Kasyanov Prefers To Privatize Vneshtorgbank

Premier of the Russian Federation Mikhail Kasyanov prefers to privatize Vneshtorgbank. He reported in an interview with journalists that he had discussed this idea with the President of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development. According to the Premier, Vneshtorgbank is not a specialized bank, and its share in foreign trade activities doesn't exceed 8%. In other words, it is an ordinary commercial bank with a good infrastructure, and may even be considered the best one in the Central and Eastern Europe. "Here comes a question: does the government need to have a serious presence in this or any other banks? It seems to me, that as we will strengthen the banking system, the government's presence in these institutions will become unnecessary," Kasyanov added.