During an upcoming visit to China, Russian President Vladimir Putin
may reportedly consider a possible sale of state oil giant Rosneft.
Bloomberg quoted sources familiar with the agenda as saying a sale in a
minority stake in state oil company Rosneft may be also on the table for
Putin’s visit.
Putin is going to China on June 25 to meet Chinese President Xi
Jinping in a visit that will result in the signing of more than 30
documents. "Each meeting of heads of our states is an event on a global
scale,” TASS quoted Russian Ambassador to Beijing Andrey Denisov as
saying. He added that earlier trade between Russia and China was about
simple trade in goods, but it now involves an exchange of investment
projects.
According to the Kremlin website, Putin and Xi will discuss trade and
economic development, investment, research, technological and cultural
relations.
Rosneft in early September reached a deal to explore the Arctic
waters in the Sea of Ohkotsk with China Oilfield Services Ltd. and
Norwegian energy company Statoil. China is linked already to Russian oil
supplies through the East Siberia-Pacific Ocean pipeline.
The Kremlin has been reviewing privatisation options to fill gaps in the state budget.
On the sidelines of the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum
(SPIEF-2016), Russia’s Energy Minister Alexander Novak said on June 16
the participation of big companies in Rosneft privatisation, including
those from China. "In principle, we admit that big companies may
participate in (Rosneft) privatisation, including Chinese companies,”
TASS quoted him as saying.
Putin announced the decision to sell stakes in Rosneft, Bashneft, VTB, Alrosa and Sovcomflot in January.
According to Russian Minister of Economic Development Alexey
Ulyukayev, privatisation of 19.5% stake of the Russian oil major Rosneft
may provide the budget with 700 billion rubles ($10.5 billion).
https://www.neweurope.eu/article/putin-may-offer-rosneft-stake-china/