Prime Minister Kasyanov signed a directive on 10 April launching an ambitious program for the further privatization of the country's banking sector by selling state-owned shares in that sector, "Kommersant-Daily" reported on 11 April. According to this program, the Finance and Economic Development and Trade Ministries will prepare plans over the next three months for selling off state-held shares in investment, insurance, and financial institutions. All in all, the state would sell its stakes in over 600 banks, according to Kasyanov.

(RFE/RL 12.iv.02)