Kyrgyz Government starts negotiating with Rostelecom about pricatization of Kyrgyztelecom

/INTERFAX, April 30, 04/ - Kyrgyz government has started negotiating with Rostelecom JSC about sale of 51% of shares of the national communication operator Kyrgyztelecom JSC, informed the acting minister of economic development, industry and trade of Kyrgyzia Amangeldy Muraliev at the conference of the government on Thursday. He reminded that tender commission for Kyrgyztelecom privatization had not come to agreement "concerning the key investment plans" with Swedtel, which had offered the highest price for 51% of shares. So at present negotiations about sale of a part of shares of Kyrgyztelecom are held with Rostelecom, which offered the sum less than Swedtel did. Tender on sale of state block of shares of Kyrgyztelecom was held in June of 2003, 6 companies took part in it. The winner was Swedtel, which participated in the consortium with American Equipment and offered the highest price - $15.68 m. The second place belonged to Rostelecom, it offered $15.287 m., the third place belonged to Global Communication Network, which participated in the consortium with European bank for reconstruction and development and offered $12.5 m. Now the government owns 77.84% of shares of Kyrgyztelecom JSC, social fund of the republic - 12.51%, juridical and physical persons - 9.65%. [2004-04-30]