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RF govt not change schedule for privatising state enterprises – Igor Shuvalov

Over 7 percent of Sberbank shares and assets of Sovcomflot are expected to be privatised in the second half of the year

BRUSSELS, September 19 (Itar-Tass) — The Russian government are not changing the schedule for privatising state enterprises, Russian First Vice-Prime Minister Igor Shuvalov said.

At the same time, Shuvalov said the Russian government was waiting for optimal conditions on the market.

“We don’t change anything. The market is changing and we’re delaying privatisation of certain companies. They will be privatised under the optimal market conditions,” the Russian first vice-prime minister told journalists on Monday.

In compliance with the Russian government’s schedule, “over 7 percent of Sberbank shares and assets of Sovcomflot are expected to be privatised in the second half of the year.” Till now the deadline has delayed due to turbulence on financial markets. The exact date has not been named yet, Shuvalov said.

The Russian first vice-prime minister made a brief visit to Brussels for talks with European Commissioner for Trade Karel de Gucht over Russia’s accession to the World Trade Organisation (WTO).

Shuvalov declined to comment on the results of the consultations. “It’s timely,” he said.

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