The Corporation Charter for the establishment of the A.B.G Sicuranza S.A. Insurance Company of Agricultural Life and Agricultural Insurance Companies was signed yesterday in Bucharest. The charter was also submitted to the proper authorities of Romania for approval.The Charter was signed and deposited by the Managing Director of the two companies, Mr. Triantafyllos Lyssimachou.The new Insurance Company is mixed, meaning that it will offer both life insurance as well as general insurance programs. Initial share capital reaches 1.3 million USD, an amount that is estimated to reach 3 million USD by the end of 2002.The Company's shareholders include AGRICULTURAL LIFE insurance company by 51%, AGRICULTURAL INSURANCE by 40%, as well as AGRICULTURAL BANK OF GREECE (A.B.G) LEASING, A.B.G SECURITIES and A.B.G. REAL ESTATE DEVELOPMENT by 3% each.The WORLD BANK has expressed interest for participation in the Company's share capital by 10-20%, a positively considered possibility, through the INTERNATIONAL FINANCE CORPORATION.The Company will start operating in the beginning of the new year and will initially attract business in pension fund plans, health plans, group and estate insurance sectors.The insurance sales force network is already being set up in the Bucharest area. This network will later be expanded in other major cities in Romania.The Romanian market is shortly expected to develop in one of the strong forces in the European economy, with its population of over 25 million inhabitants.The investment plan of the A.B.G Group insurance companies includes, among others, the expansion of their activities in Yugoslavia and Bulgaria.