Russky Fokus magazine, issue number 28, October 22-28, 2001

Several factors prove the fact that the 'Company of the Year' is a serous project. First of all, the contest is held under the patronage of the Trade and Industry Chamber of the Russian Federation, the successor of the Trade and Industry Chamber of the USSR comprising thousands of Russian companies (united into regional Trade and Industry Chambers). Among the main aims of the Chamber is to establish relations between Russian and foreign business circles. At the same time, the main aim of the 'Company of the Year' is to create a new image of Russian business and raise interest of world business circles in Russia's best companies. The interception of interests becomes evident here, which is beneficial for both the project and its organizers.

In addition, while deciding on the principle of selecting the winners of the business award, organizers applied to one of the most well-known business magazines in the USA - Fortune. It is popular for its 'America's Most Admired Companies' rating. The criteria of this rating was reconsidered in accordance with Russia's standards and turned into a quite efficient and objective methodic of analyzing activities of companies over one year. Talking about the organizers of the contest, the 'Company of the Year 2001' was traditionally held by the public relations bureau 'Republic' and the 'Business Open' company. This time, RosBusinessConsulting - a popular and rather powerful information agency, - joined them. And this sure added weight to the contest.

An impressive list of information sponsors of the project is another positive thing as well. Among them are: the Izvestia and the Kommersant newspapers, Echo of Moscow radio, Radio Rossii, the Kapitalist television program (ORT channel), REN-TV, etc.

Director General of Severstal Alexey Mordashov: "The award ceremony itself is a pleasant thing. But in my opinion, this is a serious responsibility for winners as well. This becomes even more important, since we are talking about the 'Company of the Year' title. The 2001 rating will be followed by the 2002 and 2003 ratings, and it is important to have all the winners and nominees maintain their positions and positive development dynamics in the future. By the way, this time, the contest certainly gained with RBC's participation in it."

WINNERS OF THE "COMPANY OF THE YEAR 2001"

COMPANY AWARD CATEGORY LUKoil Best Company of the Fuel and Energy Sector MDM-Bank Best Financial Company Severstal Best Manufacturer of Industrial Products NIKoil Best Provider of Business Services on financial markets) Dixis Best Distributor/Trading Company Rosinter Best Provider of Consumer Services Bryntsalov A (Ferein) Best Producer of Consumer Goods M-Video Best Retailer Company

COMPANY COMPANY The East line group Discovery of the Year Award MDM group The Most Dynamically Developing Company Norilsky Nikel Social Security Award Avtokran Branch Revival Award The Atlant M holding Best Management Award The Vitrina A advertising group Best Marketing Award The Bridge financial group Business Reputation Award MTU-Intel Best Internet Provider of the Year Gazprom Award of the Business Press The Assoneft association Award for the Support of Small and Medium business The Alliance group Award for the Development of Economic Ties Between the CIS Countries Gamma Group Award for the Effective Investment and Banking Activity Sluzhba 77 Award for the Use of New Technologies in Business Rosno Award for the Development of National Insurance Services Market