DUSHANBE, January 21, 2010, Asia-Plus – The December 5, 2009 Asia-Plus-Blitz item titled “Khujand-based bank closes its branches in Sughd and reduces staff following crisis” should have noted that the controlling stock interest in Sohibkorbank belongs not to Kazakhstan’s bank, ATFBank, but to a group of Kazakh investors.

In a letter sent to Asia-Plus, ATFBank noted that it has not been shareholder in Sohibkorbank since July 2008.

Asia-Plus apologizes to ATFBank for inaccuracy made in the report.

According to information received, ATFBank in July 2008 sold its 75 percent equity stake in Sohibkorbank to other Kazakh investors.  Kazakh investors now own 76.32 percent of the shares and the Tajik side assumes 23.68 ownership interest in Sohibkorbank.