Uralkali said to be close to deal to buy Silvinit

摘要

NEWS REPORTS late this week suggest that Russian potash producer OAO Uralkali is close to reaching a deal to buy the country's other potash producer OAO Silvinit. A merger of the two companies has been anticipated for some months with ongoing discussions following the acquisition of a 53.2% stake in Uralkali by a consortium made up of Kaliha Finance Limited, Aerellia Investments Limited, and Becounioco Holdings Limited in June (FW Online, June 18, 2010). A 25% stake was acquired by Kaliha, which is beneficially owned by Russian businessman Suleiman Kerimov.