Russia may reduce stakes in state companies

The government may cut its stakes in some state companies over the next few years, Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin said in an article published on his election website. “On each company, we have a reorganization plan today… Some of them will be turned into public companies with stakes to be sold. This will touch upon Russian Technologies, Rosavtodor, Rosatom in its civilian part and a number of other state corporations,” the premier said. “I believe it is possible to reduce the state stake in some raw materials companies and complete the withdrawal from the capital of large non-raw materials companies, which are not natural monopolies or defense sector organizations, by 2016,” he said. Putin, who held the presidential post from 2000 to 2008, is considered the most likely candidate to win the presidential election on March 4. However, some analysts say his declining popularity could see him forced into a runoff.