AMENDMENT NO. 4 TO DEPOSIT AGREEMENT
AMENDMENT
NO. 4 TO DEPOSIT AGREEMENT
AMENDMENT NO. 4, dated as of
April , 2010 (the "Amendment"), to the Deposit Agreement dated
as of July 6, 2000 as previously amended (as amended hereby, the "Deposit
Agreement"), among Mobile Telesystems OJSC, incorporated under the laws of the
Russian Federation (the "Company"), JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as depositary
(the "Depositary"), and all holders from time to time of American depositary
receipts ("ADRs") issued thereunder.
W I T N E S S E T H:
WHEREAS,
the Company and the Depositary executed the Deposit Agreement for the purposes
set forth therein; and
WHEREAS,
pursuant to paragraph (17) of the form of ADR contained in the Deposit
Agreement, the Company and the Depositary desire to amend the terms of the
Deposit Agreement and ADRs.
NOW, THEREFORE, for good and
valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby
acknowledged, the Company and the Depositary hereby agree to amend the Deposit
Agreement as follows:
ARTICLE
I
DEFINITIONS
SECTION 1.01. Definitions. Unless
otherwise defined in this Amendment, all capitalized terms used, but not
otherwise defined, herein shall have the meaning given to such terms in the
Deposit Agreement.
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ARTICLE
II
AMENDMENTS TO DEPOSIT
AGREEMENT
SECTION 2.01. All
references in the Deposit Agreement to the term "Deposit Agreement" shall, as of
the date hereof, refer to the Deposit Agreement, dated as of July 6, 2000, as
previously amended and as further amended by this
Amendment.
SECTION
2.02. Section 1(c) of the Deposit Agreement is amended by
replacing "five" with "two".
SECTION 2.03. Section 17(a) of the
Deposit Agreement is amended to read as follows:
(a)
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JPMorgan
Chase Bank, N.A.
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1 Chase
Xxxxxxxxx Xxxxx, Xxxxx 00
Xxx Xxxx,
XX, 00000-0000
Attention: ADR
Administration
Fax: (000) 000-0000
ARTICLE
III
AMENDMENTS TO THE FORM OF
ADR
SECTION 3.01. All
references in the form of ADR to the number of Shares represented
by each ADS is amended to reflect that each ADS represents two
Shares.
SECTION 3.02. The
form of ADR, reflecting the amendments set forth in Section 3.01 hereof,
is amended and restated to read as set forth as Exhibit A hereto.
ARTICLE
IV
REPRESENTATIONS AND
WARRANTIES
SECTION 4.01. Representations
and Warranties. The Company represents and warrants
to, and agrees with, the Depositary and the Holders, that:
(a) This
Amendment, when executed and delivered by the Company, will be duly and validly
authorized, executed and delivered by the Company, and it and the Deposit
Agreement as amended hereby constitute the legal, valid and binding obligations
of the Company, enforceable against the Company in accordance with their
respective terms, subject to bankruptcy, insolvency, fraudulent transfer,
moratorium and similar laws of general applicability relating to or affecting
creditors’ rights and to general equity principles; and
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(b) In
order to ensure the legality, validity, enforceability or admissibility into
evidence of this Amendment or the Deposit Agreement as amended
hereby, neither of such agreements need to be filed or recorded with
any court or other authority in the Russian Federation, nor does any stamp or
similar tax or governmental charge need to be paid in the Russian Federation on
or in respect of such agreements.
ARTICLE
V
MISCELLANEOUS
SECTION 5.01. Outstanding
ADRs. ADRs issued prior or subsequent to the date
hereof do not need to be called in for exchange and may remain outstanding until
such time as the Holders thereof choose to surrender them for any reason under
the Deposit Agreement. The Depositary is authorized and directed to
take any and all actions deemed necessary to effect the foregoing.
SECTION
5.02. Indemnification. The
parties hereto shall be entitled to the benefits of the indemnification
provisions of Section 16 of the Deposit Agreement in connection with any and all
liability it or they may incur as a result of the terms of this Amendment and
the transactions contemplated herein.
SECTION 5.03. Counterparts. This
Amendment may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which shall be
deemed an original and all of which taken together shall constitute one
instrument.
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the
Company and the Depositary have caused this Amendment to be executed by
representatives thereunto duly authorized as of the date set forth
above.
MOBILE
TELESYSTEMS OJSC
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By:
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Name:
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Title:
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President
and Chief Executive Officer
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JPMORGAN
CHASE BANK, N.A.
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By:
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Name:
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Title:
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EXHIBIT
A
ANNEXED
TO AND INCORPORATED
IN AMENDMENT NO. 4 TO
DEPOSIT AGREEMENT
[FORM OF
FACE OF ADR]
________
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No.
of ADSs:
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Number
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__________________
Each
ADS represents
Two
Shares
CUSIP:
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IT IS
EXPECTED THAT THE SHARES DEPOSITED HEREUNDER WILL BE REGISTERED ON THE SHARE
REGISTER MAINTAINED BY THE RUSSIAN SHARE REGISTRAR OF MOBILE TELESYSTEMS OJSC IN
THE NAME OF JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A. OR ITS NOMINEE OR OF THE CUSTODIAN OR ITS
NOMINEE. HOLDERS AND BENEFICIAL OWNERS SHOULD BE AWARE, HOWEVER, THAT
RUSSIA'S SYSTEM OF SHARE REGISTRATION AND CUSTODY CREATES RISKS OF LOSS THAT ARE
NOT NORMALLY ASSOCIATED WITH INVESTMENTS IN OTHER SECURITIES
MARKETS. THE DEPOSITARY WILL NOT BE LIABLE FOR THE UNAVAILABILITY OF
SHARES OR FOR THE FAILURE TO MAKE ANY DISTRIBUTION OF CASH OR PROPERTY WITH
RESPECT THERETO AS A RESULT OF SUCH UNAVAILABILITY.
