Source: Danone longlists 20 contestants for Russian assets

MOSCOW, Feb 8 (PRIME) -- France's Danone has longlisted about 20 companies to compete for its Russian assets, two market sources told PRIME on Wednesday.

The list holds 15 Russian companies, including large agricultural holdings Rusagro, Cherkizovo, EkoNiva, Sistema's unit Steppe and Damate, Russian Railways and affiliate of Rostec Marathon group. The list also includes "Arab and Chinese investment funds", one of the sources said.

A source said that the main condition of the auction is a buyback option in five to 10 years and retention of a blocking stake by Danone. The amount of the deal can be small, but envisages 'huge investment,' the source said.

Russian Railways denied interest in the deal. The rest of the companies mentioned by the sources declined to comment.

End