Official: Russia may expand 2016 privatization list

MOSCOW, Feb 2 (PRIME) -- The Russian government is discussing expanding the list of large assets for privatization in 2016 and a transparent approach is needed while making relevant decisions, Federal State Property Management Agency Director and Deputy Economic Development Minister Olga Dergunova said Tuesday.

“There are discussions to expand the list of large privatization in 2016. As it was said yesterday at the president’s meeting – a transparent clear and predictable approach should be used as a basis while making a decision. This is the task that is set for us along with a possible expansion of the assets list,” she said.

Economic Development Minister Alexei Ulyukayev said the government has a task to hold quality efficient privatization deals amid a falling market.

“Several years ago we learnt to make quality, efficient and transparent privatization deals on the growing market,” he said. “Then in 2014–2015, the market fell and continued falling, and we started waiting for the situation to change. Now we have realized that the situation will not change, there is no longer to wait, the situation is critical for the budget. The general turbulence on financial market does not give us grounds to wait for some rebound, recovery. Now our task is to hold privatization of no less quality, efficient and transparent deals amid extremely unfavorable market conditions,” Ulyukayev said.

President Vladimir Putin said Monday that privatization should be economically reasonable, must take into account market conditions, but state assets should not be sold for a song.

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