Vekselberg not planning investment in Ukraine in near term
Kyiv, November 15 (Interfax) - Russian billionaire Viktor Vekselberg is not planning any major investment in Ukraine in the near future.
"I am leaving TNK-BP [as executive director] by year-end, in order to concentrate on the Skolkovo project. Therefore, as an investor for Ukraine, I will probably be absent for a certain amount of time, but as a partner in the innovation area, by all means," Vekselberg said at a press conference at Interfax-Ukraine in Kyiv on Monday.
The Russian and Ukrainian business communities have a great deal of untapped potential for integration, he said.
It was reported earlier that Vekselberg is represented in Ukraine by GAZEX-Ukraine, which manages the assets of five regional gas distributors: Dniprogaz, Donetskmiskgaz, Kryvorizhgaz, Kharkivmiskgaz and Kharkivgaz. Vekselberg is also the board chairman of United Company Rusal (UC Rusal), which owns Zaporizhia Aluminum Smelter.
Vekselberg is a co-owner of TNK-BP, which is represented in Ukraine by TNK-BP Commerce, is represented on the Ukrainian market by TNK-BP Commerce, Linik and an oil product retailing joint venture, Kersher LLC.
In 2005 Vekselberg discussed the possibility of creating a vertically integrated titanium company with then-President Viktor Yuschenko, although the project never materialized.