ASBIS to Distribute Microsoft Products in Kazakhstan

Limassol (Cyprus) January 25, 2008 – ASBIS, a leading supplier of computer components to the EMEA emerging markets, has signed an OEM Distributor Channel Agreement with Microsoft. The new agreement licenses ASBIS to distribute Microsoft software products to channel partners in Kazakhstan.

According to the Agreement, ASBIS has been granted a license to supply Microsoft® software, including operating systems, Office 2007 and Server software, to Kazakhstan’s system builders. This Agreement complements the existing relationship between Microsoft and ASBIS, which already covers Russia, Ukraine, Belarus, Romania and Slovakia.

The distribution agreements for Romania and Slovakia enable ASBIS to supply Microsoft products to all countries of the European Union. The previous OEM Distributor agreement with Microsoft was signed by ASBIS Belarus in December 2007.

Commenting on the agreement, Tahir Takabayev, ASBIS’ general manager for Kazakhstan, stated: “We are extremely pleased with our new status as a Microsoft OEM distribution partner. We are positive that this agreement will bring increased benefits to our customers. It means that when our customers purchase Microsoft software, they can be comfortable that they will receive a legally distributed product and top level technical support. On top of that, they can save their time by buying all necessary computer components in one place”.

The distribution cooperation between Microsoft and ASBIS, which began 10 years ago, has seen a dynamic growth over the past few years. In 2006, the business increased by 260% year-on-year, whilst during 2007 it almost tripled which was caused to a large extent by the explosive growth of demand for legal software in Russia.

About ASBIS

ASBISc Enterprises PLC (LSE: ASB.L, WSE: ASBIS) specialises in the distribution of IT products from worldwide leading manufacturers such as Intel, Seagate, Hitachi, Microsoft, Samsung, AMD, and Toshiba. ASBIS has four master distribution centres which supply products for in-country operations across emerging markets of EMEA. ASBIS is now one of the largest distributors of IT components and the only company able to distribute to the vast majority of countries in Eastern Europe. ASBIS has more than 700 employees, over 14000 customers and annual revenues in excess of US$ 1 billion (2006). For more information, visit the company's website at www.asbis.com.
 

Media contact: Victor Lukyanov, PR Manager, ASBISc Enterprises plc.
E-mail: Victor.Lukjanov(a)asbis.net

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