Beltransgaz might be sold ahead of schedule
Belarus will be forced to revise the deal with Gazprom in the first half of the next year and sell 5 percent of Beltransgaz's chares to the Russian gas giant Gazprom ahead of schedule. According to the experts with the web-based newspaper Your Country's Tomorrow, the government is being pushed by the forecasted deficit of funds in the budget and the deterioration of macro- and micro-economic situation in this country.
Anonymous surces suggest that this proposal is indeed being discussed at the level of the Finance Ministry and Energy Ministry. If Beltransgaz's shares are sold early, the budget could be immediately refilled with $1,875,000,000 instead of $625 million next year.
Under the deal signed between Belarus and Gazprom in May 2007, 50 percent of Beltransgaz's shares are to be sold in four installments within the period of 2007-2010. Gazprom pays $625 million for 12.5 percent of shares in one installment.
Anonymous surces suggest that this proposal is indeed being discussed at the level of the Finance Ministry and Energy Ministry. If Beltransgaz's shares are sold early, the budget could be immediately refilled with $1,875,000,000 instead of $625 million next year.
Under the deal signed between Belarus and Gazprom in May 2007, 50 percent of Beltransgaz's shares are to be sold in four installments within the period of 2007-2010. Gazprom pays $625 million for 12.5 percent of shares in one installment.
