Annual report 2006
Transcription
Annual report 2006
CONTENTS contents annual report 2006 Dear shareholders, clients and business partners, On behalf of the Belvnesheconombank Supervisory and Management Boards we are pleased to submit to your attention the Annual Report about the Bank’s operations in 2006. This past year was of special significance for the Bank — it marked the 15th anniversary of its foundation. Established by the decision of the Government of Belarus to service foreign trade operations of the State and business entities, during the fifteen years of its existence Belvnesheconombank, alongside the rest of the national economy, has gone through a taxing process of market-driven formation and subsequent consolidation of its positions in the international and domestic financial markets. Today Belvnesheconombank is ranked among the largest banks in Belarus and enjoys a high standing in the domestic banking community. The Bank is a member of the Brussels International Banking Club and the European Business Congress. It holds a principal membership status with MasterCard International and Visa International and also acts as a Western Union Financial Services Inc. representative. The Bank is a winner of special prizes awarded by a number of international organizations. Over these years, the Bank has acted as a driver of banking innovations that have eventually spread all across the banking industry of Belarus. In 2006, the Bank continued to focus its lending operations on export-oriented chemical, food, woodworking, engineering and electronics industries, efficiently performing small and medium businesses, and self-employed entrepreneurs. Over Br 965 billion was channeled into the real sector of the economy. The Bank consistently improved the quality of its loan portfolio and remained compliant with the guidelines set by the National Bank of Belarus for problem assets and loans. As an agent bank of the Government of Belarus, Belvnesheconombank continued to manage foreign credit lines opened under government guarantees to finance major investment projects. The amount of loans disbursed in 2006 under these credit lines totaled EUR 26.6 million. The Bank made an extensive use of its many years’ international banking expertise gained from developing its banking correspondent network that now comprises more than 600 partner banks in 81 countries across the world. Owing to its broad correspondent network the Bank provided an efficient and prompt international settlement customer service and acted as a clearing house for local banks with regard to their US and EUR transactions and also non-resident banks in effecting their Br-based payments. Further improvements in the consumer banking services featured strongly on the Bank’s 2006 agenda. A number of new investor-attractive deposit packages were introduced to the market. As a result, household savings attracted by the Bank rose by 8.2% over the year. There was an increase in the sale of self-service retail banking products via ATMs, CATs and Mobile Bank cell phone service. Consumer lending grew 1.6 times. The Bank’s robust performance in the delivery of customer services, including those for the general public, was attained owing, above all, to the provision of a wide range of high-quality services and the application of a customer-centered approach to the implementation of banking products, all underpinned by the professional expertise of the Bank’s staff, its extensive branch network and advanced banking technologies. In 2007, the Bank’s strategic priorities will continue to be focused on raising its financial stability and competitiveness, increasing lending to the real sector of the economy, participating in the implementation of state programs and major investment and socially significant projects, providing a broader spectrum of high-quality banking products and services and building up a long-term and mutually beneficial relationship with its clients, shareholders and business partners. The Bank will take a more concerted action to expand its niche in the most important sectors of the domestic market of banking services, increase lending to efficiently performing businesses, speed up the implementation of state-of-the-art banking technologies and thereby ensure delivery of qualitatively new banking service standards. The Bank’s market position will be further enhanced with the arrival of a strategic investor, Vnesheconombank, Moscow, one of Russia’s largest banks, that is to acquire a controlling stake in Belvnesheconombank. On behalf of the Belvnesheconombank Supervisory and Management Boards we express our gratitude to all shareholders, clients and business partners for a mutually advantageous and effective cooperation. We are confident that our business relationship that we have jointly built will gain a further impetus and contribute to a growing efficiency of the Bank and a successful implementation of its immediate and long-term goals, and enhance its prestige and credibility. Very truly yours, A.N. Kosinets, Chairman Supervisory Board G.A. Egorov, Chairman Management Board annual report 2006 principal economic and monetary trends in Belarus in 2006 economic and monetary trends principal in Belarus in 2006 Macroeconomic overview In 2006, the national economy enjoyed a fairly favorable macroeconomic environment that led to an upswing in business and investment activities in core industries. Inflationary processes slowed down and household real earnings and savings increased. Sales of Belarusian goods were on the up both domestically and internationally. All of the country’s main social and economic projected targets were reached. GDP grew by 9.9% at comparable prices. Investment in fixed assets amounted to Br 19.2 trillion, that is 31.4% as much as in 2005, while the share of investment in capital goods reached 65.7%. Foreign trade in goods and services rose to USD 45.9 billion, with exports amounting to USD 22.1 billion and imports — USD 23.8 billion. As compared with 2005, foreign trade grew 127.4% at actual prices with exports rising 121.7% and imports — 133.3%. Profitability generated from the sale of manufactured goods rose by 0.2 percentage points and reached 15.6%. As at January 1, 2007 overdue accounts payable came down to Br 4.1 trillion, i.e. 15.8% of the total accounts payable, shrinking by 7.2% as compared with the year before. Household real cash earnings rose by 17.3% over 2006. Consumer prices on goods and services increased 6.6%, averaging a 0.5% monthly growth, that is the lowest level reported for the past 16 years. Monetary Overview The official exchange rate of the Belarusian Ruble to the US Dollar rose by 0.6% and was down by 8.4% as regards the Russian Ruble due to a strong rallying of the Russian Ruble against the US Dollar. The exchange rate against the Euro was down by 10.6%. Broad money supply increased by 39.3% and stood at Br 17.5 trillion at end-2006. open pri ncipjoialneconomi t stock ccompany and monetary “Belvnesheconombank” trends in Belarus in 2006 annual report 2006 Br money supply grew by 44.5%, or Br 3.8 trillion, and stood at Br 12.4 trillion as at January 1, 2007. Its share within the broad money rose from 68.4% to 70.9%. The amount of Br cash in circulation grew by 39.8% and reached Br 2.8 trillion as at January 1, 2007. Its share within the Br money supply was 22.7%, that within the broad money supply amounted to 16%. The active portion of the domestic money supply (cash in circulation and Br transferable bank deposits) grew by 42% whilst its share within the Br money supply shrunk to 56.6% and was down to 40% within the broad money supply. 2006 saw a continuing trend in the increment of corporate and household Br term deposits — over the year they grew by 59.5% and reached Br 1.3 trillion in the corporate sector and increased by 47.9% and amounted to Br 4 trillion in the household sector. Corporate forex transferable deposits posted a 22.9% growth over the year and amounted to USD 997.6 million while household forex deposits rose by 33.6% and reached USD 70.1 million. Corporate forex term deposits increased 26.8% and totaled USD 203.1 million while household foreign currency term deposits scored a 34.2% growth and reached USD 1.1 billion. Over 2006, the refinancing rate of the Belarus National Bank went down from 11% to 10% p.a. Interest rates paid on newly placed household Br term deposits decreased from 11.6% in December of 2005 to 10.9% in December of 2006. Even so, in real terms they remained at a positive value. Returns generated by newly placed corporate forex deposits rose by 1 percentage point and reached 7.2% p.a. at end-2006. Returns generated by similar household deposits declined by 0.4 percentage points and stood at 7% p.a. Average interest rates charged on newly issued Br-denominated bank loans (other than soft loans) fell by 0.6 percentage points from 13.4% p.a. at end-2005 to 12.8% p.a. by the end of 2006. In real terms, they amounted to 7.4% p.a. as compared with 8.6% p.a. in the year before. Average interest rates applied to newly issued forexdenominated loans remained unchanged over the year at 10.6% p.a. Banking Industry of Belarus As at January 1, 2007, the banking industry of Belarus comprised 30 banks that operated a total of 421 branches. 26 banks had foreign stakes in their equity capital, including ten wholly foreign-owned banks. There were eleven representative offices of foreign banks in Belarus. Over the year, the banks’ equity capital increased by 28.1% (Br 1,128.9 billion) and reached Br 5,150.2 billion as at January 1, 2007. The banks’ funding base grew by 41.6% and reached Br 29 trillion. ROE in the banking industry reached 9.55% against 6.75% in 2005 while ROA went up to 1.7% against 1.25% in 2005. The share of doubtful loans stood at 1.16% at the start of 2007 against 1.9% at the start of 2006. The amount of lending to the economy rose by 57.7% over 2006 and amounted to Br 19.7 trillion at the start of 2007, with long-term loans scoring a 65.6% growth and reaching a total of Br 10.6 trillion. Long-term loans accounted for 53.8% of the total loans disbursed and outstanding. The share of Br-denominated loans within the loan portfolio was 66,2% and grew by 65.8% over the year under review to reach a total of Br 13 trillion. Loans issued in foreign currencies increased by 44.8% and totaled USD 3.1 billion. SUPERVISORY BOARD CHAIRMAN Aleksandr KOSINETS Deputy Prime Minister of the Republic of Belarus DEPUTY CHAIRMEN Andrey ARSHINOV Deputy Chairman of the Management Board, Member of the Board of Directors, OAO Natsionalny Kosmichesky Bank, Moscow Tatyana POLEGOSHKO Director of the Banking Operations Regulation Directorate, National Bank of the Republic of Belarus MEMBERS OF THE SUPERVISORY BOARD Nikolay ANDRIANOV General Director, RUP Belarusian Steel Works, Zhlobin Loran ARINICH General Director, ZAO Pinskdrev, Pinsk Sergey ARSHINOV General Director, OOO Second Trading House, General Director, OOO Archi Production Producer Firm, Member of the Board of Directors, OAO Natsionalny Kosmichesky Bank, Moscow Pavel KALLAUR First Deputy Chairman of the Board, National Bank of the Republic of Belarus Oleg KASHEVSKY General Director, OOO Kaskol-Holding, Moscow Aleksandr KERNOZHITSKY Director of the Financial Department, Minsk City Executive Committee Aleksandr KORSHUNOV General Director, ZAO Astrasystems, Moscow Anatoly SVERZH General Director, BRUSP Belgosstrakh 11 supervisory board annual report 2006 MANAGEMENT BOARD annual report 2006 management board 12 13 management board annual report 2006 ORGANIZATIONAL CHART 15 organizational chart annual report 2006 AUTHORIZED CAPITAL AND SHAREHOLDERS As at January 1, 2007, the Bank’s authorized capital amounted to Br 24,157.9 million. Equity stakes of over 5% were held by: Belvnesheconombank’s shareholders comprised 760 corporate entities and nearly 44,000 individuals. State-sector companies and organizations accounted for 48.4% of the authorized capital, with the Belarus National Bank holding a 33.5% stake, the State Property Committee of the Republic of Belarus - a 6.3% stake, and other state-owned organizations and companies holding between them 8.6% of the shares. Individual equity investments amounted to 13.7%. •National Bank of the Republic of Belarus; •OAO Natsionalny Kosmichesky Bank, Moscow; •ZAO Pinskdrev; •State Property Committee of the Republic of Belarus; and •RUP Belarusian Steel Works, Zhlobin. AUTHORIZED CAPITAL BY TYPE OF OWNERSHIP FUNDS MANAGEMENT POLICY During the past year, the Bank’s funds management policy was focused on the following key areas: •enlargement of the scope of business cooperation with large corporate customers, promotion and consolidation of newly-established and long-standing partnership relations with SME-sector businesses; •diversification and improvement of retail services, introduction of new deposit products based on competitively attractive terms and conditions of placing and withdrawing funds, and closing deposit accounts; •expansion of inter-bank borrowings, including untied loans and foreign bank credit lines to effect uncovered documentary and interbank transactions, i.e. those that require no counter-commitment of funds by the Bank or its customers; and •increase of the Bank’s equity capital to bring down funding costs, raise return on assets and reduce risk exposures. As at 01.01.2007, Belvnesheconombank’s funding resources amounted to Br 796 billion, scoring an increase of Br 17.1 billion, or 2.2%, over the year. For the major part, that increase was generated by domestic investors whose share grew to 79.2% of the total, i.e. 0.5 percentage points as high as in 2005. The rest was constituted by outside investment and the Bank’s own resources (equity capital, internal provisions and funds), 8.5% and 12.3% respectively. In the past year, the Bank had to manage its funding base amid directed transfers of accounts and re-channeling of cash flows of public-sector companies to state-owned banks. It resulted in a certain outflow of relatively low-cost funds and a need to switch over to more expensive substitutes. Transferable corporate deposits fell by Br 41.5 billion over the year. Given these circumstances, the Bank stepped up its efforts to reengineer its funding base structure. It was primarily achieved owing to the attraction of term deposits of domestic businesses and mobilization of household savings. In 2006, term and conditional deposits opened by domestic corporate entities rose by 41.8%, or by Br 30.3 billion. Household funds increased by Br 19.6 billion, or 8.2%, and amounted to Br 259.6 billion, accounting for 32.6% of the entire funding resource base. The Bank raised household funds both in foreign currency and Belarusian rubles, offering competitive and customer-attractive terms and conditions. Concerted efforts undertaken by the Bank to sign up legal entities to participate in its bankcard-based payroll programs were also instrumental in increasing household cash flows via payroll current accounts. 17 funds management policy annual report 2006 annual report 2006 funds management policy 18 19 funds management policy annual report 2006 20 lending operations LENDING OPERATIONS At the start of 2007, customer loans outstanding amounted to the equivalent of Br 454.7 billion, including Br 163.6 billion, USD 109.1 million, EUR 16.9 million and RUR 123.1 million. In 2006, the Bank’s loan portfolio grew by Br 44.4 billion, or 10.8%, against 2005. In 2006, the Bank continued to promote cooperation with export-oriented companies in the chemical, food processing, woodworking, machine-building and electronics industries, as well as with efficiently performing SMEs and self-employed entrepreneurs. The share of public-sector companies in the loan portfolio was 12.8% with the private and part-public sector businesses accounting for 87.2%. Over the past year, lending to the real sector of the economy with leasing transactions factored in amounted to the equivalent of Br 965.6 billion, including Br 87.7 billion in long-term loans and leasing transactions and Br 877.9 billion in short-term loans. Loans were extended to major companies in the real sector of the economy, including OAO Horizont, UP Belryba, OAO Savushkin Produkt, OAO Khimvolokno-Mogilev, RUP Khimvolokno-Svetlogorsk, POOO StrominvestM, ZAO MAZcontract-leasing, ZAO MAZ-MAN JV, KSO Vneshstroyinvest OOO, OAO Peleng, OAO Spartak JV, OAO DOK-Borisov, UPP VKK Vitba, RUPP Avtogidrousilitel-Borisov and others. Considerable lending resources were channeled to credit day-to-day operations of companies within the Belneftekhim Concern. Loans granted to Khimvolokno-Mogilev amounted to USD 21.8 million and Br 4.9 billion. As a result, in 2006 the company raised its production by 9% and attained a 133.2% growth in revenues, boosting its exports by 22.1% to USD 154.3 million and scoring a 58.4% increase in profit. In the past year, the amount of lending to replenish the working capital of Horizont reached USD 25 million. Largely owing to this support, Horizont managed to expand its presence in the domestic and export markets. The company controls 47% of the domestic TV-set market, 10% of the DVD-player market, 13.3% of the microwave oven market and 7.8% of the vacuum cleaner market. In addition, it launched new products — LCD TVs and monitors, and air conditioners, and is now in the development stage to start the production of four-wheeled All-Terrain Vehicles (ATVs). 21 lopen endingjoioperati nt stock ons company “Belvnesheconombank” annual report 2006 Funds loaned by the Bank to MAZ-MAN enabled it to start assembling MAN TGA truck tractors and launch a mass production of 1.5‑ton capacity front-end loaders. Loans granted to Avtogidrousilitel-Borisov contributed to its stable performance. As compared with 2005, the company’s production volumes rose 14.8%, revenues grew 23.5% and exports increased 9.2%. Considerable financial support was rendered to the agribusiness sector during 2006. It totaled Br 163 billion, i.e. 1.8 times as much as in the previous year. Loan disbursements to one of the country’s dairy industry leaders, Savushkin Produkt, allowed the company to attain high growth rates and considerably improve on its core economic indicators, with output and revenues going up 1.2 times. Owing to a successful penetration into Russian markets, its exports recorded a 174% growth against 2005 and reached USD 33.8 million. In 2006, a loan of USD 8.3 million extended to Spartak, one of the country’s largest confectionery producers, made it possible to boost its book profit 4.4 times, increase production volumes by 17% and raise revenues by 20.7%. The Bank rendered financial assistance to Belryba to update its production base. Loan proceeds were used to buy a packaging line that is unique for Belarus. As a result, the company raised its output by 11% and posted a 40% increase in revenues. Over 2006, investment loans and financial leasing services provided to the real sector of the economy totaled Br 160 billion, including the equivalent of Br 72.3 billion in foreign-originated loans. In accordance with its business development strategy the Bank continued to credit small and medium businesses. Loans extended to the SME sector totaled Br 239.2 billion and accounted for 52.6% of the entire loan portfolio. As at 01.01.2007, household loans issued and outstanding amounted to the equivalent of Br 55.6 billion, including Br 39.9 billion in consumer loans and Br 15.7 billion in homepurchasing loans. They recorded a 59.8% growth compared with 2005, rising within the Bank’s loan portfolio from 8.5% to 12% as at 01.01.2007. The Bank continued to improve the quality of its loan portfolio. As at 01.01.2007, problem assets accounted for 2.8% of its total assets exposed to credit risk, while problem loans made up 1.98% of the total customer and bank loans. Overseas Credit Lines During 2006, as an agent bank of the Belarusian Government Belvnesheconombank continued to manage 22 government-guaranteed foreign loans to finance investment projects, including: •11 loans in the total amount of EUR 113.4 million extended by AKA Ausfuhrkredit-Gesellschaft mbH. As at 01.01.2007, indebtedness remaining was EUR 31.6 million; •5 loans totaling EUR 37.7 million advanced by Bayerische Hypo- und Vereinsbank AG, indebtedness remaining was EUR 33.5 million; •2 loans in the total amount of EUR 12.4 million issued by Austria Creditanstalt AG, indebtedness remaining was EUR 2.1 million; •a loan of USD 37.3 million from the Czech Export Bank, indebtedness remaining was USD 11.2 million; •a loan of KD 5.1 million provided by the Kuwait Fund for Arab Economic Development, indebtedness remaining was KD 5.1 million; •2 loans in the total amount of EUR 7.8 million extended by Mediobanca — Banca di Credito Finanziario S.p.A., indebtedness remaining was EUR 6.9 million. Foreign loan proceeds disbursed via Belvnesheconombank in 2006 totaled EUR 26.6 million and were used to finance the following projects: •EUR 25.2 million advanced under an agreement with Bayerische Hypo- und Vereinsbank AG (Germany), EUR 0.3 million provided under an agreement with AKA Ausfuhrkredit-Gesellschaft mbH (Germany), and EUR 0.5 million granted under an agreement with Mediobanca — Banca di Credito Finanziario S.p.A. (Italy) were used to finance two investment projects at Khimvolokno-Mogilev; •EUR 0.6 million disbursed under an agreement with Bayerische Hypo- und Vereinsbank AG (Germany) was used to finance the third phase of the construction of a teaching building for Belarusian State University. In addition, during 2006 the Bank conducted work with a view to signing a EUR 125 million framework agreement with a Dresdner Bank-led syndicate of German banks. 