they may address any of them. 
Representatives  of 
large 
shareholders  are  members  of  the  Company's 
Board  of  Directors.  The  IR  department  of  the 
Company  works  with  the  largest  institutional 
investors.  The  results  of  its  work,  including  the 
views  of  main  institutional  investors  of  the 
Company  on  development  of  the  Company,  are 
regularly  reviewed  by  the  Board  of  Directors 
within  the  IR  strategy  of  the  Company.  It  is 
mandatory  for  all  members  of  the  Board  of 
Directors,  including  non-executive  directors,  to 
attend the Annual General Meeting. 

the  majority  of 

In  accordance  with  Russian 
legislation  and 
Sistema  JSFC  Charter,  each  issue  of  the  agenda 
include  the  draft  resolution  with  "for",  "against" 
and "abstained" votes. 
All  the  votes  of  the  shareholders  received  by 
Sistema 
registered  by  Teller 
Commission and included in the AGM Minutes. 
The  votes  "for",  "against"  and  "abstained"  are 
counted  separately;  and  the  results  on  each  item 
of the agenda are disclosed. 

JSFC 

are 

that  participate 

According to item 2.3. of the Terms of Reference  
on  the  Board  of  Directors,  all  members  of  the 
Board  of  Directors  are  to  attend  the  General 
Meeting  and  to  answer  questions  from  the 
participants of the meeting.  
the  Annual 
Shareholders 
General  Meeting  may  put  questions  to  any 
member  of  the  Board  of  Directors  attending  the 
meeting. 
According to its Charter, the Company circulates 
the  Notice  of  the  AGM  and  publishes  related 
materials  not  later  than  30  days  before  the 
meeting.  

in 

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