Putin says coal sector should be privatized

Coal producing companies should assume a private form of property, RussianPresident Vladimir Putin said at the opening of the State Council Boardmeeting. According to the Russian President, the coal industry managed tostart to turn profit and to "enter the market economy". Putin believes thatthe government should take into account the natural factor whilecalculating the required coal output. Seeking to privatize the Russian coalsector, the government should not forget about controlling it and retainingthe regulatory functions of certain processes, the Russian Presidentpointed out. .