THE
DEPOSITARY HAS BEEN ADVISED BY RUSSIAN COUNSEL THAT COURTS IN THE RUSSIAN
FEDERATION WILL NOT RECOGNIZE OR ENFORCE JUDGMENTS OBTAINED IN THE FEDERAL
COURTS OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA OR XXX XXXXXX XX XXX XXXXX XX XXX
XXXX.
AMERICAN
DEPOSITARY RECEIPT
evidencing
AMERICAN
DEPOSITARY SHARES
representing
ORDINARY
SHARES
of
MOBILE
TELESYSTEMS OJSC
(Incorporated
under the
laws of
the Russian Federation)
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JPMORGAN
CHASE BANK, N.A., a national banking association organized under the laws of the
United States of America, as depositary hereunder (the "Depositary"), hereby
certifies that ___________ is the registered owner (a "Holder") of _____
American Depositary Shares ("ADSs"), each (subject to paragraph (14))
representing two shares of common stock (including the rights to receive Shares
described in paragraph (1), "Shares" and, together with any other securities,
cash or property from time to time held by the Depositary in respect or in lieu
of deposited Shares, the "Deposited Securities"), of MOBILE TELESYSTEMS OJSC, a
corporation organized under the laws of the Russian Federation (the "Company"),
deposited at the Moscow, Russian Federation office of ING Bank (Eurasia) ZAO, as
Custodian (subject to paragraph (16), the "Custodian"), under the Deposit
Agreement dated as of July 6, 2000 (as amended from time to time, the
"Deposit Agreement") among the Company, the Depositary and all Holders from time
to time of American Depositary Receipts issued thereunder ("ADRs"), each of whom
by accepting an ADR becomes a party thereto. The Deposit Agreement
and this ADR (which includes provisions set forth on the reverse hereof) shall
be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New
York, except with respect to its authorization and execution by the Company,
which shall be governed by the laws of the Russian Federation.
(1) Issuance of
ADRs. This ADR is one of the ADRs issued under the Deposit
Agreement. Subject to paragraph (4), the Depositary may so issue ADRs for
delivery at the Transfer Office (defined in paragraph (3)) only against deposit
with the Custodian of: (a) Shares in form satisfactory to the
Custodian; (b) rights to receive Shares from the Company or any registrar,
transfer agent, clearing agent or other entity recording Share ownership or
transactions; or, (c) other rights to receive Shares (until such Shares are
actually deposited pursuant to (a) or (b) above, "Pre-released ADRs") only if
(i) Pre-released ADRs are fully collateralized (marked to market daily) with
cash or U.S. government securities held by the Depositary for the benefit of
Holders (but such collateral shall not constitute "Deposited Securities"), (ii)
each recipient of Pre-released ADRs agrees in writing with the Depositary that
such recipient (a) owns such Shares, (b) assigns all beneficial right, title and
interest therein to the Depositary, (c) holds such Shares for the account of the
Depositary and (d) will deliver such Shares to the Custodian as soon as
practicable and promptly upon demand therefor and (iii) all Pre-released ADRs
evidence not more than 30% of all ADSs (excluding those evidenced by
Pre-released ADRs), provided, however, that the
Depositary reserves the right to change or disregard such limit from time to
time as it reasonably deems appropriate. The Depositary may retain
for its own account any earnings on collateral for Pre-released ADRs and its
charges for issuance thereof. At the request, risk and expense of the
person depositing Shares, the Depositary may accept deposits for forwarding to
the Custodian and may deliver ADRs at a place other than its
office. Every person depositing Shares under the Deposit Agreement
represents and warrants that such Shares are validly issued and outstanding,
fully paid, nonassessable and free of pre-emptive rights, that the person making
such deposit is duly authorized so to do and that such Shares (A) are not
"restricted securities" as such term is defined in Rule 144 under the Securities
Act of 1933 unless at the time of deposit they may be freely transferred in
accordance with Rule 144(k) and may otherwise be offered and sold freely in the
United States or (B) have been registered under the Securities Act of
1933. Such representations and warranties shall survive the deposit
of Shares and issuance of ADRs. The Depositary will not knowingly
accept for deposit under the Deposit Agreement any Shares required to be
registered under the Securities Act of 1933 and not so registered; the
Depositary may refuse to accept for such deposit any Shares identified by the
Company in order to facilitate the Company's compliance with such
Act.
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(2) Withdrawal of Deposited
Securities. Subject to paragraphs (4) and (5), upon surrender
of (i) a certificated ADR in form satisfactory to the Depositary at the Transfer
Office or (ii) proper instructions and documentation in the case of a Direct
Registration ADR, the Holder hereof is entitled to delivery at the Custodian's
office of the Deposited Securities at the time represented by the ADSs evidenced
by this ADR. At the request, risk and expense of the Holder hereof,
the Depositary may deliver such Deposited Securities at such other place as may
have been requested by the Holder. Notwithstanding any other
provision of the Deposit Agreement or this ADR, the withdrawal of Deposited
Securities may be restricted only for the reasons set forth in General
Instruction I.A.(1) of Form F-6 (as such instructions may be amended from time
to time) under the Securities Act of 1933.
