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Sberbank says privatization of Rosneft does not threaten stability of Russian currency

MOSCOW, December 13. /TASS/. Reception of funds from the privatization of Rosneft [10.5 bln euro - TASS] poses no threat to the stability of the Russian currency, Deputy CEO of Sberbank Alexander Morozov told reporters.

"We do not see any threat to the stability of the Russian currency," he said, answering the question, whether the privatization of 19.5% of Rosneft will affect the currency exchange rates.

Sberbank and Rosneft privatization

No proposals to participate in financing of Rosneft privatization deals were submitted to Russia’s top lender, Sberbank CEO Herman Gref said Tuesday.

Read also

Peskov says top-notch lawyers hammered out Rosneft’s privatization deal

"There were no proposals," he said when asked why the bank was not among those financing the oil major’s privatization.

According to Gref, investors did not apply to the bank either. "If potential buyers [of Rosneft shares - TASS] turned to us we would have considered [their applications - TASS], but there were no such applications," he said.

As was reported earlier, Rosneftegas and a consortium of Qatar Investment Authority and Glencore signed an agreement for the sale of 19.5% of Rosneft shares for $11.3 bln. A total of 710.8 bln rubles, including 18 bln rubles worth of extra dividends of Rosneftgaz will be transferred to the Russian budget. The transaction is subject to fulfillment of conditions (including agreeing and finalization of all relevant financing, guarantee and other agreements), and is expected to be closed by mid-December.

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