Kerimov Seeks to Create Biggest Potash Producer, Vedomosti Says

Russian billionaire Suleiman Kerimov, who with partners owns a controlling stake in OAO Uralkali, is seeking to add OAO Silvinit and Belaruskali to the holding to create the world’s largest potash producer, Vedomosti said.

Kerimov met with Belarus President Aleksandr Lukashenko on behalf of Uralkali and offered to buy 51% of state-owned Belaruskali for $7.5 billion, Vedomosti said, citing an unidentified person close to an Uralkali shareholder. Belarus denied the meeting, the newspaper said, citing Lukashenko’s spokesman Pavel Legkiy.