(3) Transfers of
ADRs. The Depositary or its agent will keep, at a designated
transfer office in the Borough of Manhattan, The City of New York (the "Transfer
Office"), (a) a register (the "ADR Register") for the registration, registration
of transfer, combination and split-up of ADRs, and, in the case of Direct
Registration ADRs, shall include the Direct Registration System, which at all
reasonable times will be open for inspection by Holders and the Company for the
purpose of communicating with Holders in the interest of the business of the
Company or a matter relating to the Deposit Agreement and (b) facilities for the
delivery and receipt of ADRs. The term ADR Register includes the
Direct Registration System. Title to this ADR (and to the Deposited
Securities represented by the ADSs evidenced hereby), when properly endorsed (in
the case of ADRs in certificated form) or upon delivery to the Depositary of
proper instruments of transfer, is transferable by delivery with the same effect
as in the case of negotiable instruments under the laws of the State of New
York; provided
that the Depositary, notwithstanding any notice to the contrary, may treat the
person in whose name this ADR is registered on the ADR Register as the absolute
owner hereof for all purposes. Subject to paragraphs (4) and (5),
this ADR is transferable on the ADR Register and may be split into other ADRs or
combined with other ADRs into one ADR, evidencing the same number of ADSs
evidenced by this ADR, by the Holder hereof or by duly authorized attorney upon
surrender of this ADR at the Transfer Office properly endorsed (in the case of
ADRs in certificated form) or upon delivery to the Depositary of
proper instruments of transfer and duly stamped as may be required by applicable
law; provided
that the Depositary may close the ADR Register at any time or from time to time
when reasonably deemed expedient by it or requested by the
Company. At the request of a Holder, the Depositary shall, for the
purpose of substituting a certificated ADR with a Direct Registration ADR, or
vice versa, execute and deliver a certificated ADR or a Direct Registration ADR,
as the case may be, for any authorized number of ADSs requested, evidencing the
same aggregate number of ADSs as those evidenced by the certificated ADR or
Direct Registration ADR, as the case may be, substituted.
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(4) Certain
Limitations. Prior to the issue, registration, registration of
transfer, split-up or combination of any ADR, the delivery of any distribution
in respect thereof, or, subject to the last sentence of paragraph (2), the
withdrawal of any Deposited Securities, and from time to time in the case of
clause (b)(ii) of this paragraph (4), the Company, the Depositary or the
Custodian may require: (a) payment with respect thereto of (i) any
stock transfer or other tax or other governmental charge, (ii) any stock
transfer or registration fees in effect for the registration of transfers of
Shares or other Deposited Securities upon any applicable register and (iii) any
applicable charges as provided in paragraph (7) of this ADR; (b) the production
of proof satisfactory to it of (i) the identity and genuineness of any signature
and (ii) such other information, including without limitation, information as to
citizenship, residence, exchange control approval, beneficial ownership of any
securities, compliance with applicable law, regulations, provisions of or
governing Deposited Securities and terms of the Deposit Agreement and this ADR,
as it may deem necessary or proper; and (c) compliance with such regulations as
the Depositary may establish consistent with the Deposit
Agreement. The issuance of ADRs, the acceptance of deposits of
Shares, the registration, registration of transfer, split-up or combination of
ADRs or, subject to the last sentence of paragraph (2), the withdrawal of
Deposited Securities may be suspended, generally or in particular instances,
when the ADR Register or any register for Deposited Securities is closed or when
any such action is deemed advisable by the Depositary or the
Company.
(5) Taxes. If
any tax or other governmental charge shall become payable by or on behalf of the
Custodian or the Depositary with respect to this ADR, any Deposited Securities
represented by the ADSs evidenced hereby or any distribution thereon, such tax
or other governmental charge shall be paid by the Holder hereof to the
Depositary. The Depositary may refuse to effect any registration,
registration of transfer, split-up or combination hereof or, subject to the last
sentence of paragraph (2), any withdrawal of such Deposited Securities until
such payment is made. The Depositary also may deduct from any
distributions on or in respect of Deposited Securities, or may sell by public or
private sale for the account of the Holder hereof any part or all of such
Deposited Securities (after attempting by reasonable means to notify the Holder
hereof prior to such sale), and may apply such deduction or the proceeds of any
such sale in payment of such tax or other governmental charge, the Holder hereof
remaining liable for any deficiency, and shall reduce the number of ADSs
evidenced hereby to reflect any such sales of Shares. In connection
with any distribution to Holders, the Company will remit to the appropriate
governmental authority or agency all amounts (if any) required to be withheld
and owing to such authority or agency by the Company; and the Depositary and the
Custodian will remit to the appropriate governmental authority or agency all
amounts (if any) required to be withheld and owing to such authority or agency
by the Depositary or the Custodian. If the Depositary determines that
any distribution in property other than cash (including Shares or rights) on
Deposited Securities is subject to any tax that the Depositary or the Custodian
is obligated to withhold, the Depositary may dispose of all or a portion of such
property in such amounts and in such manner as the Depositary deems reasonably
necessary and practicable to pay such taxes, by public or private sale, and the
Depositary shall distribute the net proceeds of any such sale or the balance of
any such property after deduction of such taxes to the Holders entitled
thereto.
(6) Disclosure of
Interests. To the extent that the provisions of or governing
any Deposited Securities (including the Company's Charter or applicable law) may
require disclosure of or impose limits on beneficial or other ownership of
Deposited Securities, other Shares and other securities and may provide for
blocking, transfer, voting or other rights to enforce such disclosure or limits,
Holders and all persons holding ADRs agree to comply with all such disclosure
requirements and ownership limitations and to cooperate with the Depositary in
the Depositary's compliance with any Company instructions in respect thereof,
and the Depositary will use reasonable efforts to comply with such Company
instructions.
