Shell to boost sell-offs with Finland deal

Royal Dutch Shell today said it was expanding its disposal plans with the planned sale of its operations in Finland as it seeks to focus its operations on bigger markets.

Shell has launched a host of minor disposals, including operations in African countries such as Uganda and Kenya. Shell is also selling its Swedish assets as part of a plan to reduce the number of forecourts it has.

"We believe that the possible selling of our Finnish operations is an attractive opportunity to investors," Tony Patterson, the head of Shell's operations in the Nordic countries, said in a statement.

A spokesman later declined to give any price expectations for the business but said: "We do see some strong interest from third parties. It's a profitable business and we are in a good position."

Shell has a subsidiary in Finland, which imports, produces, sells and markets fuels and lubricants in the Nordic country. It has some 290 petrol stations and some 325 staff in Finland.