Minister puts $500 million price tag on BeST state GSM operator

The Belarusian government wants to sell Belarusian Telecommunications Network (BeST), a state mobile phone network, for at least $500 million, Reuters reported with reference to Belarusian Economy Minister Mikalay Zaychanka.

The minister reportedly made the remark on the sidelines of the annual meeting of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development in Kyiv on Monday.

"I think we are talking here about a sum no lower than half a billion ," Mr. Zaychanka was quoted as saying.

"We are neither hurrying nor slowing down any deal. This is part of our plans. But I cannot give you a concrete date," he noted.

Turkcell, Turkey’s largest telecommunications company, announced plans to buy a majority stake in BeST that is fully owned by the Belarusian government earlier this year.

Registered in November 2004, BeST reportedly covers 24 percent of the country’s area where 65.9 percent of the population resides. It is said to have slightly more than 180,000 subscribers. //BelaPAN