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(7) Charges of
Depositary. The Depositary may charge (i) each person to whom ADSs are
issued, including, without limitation, issuances against deposits of
Shares, issuances in respect of Share Distributions, Rights and Other
Distributions (as such terms are defined in
paragraph (11)), issuances pursuant to a stock dividend or stock
split declared by the Company, or issuances pursuant to a merger, exchange
of securities or any other transaction or event affecting the ADSs or the
Deposited Securities, and (ii) each person surrendering ADSs for withdrawal
of Deposited Securities or whose ADSs are cancelled or reduced for any other
reason, U.S. $5.00 for each 100 ADSs (or portion thereof) issued, delivered,
reduced, cancelled or surrendered (as the case may be). The Depositary may
sell (by public or private sale) sufficient securities and property received in
respect of Share Distributions, Rights and Other Distributions prior to such
deposit to pay such charge. The following additional charges shall be incurred
by the Holders, by any party depositing or withdrawing Shares or by any party
surrendering ADSs or to whom ADSs are issued (including, without limitation,
issuance pursuant to a stock dividend or stock split declared by the Company or
an exchange of stock regarding the ADSs or the Deposited Securities or a
distribution of ADSs pursuant to paragraph (11)), whichever is applicable (i) a
fee of $.02 or less per ADS (or portion thereof) for any Cash distribution made
pursuant to the Deposit Agreement, (ii) a fee of $1.50 per ADR for transfers
made pursuant to paragraph (3) hereof, (iii) a fee for the distribution or sale
of securities pursuant to paragraph (11) hereof, such fee being in an amount
equal to the fee for the execution and delivery of ADSs referred to above which
would have been charged as a result of the deposit of such securities (for
purposes of this paragraph (7) treating all such securities as if they were
Shares) but which securities or the net cash proceeds from the sale thereof are
instead distributed by the Depositary to Holders entitled thereto, (iv) a fee of
U.S.$0.02 per ADS (or portion thereof) per calendar year for services performed
by the depositary in administering the ADRs (which fee may be charged on a
periodic basis during each calendar year ((with the aggregate of such fees not
to exceed the amount set forth above)) and shall be assessed against holders of
ADRs as of the record date or record dates set by the depositary during each
calendar year and shall be payable at the sole discretion of the Depositary by
billing such Holders or by deducting such charge from one or more cash dividends
or other cash distributions), (v) a fee of $0.01 or less per ADS (or portion
thereof) per year for custodian and Share Register related issues, including,
without limitation, any inspections of the Share Register maintained by the
Russian Share Registrar or other confirmation of holdings of Deposited
Securities (which fee shall be assessed against Holders of record as of the date
set by the Depositary in accordance with paragraph (12) hereof not more often
than once each calendar year) and (vi) such fees and expenses as are incurred by
the Depositary (including without limitation expenses incurred on behalf of
Holders in connection with compliance with foreign exchange control regulations
or any law or regulation relating to foreign investment) in delivery of
Deposited Securities or otherwise in connection with the Depositary's or its
Custodian's compliance with any applicable law, rule or regulation. The Company
will pay all other charges and expenses of the Depositary and any agent of the
Depositary (except the Custodian) pursuant to agreements from time to time
between the Company and the Depositary, except (i) stock transfer or other taxes
and other governmental charges (which are payable by Holders or persons
depositing Shares), (ii) cable, telex and facsimile transmission and delivery
charges incurred at the request of persons depositing, or Holders delivering
Shares, ADRs or Deposited Securities (which are payable by such persons or
Holders), (iii) transfer or registration fees for the registration or transfer
of Deposited Securities on any applicable register in connection with the
deposit or withdrawal of Deposited Securities (which are payable by persons
depositing Shares or Holders withdrawing Deposited Securities; there are no such
fees in respect of the Shares as of the date of the Deposit Agreement), (iv)
expenses of the Depositary in connection with the conversion of foreign currency
into U.S. dollars (which are paid out of such foreign currency), and (v) any
other charge payable by any of the Depositary, any of the Depositary’s agents,
including, without limitation, the Custodian, or the agents of the Depositary’s
agents in connection with the servicing of the Shares or other Deposited
Securities (which charge shall be assessed against Holders as of the record date
or dates set by the Depositary and shall be payable at the sole discretion of
the Depositary by billing such Holders or by deducting such charge from one or
more cash dividends or other cash distributions). Such charges may at any time
and from time to time be changed by agreement between the Company and the
Depositary.
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(8) Depositary's
Agents. The Depositary may perform its obligations under this
Deposit Agreement through any agent appointed by it, provided that the
Depositary shall notify the Company of such appointment and shall remain
responsible for the performance of such obligations as if no such agent were
appointed. With respect to any and all losses, damages, costs,
judgments, expenses and other liabilities (including reasonable attorneys' fees
and expenses) (collectively referred to as "Losses") incurred by any Holder or
Beneficial Owner as a result of the acts or failure to act by such agent or
attorney (or, in the case of the Custodian, only such damages as are described
below), the Depositary shall take appropriate action to recover such Losses from
such agent or attorney and as promptly as practicable shall distribute any
amounts so recovered (exclusive of costs and expenses incurred by the Depositary
in connection with recovering such Losses which are not reimbursed by such agent
or attorney, including, without limitation, the Custodian) to the Holders and
Beneficial Owners entitled thereto; and the Depositary's sole responsibility and
liability to such Holders and Beneficial Owners shall be limited to amounts so
received from such agent or attorney (exclusive of costs and expenses incurred
by the Depositary in connection with recovering such Losses which are not
reimbursed by such agent or attorney, including, without limitation, the
Custodian).
The
liability of the Custodian is set forth in the Custody Agreement between the
Depositary and the Custodian (the "Custody Agreement"). Under the
terms of the Custodian Operating Agreement, the Custodian is only liable for its
breach of the Custody Agreement, its negligence, willful default or fraud in
connection with the performance of its obligations thereunder and for loss of
Shares or funds held in custody under the Custody Agreement. In each
case, the liability of the Custodian with respect to the loss of Shares or funds
will be limited to direct (but not indirect, including consequential) losses
incurred by Holders and Beneficial Owners.
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Moreover,
only the Depositary, acting on behalf of Holders and Beneficial Owners, will be
permitted to bring claims against the Custodian in respect of such losses
incurred by Holders and Beneficial Owners as a result of the acts of, or the
failure to act by, the Custodian. Any such claims by the Depositary
against the Custodian will be resolved exclusively by
arbitration. The Depositary agrees to promptly remit to Holders any
amounts recovered from such claims (exclusive of costs and expenses incurred by
the Depositary in connection with recovering such losses which are not
reimbursed by the Custodian). The Depositary shall have no other
responsibility or liability to Holders or Beneficial Owners with respect to the
acts of, or the failure to act by, the Custodian or for the unavailability of
the Shares or the failure to make any distribution of cash or property with
respect thereto as a result of such unavailability.
