Slovenia is likely to privatise Telekom Slovenije ahead of other state-owned enterprises as part of plans to improve public finances, local publication Dnevnik reported.
Prime Minister Alenka Bratusek announced on 12 April that the government plans to…
Slovenia is likely to privatise Telekom Slovenije ahead of other state-owned enterprises as part of plans to improve public finances, local publication Dnevnik reported.
Prime Minister Alenka Bratusek announced on 12 April that the government plans to sell shares in companies, saying it will begin with the privatisation of “one or two” of the larger companies immediately.
Media have speculated that Ljubljana-listed Telekom Slovenije, which has a market value of €600m, would be among the first candidates for privatisation.
The Dnevik report stated that it would make sense for the government to sell shares in the telco ahead of other assets – which also include two banks, insurer Zavarovalnica Triglav and energy company Petrol – given its current market value and the fact the state has a direct 62.54% stake. According to the report, sales of shares in Telecom Slovenije and Petrol would likely garner the most political support, however the state does not have a direct stake in the energy company.
The report cited finance minister Uros Cufer as saying at a recent parliamentary committee meeting that the first assets intended for sale will be presented within the next few days.
Slovenia cancelled the privatisation process of a 49.13% in Telekom Slovenije in late 2010, rejecting bids from the last two candidates – Iceland’s Skipti and a consortium of Bain Capital, Axos Capital and BT – as too low.
Slovenian ministries were not immediately available for comment.
