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Deputy Prime Minister Kalinin updates reporters on government’s plans regarding mobile phone network, modernization of Minsk National Airport

The Belarusian government has not abandoned its plans to sell its stake in mobile phone network Mobile TeleSystems (MTS), Deputy Prime Minister Anatol Kalinin told reporters in Minsk on May 31.

The sale of the 51-percent stake is still on the agenda, according to the deputy prime minister. "We are waiting for a buyer and a specific offer on its part," he said.

Mr. Kalinin recalled that Belarus had already announced its price and was not going to settle for less.

"If there's a worthy buyer, we will come to the negotiating table and make a decision," he noted.

The stake may be also sold through an auction, he said. "But if there's an investor who would agree to pay our price, why not hold direct talks?" he said.

The government failed to auction off its stake in MTS at the end of last year. The auction was cancelled because the bidders had reportedly offered too little for the stake.

Alyaksandr Lukashenka announced in March 2011 that he was ready to sell the stake in MTS to Russia's Mobile TeleSystems, which owns the other 49 percent, for $1 billion. "We don't mind, but they should put $1 billion on the table," he said. "A valuation has been made. If they want, they are welcome, if they don't, we'll put it up for auction."

Launched in June 2002, MTS is said to be the largest mobile phone network in Belarus.

Belarus has agreed with China on the modernization of Minsk National Airport, Mr. Kalinin said.

The modernization of the airport's existing terminal and the construction of a new terminal and a second runway will cost no more than $600 million, he said, noting that the project would be carried out in cooperation with China's Tochmach and involve Belarusian and Chinese construction companies.

By mutual consent, the subcontractor in charge of design work has been replaced, Mr. Kalinin said.

"An additional agreement is being negotiated," he said. "We have also updated the technical specifications, but they haven't been changed drastically."

The airport's terminal will be renovated before the 2014 World Ice Hockey Championship in Minsk to meet international functional requirements, Mr. Kalinin said.

Although the championship will be over by December 2014, the deadline for completing the second runway, the existing runway has sufficient capacity to receive all guests, he said.

The Belarusian authorities said earlier that the main contractor in the project would be China Precision Machinery Import-Export Corporation.