EMRC nominates SigmaBleyzer Investment Fund and its founder, Mr. Michael Bleyzer as prize-winners of the EuroMarket Award 2005 for: BEST INVESTMENT STRATEGY FOR 2004/2005 IN UKRAINE & CIS COUNTRIES

December 7, 2005 – Brussels, Belgium

SigmaBleyzer and its founder, Michael Bleyzer have been nominated as winner of the 2005 EuroMarket Award for contribution to the development of successful investment strategy within Ukraine and transition economies. The award ceremony will take place on the evening of December 15th during the EuroMarket Forum 2005 in Brussels, organised by EMRC, in association with European Bank for Reconstruction & Development (EBRD) and International Finance Corporation (IFC), in collaboration with the Inter American Development Bank (IADB) and Asian Development Bank (ADB) among others.

The European Marketing Research Center (EMRC) EuroMarket Award acknowledges outstanding dynamic corporations, institutes, governmental organizations and individuals worldwide for their outstanding performance, creativity and tenacity in promoting development of economic & business collaboration between enterprises & entrepreneurs within and outside the European Union.
Michael Bleyzer, President and CEO of SigmaBleyzer will accept the award from Viscount Etienne Davignon, President of the IRRI, (Royal Institute for Int'l Relations) Vice-President of Group Suez-Tractabel & former Vice President of the European Commission.

About SigmaBleyzer:
Operating in the region since 1993, SigmaBleyzer is one of the largest and most experienced equity investors in Eastern Europe. With the strength of the company’s local infrastructure, western-style management and knowledge of local market conditions, SigmaBleyzer has created one of the best investment banking organizations in the region. As a manager of a family of private equity funds currently investing in Ukraine, Romania and Bulgaria, it utilizes a hybrid investment approach developed specifically for emerging markets and focused on simultaneous value creation at the micro/enterprise level and at the macro level. Because of this unique approach and strong on-the-ground presence in a region where most of SigmaBleyzer’s clients could not have invested directly, the company brings one of the most attractive pipelines of investment opportunities found anywhere to its client base. More importantly, SigmaBleyzer has the experience, the skills and the people in the region to ensure the highest levels of integrity and professionalism in taking advantage of these opportunities.

Press Contact:
Mark Rudkin, Head of Marketing and PR – SigmaBleyzer msrudkin@sigmableyzer.com

The nomination of Sigma Bleyzer investment fund as this year’s EuroMarket Award prize-winner is consistent with EMRC mission to promote global integration and diminish economic gaps between developed and developing countries through equity investments, strategic partnerships, mergers and acquisitions, and by encouraging local entrepreneurs, such as the founder of SigmaBleyzer, Mr. Michael Bleyzer, as an example to world–class efficiency and strong business leadership.

EuroMarket Forum (Brussels International Airport Sheraton, 14 -16 Dec. 2005) will gather delegations from over 30 countries in Asia, Africa, Europe and Latin America for debates, round tables and workshops in order to develop similar initiatives and increase share of developing countries globally trade. SigmaBleyzer, and its founder Michael Bleyzer, represent a successful example to other groups and business actors from developed & developing countries, motivating them to forge new challenges & opportunities.

EMRC Contacts:

Arie Taitler       
Business Development Manager     
Tel : +32.2/ 626.15.18
Fax : +32.2/ 626.15.16
Email : Arie.Taitler@emrc.be        

Idit Miller
VP & Managing Director
Tel: +32.2/ 626.15.15
Fax : +32.2/ 626.15.16
Email: idit.miller@emrc.be

About EMRC:
EMRC is an international non-profit association established in Brussels since 1992 by Belgian Royal Decree, aimed at promoting and encouraging the trade and commercial relations between entrepreneurs from around the world, and more specifically between developed countries and emerging markets. Until today EMRC has organised dozens of international business forums and events around Europe and elsewhere. We have yearly 3 main forums in Brussels and 2 to 3 Business Forums in locations outside the European Union, such as Moscow, Kiev, Tel Aviv or Zagreb. Our participants come from some 98 countries spanned over 4 continents and count more than 10,000 senior executives, consultants and policy makers. For further information about our activities, and us please visit us on www.emrc.be