MOSCOW--(BUSINESS WIRE)--On Oct. 15, 2009, Standard & Poor’s Ratings Services assigned its “BBB-” and “A-3” long- and short-term corporate credit ratings to Atomic Energy Power Complex (JSC) (Atomenergoprom), a Russian state-owned civil nuclear assets holding. The outlook is stable.

At the same time, a “ruAAA” Russian national scale rating was assigned.

According to Standard & Poor’s among factors that have a positive impact on the rating quality of the company is, inter alia, substantial financial state support of industry development, vertically integrated business model with full nuclear cycle possession, as well as a secure monopoly of the nuclear segment in the Russian Federation (foreign currency BBB/Negative/A-3; local currency BBB+/Negative/A-2; Russia national scale “ruAAA”).

Standard & Poor’s highlights in its report that the company has higher electricity generation profitability than that of its Russian peers with expected benefits from market liberalization. Moreover, the company has a solid market position in uranium extraction, conversion, enrichment and fuel assembly production segments compared with international peers. All these positions are enforced according to Standard & Poor’s by the favorable growth outlook for the nuclear industry worldwide.

According to Kirill Komarov, Executive Director of Atomenergoprom, “Receiving of credit rating is a good starting point for execution of the Russian nuclear industry investment attractiveness enhancement program. The credit rating gives us an opportunity to ensure proper perception of by Russian and foreign investors enterprises belonging to atomic energy power complex. This question becomes even more relevant taking into account the company’s plans on large bond issue. Receiving of credit rating is one of the stages towards effectiveness and transparency increase of the civilian part of the Russian nuclear industry. It helps to ensure great motivation for the further raise of corporate, financial and investment management levels as well as one of information disclosure.”

Atomenergoprom is an integrated company, which consolidates the assets of the civilian part of the Russian nuclear industry. Atomenergoprom provides full production cycle of nuclear power – from uranium production to nuclear power plant construction and energy generation. Rosatom State Atomic Energy Corporation owns 100% shares of Atomenergoprom. Director of the company is Vladimir Travin, Chairman of the Board of Directors is Director General of Rosatom State Atomic Energy Corporation, Sergey Kirienko. (Atomenergoprom PR Department).