Azercell’s General Manager A. Halim Ates - “Top Manager of the Year”, SimSim – “National brand of the Year”.

Баку, January 29, 2007

“It is a very great achievement to win “Ugur” prize. But it is incredible to win two “Ugur” prizes during a year,” said the presenter while announcing awarding of the prize to “Azercell Telecom” JV at the ceremony in “Gulustan” Palace on January 27.

“Ugur” national prize in field of economy and business founded by “Consulting and Business” magazine is awarded to companies and people engaged in business that distinguished themselves in 2006.

This time traditional laureate of “Ugur”– “Azercell Telecom” Joint Venture – has won prizes in two nominations. General Manager “Azercell” A. Halim Ates has been won prize in the nomination “Top Manager of the Year” and the most popular trade mark in Azerbaijan SimSim – “National Brand of the Year.”

Under leadership of A. Halim Ates, who arrived in Baku at the beginning of last year as new GM, “Azercell” has implemented many successful projects in 2006. Installation of 1,000 base radio stations, signing of roaming agreements with 300 operators from 135 countries and putting into operation of “Simurq” service, which has no analogues in the region, is just part of the achievements of “Azercell Telecom” JV during a short period of management of A. Halim Ates.

In 1996-1997 Halim Ates worked in “Akbank” as human resources specialist, in 1997-1998 in “Esbank” as human resources manager, from 1998 to 2002 in “Turkcell” and from 2002 to 2004 in “Fintur Holding BU”. From 2004 to 2006 Moldova’s “Moldcell” company ascended to the peak leadership under his leadership.

SimSim service was put into operation in 1998 and during a short period has become popular among Azerbaijanis. Up today SimSim units more than 2.2 million subscribers.