NOVO-OGAREVO, March 22. /TASS/. Privatization of Russian state-owned assets is hardly likely before summer 2016, Minister of Economic Development Alexey Ulyukayev said on Tuesday.

"Hardly earlier than summer because selection of consultants and road show procedures are underway now," the minister said.

Russian authorities plan to sell a number of major state-owned asserts in 2016, including stakes in oil producers Rosneft and Bashneft, shipping company Sovcomflot, and diamond miner Alrosa.

More than ten banks, including foreign ones, showed interests in organizing privatization of VTB Bank, Bashneft, and Alrosa, Deputy Minister of Economic Development Nikolai Podguzov said earlier.