MOSCOW. June 26 (Interfax-AVN) - Suggestions for amending the adopted reorganization program for Russia's aviation sector may be submitted to Cabinet by the end of the year.
Deputy Prime Minister Boris Alyoshin told reporters after today's Cabinet session that these proposals may lead to the prompt establishment of a unified national aircraft maker.
"At present, the program for the defense sector's overhaul envisions two stages. The first 2002-2004 phase will see the creation of 19 holdings, which will then be reorganized into two aircraft and helicopter producing companies in 2005-2006," Alyoshin noted.
At the same time, he said that many experts have expressed the view that creating a single national aircraft producer to avoid these stages is a viable option.
Alyoshin said that the MiG and Sukhoi companies will issue stock and the Tupolev and Ilyushin aircraft makers will consolidate in 2004.
"The problem was that the state lost some of its shares, but preparations for the 2002-2004 reform have made it possible to return these shares to the state," the deputy prime minister said. He noted that this was not nationalization, but the return of the state's stakes, which could be later sold at a better price.
The 19 holdings planned to be set up will include about one- half of Russia's 360 aviation companies.