23 lending operations annual report 2006 annual report 2006 international settlements and trade finance 24 INTERNATIONAL SETTLEMENTS AND TRADE FINANCE Belvnesheconombank makes an active use of its many years’ experience in the conduct of international settlements and documentary transactions to facilitate trade business of Belarusian exporting companies. The Bank’s competitive advantages in this market segment are based on a high professional expertise of the staff, availability of a considerable amount of documentary credit facilities set up by leading international banks, efficiency and high quality of executing payment orders of corporate customers and foreign banking institutions, and a broad network of correspondent banks and accounts. During the year under review the Bank geared its efforts toward providing its customers with a full suite of services in line with international best banking practices. The vast geographical spread and growing volumes of documentary transactions as well as a high standing gained among corporate customers and partner banks marks Belvnesheconombank as an expert and fullfledged participant in this segment of the market. export, Polimir, Savushkin Produkt, Mogilev Artificial Fibers Plant and Khimvolokno-Svetlogorsk. Efficient export L/C service rendered by the Bank attracted customers of other domestic banks. Over the year under review, 10 L/Cs to the tune of USD 7.7 million were processed by the Bank for such customers. The Bank consistently promoted assignment-of-proceeds and documentary credit products among its customers as a way of effecting payments under their foreign trade contracts. Customers with large volumes of documentary business were offered special terms and conditions that provided for a fast-track and simplified processing of their payment transactions. Within its foreign trade facilitation business the Bank opened 286 import L/Cs totaling an equivalent of USD 56.6 million. The Bank did uncovered documentary business with 29 banks in Europe, the US, Russia and Kazakhstan. As a result, 219 uncovered import L/Cs were issued to the equivalent value of USD 48.9 million. 226 L/Cs in the amount of USD 48.1 million were confirmed by prime international banks. 27 customer L/Cs provided for a short-financing to the tune of USD 9.3 million. In 2006, the Bank issued 186 guarantees worth USD 34.5 million and processed 121 export L/Cs to the value of USD 80.7 million. Among the Bank’s main documentary business customers were the largest companies of Belarus, including Minsk Automobile Plant, Horizont, Minsk Tractor Works, Beltekh- 25 international settlements and trade finance annual report 2006 26 money and forex market operations MONEY AND FOREX MARKET OPERATIONS In 2006, the Bank was an active player both in the domestic and international markets, focusing its activities on maintaining short-term liquidity to meet its current commitments as an important element of its overall operations. Br average daily loans and borrowings amounted to Br 79.65 billion (an increase of 49.6% against 2005) and Br 39.73 billion (an increase of 14% on the year before), respectively. Average interest rates generated by Br loans exceeded those applied to borrowed funds by 2.1 percentage points. Average daily foreign currency loan volumes over the year were on a par with the previous year, totaling an equivalent of USD 58.1 million. Average daily borrowings amounted to USD 28.6 million. Compared with 2005, there was an increase in the average volume of lendings in the domestic forex market from USD 6.3 million to USD 18.6 million. Average interest rates generated by forex loans exceeded those applied to borrowed funds by 3.2 percentage points. As in the preceding years, the Bank actively traded in the stock exchange and interbank markets and was also strongly present in the conversion transactions segment. The year under review witnessed a tangible growth in forex trading volumes. Average daily USD purchases reached USD 1.6 million against USD 1.1 million in 2005, while average daily sales rose to USD 1.3 million against USD 1.0 million during the previous year. 27 money and forex market operations annual report 2006 SECURITIES TRADING Belvnesheconombank took part in National Bank short-term bond placement auctions. Total purchases in the primary market reached Br 81.8 billion. Of these Br 69.2 billion worth of bonds were purchased for the Bank’s portfolio. Customer-ordered bond purchases amounted to Br 12.6 billion. Total purchases of government bonds in the primary market reached Br 40.5 billion. Of these Br 36.6 billion worth of bonds were purchased for the Bank’s portfolio. Customer-ordered bond purchases amounted to Br 3.9 billion. Transactions in the secondary market comprised REPO and ‘held to maturity’ deals valued at Br 40.4 billion. The Bank also traded in commercial bank promissory notes in the secondary market with payments effected in Br, USD and EUR, and also continued to provide securities market intermediary services. It conducted registration of corporate share deals. A total of 65 such deals were registered over the accounting year. The Bank’s safe custody unit provided accounting, registering and clearing services to securities holders. The bulk of safe custody operations comprised government bonds and bonds of the National Bank of the Republic of Belarus. In 2006, their total turnover in DEPO accounts reached around 12 million items. As at January 1, 2006 the Bank managed over 63.5 thousand DEPO accounts, including 70 accounts maintained for customers trading in the government bond market. Safe custody services were rendered to 54 joint-stock companies. CORRESPONDENT BANKING In 2006, Belvnesheconombank’s cooperation with leading financial institutions in the CIS region and beyond and also its counterparts in Belarus was focused on securing the most advantageous international settlement terms and conditions for customers, developing and optimizing the correspondent banking network and mobilizing foreign bank funds to finance customer foreign trade operations. At the start of 2007, Belvnesheconombank maintained correspondent relations with over 600 banks in 81 countries across the world. The Bank made an active use of its NOSTRO accounts opened with such reputable banks as Bayerische Hypo- und Vereinsbank AG (Munich, Germany), Commerzbank AG, Deutsche Bank AG and Dresdner Bank AG (Frankfurt/Main, Germany), American Express Bank Ltd., Deutsche Bank Trust Company Americas and JP Morgan Chase Bank, N.A. (New York, US), ING Bank N.V. (Amsterdam, Netherlands), Barclays Bank PLC and HSBC Bank PLC (London, UK), Sberbank of Russia, Vneshtorgbank, and Promsvyazbank (Moscow, Russia). For many years now, Belvnesheconombank has acted as a USD and EUR clearing and settlement house for domestic banks. 27 resident banks used their correspondent VOSTRO accounts with Belvnesheconombank, considerably reducing their operating costs and cutting transaction execution times. Over 100 non-resident banks made use of their correspondent accounts with Belvnesheconombank to effect Br payments. Maintaining a broad correspondent banking network, the Bank delivers a speedy international settlement service to its customers. In managing its correspondent banking relations, the Bank strictly adheres to the national regulations on combating laundering of proceeds of crime and financing of terrorism as well as the relevant international standards. In 2006, the Bank actively mobilized foreign bank funds to carry out uncovered documentary and interbank transactions. Such lines were established by Banka Lombarda e Piemontese S.p.A., Italy, and Promsvyazbank, Hanti-Mansiyskiy Bank and Svyazbank, Russia. The total value of such credit lines over the accounting year amounted to about USD 78 million. Especial y close cooperation within the opened credit lines was established with Bayerische Hypo- und Vereinsbank AG (Munich, Germany), Commerzbank AG (Frankfurt/Main, Germany), Bank Austria Creditanstalt AG (Vienna, Austria), BRE Bank SA (Warsaw, Poland) and Hanti-Mansiyskiy Bank (Moscow, Russia). CORPORATE BANKING In the year under review, the Bank continued to focus its efforts on the implementation of its strategy of serving corporate customers of different types of ownership and providing the widest possible array of corporate banking services. The most important objectives were to build up customer loyalty, raise customer satisfaction, improve service culture and staff professionalism. The core of Belvnesheconombank’s corporate customer base in the past year consisted of the largest domestic companies in manufacturing and export of finished goods and raw materials, transportation, farming, construction and trading sectors. Among them there were companies well-known across Belarus and abroad such as OAO Khimvolokno-Mogilev, RUP Minsk Automobile Plant, OAO Mozyr Oil Refinery, ZAO Beltechexport, ZAO Atlant, OAO Savushkin Produkt, OOO Belita JV, GTPUP Belryba, ZAO Pinskdrev, ZAO Milavitsa JV, OAO Borisov DOK, OAO Horizont, RUP Avtogidrousilitel, OAO Spartak JV, RPUP Nieman Tobacco Factory, RUP PO Khimvolokno-Svetlogorsk, RUP Rechitsa Metalware Factory, OAO Khimvolokno-Grodno, RUP Belarusian Steel Works, RUP BelAZ, McDonald’s Restaurants Foreign Company, PO Minsk Tractor Works, Coca Cola Beverages Belorussiya Foreign Company, ZAO Belarusian Shipping Company and OAO Belshina. The Bank’s corporate customers make an active use of the Client-Bank electronic service that incorporates a remote access option, enabling them to monitor their accounts in an on-line mode, save time and reduce operating costs. In order to maintain its competitive edge and raise customer satisfaction, during the past year the Bank introduced several new service options such as: •Mobile Inquiry, Bank-Supported Advertising and Business Partner Search Services, •Ask the Bank Service accessible via the Bank’s Web-site, and •provision of new formats of current account statements for certain customers. Over the accounting year, the Bank recruited 1,300 new business entities, including over 800 self-employed entrepreneurs. As at January 1, 2007 the Bank had a total of 10,481 business entities among its customers. In 2006, the Bank continued to introduce improvements in its corporate customer services. In particular, the entire customer service at the Bank’s head office was reinvented to employ a system of integrated management of accounts and cash-and-settlement services with each customer assigned to a single bank officer instead of the previously used system of fragmenting such services among several bank officers. A similar system is also being implemented in the Bank’s branches. 29 corporate banking annual report 2006 30 retail banking RETAIL BANKING Retail banking has traditionally been a top-priority line of business for Belvnesheconombank. The Bank enjoys a robust retail market position that is secured, above all, by delivering an ever broader spectrum of topquality services and exercising a flexible approach to various types of retail products, and underpinned by the proven expertise of its staff, extensive branch network and application of state-of-the-art banking technologies. In the year under review, the Bank offered household depositors over 20 Br- and foreign exchange-denominated deposit options. Several new deposit products were designed and marketed, featuring a variety of customer-attractive terms and conditions such as: •deposit replenishment and partial withdrawal requiring no prior consent of the Bank; •option of the early termination of a deposit agreement by the customer without re-computation of accrued interest; •fixed interest rate and choice of accrued interest payment options from monthly to capitalized interest payments; •interest payment generated by progressively raised interest rates; •purchase of gold bars, travelers’ checks and bankcards at reduced prices; and •acquisition of discount cards entitling their holders to holiday voucher rebates. As at January 1, 2007, household funds raised by the Bank reached an equivalent of Br 259.6 billion, including Br 62 billion and an equivalent of USD 92.3 million in foreign currency. 2006 saw an increase in retail lending. Over the year, retail loan disbursements amounted to an equivalent of Br 52.2 billion. Especially strong was the demand for real-estate loans to finance home building/purchasing transactions, consumer loans to buy cars and household appliances, and student loans. 31 retail banking annual report 2006 In 2006, retail loans issued and outstanding recorded a 1.6‑fold growth and amounted to Br 55.6 billion. adjust, where deemed necessary, service-providing procedures. Belvnesheconombank was the country’s first bank to launch a bankcard-based revolving credit product in 2004 targeted on its payroll program participants. In 2006, after gaining sufficient experience, the Bank expanded this product market segment to cover a wider range of customers, including those that are not Belvnesheconombank payroll card holders, and began offering this guarantor-free lending service to holders of Belvnesheconombank-issued domestic and international Visa Electron and Visa Classic cards. Self-service principle was used in dispensing standardized retail services including settlement of bills invoiced by 24 service providers via the Bank’s network of 63 ATMs, 27 CATs, and the Mobile Bank cell-phone service. In order to increase its revenues from retail operations, the Bank continued to conduct a concerted campaign to sign up corporate entities to participate in its bankcard-based payroll programs. As at January 1, 2007 the Bank had over 1,400 such programs in place and handled a total of Br 26.5 billion via relevant payroll current accounts. Retail services were dispensed by 27 banking outlets and 12 cash-and-settlement centers. The Bank’s foreign-currency exchange network comprised 13 exchange offices and 120 cash desks. Delivering services through a single point of contact, one of potentially effective ways of managing customer relations and raising customer satisfaction, has by now found application in processing currency exchange transactions, handling cash payments, trading in precious metals, managing placement and withdrawal of funds by bankcard holders, processing loan repayments at any of the Bank’s outlets irrespective of where customer loan accounts are actually maintained, and also selling commemorative and jubilee coins. The Bank’s Center of Banking Services No.1 launched a computerized system of managing customer flows and service-wait times. This system allows to deliver greater convenience to customers, eliminate customer standing in lines waiting to be served, reduce customer wait times and make a more efficient use of staff time. Computer-generated statistical data makes it possible to exercise an objective and effective control over customer service quality and efficiency and In order to expand its retail market penetration, the Bank promoted its products among serviceproviding businesses, goods suppliers and production companies to process their customer-originated bill-settlement payments. To date, a total of 271 such companies have entered into banking service agreements with the Bank. In the year under review, the Bank launched sales of insurance products and began collecting insurance premiums. The insurance products offered by the Bank include Belgosstrakh compulsory motor third party insurance policies and five Belvneshstrakh voluntary insurance policy plans. As at January 1, 2007, the Bank managed over 500 agreements with merchants accepting payments by means of the Bank-issued Visa and MasterCard plastic cards. Over the year, bankcard-based payments made by the general public for goods and services scored a 1.5‑fold growth and reached Br 104.9 billion. Over the past year, retail foreign cash trading and conversion transactions rose by 23% as compared with 2005. Precious metal trading was further expanded, with gold bar sales reaching 78.1 kg in 2006 against 29.8 kg in 2005. Silver sales reached 53.6 kg while platinum sales amounted to 2 kg, exceeding the 2005 sale volumes 11.7 and 25.5 times respectively. The amount of gold purchased from the general public was 1 kg against 0.6 kg in 2005. Western Union retail network run by Belvnesheconombank and its subagent banks comprised 284 outlets accounting for around 40% of all Western Union money transfers in the country. BRANCH NETWORK A strong performance of the Bank in 2006 was facilitated owing to a steady business growth generated by its branch network. As at January 1, 2007 it comprised five branches in regional capitals and 19 branches in major cities across the country. The branches accounted for 88% of all corporate current accounts administered by the Bank, 56% of funds placed therein, 73% of the total loan portfolio, including 88% in Belarusian Rubles. The branches managed nearly 73% of household funds and 88% of all household loans outstanding that constituted 14.7% of the total branch-network loan portfolio. The branches posted a profit of Br 5.3 bil ion that amounted to 65% of the Bank’s consolidated profit. Major profit generators were the Mogilev Regional Branch, Central Branch and Branch 2 in Minsk and also the branches operating in Borisov, Mozyr and Bobruisk. The past year saw an increase in the share of customer funds within the branches’ funding base. As at January 1, 2007, they accounted for over 67% of the total funding resources of the branch network. The branches’ loan portfolio increased by Br 35 bil ion and reached an equivalent of Br 332 bil ion. There was a further expansion in retail sales driven by offering a broader spectrum of products, delivering service quality improvements and ensuring greater customer convenience. Household credit operations posted a dynamic growth with loans outstanding scoring a 55% increase and reaching Br 48.7 bil ion at end-2006. Household funds in current accounts and deposits exceeded an equivalent of Br 188 bil ion and became the largest single source of funding within the branch network debt structure. The branches continued to dynamically expand their bankcard business — cards in circulation rose by 29%, reaching a total of 64 thousand. Sales of credit cards scored a 38% increase over the year owing, among other things, to promotional discounts offered to payroll card holders. A total of 5.8 thousand credit cards were sold by the branches as at January 1, 2007. Bankcard-based revolving loans outstanding rose 1.8 times and reached Br 7.5 bil ion at end-2006. That was the fastest-growing segment of the branch network business operations. Precious metal bar sales to the general public grew in scale, reaching Br 2.1 bil ion and recording a nearly three-fold increase over the previous year. In order to optimize its branch network, the Bank closed down its inefficiently performing branches in Novopolotsk and Svetlogorsk and reorganized them into a cash-and-settlement center and a center of banking services, respectively. The 2006 contest for the best retail service provider regularly run among the Bank’s branches was won by the Mogilev Regional Branch, Minsk Central Branch and Pinsk Branch. annual report 2006 branch network 34 35 branch network annual report 2006 36 bankcard business development BANKCARD BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT Belvnesheconombank, a front-runner in the introduction of bankcard-based payment services in Belarus, continues to maintain its leadership positions among domestic banks in this market segment. The Bank set up the country’s first bankcard processing center and launched the first MasterCard card, introduced the first payroll and credit cards, installed the first ATMs and POS-terminals, and pioneered bill-settlement payments via ATMs and CATs. Rather than concentrating on sale volumes, the Bank centers its bankcard business development on the quality and diversity of its services encompassing all international payment system participants, from individual cardholders to partner banks, and fostering long-term customer relations based on good faith partnership and mutual interest. 2006 witnessed further advancements in the development of Belvnesheconombank’s card business infrastructure. The joint network run by the Bank and its four partner banks — Tekhnobank, ITIBank, Moscow-Minsk Bank, and BelSwissBank — was expanded by over 40% and now comprises 108 ATMs and 32 CATs. The joint ATM/CAT network functionality allows customers to settle their utility bills, top up mobile phone accounts, pay cable TV and Internet bills invoiced by 22 service providers. Unlike ATMs and CATs of most other domestic banks, those run by Belvnesheconombank handle settlement payments effected by means of cards issued by any bank across the country and the world. In addition, their menu allows to make loan repayments and place funds or withdraw call deposits. All of these services are also accessible via the Bank-operated Mobile Bank cell-phone service. The Bank is consistently working to increase the number of service providers using ATM/CAT-enabled customer bill-settlement service. 