www.themoscowtimes.com/business/article/...belarus/495725.html
Uralkali CEO Sees Possible Return to Belarus
Reuters Mar. 05 2014 19:19
A revival of cooperation between Russia's Uralkali, top world potash producer, and Belarus state potash firm Belaruskali could be beneficial to both of them and to the global market, Uralkali's co-owner said.
After Uralkali left a joint venture with Belarus last year, potash markets plunged and the Russian company found itself at the center of a political row with Belarus, which eventually led to a change in its shareholders.
"Uralkali feels comfortable in the current situation, working at full capacity, selling in the market 100 percent of its production and having the lowest cost of production in the industry," Dmitry Razumov, chief executive of Onexim, said in an interview.
"At the same time, if cooperation were to be resumed, it could be beneficial to us and Belaruskali," Razumov said.
It was his first interview since Onexim, an investment vehicle of Russian tycoon Mikhail Prokhorov, bought a 27 percent stake in Uralkali in late 2013. The other co-owner, businessman Dmitry Mazepin's Uralchem, also acquired a 20 percent stake.
An agreement with Belaruskali could bring stability and predictability to the whole market, Razumov said.
"It is clear that the conditions of such cooperation would have to be mutually advantageous, comply with applicable laws and, in case they are reached, would have to be observed strictly by both parties."