No plans to privatize Ukrzaliznytsia – CEO

Kyiv, January 22 (Interfax-Ukraine) – There are no plans to privatize State Railways Administration of Ukraine Ukrzaliznytsia in any way, acting Ukrzaliznytsia CEO Maksym Blank has said in a press conference at Interfax-Ukraine.

"Moreover, if to talk about me personally, I support the tough monopolization of JSC Ukrainska Zaliznytsia (Ukrainian Railways). I do not support the way Russian Railways passed, I mean the separation of certain companies," the official said.

Blank also expressed his view that Ukrzaliznytsia’s monopoly in the country is in one sense a competitive advantage if it is "used wisely."

"However, in the current difficult circumstances we understand that there could arise questions related to attracting capital. If the state has no other way, then freight wagons or locomotives, or any infrastructural objects could be transferred, for example, to concession, due to which the effectiveness of raising private capital for these fields could increase," the head of Ukrzaliznytsia said.