AMSTERDAM, Jan. 9, 2012 /PRNewswire - MySolutionInfo/ -- VimpelCom Ltd. ("VimpelCom") (NYSE: VIP) and the Ministry of Finance of the Algerian Democratic Peoples Republic, today announced that they have entered into a non-binding Memorandum of Understanding ("MOU") to explore the possible sale to the Algerian State by Orascom Telecom Holding S.A.E. ("OTH") of an interest in its subsidiary Orascom Telecom Algerie ("OTA"). VimpelCom has agreed that it will consider selling a majority stake in OTA, subject to an acceptable price and satisfaction of other conditions. The two sides have also agreed to consider alternative acquisition scenarios that could be mutually beneficial to both parties.

Any such transaction would be subject to, among other things, definitive documentation and mutual agreement on price. Following signing of the MOU the Ministry of Finance and VimpelCom will undertake a process to agree on the valuation of OTA with the involvement of each party's financial advisors. The transaction will also require corporate approvals by OTH and VimpelCom.

OTH has not been party to the discussions regarding the MOU and the transaction. VimpelCom owns 51.7% of OTH, which, in turn, owns 96.81% of OTA. It is contemplated that the governance and management control of OTA would be structured so as to permit OTH and, consequently, VimpelCom to continue to consolidate OTA under International Financial Reporting Standards.

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