The
liability of the Custodian for such losses incurred by Holders and Beneficial
Owners, the obligation of the Depositary to bring claims against the Custodian
for such losses and the method by which such claims may be brought are subject
to the terms and conditions of the Custody Agreement, a copy of which is
available from the Depositary upon the written request of any
Holder.
(9) Available
Information. The Deposit Agreement, the provisions of or
governing Deposited Securities and any written communications from the Company,
which are both received by the Custodian or its nominee as a holder of Deposited
Securities and made generally available to the holders of Deposited Securities,
are available for inspection by Holders at the offices of the Depositary and the
Custodian and at the Transfer Office. The Depositary will mail copies
of such communications (or English translations or summaries thereof) to Holders
when furnished by the Company.
The
Company is subject to the periodic reporting requirements of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934 and accordingly files certain reports with the U.S.
Securities and Exchange Commission (the "Commission"). Such reports
and other information may be inspected and copied at public reference facilities
maintained by the Commission located at the date hereof at 000 X Xxxxxx, X.X.,
Xxxxxxxxxx, X.X. 00000.
(10) Execution. This
ADR shall not be valid for any purpose unless executed by the Depositary by the
manual or facsimile signature of a duly authorized officer of the
Depositary.
Dated:
JPMORGAN
CHASE BANK, N.A. as Depositary
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By:
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Authorized
Officer
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The
Depositary's office is located at 1 Chase Xxxxxxxxx Xxxxx, Xxxxx 00, Xxx Xxxx,
XX, 00000-0000.
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[FORM OF
REVERSE OF ADR]
(11) Distributions on Deposited
Securities. Subject to paragraphs (4) and (5), to the extent
practicable, the Depositary will distribute by mail to each Holder entitled
thereto on the record date set by the Depositary therefor at such Holder's
address shown on the ADR Register, in proportion to the number of Deposited
Securities (on which the following distributions on Deposited Securities are
received by the Custodian) represented by ADSs evidenced by such Holder's
ADRs: (a) Cash. Any
U.S. dollars available to the Depositary resulting from a cash dividend or other
cash distribution or the net proceeds of sales of any other distribution or
portion thereof authorized in this paragraph (11) ("Cash"), on an averaged or
other practicable basis, subject to (i) appropriate adjustments for taxes
withheld, (ii) such distribution being impermissible or impracticable with
respect to certain Holders, and (iii) deduction of the Depositary's expenses in
(1) converting any foreign currency to U.S. dollars by sale or in such other
manner as the Depositary may determine to the extent that it determines that
such conversion may be made on a reasonable basis, (2) transferring foreign
currency or U.S. dollars to the United States by such means as the Depositary
may determine to the extent that it determines that such transfer may be made on
a reasonable basis, (3) obtaining any approval or license of any governmental
authority required for such conversion or transfer, which is obtainable at a
reasonable cost and within a reasonable time and (4) making any sale by public
or private means in any commercially reasonable manner. (b) Shares. (i)
Additional ADRs evidencing whole ADSs representing any Shares available to the
Depositary resulting from a dividend or free distribution on Deposited
Securities consisting of Shares (a "Share Distribution") and (ii) U.S. dollars
available to it resulting from the net proceeds of sales of Shares received in a
Share Distribution, which Shares would give rise to fractional ADSs if
additional ADRs were issued therefor, as in the case of Cash. (c)
Rights. (i)
Warrants or other instruments in the discretion of the Depositary representing
rights to acquire additional ADRs in respect of any rights to subscribe for
additional Shares or rights of any nature available to the Depositary as a
result of a distribution on Deposited Securities ("Rights"), to the extent that
the Company timely furnishes to the Depositary evidence satisfactory to the
Depositary that the Depositary may lawfully distribute the same (the Company has
no obligation to so furnish such evidence), or (ii) to the extent the Company
does not so furnish such evidence and sales of Rights are practicable, any U.S.
dollars available to the Depositary from the net proceeds of sales of Rights as
in the case of Cash, or (iii) to the extent the Company does not so furnish such
evidence and such sales cannot practicably be accomplished by reason of the
nontransferability of the Rights, limited markets therefor, their short duration
or otherwise, nothing (and any Rights may lapse). (d) Other
Distributions. (i) Securities or property available to the
Depositary resulting from any distribution on Deposited Securities other than
Cash, Share Distributions and Rights ("Other Distributions"), by any
means that the Depositary may deem equitable and practicable, or (ii) to the
extent the Depositary deems distribution of such securities or property not to
be equitable and practicable, any U.S. dollars available to the Depositary from
the net proceeds of sales of Other Distributions as in the case of
Cash. Such U.S. dollars available will be distributed by checks drawn
on a bank in the United States for whole dollars and cents (any fractional cents
being withheld without liability and dealt with by the Depositary in accordance
with its then current practices).
8
(12) Record
Dates. The Depositary, after consultation with the Company if
practicable, may fix a record date (which shall be as near as practicable to any
corresponding record date set by the Company) for the determination of the
Holders who shall be entitled to receive any distribution on or in respect of
Deposited Securities, to give instructions for the exercise of any voting
rights, for the determination of the Holders who shall be responsible for the
fee assessed by the Depositary for inspection of the Share Register maintained
by the Russian Share Registrar or any other fees hereunder, to receive any
notice or to act in respect of other matters and only such Holders shall be so
entitled.