37 bankcard business development annual report 2006 The Bank’s acquiring network comprised over 500 merchants nationwide. COMMUNITY SUPPORT AND SPONSORSHIP Bankcard sales were kept proportional to the growth of the ATM/POS network to ensure maximum customer satisfaction. The ratio of cards sold to POS terminals installed at merchant locations meets international best practices and the guidelines set by the Belarus National Bank and stands at around 140 cards per POS terminal. In 2006, Belvnesheconombank sponsored various charity programs, sporting events and also made donations to support the country’s spiritual life. As compared with 2005, the total number of bank cards in circulation increased 36.6% to 73.7 thousand, with Br-denominated cards scoring a 41% growth and reaching 67.7 thousand items. In the past year, the Bank launched international Br debit and credit card sales and continued to broaden the range of services offered to holders of cards issued by the Bank and its partner banks. In order to further expand its consumer lending business, in 2006 the Bank continued to enlarge the spectrum of bankcard-based lending instruments to reach out to a wider customer audience. As a result, the volume of bankcard-based loans outstanding recorded a 1.7‑fold growth and amounted to Br 8.9 billion. Financial assistance was rendered to the Belarusian Tennis Association to stage a Davis Cup World Group match, the Belarusian Soccer Federation to publish promotional materials, and also toward the erection of the Ascension of Our Lord Church in Nesvizh. Over the year, donations were made to charity funds, civic organizations and professional unions, including, among others, the Belarusian Fund of Benevolence and Health, Belarusian Fund of Assistance to Disabled Athletes, and the Civic Association of Veterans. In 2006, the Bank provided assistance to Minsk Boarding School No.10 for children in state care to purchase New Year gifts. The farming sector was a traditional recipient of the Bank’s donations. In the year under review, funds were donated to purchase a prize for awarding one of the best-performing agricultural workers at the Dazhynki-2006 National Harvesting Fair and Folk Festival, procure agricultural capital goods for Orda agrifarm in Kletsk District, Minsk Region, and finance the construction of a communal sporting center in the village of Aleksandria in Shklov District, Mogilev Region. The total amount of donations earmarked by the Bank for community support and charitable objects in 2006 amounted to Br 211 million. annual report 2006 community support and sponsorship 38 SUBSIDIARIES AND ASSOCIATED COMPANY invested capital due to adverse weather conditions that affected its planned agricultural output. The company is currently working on a number of projects that promise to ensure its sustainable and profit-yielding operation. As at 01.01.07, Belvnesheconombank’s equity investments totaled Br 2.27 billion and covered 16 legal entities, including Br 2.12 billion invested in its subsidiaries and associated company. The Bank’s subsidiaries comprise Belvneshstrakh Insurance Company (wholly owned by the Bank), Interbranch Institute for Independent Expertise of Investment Projects (52‑percent equity stake), Belinterfinance (51%), Vneshstroyinvest (51%) and Vnesheconomstroy (51%) Joint Ventures. The Bank’s associated company is Sivelga Closed Joint Stock Company (25%). Vneshstroyinvest runs a sporting and fitness facility trademarked Mir Fitnesa / World of Fitness. In 2006, the company’s earnings from the sale of its products and services amounted to Br 4.9 billion. The company managed to achieve certain improvements in its financial position owing to the implementation of a program of annual season ticket credit incentives, introduction of new season ticket plans, provision of extra services, application of a flexible pricing policy, implementation of an external marketing program, intensification of advertising activities as well as the implementation of other initiatives. During 2006, the Bank’s subsidiaries and associated company pursued their lines of business as defined by their Articles of Association and business development strategies. As an investor and ordering customer/owner of a multifunctional complex construction project, Vnesheconomstroy jointly with its general project designer embarked upon drafting design and cost estimate Belvneshstrakh was engaged in insuring customer finandocumentation, identifying funding sources and obtaining cial, property and foreign trade risks. In the past year, requisite approvals and permits to start construction the company concluded 4.2 thousand insurance policy con- works. tracts; its paid-in premiums totaled Br 3.8 billion, scoring an 8.2% increase compared with the year before and its Sivelga, the Bank’s associated company, is a robustly earnings grew 5% over the year to reach Br 5.0 billion. operating footwear manufacturer consistently delivering a positive year-to-year revenue growth. As at 01.01.07, earnings posted by the Interbranch Institute for Independent Expertise of Investment Projects from the sale of its products and services amounted to Br 0.1 billion. During the past year, the Institute had to provide its core business plan development and appraisal services in an increasingly deteriorating legal environment due to government-initiated regulatory changes, obligating public-sector companies to contract these services out to organizations designated within their relevant sector or industry. Given these circumstances, the Bank resolved to restructure the Institute into an energy services company. As at 01.01.07, Belinterfinance’s earnings totaled Br 6.1 billion. In 2006, the company was unable to improve its business performance and generate return on the Bank- 39 subsidiaries and associated company annual report 2006 40 banking technologies BANKING TECHNOLOGIES In 2006, banking technology improvements were geared toward enhancing the Bank’s business capabilities. New technological solutions and banking products were designed and implemented making it possible to considerably broaden the spectrum of services and raise customer satisfaction. To this end, a set of measures were implemented to: 41 banking technologies •develop and improve software products to computerize retail services and enable cashiers to process household loan repayments, service fees, penalties and interest payments, irrespective of where relevant customer accounts are actually kept, and ensure uniformity of deposit agreements; •develop and put in place a software technology to screen and record details of financial transactions to prevent laundering of proceeds of crime; •expand unified straight-through processing technologies to cover Treasury transactions with regard to collecting and granting loan/borrowing applications from the Bank’s branches via the in-house EDP system; •automate processing and accounting of penalties, costs and fees originating from the Bank’s lending operations; •introduce a software solution enabling to set up a unified centralized database for accounting fixed and intangible assets and other inventories; •upgrade automated receipt, verification and analysis of prudential banking reports; •expand unified technologies to cover ATM and CATsupported bill settlement transactions; •build up electronic payment documents archiving capabilities; •encourage greater customer use of Client-Bank remote-access account-monitoring service; •expand the ATM network and adapt it to processing EMV cards; •have EMV card service VISA-validated; •enhance the system of security, monitoring, maintenance and administration of computers and other network elements; •upgrade the computer network and server equipment; •enhance the software user counseling and technical support service; •implement a software application to analyze lending operations; •implement a software product to log operating risks; •upgrade specialist computer systems; •develop added automating capabilities to handle receipt, verification and consolidation of banking reports; •introduce new automated transaction-processing capabilities to reduce financial and labor costs; •install own software products at the Bank’s branches; and •update software applications to comport with applicable law modifications and user requirements. annual report 2006 HUMAN RESOURCES DEVELOPMENT The Bank’s personnel policy was geared toward building up a dedicated and competent team of associates capable of tackling challenges facing the Bank, enhancing its business performance and consistently expanding the mix of top-quality products and services. Given these tasks, the main emphasis was placed on the adequate staff recruitment and deployment, optimization of the organizational structure, raising professional competencies, and fostering in-house corporate culture. As at January 1, 2007, Belvnesheconombank’s staff comprised 2,216 employees, including 872 working in the head office, 1,338 deployed in the Bank’s branches, and 6 — in the Bank’s representative offices in Moscow and Warsaw. Executive officers and all staff members in the Bank’s core business areas held relevant university-level degrees. Among them there were 10 PhD and 2 MBA degree holders. Employees under the age of 40 made up over 60% of the total workforce. With a view to raising staff skills the Bank’s training center ran 24 workshops attended by 751 employees. Candidates for managerial positions and branch staff members were put through specially designed training programs in various divisions of the Bank. 105 staff members attended off-site workshops and skills upgrading programs with 18 employees completing such training programs abroad. In order to maintain adequate English language staff competency and facilitate business communication with foreign counterparts and customers, the Bank ran foreign language proficiency courses attended by 67 staff members. 50 staff pursued university-degree courses, with 20 of them taking second university-degree studies. In 2005, 12 staff members completed their course of studies and were awarded relevant academic credentials. Belvnesheconombank continued to promote its collabora- tion with domestic universities and colleges. 94 students completed their traineeships at the Bank’s divisions. Among them there were trainee students from Belarusian State Economic University, Belarusian State University, Belarusian State Technical University, Belarusian State University of Informatics and Radioelectronics, Academy of Management under the Republic of Belarus Presidency, Minsk College of Finance and Economics, Pinsk Higher Banking College, and also students from non-state educational establishments. 2007 BUSINESS OBJECTIVES Belvnesheconombank’s 2007 key objectives comprise enhancement of the Bank’s financial soundness and competitive advantages, expansion of volumes of lending to the real sector of the economy, participation in the most important state-run programs and investment and socially significant projects, extension of the spectrum of high-quality banking products and services, and consolidation of long-term and mutually rewarding business relations with the Bank’s clients, shareholders and business partners. With a view to attaining these objectives and also meeting the target benchmarks set forth in the 2007 Guidelines of the Monetary Policy of the Republic of Belarus, 2006‑2010 Program of the Republic of Belarus Banking Sector Development, and the Bank’s 2007 business plan, it is envisaged to: •generate profit growth by no less than 22% by raising operating efficiency through increasing return on equity capital and assets and bringing down operating expenses; •increase equity capital by no less than 26% and maintain it at a level adequate to cover the Bank’s risk exposures; •enlarge the funding base by no less than 20% by increasing the volume of funds placed with the Bank by its existing customers, recruiting exporting companies and companies engaged in foreign trade, corporate entities with foreign capital, and fast-growing private-sector companies, attracting household savings and funds of foreign banks and non-bank financial institutions; •continue to pursue an interest rate and fee policy to stimulate Br customer savings and ensure affordability of credit to all economic operators; self-employed entrepreneurs as well as to households by introducing new retail lending products; •step up efforts to attract investment loans to the country’s economy by making use of foreign bank credit lines under state programs with due compliance with the prudent banking practices; •generate improvements in the quality of the loan portfolio and reduce the share of customer and interbank problem loans and that of problem assets within the assets vulnerable to credit risks; •maintain the assets/liabilities structure at a level compliant with the Belarus National Bank regulations, and ensure a timely and complete discharge of its commitments toward customers and counteragent banks, to develop and implement measures to further advance the system of risk management, employing methods and instruments to identify, assess, duly prevent and minimize bank risks, as well as to raise efficiency of internal controls and corporate governance; •to continue to implement improvements in the Bank’s organizational structure by optimizing staffing levels at the head office and branches on the basis of their functional expediency, profit generation, volumes of operations and individual workloads of employees within structural units; further enhance the system of moral and financial incentives and rewards to maintain proper staff motivation levels with due account for each employee’s contribution to the overall business advancement of the Bank; and •continue to implement stringent all-round cost-saving measures and cut down administrative and operating expenditures. •increase the loan portfolio by no less than 23% by expanding lending to export-oriented industries, efficiently operating small and medium businesses and 43 2007 business objectives annual report 2006 balance sheet as at january 1, 2007 (Br, million) 2006 2005 Cash Due from the National Bank Securities: for trading held until maturity available for sale Loans and advances to other banks Loans to clients Long-term financial investments Fixed and intangible assets Other assets TOTAL assets 27 511,1 65 302,4 22 542,5 6 141,2 16 401,3 166 167,6 452 366,6 2 267,1 56 520,5 19 835,5 812 513,3 23 364,5 55 186,1 81 557,4 55 836,6 25 720,8 144 561,7 410 824,6 1 022,6 49 522,6 26 969,2 793 008,7 Due to the National Bank Loans and advances due to other banks Due to clients Securities issued by the Bank Other liabilities TOTAL liabilities 5 278,2 59 056,3 604 730,3 5,1 51 273,0 720 342,9 4 109,3 66 351,1 594 355,8 1 005,1 45 463,8 711 285,1 Authorized capital Issuance difference Reserve fund Retained profit Balance sheet items revaluation fund Total capital TOTAL LIABILITIES AND CAPITAL 24 122,1 11 873,5 18 659,7 37 515,1 92 170,4 812 513,3 24 124,0 11 053,1 16 834,0 29 712,5 81 723,6 793 008,7 260 802,0 200 868,7 184 705,8 201 834,1 Reference Items ASSETS 1101 1102 1103 11031 11032 11033 1105 1106 1107 1108 1109 110 LIABILITIES 1202 1205 1206 1208 1209 120 CAPITAL 1211 1212 1213 1214 1215 121 12 OFF-BALANCE SHEET CLAIMS AND LIABILITIES 1301 1302 Claims Liabilities Georgy A. Egorov Chairman of the Board Zinaida S. Kushnerova Chief Accountant PROFIT AND LOSS ACCOUNT as at January 1, 2007 (Br, million) Reference Items 2006 2005 2011 Interest income 65 232,2 60 215,4 2012 Interest expense 36 752,9 33 335,7 201 Net interest income 28 479,3 26 879,7 2021 Fee and commission income 34 467,1 33 991,9 2022 Fee and commission expense 3 120,3 2 299,1 202 Net fee and commission income 31 346,8 31 692,8 203 Net foreign exchange gain 13 725,2 8 868,6 204 Net gain from securities transactions 66,9 509,3 205 Dividend income 39,4 14,3 206 Net provision for reserves 7 479,9 1 919,9 207 Other income 6 358,5 10 584,9 208 Operating expense 54 291,2 51 940,7 209 Other expense 4 954,3 6 390,9 210 Income tax 5 085,4 10 651,0 PROFIT (LOSS) 8 205,3 7 647,1 34 32 - - 2 Basic earnings per ordinary share (Br) Diluted earnings per ordinary share Georgy A. Egorov Chairman of the Board Zinaida S. Kushnerova Chief Accountant 47 annual report 2006 STATEMENT of changes in capital, 2006 (Br, million) Reference Capital items Authorized capital Issuance difference Reserve fund Retained profit Balance sheet items revaluation fund Total capital 24124,0 - 11053,1 16834,0 29712,5 81723,6 Indicators 3011 Opening balance 3012 Change in capital for the year, including: -1,9 - 820,4 1825,7 7802,6 10446,8 30121 Profit for the year (loss shown with minus sign) х х х 8205,3 х 8205,3 30122 Profit appropriated for fund replenishment - х 820,6 -820,6 х - 30123 Dividend distribution х х х -5559,0** х -5559,0 30124 Founders’ (members’) contributions to authorized capital - - х х х - 30125 Revaluation of balance sheet items х х х х 7802,7 7802,7 30126 Redistribution between capital items - - - - - х 30127 Other changes -1,9*** - -0,2* - -0,1* -2,2 3013 Closing balance 24122,1 - 11873,5 18659,7 37515,1 92170,4 * round-off ** dividend distribution, including 3057.1 - for 2005 2501.9 - for 2006 *** purchased treasury shares Georgy A. Egorov Chairman of the Board Zinaida S. Kushnerova Chief Accountant STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS AS AT JANUARY 1, 2007 (Br, million) Items 2006 2005 Interest income Interest expense Fee and commission income Fee and commission expense Net income from forex operations Net income from securities operations Dividend income Other operating income Other operating expense Income tax paid Total cash profit (loss) prior to changes in operating assets and liabilities Net decrease (increase) of cash with the National Bank Net decrease (increase) of cash in securities Net decrease (increase) of loans and other cash advances with banks Net decrease (increase) of customer loans Net decrease (increase) of cash in other operating assets Total cash flows from changes in operating assets Net increase (decrease) of cash from the National Bank Net increase (decrease) of loans and other cash advances from banks Net increase (decrease) in customer accounts Net increase (decrease) of cash from issuance of own securities Net increase (decrease) of cash in other operating liabilities Total cash flows from changes in operating liabilities Net cash flows from (in) operating activities 64 979,5 -36 876,4 34 467,0 -3 118,0 13 725,7 66,9 39,4 3 157,0 -51 919,0 -5 257,7 19264.4 -9 954,5 59 023,2 -6 066,1 -42 802,9 6 709,6 6 909,3 1 125,7 -7 456,6 3 493,9 -999,4 3 340,9 -495,5 25 678,2 60 260,6 -32 066,9 33 992,0 -2 296,8 8 777,5 509,3 14,3 8 220,7 -51 934,2 -10 677,0 14799.5 -19 251,1 -70 187,9 4 856,2 -56 462,5 -10 688,8 -151 734,1 3 605,7 -19 164,6 188 463,6 54,8 8 121,7 181 081,2 44 146,6 -19 885,2 16 790,7 -1 245,1 — -4 339,6 -17 049,0 8 943,8 -325,5 — -8 430,7 — -1,9 — -5 474,2 -5 476,1 1 965,6 17 828,1 Х 90 498,7 — -7,2 — -5 290,5 -5 297,7 -1 677,0 28 741,2 72 670,6 Х Reference CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITY 7010 7011 7012 7013 7014 7015 7016 7017 7018 7019 701 7020 7021 7022 7023 7025 702 7030 7032 7033 7034 7035 703 70 CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTMENT ACTIVITIES 7110 7111 7112 7113 71 Purchase of fixed, intangible and other long-term assets Disposal of fixed, intangible and other long-term assets Purchase of long-term financial investments Disposal of long-term financial investments Net cash flows from (in) investment activities CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES 7211 7212 7213 7214 72 73 74 740 741 Issuance of shares Purchase of treasury shares Sale of previously purchased treasury shares Dividend distribution Net cash flows from (in) financing activities Effect of official rate on cash and cash equivalents Net increase (decrease) of cash and cash equivalents Cash and its equivalents at start of the period Cash and its equivalents at end of the period Georgy A. Egorov Chairman of the Board Zinaida S. Kushnerova Chief Accountant OPEN JOINT STOCK COMPANY “BELVNESHECONOMBANK” STATEMENT Of MANAGEMENT’S RESPONSIBILITIES FOR The PREPARATION AND APPROVAL Of The CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR The YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2006 The following statement, which should be read in conjunction with the independent auditors’ responsibilities stated in the independent auditors’ report set out on page 2‑3, is made with a view to distinguishing the respective responsibilities of management and those of the independent auditors in relation to the consolidated financial statements of Open Joint Stock Company “Belvnesheconombank” (the “Bank”) and its subsidiaries (the “Group”). Management is responsible for the preparation of the consolidated financial statements that present fairly the financial position of the Group as of 31 December 2006, the results of its operations, cash flows and changes in equity for the year then ended, in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards (“IFRS”). In