Almaty, Kazakhstan - Citibank Kazakhstan, a subsidiary of Citigroup, extended a KZT 810 million loan to RG Brands, a leading soft drinks producer in the country.

The loan is partially guaranteed by the Overseas Private Investment Corporation (OPIC), the US Government agency that supports private commercial initiative around the world. The loan helped RG Brands finance acquisition of Kosmis dairy plant in Kostanai region and expansion of the company's juice manufacturing capacity.

'The transaction reflects Citigroup's intent to expand the range of corporate finance products that we offer to our customers in Kazakhstan', - said Andrei Kourilin, Corporate Bank Head of Citibank Kazakhstan. 'We are pleased to see our relationship with Citigroup develop to new levels', - said Askar Kanafin, the Vice-President of Resmi Group, parent company of RG Brands.

RG Brands is one of the fastest growing consumer products company in Kazakhstan. It is rated B 2 by Moody's. In 2004 RG Brands received The Best Company in Kazakhstan Euromoney award.