ArmenTel Became Owned by Arab Consortium According to Unofficial Reports

PanARMENIAN.Net - According to unofficial reports, 90% of shares of ArmenTel telecommunication company are sold to an Arab consortium at $600 million. According to RBC, 90% of ArmenTel shares, owned by OTE Greek Company are sold to Emirates Telecommunications Corporation (ETISALAT)/Istithmar PJSC/Emergent Telecom Ventures (ETV). ArmenTel Company neither denied, nor confirmed the reports. In the words of ArmenTel Press Secretary Hasmik Chutilyan, she does not have any information over who is the winner of the international tender. The Ministry of Transport and Communication of Armenia also does not have any information. Ministry Spokesperson Tamara Galchyan stated, "No one provided information to me over who is the winner of the contest, and the Minister is on a business trip, so I cannot get to know anything about the owner of the 90% of ArmenTel shares.



This year OTE Greek company announced a tender for 90% shares of ArmenTel, it held. 16 companies took part in the contest. Russian VympelCom and MTC, as well as ETISALAT (Emirates Telecommunications Corporation/Istithmar ETV -Emergent Telecom Ventures) и VTEL Holdings/Knightsbridge Associates passed to the second round.



The other day Armenian Minister of Transport and Communication Andranik Manukyan stated that the buyer of ArmenTel shares should refuse monopoly to a number of activities and those claiming the buying of the shares agreed to that condition, reports IA Regnum.