SOL Group has been awarded the "Investor Class A" certificate by the Ministry of Economy of the Republic of Bulgaria, related to their investment in progress for the construction of an air separation plant for the production of industrial and medical gases for more than 13 million.

This is an important recognition granted only to companies making investments of a strategic nature and of significant amounts on Bulgarian territory.

The new plant, which will start operating from the end of 2014, is part of a project for more articulated development in the Black Sea area which also includes a plant for extracting of carbon dioxide, already completed and into production as of March 2013, in addition to a plant production of technical and medical gases. The total investment for the new hub production amounts to about 16 million.

UniCredit Group is a partner of SOL Bulgaria, which has provided financing of 8 million Euro for the implementation of the initiative.

The plants are located in the industrial area of Devnya (Varna) in the northeastern region of the country within the chemical plant of Agropolychim, partner of SOL for the production of CO2 and the utilization of nitrogen produced by the air separation plant.

The new center in Devnya consolidates the presence Bulgaria SOL SpA, a company owned 100% by the SOL Group, operating since 1999 and with over 4,000 clients.

As part of the process of internationalization of SOL in Eastern Europe the new project is expected to become an important point of reference not only for the Bulgarian market - in synergy with the other 3 plants for the production of technical gases in Sofia, Burgas and Povdid, in addition to supplying more than 20 distribution centers in the area - but also for the neighboring production facilities of SOL Group in Romania (GTH Ltd) and Turkey (Turkey SOL Ltd).

Eng. Aldo Fumagalli Romario, Chairman and CEO of SOL Group stated "We are proud to receive this important award, which recognizes our efforts to become more active participants in the growth of the Bulgarian economy. We are grateful to the Ministry of Economy and in particular to Minister Stoynev for the support we have received within the months during the launch phase of the project. Our new facility will allow us to not only serve our numerous customers in Eastern Bulgaria, but also export our products in neighboring Romania and Turkey, with benefits for the whole country."

Statement: Minister of Economy (to be taken from the official Format event):

Statement UniCredit Bulbank:

“UniCredit Bulbank’s priority is to finance sustainable projects that bring new investments and have long-term positive effect on the development of the country. We proudly stand behind the investment of SOL Bulgaria, which attracts new foreign investments for the country, technical and operational innovation, employs local talents and capacity and opens new work places in the region - all positive effects on the local community and Bulgaria.” said Levon Hampartzoumian, CEO and Chairman of the Management Board of UniCredit Bulbank. He added that the biggest Bulgarian bank is excellently positioned with its superior local expertise and the wide UniCredit’s European network to support the international expansion of the Italian companies interested to explore the business opportunities in Bulgaria.

Statement: The Italian Ambassador, Marco Conticelli, highlighted the strong economic engagement between Italy and Bulgaria - the third largest trading partner and a major investor. “Italy sees in this country”, the ambassador said, “not only an important market for its goods, but an actual production hub for the entire region. Hence the active support of the Embassy to the revival of bilateral economic relations, also in view of the Italian Presidency, the EU and the EXPO 2015 in Milan.

More information for media:

UniCredit Bulbank, Identity & Communications Department

Viktoria Blajeva, Phone: + 359 2 9264 993, wjlj/ebwjepwbAvojdsfejuhspvq/ch

Ekaterina Ancheva, Phone: + 359 2 9264 963, flbufsjob/bodifwbAvojdsfejuhspvq/ch

Magdalena Ivanova, Phone: + 359 2 9232 528, nbhebmfob/jwbopwbAvojdsfejuhspvq/ch