preparing the consolidated financial statements, management is responsible for: •Selecting suitable accounting principles and applying them consistently; •Making judgements and estimates that are reasonable and prudent; •Stating whether IFRS have been followed, subject to any material departures disclosed and explained in the consolidated financial statements; and •Preparing the consolidated financial statements on a going concern basis, unless it is inappropriate to presume that the Group will continue its business for the foreseeable future. Management is also responsible for: •Designing, implementing and maintaining an effective and sound system of internal controls, throughout the Group; •Maintaining proper accounting records that disclose, with reasonable accuracy at any time, the financial position of the Group, and which enable them to ensure that the consolidated financial statements of the Group comply with IFRS; •Maintaining statutory accounting records in compliance with legislation and accounting standards of the Republic of Belarus; •Taking such steps as are reasonably available to them to safeguard the assets of the Group; and •Detecting and preventing fraud, errors and other irregularities. The consolidated financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2006 were authorised for issue on 2 May 2007 by the management of the Bank. Georgy A. Egorov Chairman of the Board Zinaida S. Kushnerova Chief Accountant INDEPENDENT AUDITORS’ REPORT Foraign Enterprise Deloitte & Touche 51 Korolya Street Minsk, 220004 Belarus Тel.: +375(0)17 200 0353 Fax: +375(0)17 200 0414 www.deloitte.by To the Shareholders and Supervisory Council of the Open Joint Stock Company “Belvnesheconombank”: We have audited the accompanying consolidated financial statements of the Open Joint Stock Company “Belvnesheconombank” (the “Bank”) and its subsidiaries (the “Group”), which comprise the balance sheet as of 31 December 2006, and the income statement, statements of changes in equity and cash flows for the year then ended, and a summary of significant accounting policies and other explanatory notes. Management’s Responsibility for the Financial Statements Management is responsible for the preparation and fair presentation of these consolidated financial statements in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards. This responsibility includes: designing, implementing and maintaining internal control relevant to the preparation and fair presentation of financial statements that are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error; selecting and applying appropriate accounting policies; and making accounting estimates that are reasonable in the circumstances. Auditors’ Responsibility Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these consolidated financial statements based on our audit. We conducted our audit in accordance with International Standards on Auditing. Those standards require that we comply with ethical requirements and plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance whether the financial statements are free from material misstatement. An audit involves performing procedures to obtain audit evidence about the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. The procedures selected depend on the auditor’s judgment, including the assessment of the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements, whether due to fraud or error. In making those risk assessments, the auditor considers internal control relevant to the entity’s preparation and fair presentation of the financial statements in order to design audit procedures that are appropriate in the circumstances, but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the entity’s internal control. An audit also includes evaluating the appropriateness of accounting policies used and the reasonableness of accounting estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the financial statements. We believe that the audit evidence we have obtained is sufficient and appropriate to provide a basis for our audit opinion. Qualification As discussed in Note 3,statements of income, changes in equity and cash flows for the year ended 31 December 2005 are not presented in these consolidated financial statements. In our opinion, this represents a departure from International Accounting Standard 1 “Presentation of financial statements”. Opinion In our opinion, except for the omission of comparative information for the year ended 31 December 2005, the consolidated financial statements present fairly, in all material respects the financial position of the Group as of 31 December 2006, and its financial performance and its cash flows for the year then ended in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards. Without further qualifying our opinion, we draw attention to Note 3, describing the restatement effect of consolidation of subsidiaries as of 31 December 2005. Without further qualifying our opinion, we draw attention to Note 28, describing uncertainties currently existing in the economic environment in the Republic of Belarus. 2 May 2007 Minsk 51 annual report 2006 OPEN JOINT STOCK COMPANY “BELVNESHECONOMBANK” (Br, million) Notes Year ended 31 December 2006 Interest income Interest expense 4, 24 4, 24 NET INTEREST INCOME BEFORE PROVISION FOR IMPAIRMENT LOSSES ON INTEREST BEARING ASSETS Provision for impairment losses on interest bearing assets 29,353 5, 24 NET INTEREST INCOME Net gain on foreign exchange operations Fee and commission income Fee and commission expense Net realized gain on investments available for sale Other income 66,155 (36,802) (6,211) 23,142 6 7, 24 7 8 14,054 34,688 (3,135) 66 19,131 NET NON-INTEREST INCOME 64,804 OPERATING INCOME 87,946 OPERATING EXPENSES 9, 24 OPERATING PROFIT Recovery of provision for impairment losses on other transactions 12,861 5 PROFIT BEFORE INCOME TAXES Income taxes expense (75,085) 434 13,295 10 NET PROFIT Attributable to: Shareholders of the Bank Minority interest (6,425) 6,870 7,222 (352) Georgy A. Egorov Chairman of the Board Zinaida S. Kushnerova Chief Accountant The notes on pages 57-95 form an integral part of these consolidated financial statements. The Independent Auditors’ Report is on page 51 OPEN JOINT STOCK COMPANY “BELVNESHECONOMBANK” (Br, million) Notes 31 December 31 December 2006 2005 (restated) 11, 24 90,933 87,296 12, 24 13, 24 14, 24 15 16 703 175,051 420,904 23,970 97,492 14,754 353 132,341 379,315 81,778 99,799 13,522 823,807 794,404 5,278 64,412 632,742 5 5,555 15,726 4,110 71,072 600,495 5 5,075 14,867 723,718 695,624 226,947 (556) (127,594) 226,947 (554) (129,257) 98,797 97,136 1,292 1,644 Total equity 100,089 98,780 TOTAL LIABILITIES AND EQUITY 823,807 794,404 ASSETS: Cash and balances with the National Bank of the Republic of Belarus Precious metals Due from banks Loans to customers Investments in securities Property, equipment and intangible assets Other assets TOTAL ASSETS LIABILITIES AND EQUITY LIABILITIES: Due to the National Bank of the Republic of Belarus Due to banks Customer accounts Debt securities issued Deferred income tax liabilities Other liabilities 17, 24 18, 24 19, 24 10 20, 24 Total liabilities EQUITY: Share capital Treasury shares Accumulated deficit Total equity attributable to shareholders of the Bank Minority interest 21 Georgy A. Egorov Chairman of the Board Zinaida S. Kushnerova Chief Accountant The notes on pages 57-95 form an integral part of these consolidated financial statements. The Independent Auditors’ Report is on page 51 53 сonsolidated financial statements annual report 2006 OPEN JOINT STOCK COMPANY “BELVNESHECONOMBANK” (Br, million) Notes Share capital Treasury shares Accumu-lated deficit Total equity attributable to shareholders of the Bank Minority interest Total equity 226,947 (45) (132,118) 94,784 - 94,784 - (509) 2,861 2,352 1,644 3,996 226,947 (554) (129,257) 97,136 1,644 98,780 - (2) - (2) - (2) - - 7,222 7,222 (352) 6,870 21 - - (3,057) (3,057) - (3,057) 21 - - (2,502) (2,502) - (2,502) 226,947 (556) (127,594) 98,797 1,292 100,089 31 December 2005 as previously reported Effect of consolidation of subsidiaries (Note 3) 31 December 2005 restated Purchase of treasury shares Net profit Dividends declared for 2005 Interim dividends declared for 2006 31 December 2006 Georgy A. Egorov Chairman of the Board Zinaida S. Kushnerova Chief Accountant The notes on pages 57-95 form an integral part of these consolidated financial statements. The Independent Auditors’ Report is on page 51 OPEN JOINT STOCK COMPANY “BELVNESHECONOMBANK” (Br, million) Notes Year ended 31 December 2006 CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES: Profit before income taxes Adjustments for: Provision for impairment losses on interest bearing assets Recovery of provision for impairment losses on other transactions Change in insurance reserves Depreciation and amortisation Loss on disposal of property and equipment Change in accounting estimate on hyperinflation of property, equipment and intangible assets Change in interest accruals, net Translation differences, net 13,295 Cash flows from operating activities before changes in operating assets and liabilities 26,405 Changes in operating assets and liabilities (Increase)/decrease in operating assets: Minimum reserve deposit with the National Bank of the Republic of Belarus Precious metals Due from banks Loans to customers Other assets Increase/(decrease) in operating liabilities: Due to the National Bank of the Republic of Belarus Due to banks Customer accounts Other liabilities 6,211 (434) 454 7,013 108 531 (1,115) 342 1,295 (350) (49,369) (42,793) (1,444) 1,150 (6,822) 23,776 2,239 Cash outflow from operating activities before taxation (45,913) Income taxes paid (6,066) Net cash outflow from operating activities (51,979) CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES: Purchase of property, equipment and intangible assets Proceeds on sale of property, equipment and intangible assets Proceeds on sale and redemption of investments available for sale, net (6,510) 67 57,829 Net cash inflow from investing activities 51,386 55 сonsolidated financial statements annual report 2006 OPEN JOINT STOCK COMPANY “BELVNESHECONOMBANK” (Br, million) Notes Year ended 31 December 2006 CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES: Purchase of treasury shares Dividends paid (2) (5,475) Net cash outflow from financing activities (5,477) NET DECREASE IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS (6,070) EFFECT OF CHANGES IN FOREIGN EXCHANGE RATES ON CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS 822 CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, beginning of year (restated) 11 121,282 CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, end of year 11 116,034 Interest paid and received by the Group during the year ended 31 December 2006 amounted to BYR 37,211 million and BYR 65,449 million, respectively. Georgy A. Egorov Chairman of the Board Zinaida S. Kushnerova Chief Accountant The notes on pages 57-95 form an integral part of these consolidated financial statements. The Independent Auditors’ Report is on page 51 OPEN JOINT STOCK COMPANY “BELVNESHECONOMBANK” (Br, million) 1. ORGANISATION Open Joint Stock Company “Belvnesheconombank” (the “Bank”) was established on 12 December 1991 as a result of the separation of the Belarus branch of the Bank for Foreign Economic Affairs of the USSR. The Bank is incorporated in the Republic of Belarus as a joint stock commercial bank, in which the shareholders have limited liability. The Bank’s registered office is 32 Myasnikova Str., Minsk, Belarus. The Bank provides a wide range of banking services to its clients, which are mainly local enterprises. The Bank’s primary areas of operations include granting loans to exporting and other industries, issuing and processing export and import letters of credit, transferring payments, exchanging foreign currencies upon demand of its customers and for currency trading purposes, attracting deposits and transactions with debt securities. The Bank has general and other special banking licenses, which allow it to maintain accounts and attract demand and time deposits from individuals and corporate customers, carry out transactions with precious metals and operations with securities. As of 31 December 2006 and 2005 the Bank had 24 and 26 branches in Belarus and representative offices in Moscow (Russia) and Warsaw (Poland). The Bank is a parent company of a group (the “Group”) which consists of the following enterprises consolidated in the financial statements: Name Country of registration and operation The Bank effective ownership interest, % 2006 2005 Type of operation USP “Belvneshstrah” Republic of Belarus 100% 100% Insurance KSO “Vneshstrojinvest” OOO Republic of Belarus 51% 51% Operation of fitness-center KSO “Vnesheconomstroj” OOO Republic of Belarus 51% 51% Construction, real estate transactions CJSC “Belinterfinance” Republic of Belarus 51% 51% Wholesale trade CJSC “Interecon-N” Republic of Belarus 55.9% 55.9% Property valuation services, rent of property, trade PUE “Agrofirma “Orda” Republic of Belarus 51.0% 51.0% Agriculture The Bank owns 10% of CJSC “Interecon-N” directly and 90% through CJSC “Belinterfinance”. PUE “Agrofirma “Orda” is a 100% subsidiary of CJSC “Belinterfinance”. ZAO “Mezhotraslevoj institut nezavisimoj expertisy investitionnyh proektov”(Interindustry institute of independent assessment of investment projects), of which the Bank owns 52% was not consolidated since the effect of consolidation would not be significant (see Note 14). 57 сonsolidated financial statements annual report 2006 As of 31 December 2006 and 2005 the structure of the Bank’s share capital was the following: Shareholder 31 December 31 December 2006, % 2005, % National Bank of the Republic of Belarus 33.52% 33.52% JSC Natsionalny Kosmichesky Bank (Russia) 20.00% 32.46% Ministry of Economy of the Republic of Belarus 6.27% 6.26% ZAO Pinskdrev 6.28% 6.28% RUE Belarusian Metal Plant 5.27% 5.27% Sergei M. Arshinov 4.153% - Viktor E. Grigoryev 4.153% - Sergei G. Nedoroslev 4.153% - Other 16.20% 16.21% Total 100.00% 100.00% The ultimate controlling party of the Bank as of 31 December 2006 and 2005 is the Republic of Belarus. These consolidated financial statements were authorized for issue by the management of the Bank on 2 May 2007. 2. BASIS Of PRESENTATION Accounting basis These consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards (“IFRS”) issued by the International Accounting Standards Board (“IASB”) and Interpretations issued by the International Financial Reporting Interpretations Committee (“IFRIC”), except for omission of comparative information for the income statement, statement of changes in equity and statement of cash flows for the year ended 31 December 2005. These financial statements are presented in millions of Belarusian roubles (“BYR”), unless otherwise indicated. These financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention except for the measurement of certain financial instruments at fair value and accounting for certain non-monetary assets that occurred before 31 December 2005 and are recognized according to International Accounting Standard 29 “Financial Reporting in Hyperinflationary Economies” (“IAS 29”). In accordance with IAS 29 the economy of the Republic of Belarus was considered to be hyperinflationary during 2005 and prior years. Starting 1 January 2006, the economy of the Republic of Belarus is no longer considered to be hyperinflationary and the values of the Group’s non-monetary assets, liabilities and equity as stated in measuring units as of 31 December 2005 have formed the basis for the amounts carried forward to 1 January 2006. The Group maintains its accounting records in accordance with the legislation of the Republic of Belarus. These financial statements have been prepared from the Belarusian statutory accounting records and have been adjusted to conform to IFRS. These adjustments include certain reclassifications to reflect the economic substance of underlying transactions including reclassifications of certain assets and liabilities, income and expenses to appropriate financial statement captions. Key assumptions The preparation of consolidated financial statements in conformity with IFRS requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the consolidated financial statements and reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. The estimates and associated assumptions are based on historical experience and various other factors that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances, the results of which form the basis of making the judgments about carrying values of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. Although these estimates are based on management’s best knowledge of current events and actions, actual results could differ from these estimates. Estimates that are particularly susceptible to change relate to the provisions for losses and impairment and the fair value of financial instruments. Key assumptions concerning the future and other key sources of estimation uncertainty at the balance sheet date, that have a risk of causing a material adjustment to the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities within the next financial period include: 31 December Loans to customers Equity investments 2006 420,904 1,428 31 December 2005 379,315 633 Loans to customers and equity investments are measured at amortized cost/cost less allowance for impairment losses. The estimation of allowance for impairment losses involves an exercise of judgment. It is impracticable to assess the extent of the possible effects of key assumptions or other sources of uncertainty on these balances at the balance sheet date. Functional currency The functional currency of these consolidated financial statements is the currency of the Republic of Belarus — Belarusian Rouble. 3. SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES Basis of consolidation The consolidated financial statements incorporate the financial statements of the Bank and the entities controlled by the Bank (its subsidiaries) made up to 31 December each year. Control is achieved where the Group has the power to govern the financial and operating policies of an investee so as to obtain benefits from its activities. Where necessary, adjustments are made to the financial statements of subsidiaries to bring the accounting policies used into line with those used by the Group. All significant transactions, balances, income and expenses on transactions with the subsidiaries are eliminated on consolidation. Investments in associates An associate is an entity over which the Group is in a position to exercise significant influence, but not control or joint control, through participation in the financial and operating policy decisions of the investee. The results and assets and liabilities of associates are incorporated in these consolidated financial statements using the equity method of accounting. 