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Russian investors unenthusiastic about potash giant Belaruskali`s $30-billion price, ambassador says

No Russian investor has displayed an interest to buy Belarus’ potash giant Belaruskali at a price of $30 billion, the Belarusian ambassador to Russia, Andrey Kabyakow, told reporters in Moscow on Thursday, according to RIA Novosti.

“The president announced the price, which has since increased [to up to $32 billion] due to the dollar’s fall in the global market,” said Mr. Kabyakow. “As far as I know, no proposals correlating with this price have been put forward by the Russian side.”

Mr. Kabyakow said that the Belarusian government had no intention to discriminate against Russian or other foreign investors. “When our partners want to buy something, we offer a price for which we can sell it. If no consent is coming, no deal is struck.”

Speaking earlier this week, Belarus’ first deputy prime minister, Uladzimir Syamashka, said that the government would never sell a controlling stake in the potash giant. “This will be a crime against the state,” he said.

Alyaksandr Lukashenka said in June last year that Belaruskali could be sold to an investor ready to pay $30 billion. He said that there were "a couple of buyers" ready to pay this price, and that it would rise as the US dollar depreciated.

Mr. Lukashenka claimed in late September that Sberbank agreed with the Belarusian government`s estimate that Belaruskali is worth $30 billion. However, experts estimate the value of the Belarusian potash giant at about half the amount. //BelaPAN