#5 - JRL 2007-28 - JRL Home
One Should Work At Image Of Russian Business Abroad - Potanin

MOSCOW. Feb 4 (Interfax) - Events in Courchevel have accelerated making the announcement on restructuring the Interros company, rather than were a reason for the fact, head of Interros Vladimir Potanin said in an interview with the Russia TV channel on Sunday.

"One should understand that such decisions are not taken impulsively. I mean the restructuring of such a large company. That is why the decision was being prepared and thought over for a long time," he said.

"The announcement we made was linked to the fact that the period of actions has begun. Thus, we have begun certain corporate actions. They will be noticed. We thought it was our duty to inform society and investors on the fact, so that there are no allegations," Potanin said.

The detention of co-owner of the company Mikhail Prokhorov by French police was a catalyst of the publishing information of the restructuring, he said. "The scandalous situation, accelerated the announcement, so that a full stop is put in the story," he said.

Potanin said that he does not want that society has an impression that "what is being done is called the division of assets." "This is not a game in a sandpit, this deals with serious assets. This is a large business that has been forming for many years. Attention will be paid to any changes in the company. I repeat once again that first of all Prokhorov and I are friends," he said.

The image of the Russian business in foreign countries, in particular in the EU, is not always high, Potanin said, saying that only "decent behavior" of Russian businessmen may amend the situation.