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Russia to privatize over 2,000 properties in 2005 - ministry

MOSCOW. July 6 (Interfax) - The 2005 privatization program will include more than 2,000 properties, Andrei Sharonov, a deputy economic development and trade minister, told reporters. The economy ministry is due to submit a list of enterprises to be privatized to the Cabinet within days. Sharonov said the list had not yet been finalized because the planners were still determining which enterprises were under liquidation and bankruptcy. But some 1,000 enterprises have been entered on the list, Sharonov said. Enterprises due to be privatized in 2004 but which were not privatized this year are on the list. "In all, I think more than 2,000 properties will be in the 2005 privatization program," Sharonov said. Government shares in some major companies slated for sale this year have yet to be sold. The companies include Lukoil, Svyazinvest, Novorossiisk Seaport and Magnitogorsk Steel Works. "We will maneuver in such a way as to meet the privatization targets," Sharonov said. "The Lukoil sale will be the decisive sale. We can meet our entire privatization revenues target for 2004 with this sale," Sharonov said. The economy ministry wants to sell the Lukoil stake in a single lot at an auction, he said. As for the sale of shares in Irkutskenergo, Sharonov said "I think the sale will be put back to 2005 by special government decision." "There is some uncertainty with some of the assets" related to this company, for example dams under construction.