A meeting between Andrey Kruglov, Deputy Chairman of the Management Committee – Head of the Department for Finance and Economics of Gazprom and Lloyd Blankfein, Chairman of the Board of Directors and Chief Executive Officer of Goldman Sachs took place today as part of St. Petersburg International Economic Forum 2012.

The meeting participants discussed the status of the global economy and the prospects and trends in the global financial and commodity markets.

The parties considered the cooperation outlook placing an emphasis on the possible organization of Gazprom's strategic investment projects financing, the Company's financial risks management as well as on joint efforts within Gazprom Group's international business expansion operations.

Background

Goldman Sachs Bank is a global leader in the financial services market. It deals with the investment and banking business, exchange trading, assets and securities management. As at the end of 2011 the Bank's assets were evaluated at USD 923.2 billion, and trust assets – at USD 840 billion. Goldman Sachs has A ratings from biggest global rating agencies.

Gazprom and Goldman Sachs Bank have been cooperating since 2006 when the Bank was one of the initiators of the Company's Eurobond issue in the amount of EUR 780 million. Goldman Sachs and Gazprom have recently been engaged in joint activity on interaction with institutional investors.