59 сonsolidated financial statements annual report 2006 Investments in associates are carried in the balance sheet at cost as adjusted by post-acquisition changes in the Group’s share of the net assets of the associate, less any impairment in the value of individual investments. Where the Group transacts with an associate of the Group, profits and losses are eliminated to the extent of the Group’s interest in the relevant associate. Investments in non-consolidated subsidiaries Investments in corporate shares where the Group owns more than 50% of share capital, but non-consolidation of such companies does not significantly affect the consolidated financial statements of the Group, as well as investments in corporate shares where the Group owns less than 20% of share capital, are accounted for at fair value. If such value cannot be estimated, investments are accounted for at cost less allowance for impairment, if any. Management periodically assesses recoverability of the carrying values of such investments and provides valuation allowances, if necessary. Such investments are accounted for as investments available for sale. Recognition and measurement of financial instruments The Group recognizes financial assets and liabilities on its balance sheet when it becomes a party to the contractual obligation of the instrument. Regular way purchase and sale of the financial assets and liabilities are recognized using settlement date accounting. Financial assets and liabilities are initially recognized at fair value plus, in the case of a financial asset or financial liability not at fair value through profit or loss, transaction costs that are directly attributable to acquisition or issue of the financial asset or financial liability. The accounting policies for subsequent re-measurement of these items are disclosed in the respective accounting policies set out below. Cash and cash equivalents Cash and cash equivalents include cash on hand, unrestricted balances on correspondent and time deposit accounts with the National Bank of the Republic of Belarus with original maturity within 90 days, due from banks in countries included in the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (“OECD”) with original maturity within 90 days, except for guarantee deposits and other restricted balances, which may be converted to cash within a short period of time. For purposes of determining cash flows, the minimum reserve deposit required by the National Bank of the Republic of Belarus is not included as a cash equivalent due to restrictions on its availability. Due from banks In the normal course of business, the Group maintains advances and deposits for various periods of time with other banks. Balances due from banks with fixed maturity are subsequently measured at amortized cost using the effective interest method. Those that do not have fixed maturities are carried at amortized cost based on expected maturities. Amounts due from banks are carried net of any allowance for impairment losses, if any. Repurchase and reverse repurchase agreements The Group enters into sale and purchase back agreements (“repos”) and purchase and sale back agreements (“reverse repos”) in the normal course of its business. Repos and reverse repos are utilized by the Group as an element of its treasury management. A repo is an agreement to transfer a financial asset to another party in exchange for cash or other consideration and a concurrent obligation to reacquire the financial assets at a future date for an amount equal to the cash or other consideration exchanged plus interest. These agreements are accounted for as financing transactions. Financial assets sold under repo are retained in the consolidated financial statements and consideration received under these agreements is recorded as collateralized deposit received. Assets purchased under reverse repos are recorded in the consolidated financial statements as cash placed on deposit which is collateralized by securities and other assets. In the event that assets purchased under reverse repo are sold to third parties, the results are recorded with the gain or loss included in net gains/(losses) on respective assets. Any related income or expense arising from the pricing difference between purchase and sale of the underlying assets is recognized as interest income or expense. Derivative financial instruments The Group enters into derivative financial instruments to manage currency and liquidity risks. Derivatives entered into by the Group include foreign currency forwards and swaps. Derivative financial instruments are initially recorded and subsequently measured at fair value. Fair values are obtained from the interest rates model. Most of the derivatives the Group enters into are of a short-term nature. The results of the valuation of derivatives are reported in assets (aggregate of positive market values) or liabilities (aggregate of negative market values), respectively. Both positive and negative valuation results are recognized in the consolidated income statement for the year in which they arise under net gain on foreign exchange operations for foreign currency derivatives. Loans to customers Loans to customers are non-derivative assets with fixed or determinable payments that are not quoted in an active market other than those classified in other categories of financial assets. Loans granted by the Group with fixed maturities are initially recognized at fair value plus related transaction costs. Where the fair value of consideration given does not equal the fair value of the loan, for example where the loan is issued at lower than market rates, the difference between the fair value of consideration given and the fair value of the loan is recognized as a loss on initial recognition of the loan and included in the income statement according to nature of these losses. Subsequently, loans are carried at amortized cost using the effective interest method. Loans to customers are carried net of any allowance for impairment losses. Write off of loans Loans are written off against allowance for loan losses in case of uncollectibility, including through repossession of collateral. Loans are written off after management has exercised all possibilities to collect amounts due to the Group. In accordance with the Bank’s policy loans are written off after the respective decision of the Credit Committee, which previously made decision on the issuance of the loan. Allowance for impairment losses The Group establishes an allowance for losses on financial assets when there is objective evidence that a financial asset or group of financial assets is impaired. The allowance for impairment losses is measured as the difference between carrying amounts and the present value of expected future cash flows, including amounts recoverable from guarantees and collateral, discounted at the financial asset’s original effective interest rate, for financial assets which are carried at amortized cost. If in a subsequent period the amount of the impairment loss decreases and the decrease can be related objectively to an event occurring after the impairment was recognised, the previously recognised impairment loss is reversed by adjusting an allowance account. For financial assets carried at cost the allowance 61 сonsolidated financial statements annual report 2006 for impairment losses is measured as the difference between the carrying amount of the financial asset and the present value of estimated future cash flows discounted at the current market rate of return for a similar financial asset. Such impairment losses are not reversed. The determination of the allowance for impairment losses is based on an analysis of the risk assets and reflects the amount which, in the judgment of management, is adequate to provide for losses incurred. Allowances are made as a result of an individual appraisal of risk for financial assets that are individually significant, and an individual or collective assessment for financial assets that are not individually significant. The change in the allowance for impairment losses is charged to the consolidated income statement and the total of the allowance for impairment losses is deducted in arriving at assets as shown in balance sheet. Factors that the Group considers in determining whether it has objective evidence that an impairment loss has been incurred include information about the debtors’ or issuers’ liquidity, solvency and business and financial risk exposures, levels of and trends in delinquencies for similar financial assets, national and local economic trends and conditions, and the fair value of collateral and guarantees. These and other factors may, either individually or taken together, provide sufficient objective evidence that an impairment loss has been incurred in a financial asset or group of financial assets. It should be understood that estimates of losses involve an exercise of judgment. While it is possible that in particular periods the Group may sustain losses, which are substantial relative to the allowance for impairment losses, it is the judgment of management that the allowance for impairment losses is adequate to absorb losses incurred on the risk assets. Finance leases Finance leases are leases that transfer substantially all the risks and rewards incidental to ownership of an asset. Title may or may not eventually be transferred. Whether a lease is a finance lease or an operating lease depends on the substance of the transaction rather than the form of the contract. The lease is classified as a finance lease if: •The lease transfers ownership of the asset to the lessee by the end of the lease term; •The lessee has the option to purchase the asset at a price which is expected to be sufficiently lower than the fair value at the date the option becomes exercisable such that, at the inception of the lease, it is reasonably certain that the option will be exercised; •The lease term is for the major part of the economic life of the asset even if title is not transferred; •At the inception of the lease the present value of the minimum lease payments amounts to at least substantially all of the fair value of the leased asset; and •The leased assets are of a specialised nature such that only the lessee can use them without major modifications being made. The Group as a lessor presents finance leases as loans and initially measures them in the amount equal to net investment in the lease. Subsequently the recognition of finance income is based on a pattern reflecting a constant periodic rate of return on the Group’s net investment in the finance lease. Operating leases Leases of assets under which the risks and rewards of ownership are effectively retained with the lessor are classified as operating leases. Lease payments/income under operating leases are recognized as expenses/income on a straight-line basis over the lease term and included in operating expenses/income. Investments available for sale Investments available for sale represent debt and equity investments that are intended to be held for an indefinite period of time. Such securities are initially recorded at fair value. Subsequently the securities are measured at fair value, with such re-measurement recognized directly in equity (except for the cases when total amount of re-measurement effect for the period is not material; then it is recognized in the income statement) until sold when gain/loss previously recorded in equity recycles through the income statement, except for impairment losses, foreign exchange gains or losses and interest income accrued using the effective interest method, which are recognized directly in the income statement. The Group uses quoted market prices to determine the fair value for the Group’s debt investments available for sale. If the market for debt investments is not active, the Group establishes fair value by using a valuation technique. Valuation techniques include using recent arm’s length market transactions between knowledgeable, willing parties, reference to the current fair value of another instrument that is substantially the same, discounted cash flow analysis and option pricing models. If there is a valuation technique commonly used by market participants to price the instrument and that technique has been demonstrated to provide reliable estimates of prices obtained in actual market transactions, the Group uses that technique. Dividends received are included in dividend income in the consolidated income statement. Non-marketable debt and equity securities are stated at amortized cost and cost, respectively, less impairment losses, if any, unless fair value can be reliably measured. When there is objective evidence that such securities have been impaired, the cumulative loss previously recognized in equity is removed from equity and recognized in the income statement for the period. Reversals of such impairment losses on debt instruments, which are objectively related to events occurring after the impairment, are recognized in the income statement for the period. Reversals of such impairment losses on equity instruments are not recognized in the income statement. Property, equipment and intangible assets Property, equipment and intangible assets, acquired after 1 January 2006 are carried at historical cost less accumulated depreciation and any recognized impairment loss, if any. Property, equipment and intangible assets, acquired before 1 January 2006 are carried at historical cost restated for inflation less accumulated depreciation and any recognized impairment loss, if any. Depreciation on assets under construction and those not placed in service commences from the date the assets are ready for their intended use. Depreciation of property, equipment and intangible assets is charged on the carrying value of property, equipment and intangible assets and is designed to write off assets over their useful economic lives. It is calculated on a straight line basis at the following annual prescribed rates: Buildings Computer equipment Vehicles Agricultural machinery and equipment Furniture and other assets Intangible assets 63 сonsolidated financial statements 1-2% 10-20% 11-20% 9-15% 8-25% 10-50% annual report 2006 Leasehold improvements are amortized over the shorter of the lease period and the life of the related leased asset. Expenses related to repairs and renewals are charged when incurred and included in operating expenses unless they qualify for capitalization. The carrying amounts of property, equipment and intangible assets are reviewed at each balance sheet date to assess whether they are recorded in excess of their recoverable amounts, and where carrying values exceed this estimated recoverable amount, assets are written down to their recoverable amount. Taxation Income taxes expense represents the sum of the current and deferred tax expense. The current taxes expense is based on taxable profit for the year and is computed in accordance with legislation. Taxable profit differs from net profit as reported in the income statement because it excludes items of income or expense that are taxable or deductible in other years and it further excludes items that are never taxable or deductible. The Group’s current taxes expense is calculated using tax rates that have been enacted or substantively enacted by the balance sheet date. Deferred tax is the tax expected to be payable or recoverable on differences between the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities in the consolidated financial statements and the corresponding tax bases used in the computation of taxable profit, and is accounted for using the balance sheet liability method. Deferred tax liabilities are generally recognized for all taxable temporary differences and deferred tax assets are recognized to the extent that it is probable that taxable profits will be available against which deductible temporary differences can be utilized. Such assets and liabilities are not recognized if the temporary difference arises from goodwill or from the initial recognition (other than in a business combination) of other assets and liabilities in a transaction that affects neither the tax profit nor the accounting profit. Deferred tax liabilities are recognized for taxable temporary differences arising on investments in subsidiaries and associates, and interests in joint ventures, except where the Group is able to control the reversal of the temporary difference and it is probable that the temporary difference will not reverse in the foreseeable future. The carrying amount of deferred tax assets is reviewed at each balance sheet date and reduced to the extent that it is no longer probable that sufficient taxable profits will be available to allow all or part of the asset to be recovered. Deferred tax is calculated at the tax rates that are expected to apply in the period when the liability is settled or the asset is realized. Deferred tax is charged or credited in the consolidated income statement, except when it relates to items charged or credited directly to equity, in which case the deferred tax is also dealt with in equity. The Republic of Belarus also has various other taxes, which are assessed on the Group’s activities. These taxes are included as a component of operating expenses in the consolidated income statement. Due to banks and customers Balances due to banks and customers are initially recognized at fair value. Subsequently amounts due at fixed maturities are stated at amortized cost and any difference between net proceeds and the redemption value is recognized in the consolidated income statement over the period of the borrowings using the effective interest method. Those that do not have fixed maturities are carried at amortized cost based on expected maturities. Debt securities issued Debt securities issued represent promissory notes, certificates of deposit and debentures issued by the Group. They are accounted for according to the same principles used for customer and bank deposits. Provisions Provisions are recognized when the Group has a present legal or constructive obligation as a result of past events, and it is probable that an outflow of resources embodying economic benefits will be required to settle the obligation and a reliable estimate of the obligation can be made. Financial guarantee contracts issued and letters of credit Financial guarantee contracts and letters of credit issued by the Group are credit insurance that provides for specified payments to be made to reimburse the holder for a loss it incurs because a specified debtor fails to make payment when due under the original or modified terms of a debt instrument. Such financial guarantee contracts and letters of credit issued are initially recognized at fair value. Subsequently they are measured at the higher of (a) the amount recognized as provision and (b) the amount initially recognized less, where appropriate, cumulative amortization of initial premium revenue received over the financial guarantee contracts or letter of credit issued. Insurance operations Premiums written — Upon inception of a contract, premiums are recorded as written and are earned primarily on a pro-rata basis over the term of the related policy coverage through changes in provision for unearned premiums. Provision for unearned premiums — Provision for unearned premiums represent the proportion of premiums written in the period that relates to unexpired terms of policies in force as at the balance sheet date, calculated on a time apportionment basis. Claims paid — Claims paid including claims handling expenses are charged to the consolidated income statement as incurred. Insurance loss provision — Loss provision represents the accumulation of estimates for ultimate losses and includes outstanding claims provision and provision for losses incurred but not yet reported. The estimation is made on the basis of investigation of insurance cases on a claim-by-claim basis. Once the provision is created, the Group keeps insurance liabilities in its balance sheet until they are discharged or cancelled, or expire. The methods of determining such estimates and establishing the resulting provisions are continually reviewed and updated. Resulting adjustments are reflected in the consolidated income statement as they arise. The loss reserves are estimated on an undiscounted basis due to the relatively quick pattern of claims notification and payment. Share capital Contributions to share capital, made before 1 January 2006 are recognized at their cost restated for inflation. Contributions to share capital after 1 January 2006 are recognized at cost. Non-cash contributions are included into the share capital at fair value of the contributed assets. Treasury shares are recognized at cost. Treasury shares repurchased before 1 January 2006 are carried at cost restated for inflation. Dividends on ordinary shares are recognized in equity as a reduction in the period in which they are declared. Dividends that are declared after the balance sheet date are treated as a subsequent event under International Accounting Standard 10 “Events after the Balance Sheet Date” (“IAS 10”) and disclosed accordingly. 