(13) Voting of Deposited
Securities. As soon as practicable after receipt from the
Company of notice of any meeting or solicitation of consents or proxies of
holders of Shares or other Deposited Securities, the Depositary shall mail to
Holders a notice stating (a) such information as is contained in such notice and
any solicitation materials, (b) that each Holder on the record date set by the
Depositary therefor will be entitled to instruct the Depositary as to the
exercise of the voting rights, if any, pertaining to the Deposited Securities
represented by the ADSs evidenced by such Holder's ADRs and (c) the manner in
which such instructions may be given. Upon receipt of instructions of
a Holder on such record date in the manner and on or before the date established
by the Depositary for such purpose, the Depositary shall endeavor insofar as
practicable and permitted under the provisions of or governing Deposited
Securities to vote or cause to be voted the Deposited Securities represented by
the ADSs evidenced by such Holder's ADRs in accordance with such
instructions. The Depositary shall not vote or attempt to exercise
the right to vote that attaches to the Shares or other Deposited Securities,
other than in accordance with such instructions.
At the
request of the Company, the Depositary shall deliver, at least two business days
prior to the date of such meeting, a schedule of all instructions received from
Holders in accordance with which the Depositary will vote or cause to be voted,
the Deposited Securities represented by the ADSs evidenced by such ADRs at such
meeting and corresponding information indicating the number of copies of
instructions to be delivered and the period of time that is required by the
Depositary to furnish copies of all such instructions and the Company and the
Depositary will agree upon a schedule for such delivery and the costs to be paid
therefor by the Company.
The
Company agrees to make the notice and any solicitation material for any such
meeting available to Beneficial Owners in a timely manner, and in any event no
less than 28 days prior to the date of the relevant meeting of holders of
Shares, in order to allow such Beneficial Owners to provide voting instructions
to the relevant Holder. For the avoidance of doubt, it is agreed that
the Company shall bear the sole responsibility for distributing any notices and
solicitation materials to Beneficial Owners pursuant to the foregoing
procedures, and the Depositary shall assist the Company in conducting such
distribution and shall not be liable for the failure of the Company to do so or
to do so in a timely manner. The Company and the Depositary agree to
cooperate with each other in connection with the voting procedures described in
this paragraph (13).
9
(14) Changes Affecting Deposited
Securities. Subject to paragraphs (4) and (5), the Depositary,
in its discretion, may amend this ADR or distribute additional or amended ADRs
(with or without calling this ADR for exchange) or cash, securities or property
on the record date set by the Depositary therefor to reflect any change in
nominal value, split-up, consolidation, cancellation or other reclassification
of Deposited Securities, any Share Distribution or Other Distribution not
distributed to Holders or any cash, securities or property available to the
Depositary in respect of Deposited Securities from (and the Depositary is hereby
authorized to surrender any Deposited Securities to any person and to sell by
public or private sale any property received in connection with) any
recapitalization, reorganization, merger, consolidation, liquidation,
receivership, bankruptcy or sale of all or substantially all the assets of the
Company, and to the extent the Depositary does not so amend this ADR or make a
distribution to Holders to reflect any of the foregoing, or the net proceeds
thereof, whatever cash, securities or property results from any of the foregoing
shall constitute Deposited Securities and each ADS evidenced by this ADR
automatically shall represent its pro rata interest in the Deposited Securities
as then constituted.
(15) Exoneration. The
Depositary, the Company, their agents and each of them shall: (a) incur no
liability (i) if law, regulation, the provisions of or governing any Deposited
Securities, act of God, war or other circumstance beyond its control shall
prevent, delay or subject to any civil or criminal penalty any act which the
Deposit Agreement or this ADR provides shall be done or performed by it or them
(including, without limitation, voting pursuant to paragraph (13) hereof), or
(ii) by reason of any exercise or failure to exercise any discretion given it or
them in the Deposit Agreement or this ADR; (b) assume no liability except to
perform its or their obligations to the extent they are specifically set forth
in this ADR and the Deposit Agreement without gross negligence or bad faith; (c)
in the case of the Depositary and its agents, be under no obligation to appear
in, prosecute or defend any action, suit or other proceeding in respect of any
Deposited Securities or this ADR; (d) in the case of the Company and its agents
hereunder be under no obligation to appear in, prosecute or defend any action,
suit or other proceeding in respect of any Deposited Securities or this ADR,
which in its or their opinion may involve it or them in expense or liability,
unless indemnity satisfactory to it or them against all expense (including fees
and disbursements of counsel) and liability be furnished as often as may be
required; or (e) not be liable for any action or inaction by it or them in
reliance upon the advice of or information from legal counsel, accountants, any
person presenting Shares for deposit, any Holder, or any other person believed
by it or them to be competent to give such advice or information provided, however, that in the
case of the Company, advice of or information from legal counsel is from
recognized U.S. counsel for U.S. legal issues, recognized Russian counsel for
Russian legal issues and recognized counsel of any other jurisdiction for legal
issues with respect to that jurisdiction. The Depositary, its agents
and the Company may rely and shall be protected in acting upon any written
notice, request, direction or other document believed by them to be genuine and
to have been signed or presented by the proper party or parties. The
Depositary and its agents will not be responsible for any failure to carry out
any instructions to vote any of the Deposited Securities (provided such action
or omission is in good faith), for the manner in which any such vote is cast or
for the effect of any such vote. The Depositary and its agents may
own and deal in any class of securities of the Company and its affiliates and in
ADRs. The Depositary shall not be liable to the Company, any Holder
or Beneficial Owner or any other person for the unavailability of the Deposited
Securities or for the failure to make any distribution of Cash or Other
Distributions with respect thereto as a result of (a) any act or failure to act
of the Company or its agents, including the Russian Share Registrar, or its or
their respective directors, employees, agents or affiliates, (b) any provision
of any present or future law or regulation of the United States, the Russian
Federation or any other country, (c) any provision of any present or future
regulation of any governmental or regulatory authority or stock exchange, (d)
any provision of any present or future Charter of the Company or any other
instrument of the Company governing Deposited Securities or (e) any provision of
any securities issued or distributed by the Company, or any offering or
distribution thereof. The Company has agreed to indemnify the
Depositary and its agents under certain circumstances, and the Depositary has
agreed to indemnify the Company against losses incurred by the Company to the
extent such losses are due to the negligence or bad faith of the
Depositary. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary set forth in the
Deposit Agreement or an ADR, the Depositary and its agents may fully respond to
any and all demands or requests for information maintained by or on its behalf
in connection with the Deposit Agreement, any Holder or Holders, any ADR or ADRs
or otherwise related hereto to the extent such information is requested or
required by or pursuant to any lawful authority, including without limitation
laws, rules, regulations, administrative or judicial process, or banking,
securities or other regulators. Neither the Company nor the
Depositary nor any of their respective agents shall be liable to Holders or
beneficial owners of interests in ADSs for any indirect, special, punitive or
consequential damages. No disclaimer of liability under the Securities Act of
1933 is intended by any provision hereof.
