OREANDA-NEWS. Fitch Ratings has today assigned Kazakhstan-based uranium producer JSC National Atomic Company Kazatomprom ("Kazatomprom") an Issuer Default 'BB+' rating and a Short-term 'B' rating. The Outlook is Positive.

The ratings reflect Kazatomprom's world leadership position in uranium production, its strong growth profile, its sound financials as well as the potential government support implied by its 100% government ownership.

Kazatomprom is moderately leveraged compared to many of its rated metals and mining peers, with total debt of KZT32.2 billion at FY05 although the bulk of it (KZT19.2bn) is held as term deposits.