OREANDA-NEWS. April 16, 2008. The National Depository Center (NDC), Russia's only settlement depository servicing the full range of Russian securities, announced today that a general meeting of members, held Monday (April 14), voted to maintain its blocking stake in the Settlement Depository Company CJSC by purchasing part of a new SDC share issue. The decision was based on a recommendation made by the Board of Directors at meeting April 2.

Nikolai Egorov, Director, NDC, said following the meeting: "We are maintaining our ownership in the Settlement Depository Company at the level of blocking stake, as this is in line with NDC’s development strategy based on the general trend of settlement and depository infrastructure consolidation.”

The members of NDC authorized NDC’s Director to take all necessary steps for the acquisition of the additional shares. At a General Meeting held March 20, NDC members were officially notified by the Settlement Depository Company CJSC of the state registration of an additional inscribed non-documentary share issue and of an offer of subscription to the shares.

At Monday's meeting, the NDC members also approved modifications to NDC’s capital expenditures and investments budget for 2008.