10
(16) Resignation and Removal of
Depositary; the Custodian. The Depositary may resign as
Depositary by written notice of its election to do so delivered to the Company,
or be removed as Depositary by the Company by written notice of such removal
delivered to the Depositary. The Depositary may appoint substitute or
additional Custodians and the term "Custodian" refers to
each Custodian or all Custodians as the context requires.
(17) Amendment. Subject
to the last sentence of paragraph (2), the ADRs and the Deposit Agreement may be
amended by the Company and the Depositary, provided that any
amendment that imposes or increases any fees or charges (other than stock
transfer or other taxes and other governmental charges, transfer or registration
fees, cable, telex or facsimile transmission costs, delivery costs or other such
expenses), or that shall otherwise prejudice any substantial existing right of
Holders, shall become effective 30 days after notice of such amendment shall
have been given to the Holders. Every Holder of an ADR at the time
any amendment to the Deposit Agreement so becomes effective shall be deemed, by
continuing to hold such ADR, to consent and agree to such amendment and to be
bound by the Deposit Agreement as amended thereby. In no event shall
any amendment impair the right of the Holder of any ADR to surrender such ADR
and receive the Deposited Securities represented thereby, except in order to
comply with mandatory provisions of applicable law. Any amendments or
supplements which (i) are reasonably necessary (as agreed by the Company and the
Depositary) in order for (a) the ADSs to be registered on Form F-6 under the
Securities Act of 1933 or (b) the ADSs or Shares to be traded solely in
electronic book-entry form and (ii) do not in either such case impose or
increase any fees or charges to be borne by Holders, shall be deemed not to
prejudice any substantial rights of Holders. Notwithstanding the
foregoing, if any governmental body should adopt new laws, rules or regulations
which would require amendment or supplement of the Deposit Agreement or the form
of ADR to ensure compliance therewith, the Company and the Depositary may amend
or supplement the Deposit Agreement and the ADR at any time in accordance with
such changed rules. Such amendment or supplement to the Deposit
Agreement in such circumstances may become effective before a notice of such
amendment or supplement is given to Holders or within any other period of time
as required for compliance.
11
(18) Termination. Upon
the resignation or removal of the Depositary pursuant to the Deposit Agreement,
the Depositary may, and shall at the written direction of the Company, terminate
the Deposit Agreement and this ADR by mailing notice of such termination to the
Holders at least 30 days prior to the date fixed in such notice for such
termination. After the date so fixed for termination, the Depositary
and its agents will perform no further acts under the Deposit Agreement and this
ADR, except to receive and hold (or sell) distributions on Deposited Securities
and deliver Deposited Securities being withdrawn. As soon as
practicable after the expiration of six months from the date so fixed for
termination, the Depositary shall sell the Deposited Securities and shall
thereafter (as long as it may lawfully do so) hold in a segregated account the
net proceeds of such sales, together with any other cash then held by it under
the Deposit Agreement, without liability for interest, in trust for the pro rata benefit of the
Holders of ADRs not theretofore surrendered. After making such sale,
the Depositary shall be discharged from all obligations in respect of the
Deposit Agreement and this ADR, except to account for such net proceeds and
other cash. After the date so fixed for termination, the Company
shall be discharged from all obligations under the Deposit Agreement except for
its obligations to the Depositary and its agents.
(19) Arbitration; Waiver of
Immunities. The Deposit Agreement provides that any
controversy, claim or cause of action brought by any party to the Deposit
Agreement against the Company arising out of or relating to the Shares or other
Deposited Securities, the ADSs, the ADRs or the Deposit Agreement, or the breach
thereof, shall be referred to, and finally settled by, arbitration in accordance
with the Arbitration Rules of the London Court of International Arbitration (the
LCIA Rules) in effect on the date of this Agreement, which Rules are deemed
incorporated by reference into this paragraph, and that judgment upon the award
rendered by the arbitrators may be entered in any court having jurisdiction
thereof; provided, that in the event of any third-party litigation to which the
Depositary is a party and to which the Company may properly be joined, the
Company may be so joined in any court in which such litigation is proceeding;
and provided further that any such controversy, claim or cause of action that
relates to or is based upon the provisions of the federal securities laws of the
United States or the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder may, but need
not, be submitted to arbitration as provided in the Deposit
Agreement. The Deposit Agreement further provides that any
controversy, claim or cause of action arising out of or relating to the Shares
or other Deposited Securities, the ADSs, the ADRs or the Deposit Agreement not
subject to arbitration shall be litigated in the federal and state courts in the
Borough of Manhattan. The Company has agreed in the Deposit Agreement
to appoint Xxxxxxx & Associates, presently having its office at 000 Xxxxxxx
Xxxxxx, Xxxxx 000, Xxxxxx, Xxxxxxxx 00000, Xxxxxx Xxxxxx of America,
as its agent for service of process.
