Shuvalov tells when Bashneft to be privatized

Russia’s Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev has set the task of exploring the issue of a more efficient sale of 50.08% of Bashneft shares as the pre-sale preparation showed a serious interest of investors to the asset, the First Deputy Prime Minister Igor Shuvalov said.

According to Shuvalov, the Russian Government will focus on privatization of 19.5% shares in oil major Rosneft and Bashneft will be privatized later on.

"Privatization of Rosneft is now coming to the fore. We should focus on it. Let’s return to Bashneft sale after selling the Rosneft’s stake, since we have an assignment of the President to privatize this company," TASS cited Shuvalov as saying.

Privatization preparations unveiled significant interest of investors in the asset, the official said.