Unistream Acquisition Update

Aurora Russia Limited 13 April 2007 13 April 2007 Aurora Russia Limited completes first stage of investment in Unistream Bank Aurora Russia Limited ('Aurora Russia' or the 'Company'), the AIM-quoted investment vehicle established to make equity or equity-related investments in small and mid-sized private companies in Russia, announces today that it has completed the first stage of its acquisition in Unistream Bank ('Unistream') investing $13.6 million (£6.9 million) for a 17.7% stake. Once the approval of the CBR has been received for Aurora Russia to purchase more than 20% of a Russian bank, the Company will purchase an additional 8.3% stake for $6.4 million (£3.3 million), thereby bringing its total shareholding to 26% as announced on 30 November 2006. The funds will be used to finance Unistream's expansion across Russia over the next few years. Management accounts show that $1.84 billion was transferred by Unistream in 2006 making it one of the leading money transfer companies in Russia. Commenting on the investment, James Cook and John McRoberts, two Directors of Aurora Russia Limited, said: 'The Russian money transfer market is showing extremely high rates of growth and is one of the fastest growing money transfer regions in the world. Unistream is one of the market leaders in the money transfer business in Russia and is continuing to increase its share of the market putting it in an extremely strong position to capitalise on the growth in this sector.' Enquiries Aurora Russia Limited James Cook, Moscow +7 495 644 1662 John McRoberts, London +44 (0) 20 7839 7112 Financial Dynamics Ed Gascoigne-Pees +44 (0) 20 7269 7132 Felicity Murdoch +44 (0) 20 7269 7243 Notes to editors: Aurora Russia Aurora Russia floated on the Alternative Investment Market of the London Stock Exchange on 24 March 2006. The Company has been established to make equity or equity related investments in small and midsized private Russian companies focused on the financial, business and consumer services sectors where the Directors believe there is potential for growth together with viable exit opportunities within two to four years of making such investments. The Company intends to provide its investee companies with the necessary capital to continue to expand and develop. The Manager shall provide hands-on operational support to deliver significant step changes in performance and value creation. Aurora Russia will target companies with Enterprise Values of up to approximately £100 million and will seek to secure blocking or controlling stakes and board representation. The Company intends generally to take equity stakes of greater than 20% in each portfolio company. It is anticipated that each equity investment will typically be between £5 million and £25 million. This information is provided by RNS The company news service from the London Stock Exchange
UK 100

Latest directors dealings