18 June 2004 13:41
Russia`s Gazprom to compete in Romanian gas distributors` privatization
Bucharest, 18 June: The Russian concern Gazprom informed it would go on competing for the privatization of the gas
distributors in Romania, reads the Ziarul Financiar daily.
Thus the Russians of Gazprom join the Germans of Ruhrgas and Wintershall, as well as the Frenchmen of Gaz de France,
who are going to submit their final offers by 15 July this year.
Gazprom will take part in the third stage of the privatization of the gas distribution companies and will submit its
final offer to participate in the privatization, the Ziarul Financiar daily quotes Aleksandr Medvedev, managing director
of Gazexport, which is part of the Gazprom concern.
The privatization of the gas distributors has turned out to be the most spectacular privatization so far, notes the
above-mentioned source. Five big European groups joined the race, four of them (Ruhrgas of Germany, Gaz de France, Enel
of Italy, Gazprom of Russia) opted for both distributing companies (Distrigaz Nord and Distrigaz Sud), whereas
Wintershall is interested in Distrigaz Nord only.
The Romanian state sells directly 30 per cent of the shares of the two distributors to strategic investors, which are
to take part in an increase of capital to hold the 51-per cent majority stake.
The value of the two transactions is estimated by sources close to the privatization process quoted by daily Ziarul
Financiar to stand at about 450-500m dollars.
The transactions are expected to be initialled in the second half of the year.
The two gas distributing companies will be sold to different investors to avoid creating a monopoly on the
market.
Distrigaz Nord and Distrigaz Sud ensure 85.90 per cent of the entire gas distribution in Romania.
[Rompres news agency] |
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