Belarusian Potash Company Will ‘Move’ to Switzerland?
4.06.2012 / 10:11
This might be done to avoid the EU and USA sanctions
Potash mines in Salihorsk
The jurisdiction of the office of Belarusian Potash Company (BPC) may be moved to Switzerland, said Vladislav Baumgertner, CEO of Uralkali, according to the Russian company’s press office.
The move would provide additional competitive advantages, Mr. Baumgertner noted.
Transferring the jurisdiction of the BPC office to Switzerland would allow Belarus to protect itself from possible economic sanctions on the part of the European Union and the United States with regard to potash exports, Mikhail Pak, an analyst with Aton, a Russian investment company, commented to BelaPAN.
“The company would thus remove political and country risks,” he said. “If the trader is registered in Switzerland, Belarus will be able to sell the fertilizer without hindrance.”
Founded in 2005, BPC is the trading arm of Uralkali and Belarus' Belaruskali, which are said to together account for almost 42 percent of global potash exports. A 45-percent stake in the company belongs to Belaruskali and five percent to Belarusian Railroads.