UPDATE 1-Norilsk Nickel CEO says no job cuts in Russia

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BEIJING, March 3 (Reuters) - Russia's Norilsk Nickel (GMKN.MM), the world's top producer of nickel, is not planning to cut any jobs in Russia even though low prices are likely to halve sales revenues this year from 2008, CEO Vladimir Strzhalkovsky said on Tuesday. Speaking in Beijing, he also said that Norilsk was not currently considering a merger with iron and steel firm Metalloinvest or any other major player.

"Right now there are no serious plans for a merger between Norilsk Nickel and anybody else, but I can't rule it out in the future," Strzhalkovsky said.

Until late last month, the firm was considering plans to create a national mining giant by merging with other top Russian mining companies, but the idea was dropped after the Kremlin opposed plans to absorb their debts in exchange for a stake in a merged company.

Strzhalkovsky said the goal had been to restructure debts of other companies in the sector.

Strzhalkovsky, who was in China to open a new sales office in Shanghai, signed a memorandum of understanding with the country's Non-Ferrous Metals Association and said he was exploring joint venture opportunities.

He also plans to meet executives from China's top steelmaker, Baosteel Group, on Wednesday.

As well as Russia, Norilsk has assets in Australia, South Africa and Botswana and, like many metals firms globally, has had to slow operations to cope with the collapse in demand and prices.

Asked if the firm could sell any the assets, Strzhalkovsky said nobody was buying and Norilsk wasn't rushing to sell.

"We haven't had any interesting offers. But we're not actively looking to sell. We're not in a position where we need to sell."

The company is planning capital expenditure of around $1.2 billion this year, he said, adding: "Maximum $1.3 billion -- if there are positive movements in prices." (Reporting by Tom Miles; Editing by Ken Wills)