Russia says completes Bashneft sale to Rosneft for $5.3 billion

Reuters

Published Oct 12, 2016 11:25AM ET

Russia says completes Bashneft sale to Rosneft for $5.3 billion

MOSCOW (Reuters) - The Russian government has completed the sale of a controlling stake in mid-sized oil producer Bashneft (MM:BANE) to the Kremlin-owned Rosneft (MM:ROSN) for 329.69 billion roubles ($5.30 billion), the economy ministry said on Wednesday.

The sale is a part of a government privatization drive aimed at narrowing the state budget deficit.

The ministry, citing the minister, Alexei Ulyukayev, said Rosneft's bid was higher than a valuation of between 297 billion roubles and 315 billion roubles, while the unidentified second bidder offered a lower bid.

President Vladimir Putin said earlier on Wednesday that Russia's privatization drive will be more efficient after Rosneft purchases the state's stake in Bashneft.