DJ Russia's Shuvalov: State Will Widen 2010 Privatization

MOSCOW (Dow Jones)--Russia this year intends to widen the list of companies up for privatization, Deputy Prime Minister Igor Shuvalov said Thursday.

"One thing we have to do in 2010 is significantly widen our privatization program," Shuvalov said at the Troika Forum. "We have already approved certain programs, and these programs are wider than the ones we had in the last 2-3 years," he said.

The state's privatization plan is seen bringing close to $600 million into Russia's budget in 2010, which is running at a 6.8% deficit this year.

Shuvalov, whom President Dmitry Medvedev has tasked with bettering Russia's investment image, also said the business climate in Russia has improved considerably, although problems remained.

The government will expand a list of sectors where the procedures for starting a new business have been simplified, Shuvalov said. The list currently covers 13 business sectors and may be expanded to include construction and real estate.

Company Web site: www.government.ru

-By Ira Iosebashvili, Dow Jones Newswires; +7 495 232 9192; ira.iosebashvili@dowjones.com

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(END) Dow Jones Newswires

February 04, 2010 09:20 ET (14:20 GMT)

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