65 сonsolidated financial statements annual report 2006 Retirement and other benefit obligations In accordance with the requirements of the Belarusian legislation, the Group withholds amounts of pension contributions from employee salaries and pays them to the state pension fund. Such pension system provides for calculation of current payments by the employer as a percentage of current total disbursements to staff. Such expense is charged in the period the related salaries are earned. Upon retirement all retirement benefit payments are made by the State. The Group does not have any pension arrangements separate from the State pension system of the Republic of Belarus. In addition, the Group has no post-retirement benefits or other significant compensated benefits requiring accrual. Recognition of income and expense Interest income and expense are recognized on an accrual basis using the effective interest method. The effective interest method is a method of calculating the amortized cost of a financial asset or a financial liability (or group of financial assets or financial liabilities) and of allocating the interest income or interest expense over the relevant period. The effective interest rate is the rate that exactly discounts estimated future cash payments or receipts through the expected life of the financial instrument or, when appropriate, a shorter period to the net carrying amount of the financial asset or financial liability. Once a financial asset or a group of similar financial assets has been written down (partly written down) as a result of an impairment loss, interest income is thereafter recognized using the rate of interest used to discount the future cash flows for the purpose of measuring the impairment loss. Interest income also includes income earned on investments in securities. Loan servicing fees are recognized as an adjustment to the effective interest rate of the loan. All other commissions are recognized when services are provided. Other income is credited to consolidated income statement when the related transactions are completed. Revenue and expenses from non-banking activities (fitness services, wholesale trade, agriculture) are recognized on accrual basis. Foreign currency translation Monetary assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies are translated into BYR at the appropriate rates of exchange ruling at the balance sheet date. Foreign currency transactions are accounted for at the exchange rates prevailing at the date of the transaction. Profits and losses arising from these translations are included in net gain on foreign exchange operations. Rates of exchange The exchange rates at year-end used by the Group in the preparation of the consolidated financial statements are as follows: 31 December 31 December 2006 2005 BYR/USD 2,140.00 2,152.00 BYR/EUR 2,817.31 2,546.35 BYR/RUB 81.13 74.86 Offset of financial assets and liabilities Financial assets and liabilities are offset and reported net on the balance sheet when the Group has a legally enforceable right to set off the recognized amounts and the Group intends either to settle on a net basis or to realize the asset and settle the liability simultaneously. In accounting for a transfer of a financial asset that does not qualify for derecognition, the Group does not offset the transferred asset and the associated liability. Accounting for the effects of hyperinflation The Republic of Belarus was considered to be hyperinflationary in 2005 and prior years as defined by IAS 29. Accordingly, the comparative amounts to these financial statements were adjusted and reclassified to include restatement, in accordance with IAS 29, for changes in the general purchasing power of the Belarusian Rouble for the hyperinflationary years ended 31 December 2005. The restatement was made using the Consumer Price Index (“CPI”), published by the Ministry of Statistics and Analysis of the Republic of Belarus. The CPI for the five years ended 31 December 2005 were as follows: Year % change 2005 8% 2004 14% 2003 25% 2002 35% 2001 46% Monetary assets and liabilities were not restated because they were already expressed in terms of the monetary unit current as of 31 December 2005. Non-monetary assets and liabilities (items which were not already expressed in terms of the monetary unit current as of 31 December 2005) were restated by applying the relevant index. The effect of inflation on the Group’s net monetary position was included in the consolidated income statement as loss on net monetary position for the respective reporting period. Amounts included in the consolidated income statement have been indexed by the change in the CPI based on the following assumptions: •inflation has occurred evenly over the year; •income and expenses have accrued evenly over the year. Adoption of new and revised International Financial Reporting Standards In the current year, the Group has adopted all of the new and revised Standards and Interpretations issued by the International Accounting Standards Board (the IASB) and the International Financial Reporting Interpretations Committee (the IFRIC) of the IASB that are relevant to its operations and effective for annual reporting periods beginning on 1 January 2006. The adoption of these new and revised Standards and Interpretations had the following impact on the consolidated financial statements of the Group: amendments to IAS 39 “Financial Instruments: Recognition and Measurement” (“IAS 39”) effective for accounting periods beginning on 1 January 2006 imposed restrictions on designation of financial assets or financial liabilities as at fair value through profit or loss at initial recognition. The Group de-designated all its financial assets previously designated at fair value through profit or loss since they do not qualify for such designation in accordance with amended IAS 39. These financial assets are classified as invest- 67 сonsolidated financial statements annual report 2006 ments available for sale and accounted for as such (Note 14). De-designation was made retrospectively as required by transitional provisions of IAS 39. Changes in accounting estimates In the financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2006 the Group adjusted the effect of hyperinflation on property, equipment and intangible assets due to change in accounting estimate related to application of more precise method of restatement of the item under International Accounting Standard 29 “Financial reporting in hyperinflationary economies”. Adjustments to cost and accumulated depreciation of property, equipment and intangible assets are presented in Note 15. Net effect in the amount of BYR 531 million was recognized in operating expenses (Note 9). Prior period restatements In the financial statements as of and for the year ended 31 December 2005 the Bank did not consolidate the subsidiaries. The Bank performed consolidation of subsidiaries in the financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2006 and restated the comparative balance sheet. Comparative information for the year ended 31 December 2005 for the statements of income, changes in equity and cash flows was not presented. The restatement effect of consolidation of subsidiaries as of 31 December 2005 is as follows: Balance sheet item Amount as per the previous report Effect on the balance sheet items Amount as per current report Total assets as of 31 December 2005 784,660 9,744 794,404 Total liabilities as of 31 December 2005 (689,876) (5,748) (695,624) Equity attributable to shareholders of the Bank as of 31 December 2005 94,784 2,352 97,136 — 1,644 1,644 94,784 3,996 98,780 Minority interest as of 31 December 2005 Total equity as of 31 December 2005 Reclassifications Certain reclassifications have been made to the financial statements as of 31 December 2005 to conform to the presentation as of 31 December 2006 as current year presentation provides better view of the financial position of the Group. The amount of deposit in the National bank of the Republic of Belarus in excess of daily minimum deposit requirement was included into the cash and cash equivalent. As a result cash and cash equivalents as of 31 December 2005 increased by BYR 11,663 million. Adoption of new standards At the date of authorization of these financial statements, the following Standards and Interpretations applicable to the Group were issued but not yet effective for these financial statements: International Financial Reporting Standard 7 «Financial Instruments: Disclosure» effective from 1 January 2007 requires disclosure of additional information on financial instruments. Amendments to International Accounting Standard 1 “Presentation of Financial Statements” effective 1 January 2007 requires disclosure of the objectives, policies and practices for managing capital. Currently the Group estimates the effect of these new and amended standards on its financial statements and develops an action plan to modify its accounting and reporting systems to provide a reliable disclosure of the required information. The Group anticipates that the adoption of other Standards and Interpretations effective in future periods will have no material financial impact on the financial statements of the Group. 4. NET INTEREST INCOME Year ended 31 December 2006 Interest income Interest on loans to customers Interest on due from banks Interest on debt securities Other interest income 52,593 8,752 4,300 510 Total interest income 66,155 Interest expense Interest on customer accounts Interest on due to banks Interest on debt securities issued 32,295 4,095 412 Total interest expense 36,802 Net interest income before provision for impairment losses on interest bearing assets 29,353 5. ALLOWANCE FOR IMPAIRMENT LOSSES, OTHER PROVISIONS The movements in allowance for impairment losses on interest earning assets were as follows: Due from banks Loans to customers Total 31 December 2005 4 13,197 13,201 Provision/ (recovery of provision) Write-off of assets Exchange rate changes effect (4) - 6,215 (2,174) 55 6,211 (2,174) 55 - 17,293 17,293 31 December 2006 The movements in allowances for impairment losses on other transactions were as follows: Other assets Guarantees and other commitments Total 31 December 2005 1,134 2,118 3,252 Provision/ (recovery of provision) Write-off of assets 1,090 (111) (1,524) - (434) (111) 31 December 2006 2,113 594 2,707 Allowances for impairment losses on other assets are deducted from the related assets. Provisions for guarantees and other commitments are recorded in other liabilities. 69 сonsolidated financial statements annual report 2006 6. NET GAIN ON FOREIGN EXCHANGE OPERATIONS Net gain on foreign exchange operations comprises: Year ended 31 December 2006 Dealing, net 14,396 Translation differences, net (342) Total net gain on foreign exchange operations 14,054 7. FEE AND COMMISSION INCOME AND EXPENSE Fee and commission income and expense comprise: Year ended 31 December 2006 Fee and commission income: Customer accounts services 12,137 Cash operations 5,852 Documentary transactions 5,808 Plastic cards servicing 4,024 Payments processing 3,748 Foreign exchange operations 2,325 Settlements with other banks 170 Securities operations 90 Other 534 Total fee and commission income 34,688 Fee and commission expense: Cash operations 2,577 Correspondent bank services 282 Foreign exchange operations 243 Securities operations 31 Other 2 Total fee and commission expense 3,135 8. OTHER INCOME Other income comprises: Year ended 31 December 2006 Revenue on non-banking services rendered by subsidiaries Wholesale trade Fitness services Agriculture Rental income Insurance premiums earned, net 4,415 4,043 2,403 1,087 732 Other income Repayment of loans previously written off Net gain from sale of other assets Fines and penalties received Net gain on transactions with precious metals Rental income Other 3,967 832 348 261 224 819 Total other income 19,131 Net insurance premiums earned comprised the following: Year ended 31 December 2006 Gross premiums written 3,933 Gross premiums ceded (418) Change in provision for unearned premiums, gross (370) Change in reinsurer’s share of provision for unearned premiums (10) Net premiums earned 3,135 Gross claims paid Claims ceded Net claims paid (2,634) 305 (2,329) Change in loss provision, gross (47) Change in reinsurer’s share of loss provision (27) Net change in loss provision (74) Premiums earned net of losses incurred and net of claims paid 732 71 сonsolidated financial statements annual report 2006 Movement in insurance reserves is presented as follows: Provision for unearned premiums, gross (Note 20) Reinsurer’s portion in provision for unearned premiums (Note 16) Loss provision, gross (Note 20) Reinsurer’s portion in loss provision (Note 16) Technical reserves, net 707 370 (131) - 312 47 (68) - 820 417 - 10 - 27 37 1,077 (121) 359 (41) 1,274 As of 31 December 2005 Increase in reserves, gross Decrease in reinsurer’s portion of reserves As of 31 December 2006 9. OPERATING EXPENSES Operating expenses comprise: Year ended 31 December 2006 Payroll, bonuses and other short-term employee benefits 25,999 Social security contributions 8,713 Depreciation and amortization 7,013 Utilities, rentals and maintenance 5,500 Taxes, other than income tax 5,350 Cost of goods sold (subsidiaries — wholesale trade) 3,573 Expenses on maintenance of banking software 3,192 Security expenses 2,365 Stationery and other office expenses 1,703 Contributions to Deposit Insurance Fund 1,577 Raw materials and inventory consumed in non-banking activities 1,527 Professional services 1,197 Vehicles maintenance and fuel expenses 1,089 Communications 952 Change in accounting estimate of hyperinflation effect on property, equipment and intangible assets (Note 3) 531 Charity and sponsorship expenses 211 Loss on disposal of property and equipment 108 Other expenses 4,485 Total operating expenses 75,085 10. INCOME TAXES The Group provides for current taxes based on the statutory tax accounts maintained and prepared in accordance with the Belarusian statutory tax regulations. During the years ended 31 December 2006 and 2005, tax rate for Belarusian banks was 24% and 30% for the republican tax, and 3% for the municipal tax. The rates were charged successively. Therefore, in 2006 and 2005 the combined rate was 26.28% and 32.8%. Republican tax rate for USP “Belvneshstrah” was 30% during 2006 and 2005, and was changed to 24% from 1 January 2007. PUE “Agrofirma “Orda” was not subject to income taxes. The Group is subject to certain permanent tax differences due to non-tax deductibility of certain expenses and tax exemptions for certain income. Deferred taxes reflect the net tax effects of temporary differences between the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities for financial reporting purposes and the amounts used for tax purposes. Temporary differences as of 31 December 2006 and 2005 relate mostly to different methods of income and expense recognition as well as to recorded values of certain assets. The components of deferred assets and liabilities as of 31 December 2006 and 2005 are as follows: 31 December 31 December 2006 2005 Loans to banks and customers 1,686 2,620 Investments available for sale 962 371 Property, equipment and intangible assets 1,829 861 Other assets 1,656 1,337 Due to banks 857 - Other liabilities 213 1,446 Deferred assets 7,203 6,635 Less deferred tax assets not recognized (2,532) (1,464) 4,671 5,171 Accrued interest and commission income (2,925) (2,430) Investments available for sale (1,174) (1,174) Property, equipment and intangible assets (5,721) (6,170) Other assets (29) - Other liabilities (377) (472) Deferred liabilities (10,226) (10,246) Net deferred liability (5,555) (5,075) Deferred assets: Deferred liabilities: 73 сonsolidated financial statements annual report 2006 Relationships between tax expenses and accounting profit for the year ended 31 December 2006 are explained as follows: Year ended 31 December 2006 Profit before income taxes 13,295 Effect of intragroup eliminations (329) Aggregated profit before income taxes 12,966 Combined statutory tax rate for Bank 26.28% Tax at the statutory tax rate 3,407 Change in deferred tax assets not recognized 1,068 Effect of change in tax rate for USP “Belvneshstrah” (25) Tax effect on expenses not deductible for current income tax purposes 2,121 Tax effect of statutory losses not carried forward 8 Tax effect of other permanent differences (126) Effect of different tax rates applied to subsidiaries (28) Income tax expense 6,425 Current income taxes expense 5,945 Deferred income tax expense 480 Income tax expense 6,425 Deferred income tax liabilities Year ended 31 December 2006 At beginning of the period 5,075 Deferred income tax expense 480 At end of the period 5,555 Deferred tax assets not recognized Year ended 31 December 2006 At beginning of the period 1,464 Change in deferred tax assets not recognized 1,068 At end of the period 2,532 11. CASH AND BALANCES WITH The NATIONAL BANK Of The REPUBLIC Of BELARUS Cash and balances with the National Bank comprise: 31 December 2006 31 December 2005 Cash 25,631 22,703 Balances with the National Bank 65,302 64,593 Total cash and balances with the National Bank of the republic of Belarus 90,933 87,296 Included in balances with the National Bank is accrued interest in the amount of BYR 41 million and BYR 33 million as of 31 December 2006 and 2005, respectively. As of 31 December 2006 and 2005 included in balances with the National Bank are deposits denominated in platinum of BYR 3,916 million and BYR 3,414 million, respectively. The balance with the National Bank as of 31 December 2006 and 2005 included amounts of BYR 60,501 million and BYR 51,551 million, respectively, of which minimum reserve deposit amounted to BYR 38,593 million and BYR 39,888 million, respectively. The Bank is required to maintain the minimum reserve deposit at all times. Cash and cash equivalents for the purposes of the consolidated statement of cash flows comprise: 31 December 2006 31 December 2005 Cash and balances with the National Bank 90,933 87,296 Due from banks in OECD countries 63,694 73,874 154,627 161,170 Less minimum reserve deposit with the National Bank (38,593) (39,888) Total cash and cash equivalents, net 116,034 121,282 12. DUE FROM BANKS Due from banks comprise: 31 December 2006 31 December 2005 Loans and time deposits from other banks 100,449 54,997 Correspondent accounts and advances to banks 70,772 77,348 Due from other financial institutions 3,830 - 175,051 132,345 - (4) 175,051 132,341 Less allowance for impairment losses Total due from banks, net Movements in allowances for impairment losses for the year ended 31 December 2006 are disclosed in Note 5. 75 сonsolidated financial statements annual report 2006 Included in balances due from banks is accrued interest in the amount of BYR 186 million and BYR 105 million as of 31 December 2006 and 2005, respectively. As of 31 December 2006 and 2005 the Group had loans and advances to 8 banks in the amount of BYR 132,035 million and 3 banks in the amount of BYR 32,798 million, respectively, which individually exceeded 10% of the Group’s equity. As of 31 December 2006 and 2005 included in balances due from banks were fixed amounts of BYR 4,574 and BYR 41,520 million, respectively, placed as guarantee deposits on letters of credit, operations with plastic cards and travel cheques and settlements with the international payment systems. As of 31 December 2006 and 2005 a maximum credit risk exposure of balances due from banks amounted to BYR 175,051 million and BYR 132,341 million, respectively. 13. LOANS To CUSTOMERS Loans to customers comprise: 31 December Originated loans Net investment in finance lease Less allowance for impairment losses Total loans to customers, net 2006 31 December 2005 416,404 377,031 21,793 15,481 438,197 392,512 (17,293) (13,197) 420,904 379,315 As of 31 December 2006 and 2005 accrued interest income included in loans to customers amounted to BYR 3,589 million and BYR 2,280 million, respectively. Movements in allowances for impairment losses for the year ended 31 December 2006 are disclosed in Note 5. 31 December 2006 31 December 2005 Loans collateralized by equipment and goods in turnover 175,777 183,749 Loans collateralized by real estate 106,080 80,742 Loans collateralized by corporate and individual guarantees 47,730 1,728 Loans collateralized by other types of collateral 31,645 32,626 Loans collateralized by cash and securities 11,387 317 Loans collateralized by guarantees of state bodies and local authorities 7,352 20,144 Loans collateralized by liens over receivables 6,168 3,477 34,765 56,532 420,904 379,315 Unsecured loans Total loans to customers, net 31 December 2006 31 December 2005 Analysis by industry: Manufacturing 216,391 197,496 Trade 70,303 40,374 Individuals 54,242 34,731 Construction 19,951 22,835 Agriculture 11,479 5,042 Communications 1,788 3,761 46,750 75,076 420,904 379,315 Other Total loans to customers, net As of 31 December 2006 and 2005 the Group provided loans to 4 and 5 clients totalling BYR 74,944 million and BYR 64,233 million, respectively, which individually exceeded 10% of the Group’s equity. All loans are granted to companies operating in the Republic of Belarus, which represents significant geographical concentration in one region. Loans to individuals comprise the following products: 31 December 2006 31 December 2005 Consumer loans 38,104 23,924 Mortgage loans 15,715 8,530 Car purchase loans 1,768 2,350 55,587 34,804 Less allowance for impairment losses (1,345) (73) Total loans to individuals, net 54,242 34,731 The components of net investment in finance lease as of 31 December 2006 and 2005 are as follows: 31 December 2006 31 December 2005 Not later than one year 4,286 7,429 From one year to five years 21,871 11,246 Minimum lease payments 26,157 18,675 Less: unearned finance income (4,364) (3,194) Net investment in finance lease 21,793 15,481 As of 31 December 2006 and 2005 a maximum credit risk exposure of loans to customers amounted to BYR 420,904 million and BYR 379,315 million, respectively. 77 сonsolidated financial statements annual report 2006 14. INVESTMENTS In SECURITIES Investments in securities comprise: Interest to nominal % 31 December 2006 Interest to nominal % 31 December 2005 Debt securities available for sale: Short-term government bonds (“GKO”) 7.7‑12.0% 22,542 8.0‑18.5% 9,431 Long-term government bonds (“GDO”) - 14.9‑17.0% 8,956 Short-term bonds of the National Bank - 10.1% 53,833 Bills of exchange issued by Belarusian banks - 7.4‑21.6% 8,925 Equity securities available for sale: Corporate shares available for sale 151 620 Investment in unconsolidated subsidiary 13 13 22,706 81,778 1,264 - 23,970 81,778 Total investments available for sale Investment in associate Total investments in securities As of 31 December 2006 and 2005 interest income on debt securities amounting to BYR 823 million and BYR 1,507 million, respectively, was accrued and included in the investments available for sale. Short-term government bonds (“GKO”) — government securities with short-term maturities that are issued at discount to face value by the Ministry of Finance of the Republic of Belarus. Long-term government bonds (“GDO”) — government securities with original maturity of one year that are sold at discount to face value that are issued by the Ministry of Finance of the Republic of Belarus. Investment in an associate comprises: Share % JSC “Sivelga” 25% 31 December 1,264 2006 Type of operation Footwear manufacturing As of 31 December 2005 the Group’s share in JSC “Sivelga” was 17.24% and the investment in the amount of BYR 469 million was included in shares available for sale. In October 2006 the Group acquired significant influence over JSC “Sivelga”. The associate was recorded in the consolidated financial statements using equity method. ZAO “Mezhotraslevoj institut nezavisimoj expertisy investitionnyh proektov”(Interindustry institute of independent assessment of investment projects), where as of 31 December 2006 and 2005 the Group owned 52% was not consolidated since the effect of consolidation would not be significant. The Institute provides investment projects assessment services in the Republic of Belarus. 