Turkish company to acquire Belarus's state-owned mobile phone operator

Turkey's leading mobile communication operator Turkcell said on Friday it plans to buy the Belarusian state-owned company BeST, AFN reports citing Reuters. Belarus President Alexander Lukashenka in spring 2007 said that it was possible to sell the Belarusian state-owned mobile communication operator for $500 million. Later that year, the Turkish company wrote in a letter to Lukashenka that it was prepared to invest up to $800 million in the development of the mobile  communication sector in Belarus.

BeST is reportedly facing serious financial problems. In January 2008, the company had difficulties to pay out salaries and to cover the rent.

Turkcell is already present in Kazakhstan, Azerbaijan, Moldova and Georgia.