As it has been reported by Rosbalt, on February 17, 2004, there was a meeting of the Federal Commission for Securities held. At the meeting the commission allowed MMC Norilsk Nickel to issue 30.4 mln additional shares abroad. 50 mln shares have already been issued and now are put in circulation. Thus, in the nearest future the number of MMC Norilsk Nickel shares allowed for circulation out of Russia will not exceed 40% of their total amount.