Michel Sapin News

Russia plans to reduce its holdings in the state shipping company Sovcomflot in the first half of this year, Economy Minister Maxim Oreshkin told reporters on Tuesday. He said the sale would be split between new and existing shares so the company can raise funds for its own development. Oreshkin was speaking in Paris after meeting the French finance minister Michel Sapin and representatives of Franco-Russian business lobby. "The deal on Sovcomflot suggests participation of a wide circle of investors ...

Germany's Siemens and Japan's Mitsubishi Heavy Industries presented a joint offer to France's Alstom on Monday that included 7 billion euros ($9.5 billion) in cash, challenging a bid by General Electric. Under the deal, Siemens offered to buy Alstom's gas turbines business for 3.9 billion euros in cash, and MHI to buy stakes in Alstom power assets including hydroelectric power equipment and grid, to be held in separate joint ventures. MHI would inject 3.1 billion euros in cash into Alstom and offer to take a stake of up to 10 percent in the French firm from shareholder Bouygues. "Alstom would remain an independent energy and transport player with a strong brand," Siemens Chief Executive Joe Kaeser said. Alstom said it would review the proposal in the coming days.

France expects General Electric to boost its bid for Alstom's power unit in response to a potential joint offer from Siemens and Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Finance Minister Michel Sapin said on Sunday. Siemens and Mitsubishi are putting the finishing touches on an offer for Alstom's turbine businesses, including a cash element of roughly 9 billion euros ($12.3 billion), according to sources close to the bidders. That compares with the U.S. conglomerate's existing offer of 12.4 billion euros ($16.9 billion) for all of Alstom's energy assets. "Mitsubishi forming an alliance with Siemens improves Siemens' offer," Sapin said in an interview broadcast simultaneously on Europe 1 radio and iTele.