15. PROPERTY, EQUIPMENT AND INTANGIBLE ASSETS Buildings Computer equipment Vehicles Agricultural machinery and equipment Furniture and other assets Construc-tion in progress Intangible assets Total 67,568 4,357 13,724 75,049 5,832 733 94 167,357 Effect of change in accounting estimate (Note 3) 514 2,580 (2,991) (16,849) - 500 - Additions 307 1,922 919 1,314 605 334 11 5,412 Disposals (50) (795) (450) (2,625) - - (25) (3,945) 68,339 8,064 11,202 56,889 6,437 1,567 80 152,578 3,509 1,119 11,748 48,935 2,190 - 57 67,558 Effect of change in accounting estimate (Note 3) 553 (85) (2,731) (13,452) - - - (15,715) Charge for the year 835 1,633 644 3,075 818 - 8 7,013 Eliminated on disposals (16) (785) (427) (2,520) - - (22) (3,770) 4,881 1,882 9,234 36,038 3,008 - 43 55,086 31 December 2006 63,458 6,182 1,968 20,851 3,429 1,567 37 97,492 31 December 2005 64,059 3,238 1,976 26,114 3,642 733 37 99,799 At initial cost 31 December 2005 31 December 2006 (16,246) Accumulated depreciation 31 December 2005 31 December 2006 Net book value 79 сonsolidated financial statements annual report 2006 16. OTHER ASSETS Other assets comprise: 31 December 2006 31 December 2005 Trade receivables and other debtors in non-banking activities 5,637 4,997 Tax settlements, other than income tax 3,339 2,368 Inventory and goods for resale in non-banking activities 2,739 1,939 Prepayments and other debtors in banking activities 2,331 2,228 Prepaid expenses 1,444 770 Prepayments for property and equipment 722 363 Current income taxes asset 481 28 Reinsurer’s portion in insurance reserves — provision for unearned premiums 121 131 Reinsurer’s portion in insurance reserves — loss provision 41 68 Assets received through repossession of collateral 12 1,764 16,867 14,656 Less allowance for impairment losses (2,113) (1,134) Total other assets, net 14,754 13,522 Movements in allowances for impairment losses on other assets for the years ended 31 December 2006 are disclosed in Note 5. Movements in insurance reserves for the years ended 31 December 2006 are disclosed in Note 8. As of 31 December 2006 and 2005 tax settlements, other than income tax mainly include input value added tax balances relating to lease operations of the Group and inventory purchases of the subsidiaries. 17. DUE To The NATIONAL BANK Of The REPUBLIC Of BELARUS As of 31 December 2006 and 2005 balances due to the National Bank of the Republic of Belarus were represented by correspondent accounts. 18. DUE To BANKS Due to banks comprise: 31 December 2006 31 December 2005 Correspondent accounts of other banks 17,210 12,788 Loans from other banks and financial institutions 47,202 58,284 Total due to banks 64,412 71,072 As of 31 December 2006 and 2005 accrued interest expenses included in due to banks amounted to BYR 45 million and BYR 80 million, respectively. As of 31 December 2006 and 2005 included in due to banks was BYR 40,703 million and BYR 45,192 million denominated in USD due to International Commercial Bank of China (the Republic of China) with the final maturity in 2016 and interest rate of LIBOR+1%, which represents significant concentration (63% and 65% of total due to banks, respectively). As of 31 December 2006 and 2005 included into loans from other banks and financial institutions is liability due to an Italian insurance company in the total amount of BYR 2,854 million and BYR 3,690 million, respectively, with the final maturity in June 2010. The liability was recognized as a result of execution of a letter of guarantee issued under international trade transaction. 19. CUSTOMER ACCOUNTS Customer accounts comprise: 31 December 2006 2005 31 December Time deposits 337,025 314,416 Current deposits and deposits repayable on demand 295,717 286,079 Total customer accounts 632,742 600,495 As of 31 December 2006 and 2005 accrued interest expenses included in customers accounts amounted to BYR 1,094 million and BYR 1,468 million, respectively. As of 31 December 2006 customer accounts amounting to BYR 121,950 million (19%) were due to 5 customers. As of 31 December 2006 and 2005, customer accounts of BYR 38,577 million and BYR 26,077 million, respectively, were held as security against letters of credit issued or planned to be issued in nearest future by the Group. Analysis by industry: 31 December 2006 2005 31 December Manufacturing 315,571 312,952 Individuals 259,603 246,622 Trade 26,090 12,156 Transport and communications 21,948 23,320 Construction 7,208 3,909 Other 2,322 1,536 632,742 600,495 Total customer accounts 20. OTHER LIABILITIES Other liabilities comprise: 81 сonsolidated financial statements annual report 2006 31 December 2006 31 December 2005 Trade payables on non-banking activities 7,494 6,860 Settlements on capital investments 1,127 1,866 Taxes payable, other than income taxes 1,122 2,004 Insurance reserves — provision for unearned premiums 1,077 707 Provision for guarantees and other commitments 594 2,118 Current income taxes liability 383 51 Insurance reserves — loss provision 359 312 Dividends payable 128 44 Other creditors 3,442 905 Total other liabilities 15,726 14,867 Movements in provisions for losses on guarantees and other commitments for the year ended 31 December 2006 are disclosed in Note 5. Movements in insurance reserves for the years ended 31 December 2006 are disclosed in Note 8. 21. SHARE CAPITAL As of 31 December 2006 and 2005 the authorized, issued and fully paid share capital comprised 241,579,330 ordinary shares with a par value of BYR 100 each (at historical cost). All shares are ranked equally and carry one vote. The Bank and its subsidiaries held 5,402,974 and 5,384,368 treasury shares as of 31 December 2006 and 2005, respectively. During the years ended 31 December 2006 and 2005 the Bank repurchased 18,606 and 72,428 treasury ordinary shares, respectively. During the year ended 31 December 2006 and 2005 the Bank declared BYR 3,057 million dividends on ordinary shares for the year 2005 and interim dividends for the year 2006 in the amount of BYR 2,502 million. 22. FINANCIAL COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES In the normal course of business, the Group is a party to financial instruments with off-balance sheet risk in order to meet the needs of its customers. These instruments, involving varying degrees of credit risk, are not reflected in the balance sheet. The Group’s maximum exposure to credit loss under contingent liabilities and commitments to extend credit, in the event of non-performance by the other party where all counterclaims, collateral or security prove valueless, is represented by the contractual amounts of those instruments. The Group uses the same credit control and management policies in undertaking off-balance sheet commitments as it does for on-balance sheet operations. Provision for losses on letters of credit and guarantees amounted to BYR 594 million and BYR 2,118 million as of 31 December 2006 and 2005, respectively. The risk-weighted amount is obtained by applying credit conversion factor and counterparty risk weightings according to the principles employed by the Basle Committee on Banking Supervision. As of 31 December 2006 and 2005, the nominal or contract amounts and risk-weighted amounts were: 31 December 2006 31 December 2005 Nominal Amount Risk Weighted Amount Nominal Amount Risk Weighted Amount Guarantees issued and similar commitments 66,839 66,839 59,829 59,829 Letters of credit 45,758 8,842 70,926 18,854 Commitments on loans and unused credit lines 52,374 9,905 55,204 4,550 Total contingent liabilities and credit commitments 164,971 85,586 185,959 83,233 Contingent liabilities and credit commitments Operating lease commitments — Where the Group is the lessee, the future minimum lease payments under non-cancellable operating leases are as follows: 31 December 2006 31 December Not later than 1 year 630 651 Later than 1 year and not later than 5 years 298 339 Total operating lease commitments 928 990 2005 Legal proceedings — From time to time and in the normal course of business, claims against the Group are received from customers and counterparties. Management is of the opinion that no material unaccrued losses will be incurred and accordingly no provision has been made in these consolidated financial statements. As of 31 December 2006 and 2005, the Bank has a contingent liability relating to the lawsuit that was filed in June 2005 by an executing bank in Austria under letter of credit issued by order of a Belarusian importer. The Austrian bank claimed that the Bank should compensate its losses under another lawsuit lost to the exporter, on the grounds that the Bank did not comply with the terms of the letter of credit and did not make settlement thereon. The claim amounted to EUR 644,297 (BYR 1,815 million as of 31 December 2006). Based on the opinion of legal advisors management assessed likelihood of the loss as possible and, therefore, provision was not created. Agent activities — The Bank performs agent functions in a number of transactions concluded on behalf of the government for attraction of the state foreign borrowings for investment projects. The Bank’s func- 83 сonsolidated financial statements annual report 2006 tions comprise the support of settlements for receipts and repayment of loans between foreign banks, authorized government bodies (primarily the Ministry of Finance) and ultimate borrowers (Belarusian enterprises). As of 31 December 2006 and 2005 total amount of such borrowings serviced by the Bank amounted to BYR 270,543 million and BYR 283,791 million respectively. Pensions and retirement plans — Employees receive pension benefits in accordance with the laws and regulations of the Republic of Belarus. As of 31 December 2006 and 2005, the Group was not liable for any supplementary pensions, post-retirement health care, insurance benefits, or retirement indemnities to its current or former employees. 23. SUBSEQUENT EVENTS As of 27 March 2007 the president of Belarus, Alexander Lukashenko, has issued a decree on selling shares of the Bank to Vnesheconombank of the USSR (the Russian Federation), including the shares owned by the State Committee on Property in the amount of 16,090,563, the shares owned by the National Bank in the amount of 80,967,459 and the shares owned by state-controlled legal entities in the amount of 17,413,367. Total ownership interest to be sold amounts to 47.4%. In March 2007 final dividends for the year 2006 were declared in the amount of BYR 3,282 million. Part of the dividends in the amount of BYR 2,502 million was paid during 2006 as interim dividend. In accordance with IAS 10 “Events after the balance sheet date” additional final dividends in the amount of BYR 780 have not been accrued in the consolidated financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2006. 24. TRANSACTIONS WITH RELATED PARTIES Related parties or transactions with related parties, as defined by IAS 24 “Related party disclosures”, represent: (a)Parties that directly, or indirectly through one or more intermediaries: control, or are controlled by, or are under common control with, the Group (this includes parents, subsidiaries and fellow subsidiaries); have an interest in the Group that gives then significant influence over the Group; and that have joint control over the Group; (b)Associates — enterprises on which the Group has significant influence and which are neither a subsidiary nor a joint venture of the Group; (c)Joint ventures in which the Group is a venturer; (d)Members of key management personnel of the Group or its parent; (e)Close members of the family of any individuals referred to in (a) or (d); (f) Parties that are entities controlled, jointly controlled or significantly influenced by, or for which significant voting power in such entity resides with, directly or indirectly, any individual referred to in (d) or (e); or (g)Post-employment benefit plans for the benefit of employees of the Group, or of any entity that is a related party of the Group. In considering each possible related party relationship, attention is directed to the substance of the relationship, and not merely the legal form. The Group had the following transactions outstanding as of 31 December 2006 and 2005 with related parties: 31 December 2006 31 December 2005 Related party balances Total category as per financial statements caption Related party balances Total category as per financial statements caption Due from the National Bank of the Republic of Belarus 65,302 65,302 64,593 64,593 Due from banks 39,856 175,051 37,157 132,341 - shareholders 16 1,621 - state entities (under common control of the State) — other banks 39,840 35,536 Loans to customers, gross 147,472 - state entities (under common control of the State) 146,812 159,352 660 566 - key management personnel 438,197 Allowance for impairment losses (3,063) - state entities (under common control of the State) (3,047) (3,146) - key management personnel (16) (1) Investments in securities, net 23,806 - associates (17,293) 159,918 23,970 (3,147) 81,145 392,512 (13,197) 81,778 1,264 - - 53,833 - state entities (under common control of the State) 22,542 27,312 Due to the National Bank of the Republic of Belarus 5,278 5,278 4,110 4,110 Due to banks 3,931 64,412 2,574 71,072 - shareholders - 24 3,931 2,550 - shareholders (National Bank) - state entities (under common control of the State) Customer accounts 116,700 - state entities (under common control of the State) 115,359 154,875 1,341 1,421 - key management personnel Financial commitments and contingencies, net 73,332 - state entities (under common control of the State) 73,332 Provision for guarantees and other off-balance sheet commitments 474 - state entities (under common control of the State) 474 632,742 164,971 156,296 108,004 600,495 185,959 108,004 594 1,693 2,118 1,693 Included in the consolidated income statement for the year ended 31 December 2006 are the following amounts which arose due to transactions with related parties: 85 сonsolidated financial statements annual report 2006 Year ended 31 December 2006 Related party transactions Total category as per financial statements caption Interest income 15,934 66,155 - shareholders 931 - state entities (under common control of the State) 14,995 - key management personnel 8 Fee and commission income 7,264 - shareholders 1 - state entities (under common control of the State) 7,263 Interest expenses 5,014 - National Bank - state entities (under common control of the State) 34,688 36,802 2 4,871 - key management personnel 141 Provision for impairment losses on loans to customers 99 - state entities (under common control of the State) 99 Operating expenses 2,999 - state entities (under common control of the State)- contributions to Deposits Insurance Fund 1,577 - key management personnel (remuneration) 1,422 6,211 75,085 During the year ended 31 December 2006 key management personnel remuneration included in operating expenses caption in the table above comprised short-term employee benefits. 25. FAIR VALUE Of FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS Estimates of fair value disclosures of financial instruments are made in accordance with the requirements of IAS 32 “Financial Instruments: Disclosure and Presentation” and IAS 39 “Financial Instruments: Recognition and Measurement”. Fair value is defined as the amount at which the instrument could be exchanged in a current transaction between knowledgeable willing parties in an arm’s length transaction, other than in forced or liquidation sale. The estimates presented herein are not necessarily indicative of the amounts the Group could realize in a market exchange from the sale of its full holdings of a particular instrument. The fair value of financial assets and liabilities compared with the corresponding carrying amount in the balance sheet of the Group is presented below: 31 December 2006 31 December 2005 Carrying value Fair value Carrying value Fair value Cash and balances with the National Bank of the Republic of Belarus 90,933 90,933 87,296 87,296 Due from banks 175,051 175,051 132,341 132,341 Debt securities available for sale 22,542 22,542 81,145 81,145 Due to National Bank of the Republic of Belarus 5,278 5,278 4,110 4,110 Due to banks 64,412 64,412 71,072 71,072 Customer accounts 632,742 632,742 600,495 600,495 5 5 5 5 Debt securities issued The fair value of loans to customers and equity investments available for sale can not be measured reliably as it is not practicable to obtain market information or apply any other valuation techniques on such instruments. 26. REGULATORY MATTERS Quantitative measures established by regulation to ensure capital adequacy require the Group to maintain minimum amounts and ratios of total (8%) and tier 1 capital (4%) to risk weighted assets. The ratio was calculated according to the principles employed by the Basle Committee by applying the following risk estimates to the assets and off-balance sheet commitments net of allowances for impairment losses: Estimate Description of position 0% Cash and balances with the NB RB 0% Loans to banks and customers secured by cash, highly liquid securities or guaranteed by the Government 0% State debt securities denominated in BYR 0% Letters of credit secured by customers deposits 20% Loans and advances to banks for up to 1 year and securities issued by banks 50% Letters of credit not secured by customers deposits 50% Obligations and commitments on unused loans with the initial maturity of over 1 year 100% Loans to customers 100% Other assets 100% Guarantees issued and similar commitments As of 31 December 2006 the Group’s total capital amount for capital adequacy purposes was BYR 100,089 million and tier 1 capital amount was BYR 100,089 million with ratios of 15.4% and 15.4%, respectively. 87 сonsolidated financial statements annual report 2006 As of 31 December 2005 the Group’s total capital amount for capital adequacy purposes was BYR 98,780 million and tier 1 capital amount was BYR 98,780 million with ratios of 16.0% and 16.0%, respectively. 27. RISK MANAGEMENT POLICIES Management of risk is fundamental to the banking business and is an essential element of the Group’s operations. The main risks inherent to the Group’s operations are those related to credit exposures, liquidity and market movements in interest rates and foreign exchange rates. A description of the Group’s risk management policies in relation to those risks follows. The Group manages the following risks: Liquidity risk Liquidity risk refers to the availability of sufficient funds to meet deposit withdrawals and other financial commitments associated with financial instruments as they actually fall due. The Group manages this risk in accordance with the National Bank of the Republic of Belarus regulations and internal control procedures through the Department for Strategic Planning and Management of Banking Risks. The Banking Risks Management Committee performs regular monitoring of this risk and develops overall policies and strategies as a part of assets/liabilities management process. Interest rate risk Interest rate risk arises from the possibility that changes in interest rates will affect the value of the financial instruments. The Bank’s interest rate policy is analyzed and developed by the Banking Risks Management Committee and approved by the Board of the Bank. The following table presents an analysis of interest rate risk and thus the potential of the Group for gain or loss. Effective interest rates are presented by categories of financial assets and liabilities to determine interest rate exposure and effectiveness of the interest rate policy used by the Group. 