BELARUS NEWS AND ANALYSIS

DATE:

01/03/2007

Belarusian Prime Minister Says Privatization Won't Be 'Dirt Cheap'

Syarhey Sidorski told journalists in Minsk on February 28 that if stakes in Belarusian enterprises are offered for sale, they will be sold at market prices, Belapan reported. "If someone wants to buy Belarusian enterprises dirt cheap, it won't happen," Sidorski said. "For instance, we were told that Beltranshaz [Belarus's gas pipeline network] costs $300 million, but the Dutch bank ABN AMRO estimated its assets at $5 billion," he added. Sidorski's comments follow last month's media reports that the Belarusian government has drawn up a list of large industrial enterprises, stakes in which may soon be offered for sale to foreign investors. The planned privatizations are reportedly intended to ensure an export surplus in Belarus's foreign trade in 2007. The list of companies include the Babruysk-based tire company Belshyna, the Navapolatsk and Mazyr oil refineries, three petrochemical companies in Navapolatsk, Hrodna, and Mahilyou, the Hrodna-based Azot fertilizer plant, the Beltelekom telephone company, and the Minsk Automobile Plant (MAZ). JM

Source:

http://www.rferl.org/newsline/2007/03/3-CEE/cee-010307.asp