MOSCOW, June 21 (RIA Novosti) - Russia's anti-monopoly service has cleared a deal for Leader, a managing company of Gazfond, Gazprom's pension fund, to buy 100% voting shares in Salavatnefteorgsintez, a major Russian petrochemical producer.
Leader applied for authorization to buy the stake March 20, but was turned down over reports that Gazprom had illegally increased its stake in the producer to 73%. The anti-monopoly service launched a probe into the allegations.
It finally issued clearance with the proviso that the company refrain from any activities that could limit competition on the petrochemical and related markets.
Salavatnefteorgsintez shares have been in Gazprom's trust management since 1999.
The Russian energy giant is a key supplier of natural gas, gas condensate, and ethane to the enterprise.
