KIEV, Dec 27 - The Ukrainian government has approved a list of 518 companies in which state stakes will be sold in 2006, and also a list of 25 companies that will be prepared for sale next year, Interfax reported.

The list does not include large companies like Ukrtelecom, Odesa Port Plant, Rosava, Azot, Ukragroleasing, Ukragromashinvest, Chistiye Metally, Dnepropetrovsk Aggregate Plant and the hotels Dnipro, Sport and Ukraine, which were included in previous privatization plans.