Turkey's Erdemir, Ukrainian investor Konstantyn Zhevago, Lakshmi Mittal, and the group led by
Ukrainian billionaire Rinat Akhmetov have sent letters of intent proposing to buy the Kremikovtzi metallurgical works, Economy and Energy Minister Peter Dimitrov told a news conference on Tuesday.

U.S. Steel has retained a legal representative for Bulgaria and is negotiating with the plant's management. The US Embassy said this company was also interested in buying Kremikovtzi, BTA added.

Dimitrov said he had not been informed by advisory company Merrill Lynch, retained by the plant's present owner, Pramod Mittal, whether Lakshmi Mittal had been negotiating with the consultant about the purchase. Erdemir or Duferco representatives have not met with Dimitrov.