31 December 2006 31 December 2005 BYR Foreign currencies BYR Foreign currencies Due from banks 12.5%‑12.75% 3.3%‑11.4% 3%‑26% 2%‑11.5% Loans to customers 11.0%‑25.0% 9.5%‑18.0% 12.0%‑21.0% 16.6%‑18.5% Debt securities available for sale 7.7%‑12.0% - 12.0%‑56.1% 6.6%‑8.2% Due to banks 0.0%‑5.5% 0.2%‑7.1% 3%‑22% 2.9%‑8.5% Customer accounts 0.9%‑11.4% 0.2%‑8.2% 2.8%‑20.9% 2.0%‑9.0% 2.40% - 10.40% - ASSETS LIABILITIES Debt securities issued The analysis of assets and liabilities of the Group by contractual maturities and interest rate risk is presented in the following table: Up 1 month to 3 month to 1 year to to 1 month 3 months 1 year 5 years Over 5 years Overdue Maturity undefined 31 December 2006 Total ASSETS Cash and balances with the National 844 Bank of the Republic of Belarus Due from banks 78,139 Loans to customers 56,720 Investments in securities 22,542 4,815 127,471 - Total interest bearing assets 158,245 Cash and balances with the National 51,496 Bank of the Republic of Belarus Precious metals 703 Due from banks 67,606 Investments in securities Property, equipment and intangible assets Other assets 788 TOTAL ASSETS - - - - - - 844 18,178 6,313 143,692 81,070 - 7,113 - 4,838 - - 107,445 420,904 22,542 132,286 161,870 87,383 7,113 4,838 - 551,735 - - - - - 38,593 90,089 - - - - - 1,428 703 67,606 1,428 - - - - - 97,492 97,492 2,496 8,565 166 - - 2,739 14,754 7,113 4,838 140,252 823,807 278,838 134,782 170,435 87,549 Due to banks Customer accounts Debt securities issued 112,860 5 81,290 - 3,282 2,613 40,660 153,096 45,966 136 - - - 46,555 393,348 5 Total interest bearing liabilities 112,865 81,290 156,378 48,579 40,796 - - 439,908 LIABILITIES Due to the National Bank of the Republic of Belarus Due to banks Customer accounts Deferred income tax liabilities Other liabilities 5,278 - - - - - - 5,278 17,290 222,028 1,507 321 6,221 16,505 7,998 567 540 5,555 - - - - 17,857 239,394 5,555 15,726 TOTAL LIABILITIES 358,968 87,832 180,881 55,241 40,796 - - 723,718 Liquidity gap (80,130) 46,950 (10,446) 32,308 (33,683) Interest sensitivity gap 45,380 50,996 Cumulative interest sensitivity gap Cumulative interest sensitivity gap as a percentage of total assets 45,380 96,376 5.5% 11.7% 89 сonsolidated financial statements 5,492 38,804 (33,683) 101,868 140,672 106,989 12.4% 17.1% 13.0% annual report 2006 Up to 1 month 1 month to 3 month 1 year to 3 months to 1 year 5 years Over 5 years Overdue Maturity undefined 31 December 2005 Total ASSETS Cash and balances with National Bank of the Republic of Belarus Due from banks Loans to customers Investments in securities 9,096 1,227 34,423 53,151 81,145 2,782 112,376 - Total interest bearing assets 177,815 Cash and balances with National Bank of the Republic of Belarus Precious metals Due from banks Investments in securities Property, equipment and intangible assets Other assets 2,187 - - - - 12,510 37,511 8,151 141,138 64,743 - 1,978 - 5,929 - - 82,867 379,315 81,145 116,385 180,836 72,894 1,978 5,929 - 555,837 34,898 - - - - - 39,888 74,786 353 49,474 - - - - - - 633 353 49,474 633 - - - - - - 99,799 99,799 1,615 296 7,064 1,859 - - 2,688 13,522 TOTAL ASSETS 264,155 116,681 187,900 74,753 LIABILITIES Due to banks Customer accounts Debt securities issued 55,930 5 2,706 85,112 - 5,298 1,298 48,882 140,661 35,054 - - - 58,184 316,757 5 Total interest bearing liabilities 55,935 87,818 145,959 36,352 48,882 - - 374,946 Due to National Bank of the Repub4,110 lic of Belarus Due to banks 12,888 Customer accounts 283,738 Deferred income tax liabilities Other liabilities 2,773 1,978 794,404 - - - - - - 4,110 2,476 7,812 5,075 1,412 394 - - 12,888 283,738 5,075 14,867 - - 695,624 TOTAL LIABILITIES 359,444 90,294 153,771 42,839 49,276 Liquidity gap (95,289) 26,387 34,129 Interest sensitivity gap 121,880 34,877 36,542 (46,904) Cumulative interest sensitivity gap Cumulative interest sensitivity gap as a percentage of total assets 121,880 150,447 185,324 221,866 174,962 15.3% 5,929 143,008 28,567 18.9% 23.3% 31,914 (47,298) 27.9% 22.0% Currency risk is defined as the risk that the value of a financial instrument will fluctuate due to changes in foreign exchange rates. The Group is exposed to the effects of fluctuations in the prevailing foreign currency exchange rates on its financial position and cash flows. In order to minimize currency risk, the Group applies limits comprising the open currency position limit set for the Bank, and open currency position limits of the Bank’s branches. The limits are set in compliance with requirements of the National Bank of the Republic of Belarus and approved by the Board. The Group’s exposure to foreign currency exchange rate risk is presented in the table below: BYR and non-monetary items 31 December USD 1USD= BYR 2,140 EUR 1EUR= BYR 2,817.31 RUB 1RUB= BYR 81.13 Other currencies 81,410 6,118 2,067 1,136 202 90,933 Precious metals 703 - - - - 703 Due from banks 35,143 85,358 33,808 15,853 4,889 175,051 Loans to customers 159,968 206,067 46,215 8,654 - 420,904 Investments in securities 23,970 - - - - 23,970 Property, equipment and intangible assets 97,492 - - - - 97,492 Other assets 14,082 313 290 49 20 14,754 TOTAL ASSETS 412,768 297,856 82,380 25,692 5,111 823,807 - 1,634 267 - 3,377 5,278 9,522 50,024 2,628 2,154 84 64,412 223,125 283,779 100,231 25,454 153 632,742 5 - - - - 5 Deferred income tax liabilities 5,555 - - - - 5,555 Other liabilities 9,717 2,583 3,397 4 25 15,726 TOTAL LIABILITIES 247,924 338,020 106,523 27,612 3,639 723,718 CURRENCY POSITION 164,844 (40,164) (24,143) (1,920) 1,472 2006 Total ASSETS Cash and balances with the National Bank of the Republic of Belarus LIABILITIES Due to the National Bank of the Republic of Belarus Due to banks Customer accounts Debt securities issued 91 сonsolidated financial statements annual report 2006 Derivative financial instruments and spot contracts Fair value of the derivatives is included in the currency analysis presented above and the following table presents further analysis of currency risk to types of derivative financial instruments and spot contracts as of 31 December 2006: BYR USD 1USD= BYR 2,140 EUR 1EUR= BYR 2,817.31 35,898 - - - - 35,898 Accounts receivable on spot and forward contracts - 15,986 19,912 - - 35,898 NET SPOT AND DERIVATIVE FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS POSITION (35,898) 15,986 19,912 - - - TOTAL CURRENCY POSITION 128,946 (24,178) (4,231) (1,920) 1,472 EUR 1EUR= BYR 2,546.35 RUB 1RUB= BYR 74.86 Other currencies Accounts payable on spot and forward contracts BYR and non- USD 1USD= monetary items BYR 2,152 RUB 1RUB= BYR 81.13 Other currencies 31 December 2006 Total 31 December 2005 Total ASSETS Cash and balances with the National Bank of the Republic of Belarus Precious metals Due from banks Loans to customers Investments in securities Property, equipment and intangible assets Other assets TOTAL ASSETS 65,882 16,857 3,085 1,131 341 87,296 353 13,510 121,863 73,201 58,530 214,044 1,915 43,660 35,775 6,662 11,966 7,633 - 4,675 - 353 132,341 379,315 81,778 99,799 - - - - 99,799 13,339 104 37 22 20 13,522 387,947 291,450 89,219 20,752 5,036 794,404 LIABILITIES Due to the National Bank of the Republic of Belarus Due to banks Customer accounts Debt securities issued Deferred income tax liabilities Other liabilities - 547 8 - 3,555 4,110 7,764 233,698 5 5,075 8,194 57,759 253,202 5,827 4,869 93,966 520 639 19,257 318 41 372 8 71,072 600,495 5 5,075 14,867 TOTAL LIABILITIES 254,736 317,335 99,363 20,214 3,976 695,624 CURRENCY POSITION 133,211 (25,885) (10,144) 538 1,060 Derivative financial instruments and spot contracts Fair value of the derivatives is included in the currency analysis presented above and the following table presents further analysis of currency risk to types of derivative financial instruments and spot contracts as of 31 December 2005: BYR Accounts payable on spot and forward contracts Accounts receivable on spot and forward contracts NET SPOT AND DERIVATIVE FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS POSITION TOTAL CURRENCY POSITION USD 1USD= BYR 2,152 EUR 1EUR= BYR 2,546.35 RUB 1RUB= BYR 74.86 Other currencies 31 December 249 9,090 - - - 9,339 - 172 9,179 - - 9,351 (249) (8,918) 9,179 - - 12 132,962 (34,803) (965) 538 1,060 2005 Total Market Risk Market risk is the risk that the value of a financial instrument will fluctuate as a result of changes in market prices whether those changes are caused by factors specific to the individual security or its issuer or factors affecting all securities traded in the market. The Group is exposed to market risks of its products which are subject to general and specific market fluctuations. The Group manages market risk through periodic estimation of potential losses that could arise from adverse changes in market conditions and establishing and maintaining appropriate stop-loss limits and margin and collateral requirements. Credit risk The Group is exposed to credit risk which is the risk that one party to a financial instrument will fail to discharge an obligation and cause the other party to incur a financial loss. The Group structures the levels of credit risk it undertakes by placing limits on the amount of risk accepted in relation to one borrower, or groups of borrowers, and to industry segments. Limits on the level of credit risk by a borrower are monthly reviewed and approved by the Board. The exposure to any one borrower is also restricted by limits covering on and off-balance sheet exposures which are set by the Credit Committee. Actual exposures against limits are monitored daily. Where appropriate, and in the case of most loans, the Group obtains collateral and corporate and personal guaranties. Credit risk and the value of collateral are monitored on a continuous basis. Commitments to extend credit represent unused portions of loans and credit lines, guarantees and letters of credit. The credit risk on off-balance sheet financial instruments is defined as a probability of losses due to the inability of the counterparty to comply with the contractual terms and conditions. With respect to credit risk on commitments to extend credit, the Group is potentially exposed to loss in an amount equal to the total unused commitments. However, the likely amount of loss is less than the total unused commitments since most commitments to extend credit are contingent upon customers maintaining specific credit standards. The Group applies the same credit policy to the contingent liabilities as it does to the balance sheet financial instruments, i.e. the one based on the proce- 93 сonsolidated financial statements annual report 2006 dures for approving the grant of loans, using limits to mitigate the risk, and current monitoring. The Group monitors the term to maturity of credit commitments because longer term commitments generally have a greater degree of credit risk than shorter-term commitments. The maximum credit risk exposure, ignoring the fair value of any collateral, in the event other parties fail to meet their obligations under financial instruments is equal to the carrying value of the financial asset as presented in the consolidated financial statements and the disclosed financial commitments. Geographical concentration The geographical concentration of assets and liabilities is set out below: Belarus Other CIS countries OECD countries Other non-OECD countries 31 December 2006 Total ASSETS Cash and balances with the National Bank of the Republic of Belarus 90,933 - - - 90,933 Precious metals 703 - - - 703 Due from banks 74,858 31,794 68,268 131 175,051 420,904 - - - 420,904 Investments in securities 23,970 - - - 23,970 Property, equipment and intangible assets 97,492 - - - 97,492 Other assets 14,754 - - - 14,754 TOTAL ASSETS 723,614 31,794 68,268 131 823,807 Due to the National Bank of the Republic of Belarus 5,278 - - - 5,278 Due to banks 10,613 7,641 3,428 42,730 64,412 620,739 3,276 1,165 7,562 632,742 5 - - - 5 Deferred income tax liabilities 5,555 - - - 5,555 Other liabilities 12,708 - 3,018 - 15,726 654,898 10,917 7,611 50,292 723,718 68,716 20,877 60,657 (50,161) Loans to customers LIABILITIES Customer accounts Debt securities issued TOTAL LIABILITIES NET BALANCE SHEET POSITION Belarus Other CIS countries OECD countries Other non-OECD countries 31 December 2005 Total ASSETS Cash and balances with the National Bank of the Republic of Belarus Precious metals Due from banks Loans to customers Investments in securities Property, equipment and intangible assets Other assets 87,296 - - - 87,296 353 43,931 379,315 81,778 99,799 13,522 9,168 - 78,878 - 364 - 353 132,341 379,315 81,778 99,799 13,522 TOTAL ASSETS 705,994 9,168 78,878 364 794,404 LIABILITIES Due to the National Bank of the Republic of Belarus Due to banks Customer accounts Debt securities issued Deferred income tax liabilities Other liabilities 4,110 - - - 4,110 7,355 586,849 5 5,075 12,801 7,139 2,909 75 9,693 4,308 1,991 46,885 6,429 - 71,072 600,495 5 5,075 14,867 TOTAL LIABILITIES 616,195 10,123 15,992 53,314 695,624 NET BALANCE SHEET POSITION 89,799 (955) 62,886 (52,950) 28. UNCERTAINTY Economy of the Republic of Belarus — The economy of the Republic of Belarus is characterized by relatively high rates of taxation and extensive statutory regulation. Laws and regulations defining the business environment in the Republic of Belarus are at the stage of development and subject to frequent changes. The future economic development depends to a large extent on the efficiency of the measures taken by the Government of Belarus and other actions beyond the Group’s control. The future direction of the economic policy of the Government of the Republic of Belarus can have an effect on the recoverability of the Group’s assets and the ability of the Group to maintain or pay its debts as they mature. The management of the Group made its best estimate on the recoverability and classification of recorded assets and completeness of recorded liabilities. However, the uncertainty described above still exists and the Group may continue to be affected by it. Legislation — Certain provisions of Belarusian commercial legislation and tax legislation in particular may give rise to varying interpretations and inconsistent application. In addition, as management’s interpretation of legislation may differ from that of the authorities, statutory compliance may be challenged by the authorities, and as result the Group may face additional taxes and charges and other preventive measures. The management of the Group believes that it has already made all tax and other payments or accruals, and therefore no additional allowance has been made in the financial statements. Past fiscal years remain open to review by the authorities. 95 сonsolidated financial statements annual report 2006 CONТACT INFORMATION BELVNESHECONOMBANK BRANCHES, CENTERS OF BANKING SERVICES, SUBSIDIARIES AND ASSOCIATED COMPANY BRANCHES BREST REGION GOMEL REGION Brest Regional Branch tel.: (8-0162) 23-89-89 fax: (8-0162) 21-51-90 Gomel Regional Branch tel.: (8-0232) 74-71-75 fax: (8-0232) 74-71-20 ul. Pushkinskaya 16/1, 224005, Brest e-mail: [email protected] ul. Gagarina 55, 246050, Gomel e-mail: [email protected] Brest Regional Branch Cash Settlement Center Gomel Regional Branch Central Cash Settlement Center tel.: (8-0162) 20-84-58 tel.: (8-0232) 74-08-01 ul. Kuibysheva 13, Brest ul. Internatsionalnaya 10a, 246050, Gomel Brest Banking Units Gomel Regional Branch Spartak Cash Settlement Center tel.: (0162) 28-34-44 ul. Lieutenanta Ryabtseva 108/1, Brest tel.: (8-0232) 55-22-89 tel.: (0162) 48-40-64 ul. Sovetskaya 63, 246658, Gomel ul. Volgogradskaya 19, Brest Branch in Baranovichi tel./fax: (8-0163) 41-20-30 ul. Sovetskaya 82, 225320, Baranovichi e-mail: [email protected] Branch in Kobrin tel./fax: (8-01642) 2-74-19 ul. Dzerzhinskogo 61, 225860, Kobrin e-mail: [email protected] Branch in Pinsk tel./fax: (8-0165) 32-43-78 ul. Brestskaya 9, 225710, Pinsk e-mail: [email protected] Branch in Pinsk Cash Settlement Center tel.: (8-0165) 32-33-50 ul. Pervomaiskaya 66, Pinsk Gomel Regional Branch Novobelitsky Cash Settlement Center tel.: (8-0232) 36-40-53 ul. Ilyicha 2, 246021, Gomel Gomel Regional Branch Mashinostroitel Cash Settlement Center tel.: (8-0232) 74-53-86 ul. Krestyanskaya 1, 246017, Gomel Branch in Mozyr tel./fax: (8-02351) 2-98-80 ul. Sayeta 4, 247760, Mozyr e-mail: [email protected] Mozyr Banking Unit tel.: (8-02351) 2-20-95 ul. Sovetskaya 27a, Mozyr (riverside station building) Branch in Rechitsa tel./fax: (8-02340) 3-22-08 ul. 10 Let Oktyabrya 6, 247500, Rechitsa e-mail: [email protected] Minsk Branch 2 tel.: (8-017) 292-34-45 fax: (8-017) 292-56-31 ul. Kulman 2, 220013, Minsk e-mail: [email protected] Rechitsa Banking Unit tel.: (8-02340) 4-15-61 Minsk Branch 2 Luch Cash Settlement Center ul. Snezhkova 16a, Rechitsa tel.: (8-017) 280-68-68 prosp. Nezavisimosti 95, Minsk GRODNO REGION Minsk Banking Unit tel.: (8-017) 237-98-43 Grodno Regional Branch tel./fax: (8-0152) 79-07-59 prosp. Nezavisimosti 95, Minsk (MTS office) ul. B. Troitskaya 51, 230023, Grodno e-mail: [email protected] Minsk Branch 3 tel.: (8-017) 275-13-45 fax: (8-017) 275-54-31 Grodno Banking Units ul. Serova 4, 220024, Minsk e-mail: [email protected] tel.: (8-0152) 75-09-84 pl. Sovetskaya 1, 1st floor, Grodno tel.: (8-0152) 210-84-23 ul. Sovetskaya 18, 2nd floor, Grodno (Neman Trade Center) Branch in Volkovysk tel./fax: (8-01512) 2-22-19 ul. Lenina 37, 231900, Volkovysk e-mail: [email protected] Branch in Lida tel./fax: (8-01561) 2-15-80 ul. Mitskevicha 23, 231300, Lida e-mail: [email protected] MINSK AND MINSK REGION Minsk Branch 3 MITSO Cash Settlement Center tel.: (8-017) 278-61-43 ul. Kazintsa 21/3, 220099, Minsk Minsk Branch 3 Kolyadichi-Avto Cash Settlement Center tel.: (8-017) 291-89-18 ul. Babushkina 39, Kolyadichi Industrial Park, Minsk Minsk Branch 4 tel.: (8-017) 220-90-21 fax: (8-017) 220-92-21 ul. Yakubova 10, 220101, Minsk e-mail: [email protected] Minsk Banking Unit tel.: (8-017) 248-45-64 Minsk Central Branch tel.: (8-017) 203-22-77 fax: (8-017) 203-16-90 ul. Zaslavskaya 10, 220004, Minsk e-mail: [email protected] Minsk Branch 1 tel.: (8-017) 288-51-55 fax: (8-017) 288-56-52 ul. Bogdanovicha 153, 220040, Minsk e-mail: [email protected] 99 contact information ul. Malinina 35, Minsk (Svelta Market) Minsk Branch 5 tel./fax: (8-017) 209-24-33 ul. Skryganova 6, 220073, Minsk e-mail: [email protected] Minsk Banking Unit tel.: (8-017) 251-53-81 prosp. Pobediteley 20/1, Mir Fitnesa, Minsk annual report 2006 Branch in Borisov tel./fax: (8-0177) 74-36-27 Bobruisk Banking Units ul. Gagarina 46a, 222120, Borisov e-mail: [email protected] ul. Dneprovskoy Flotilii 40, Bobruisk tel.: (8-0225) 58-33-30 tel.: (8-0225) 43-51-30 ul. Ulianovskaya 64, Bobruisk Branch in Borisov Cash Settlement Center 2 tel.: (8-029) 162-69-36 ul. K. Marksa 49, Bobruisk tel.: (8-0177) 78-13-24 ul. Zavodskaya 45, 222120, Borisov Borisov Banking Units tel.: (8-0177) 76-15-86 VITEBSK REGION ul. Truda 7, Borisov tel.: (8-0177) 78-70-40 ul. Serebrennikova 26B, Borisov (store #5) tel.: (8-0177) 73-22-59 ul. Chapayeva 1, Borisov (consumer services center) Vitebsk Regional Branch tel./fax: (8-0212) 36-47-28 ul. Zamkovaya 4, 210602, Vitebsk e-mail: [email protected] tel.: (8-0177) 75-83-77 ul. Gagarina 105a, Borisov tel.: (8-0177) 76-52-89 ul. Chapayeva 1, Borisov (Velcom sales and service center) Branch in Molodechno tel./fax: (8-01773) 7-28-21 ul. Vilenskaya 10, 222310, Molodechno e-mail: [email protected] Branch in Molodechno Chist Cash Settlement Center tel./fax: (8-01773) 9-01-39 ul. Zavodskaya 1, 222321, Chist, Molodechno District MOGILEV REGION Mogilev Regional Branch tel./fax: (8-0222) 22-91-46 Vitebsk Banking Unit tel.: (8-0212) 26-18-78 prosp. Frunze 81, Vitebsk (Evikom Market) tel.: (8-0212) 36-39-331 ul. Leningradskaya 2, Vitebsk Branch in Verkhnedvinsk tel./fax: (8-02151) 5-12-64 ul. Sovetskaya 173, 211620, Verkhnedvinsk e-mail: [email protected] Branch in Glubokoye tel./fax: (8-02156) 2-21-36 ul. Engelsa 2, 211800, Glubokoye e-mail: [email protected] Branch in Glubokoye Cash Settlement Center 1 tel.: (8-0214) 52-83-68 ul. Pionerskaya 26, 212030, Mogilev e-mail: [email protected] ul. Ya. Kolasa 48, 211440, Novopolotsk Mogilev Banking Units Branch in Orsha tel./fax: (8-0216) 21-68-29 tel.: (8-0222) 22-96-73 ul. Chelyuskintsev 105, Mogilev ul. Shmidta 20, Mogilev ul. Lazarenko 73, Mogilev Branch in Bobruisk tel./fax: (8-0225) 12-28-12 ul. Internatsionalnaya 49, 213819, Bobruisk e-mail: [email protected] ul. Mira 30, 211392, Orsha e-mail: [email protected] Banking Unit tel.: (8-02137) 2-29-16 Dubrovno District, Vitebsk Region (“Redki” Border Checkpoint) CENTERS OF BANKING SERVICES SUBSIDIARIES AND ASSOCIATED COMPANY Center of Banking Services 1 tel.: (8-017) 209-28-12 Belvneshstrakh Insurance Company tel.: (8-017) 209-24-16 fax: (8-017) 209-25-65 ul. Moskovskaya 13, 220007, Minsk e-mail: [email protected] Kolyadichi Center of Banking Services tel.: (8-017) 291-87-11 fax: (8-017) 291-87-52 ul. Babushkina 37, Kolyadichi Industrial Park 220024, Minsk e-mail: [email protected] Svetlogorsk Center of Banking Services tel. / fax: (8-02342) 2-75-08 ul. Lenina 45a, 247400, Svetlogorsk, Gomel Region e-mail: [email protected] ul. Skryganova 6, office 405, 220073, Minsk e-mail: [email protected] Vneshenergoservice Joint Venture tel.: (8-017) 209-24-15 ul. Skryganova 6, office 511, 220073, Minsk e-mail: [email protected] Belinterfinance Joint Venture tel.: (8-017) 222-76-47 fax: (8-017) 222-80-24 ul. Moskovskaya 13, office 402, 220007, Minsk e-mail: [email protected] Vneshstroyinvest tel./fax: (8-017) 207-11-37 prosp. Pobediteley 20/1, 220020, Minsk e-mail: [email protected] Vnesheconomstroy tel.: (8-017) 256-15-51, 256-15-52 prosp. Pobediteley 20/1, office 317, 220020, Minsk e-mail: [email protected] Sivelga tel./fax: (8-017) 200-69-77 ul. Korolya 2, 220004, Minsk e-mail: [email protected] 101 contact information annual report 2006 BELVNESHECONOMBANK Head office ul. Myasnikova, 32 Minsk, 220050, Republic of Belarus tel. + 375 17 209-29-44 fax + 375 17 226-48-09 telex 252194, 252426, BVB BY e-mail: [email protected] www.bveb.by © 2007 Belvnesheconombank tel. + 375 17 209-24-23 DESIGN: Design studio «ZEPPELIN» ul. Y. Kolasa 21, office 1 Minsk, 220013, Republic of Belarus tel./fax: + 375 17 231-58-97 mobile:. + 375 29 612-78-34 e-mail: [email protected] www.zeppelin.by PHOTO: Andrey Schukin Signed to go to press on PUBLISHER - OOO Evolventa Publisher’s License No. 02330/0133046 dated 04.30.2004 PRINTED at Orekh Press Printer’s License No. 02330/005 dated 04.30.2004 Print run of 725 copies. Order No.