Alfa-Bank took the lead partnership role in the Russian & CIS Oil & Gas Investment Forum held in Londonon 9—10 November 2005.

With Alfa-Bank, TNK-BP, Shell and Novatek contributing, this year’s conference was structured to address issues of interest to portfolio investors as well as industry and governmental players. The forum was focused on investment opportunities in key oil and gas projects in Russia, Ukraine and Kazakhstan.

“2005 will likely be remembered as the year in which Russian oil & gas truly became a major investment theme for global investors. However, our view is that awareness of opportunities in the sector has only begun to grow and has plenty of room to expand, not only in Russia, but particularly in Kazakhstan, Ukraine and other CIS countries”, says Dominic Gualtieri, Managing Director and head of Equities, Alfa-Bank. “Our aim during the Forum was to convey our excitement about these opportunities while providing an overview of likely developments in the operational, regulatory and financial spheres”, noted Gualtieri.

The conference is part of the Energy Exchange Ltd’s series of Russian & CIS focused conferences. Key topics for discussion included an overview of the Russian government’s agenda for further economic reform and development of investment strategies, an examination of priorities for both domestic and international operators in the region, and sources of finance available for oil and gas projects in the region.