English

Stake in Belaruskali potash fertilizer giant may be sold to foreign investor, Lukashenka says

Alyaksandr Lukashenka said on Tuesday that the Belarusian government may sell a stake in the Belaruskali potash fertilizer giant to a foreign investor.

"If the share price is good, we will see what kind of a stake to sell. But Belarus will retain a controlling stake for now," he said in an interview with Reuters on May 4.

Mr. Lukashenka claimed that all Belarusian state-owned enterprises had been reorganized into stock companies last year. "That's why we don't rule out a situation where an investor can come to any enterprise, up to and including the pipeline system," he said.

"We will hold a dialogue with much pleasure with anyone who offers a good price. We have no exceptions regarding some enterprises, even in the military-industrial sector," Mr. Lukashenka said.

When asked as to whether he wanted more western or Russian investments, the Belarusian leader replied, "Money does not smell. The euro is not worse than the yuan and the yuan is not worse than the euro. The Russian ruble also suits us and the same is with the dollar, that's why we are ready for talks with any investors, be it western or eastern ones."

He said that the Belarusian government would sell enterprises to investors offering the best conditions. "What matters most is that our people should not be treated unfairly. And that the enterprise's performance should not deteriorate as a result of the sale of some stake," he noted. //BelaPAN