Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko has two potential buyers for potash maker Belaruskali, which he valued at $30 billion on Friday.
"As for Belaruskali, I've put it clearly - $30 billion, cash down and the shares are yours tomorrow," he said.
"The price is announced, you are welcome if you have the money ... And I already know a couple of buyers who can say the sum aloud, I mean they are ready to pay $30 billion. We can build three companies like Belaruskali to the latest technological standards with the money, and there will be some money left for the people."
Minsk, which is in the grip of a financial crisis after devaluing its currency by more than 30 percent last month, has applied for a total of $14.5 billion bailout - a $6.5 billion loan from a Russia-led fund and $8 billion credit from the International Monetary Fund.
Local media said this week that Russian billionaire Suleiman Kerimov, who already owns major stakes in Russia's leading potash producers, had met with Lukashenko and agreed terms for buying a 50 percent plus one share stake in Belaruskali for $15 billion.
But Lukashenko said he had not held talks to sell Belaruskali, which he vowed to keep state-owned in 2006.
"There are rumors already that the company is sold. I have never had any talks on Belaruskali sale with anyone. Which negotiations? The price is announced. If you have the money, you are welcome," Lukashenko said.
He said the price tag would increase from July 1.
"From July 1, the figure will rise in line with dollar inflation...it will be indexed all the time," he said.
International demand for Belarusian products began falling in 2009. Belarus' economy had survived for many years thanks to Russia's low tariffs for oil supplies to Belarusian refineries, but Russia introduced a 100 percent tariff on most oil and oil product exports in 2010.
That tariff, coupled with wage increases ahead of last year's presidential elections, triggered a financial crisis in Belarus.
MINSK, June 10 (RIA Novosti)
