Moskovsky Komsomolets April 11, 2002

Turmoil has broken out on the Russian stock market. A company whose shares anybody can buy is entering domestic exchanges. This is an unprecedented situation for Russia.

The pioneer is the RosBusinessConsulting company, also known as RBC . The company, specializing in development of information technologies and information services, is growing as if it is leavened. Now analysts estimate RBC`s value at $125m. It is not surprising that agitation around the event coming this month has almost reached a peak.

RBC will be selling its shares at Russia's two largest exchanges, MICEX and RTS, simultaneously. 16m shares will be offered for sale. They will make up exactly 16% of RBC`s equity. Experts say that the company has chosen the right moment to enter the market, which has fully recovered after the 1998 crisis. So, competitors can only be whipping the cat, and sending anonymous letters to newspapers' offices, accusing RBC of all mortal sins. As is well known, someone else's success is often taken as a personal offence in our country.

If the project succeeds, as most analysts are predicting, RBC will be able to achieve a major breakthrough in the informational sector not only in Moscow but also in other regions. It is worth special attention in light of the looming elections. Moreover, the implementation of a plan for creation of its own business TV will allow RBC to rank with famous media empires and to substantially alter the balance of power on that market.