Russian Govt won't sell state-owned stake in RZD this year, official says

A deal to sell a part of the state's stake in Russian Railways (RZD) will not take place before the end of 2012, RBC reports citing Transportation Minister Maxim Sokolov.

The government's privatization plan calls for divesting a 25% minus one share interest in the state-owned railroad monopoly sometime in 2012-2013. However, RZD President Vladimir Yakunin said in June that the deal is unfeasible in the timeframe designated by the government, because the company needs to wait for stabilization of global financial markets. Yakunin believes that RZD may sell its shares no earlier than 2015.