Pipeliners

Tomsk, 27 April - ITAR-TASS - [State-owned] Vneshtorgbank is ready to take part in funding the construction of the Eastern Siberia-Pacific Ocean oil pipeline, the bank's head, Andrey Kostin, has said. "We are one of the few banks that can fund a billion-dollar project," he said. "If we receive a proposal, we will of course consider it. We are working with Transneft and are ready to play some role in funding this project," Kostin said. [State-owned] Sberbank head Andrey Kazmin has also said that his bank is ready to take part in funding the pipeline. "We would be delighted to take part in funding this project if Transneft makes an announcement. We have already received verbal proposals," he said. "We are waiting for formal proposals but everything depends on the borrower. We can't just throw money away," Kazmin said.