December 26, 2007, Memorandum of Understanding has been signed in Almaty (Kazakhstan) between JSC NAC Kazatomprom and Japanese Companies, The Kansai Electric Power Co., Inc., Nuclear Fuel Industries, Ltd., and Sumitomo Corporation.

The parties confirmed their intent to cooperate in the field of nuclear fuel fabrication for nuclear power reactors operated by the Kansai Electric Power Co., Inc.  In accordance with the signed document, Ulba Metallurgical Plant (affiliated enterprise of Kazatomprom) will produce and export components of nuclear fuel which will be used for manufacturing fuel assemblies to be supplied to the Kansai-operated nuclear power plants in Japan.

The signing of the Memorandum is an important step in strengthening strategic cooperation between Kazakhstan and Japan in the field of nuclear energy.

Signing of the document means for Kazatomprom and increase of nuclear fuel deliveries to the perspective Japanese market.

Mr. Makoto Yagi, Managing Director of The Kansai Electric Power Co., Inc., Mr. Takeru Kaneda, Director and Senior General Manager, Osaka Sales and Marketing Department on behalf of Nuclear Fuel Industries, Ltd., Mr. Yoshihiko Shimazu, Managing Executive Officer, General Manager for CIS, Sumitomo Corporation and Mr. Moukhtar Dzhakishev, President of Kazatomprom participated in the official signing ceremony.

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• The Kansai Electric Power Co., Inc. – the second largest power utility in Japan located in Osaka. The Company produces power for 13.3 million consumers in Japanese region Kansai.  Total generating capacity of the company is over 34,860 MW.  The Kansai is also represented on the market of information technologies, telecommunications, construction and transport.  The Company was established in 1951. www.kepco.co.jp/english/index.html
• Nuclear Fuel Industries, Ltd. – NFI was established in 1972 by integration of atomic company The Furukawa Electric Co., Ltd. and Sumitomo Electric Industries, Ltd. The Company delivers high quality fuel of advanced technology practically to all Japanese nuclear power plants.  The Company pays large attention to development, production and processing new technologies of nuclear fuel including fuel components for high-temperature gas reactors and fast breeder reactors. www.nfi.co.jp/e/index.htm
• Sumitomo Corporation – diversified International Trade Company with headquarters in Tokyo.  Through its divaricate international trade network Sumitomo Corporation participates in various projects, which include local and international deals on import and export of different commodities and services.  The Company also invests in the markets of metal, transport markets, machinery building, electronics, mineral resources, energy and logistics. www.sumitomocorp.co.jp/english/index.htm
• Kazatomprom is the national operator of Kazakhstan on export of uranium and other materials of dual purpose.  100% of Company’s shares belong to the Government represented by the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources of the Republic of Kazakhstan.  Kazatomprom represents a holding managing six main activities: geological exploration, uranium production, metallurgy, energy, scientific support, personnel training and social provision.  Over 23000 people work in the Company today.  “Kazatomprom” is among the leading uranium producers in the world.  www.kazatomprom.kz
• Ulba Metallurgical Plant (affiliated enterprise of Kazatomprom) – one of the recognized world leaders in production of fuel pellets from uranium dioxide for nuclear power plants, beryllium-, tantalum- and niobium-containing products. Ninety percent of shares of the enterprise belong to the National Atomic Company Kazatomprom. Presently, UMP’s structure includes technologically advanced and science-intensive metallurgical productions: uranium, beryllium, tantalum, developed infrastructure of auxiliary productions and also a powerful scientific research base: central scientific research laboratory, central plant laboratory, central laboratory for measuring equipment, center for information technologies, laboratory for protection of labor and environment and design-constructor’s institute. UMP participated in establishment of affiliated enterprises such as machinery plant, divisions for production and processing of mineral raw materials, transportation and social sphere, joint ventures in Russia and China for production and sales of beryllium products. www.ulba.kz