12
To the extent that the Company or any
of its properties, assets or revenues may have or hereafter become entitled to,
or have attributed to it, any right of immunity, or the grounds of sovereignty
or otherwise, from any legal action, suit or proceeding, from the giving of any
relief in any respect thereof, from setoff or counterclaim, from the
jurisdiction of any court, from service of process, from attachment upon or
prior to judgment, from attachment in aid of execution or judgment, or other
legal process or proceeding or the giving of any relief or for the enforcement
of any judgment, in any jurisdiction in which proceedings may at any time be
commenced, with respect to its obligations, liabilities or any other matter
under or arising out of or in connection with the Shares or Deposited
Securities, the ADSs, the ADRs or the Deposit Agreement, the Company, to the
fullest extent permitted by law, hereby irrevocably and unconditionally waives,
and agrees not to plead or claim, any such immunity and consents to such relief
and enforcement.
(20) Registration of Shares;
Russian Share Registrar; Share Register. (a) The Company has
agreed in the Deposit Agreement that it shall, at any time and from time to
time:
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(i)
|
take
any and all action as may be necessary to assure the accuracy and
completeness of all information set forth in the Share Register maintained
by the Russian Share Registrar in respect of the Shares or Deposited
Securities;
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(ii)
|
provide
or use its best efforts to cause the Russian Share Registrar to provide to
the Depositary, the Custodian or their respective agents unrestricted
access to the Share Register during ordinary business hours in Moscow, the
Russian Federation, in such manner and upon such terms and conditions as
the Depositary, in its reasonable discretion, may deem appropriate, to
permit the Depositary, the Custodian or their respective agents to
regularly (and in any event not less than monthly) confirm the number of
Deposited Securities registered in the name of the Depositary, the
Custodian or their respective nominees, as applicable, pursuant to the
terms of this Deposit Agreement and, in connection therewith, to provide
the Depositary, the Custodian or their respective agents, upon request,
with a duplicate extract from the Share Register duly certified by the
Russian Share Registrar (or some other evidence of verification which the
Depositary, in its reasonable discretion, deems
sufficient);
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(iii)
|
use
its best efforts to cause the Russian Share Registrar promptly (and, in
any event, within 72 hours of the Russian Share Registrar's receipt of
such documentation as may be required by applicable law and the reasonable
and customary regulations of the Russian Share Registrar, or as soon as
practicable thereafter to effect the reregistration of ownership of
Deposited Securities in the Share Register in connection with any deposit
or withdrawal of Shares or Deposited Securities under the Deposit
Agreement;
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(iv)
|
permit
and use its best efforts to cause the Russian Share Registrar to permit
the Depositary or the Custodian to register any Shares or other Deposited
Securities held under the Deposit Agreement in the name of the Depositary,
the Custodian or their respective nominees (which may, but need not be, a
non-resident of the Russian Federation);
and
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13
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(v)
|
use
its best efforts to cause the Russian Share Registrar promptly to notify
the Depositary in writing at any time that the Russian Share Registrar (A)
eliminates the name of a shareholder of the Company from the Share
Register or otherwise alters a shareholder's interest in the Company's
shares and such shareholder alleges to the Company or the Russian Share
Registrar or publicly that such elimination or alteration is unlawful; (B)
no longer will be able materially to comply with, or has engaged in
conduct that indicates it will not materially comply with, the provisions
of this Deposit Agreement relating to it (including, without limitation,
Section 19); (C) refuses to re-register shares of the Company in the name
of a particular purchaser and such purchaser (or its respective seller)
alleges that such refusal is unlawful; (D) holds Shares of the Company for
its own account; or (E) has materially breached the provisions of the
Deposit Agreement relating to it (including, without limitation, Section
19) and has failed to cure such breach within a reasonable
time.
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(b) The
Company has agreed in the Deposit Agreement that it shall be solely liable for
any act or failure to act on the part of the Russian Share Registrar, and that
the Company shall be solely liable for the unavailability of Deposited
Securities or for the failure of the Depositary to make any distribution of cash
or property with respect thereto as a result of (i) any act or failure to act of
the Company or its agents, including the Russian Share Registrar, or their
respective directors, employees, agents or affiliates, (ii) any provision of any
present or future Charter of the Company or any other instrument of the Company
governing the Deposited Securities, or (iii) any provision of any securities
issued or distributed by the Company, or any offering or distribution
thereof.
(c) The
Depositary has agreed in the Deposit Agreement that the Depositary or the
Custodian will confirm regularly (and in any event not less than monthly) the
number of Deposited Securities registered in the name of the Depositary, the
Custodian or their respective nominees, as applicable, pursuant to the terms of
the Deposit Agreement. The Company and the Depositary have agreed in
the Deposit Agreement that, for the purposes of the rights and obligations under
the Deposit Agreement and this ADR of the parties thereto and hereto, the
records of the Depositary and the Custodian shall be controlling for all
purposes with respect to the number of Shares or other Deposited Securities
which should be registered in the name of the Depositary, the Custodian or their
respective nominees, as applicable, pursuant to the terms of the Deposit
Agreement. In the event of any material discrepancy between the
records of the Depositary or the Custodian and the Share Register, then, if the
Depositary has knowledge of such discrepancy, the Depositary will notify the
Company promptly. In the event of any discrepancy between the records
of the Depositary or the Custodian and the Share Register, the Company has
agreed that (whether or not it has received any notification from the
Depositary) it will use its best efforts to (i) cause the Russian Share
Registrar to reconcile its records to the records of the Depositary or the
Custodian and to make such corrections or revisions in the Share Register as may
be necessary in connection therewith and (ii) to the extent the Company is
unable to so reconcile such records, promptly instruct the Depositary to notify
the Holders of the existence of such discrepancy. Upon receipt of
such instruction, the Depositary promptly will give such notification to the
Holders (it being understood that the Depositary may at any time give such
notification to the Owners, whether or not it has received instructions from the
Company) and will promptly cease issuing ADRs pursuant to the Deposit Agreement
until such time as, in the opinion of the Depositary, such records have been
appropriately reconciled.
14