Russia interested in privatization of Azerbaijani telecommunication operators

Russia's Rostelecom and Sistema have expressed interest in bidding for the privatization of the two state-run telecommunication operators of Azertelekom and Bakı Telefon Rabitesi in Azerbaijan.

Rostelecom plans to construct a backbone network in the CIS (former USSR) countries and intends to acquire any operators that meet its requirements.

Systema is expected to confirm its intention after the target companies announce their privatization terms and conditions.

Azerbaijan’s Minister of Communications and Information Technologies Ali Abbasov said on the sidelines of the RCC meeting in Minsk that the two above-mentioned operators will be privatized next year.

The both companies are wholly state-owned, and valuations thereof are still ongoing.

/APA/