Press Release

Two landmark transactions that Raiffeisen Bank International AG (RBI) structured for its client or in which it participated in a leading role, respectively, were recognized with "Deal of the Year" awards by the renowned industry publication Trade Finance Magazine.

"These awards again validate our approach of supporting our customers in realizing their business transactions with tailor-made and innovative solutions. The know-how provided by our product specialists was crucial for the successful completion of both deals," said Karl Sevelda, RBI's Deputy Chairman of the Managing Board and the board member responsible for Corporate Banking.

Together with its Beijing branch, RBI provided a credit facility for erecting a hygiene paper production plant for Ganzhou Hwagain Paper in south-eastern China. The total investment costs for the plant add up to approximately EUR 92 million. Half of this amount will be financed, whereas the deliveries deriving from Austria will be provided in form of a buyer's credit guaranteed by Oesterreichische Kontrollbank AG (OeKB) in the amount of EUR 12 million. RBI's Beijing branch is providing the credit facility covering both local production and imports from third countries amounting to EUR 33 million.

For the USD 1.075 billion 5-year pre-export finance facility for OJSC Uralkali, a major potash producer based in Russia, RBI acted as Mandated Lead Arranger together with seven large international banks led by Unicredit Bank AG, which was Mandated Lead Arranger and Facility Agent. RBI's trade-finance specialists' in-depth knowledge of the potash fertilizers sector and of the customer's group was especially crucial for structuring the transaction in record time. The loan has been used to refinance an outstanding facility, as well as for general corporate and working capital purposes, including capital expenditure.

Raiffeisen Bank International
Date: 15.03.2012