COMPLICATIONS IN PRIVATIZATION OF DISTRIBUTIVE POWER NETWORKS OF ARMENIA, ARMENIAN MP SAYS
26.12.2000, MEDIAMAX, YEREVAN. "There are some problems in the process of privatization of distributive power networks of Armenia. They are mainly connected with the price policy and with the need for legislative field reform," member of the tender commission for privatization of power networks of Armenia, deputy of the National Assembly Seyran Avagian said in the interview to Mediamax.
He noted that commission's legal counselor - the American "Chatborn and Park" company insists on making amendments to 12 laws. S. Avagian also said that after the refusal of the French "Electricite de France" to take part in the tender, the possibility of Armenian networks' potential price cut becomes rather real. The deputy noted that several countries in the post-Soviet space have set out for sale their distributive power networks at present, and the number of companies pretending to their purchase is limited, which may affect the price cut.
Avagian said that the process of privatization of the distributive power networks is based on new approaches. He voiced his hope that its successful realization will allow "dissolve the fixed negative view of the society on the privatization as such".
The winner of the tender for privatization of 4 distributive power networks of Armenia is to be announced by February 28, 2001, while the process is expected to end in March 2001.
On December 5 the Armenian Government and the European Bank of Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) signed an agreement on direct sale of 19.9% of shares of each of the 4 networks, presented in the international tender.
The following 3 companies pretend to the purchase of the Armenian power networks: the Spanish "Union Fenosa", the American "AES Silk Road" and the Swiss-Swedish "ABB". In spring 2000 the Russian "Itera" company was debarred from participation in the tender. -0-
He noted that commission's legal counselor - the American "Chatborn and Park" company insists on making amendments to 12 laws. S. Avagian also said that after the refusal of the French "Electricite de France" to take part in the tender, the possibility of Armenian networks' potential price cut becomes rather real. The deputy noted that several countries in the post-Soviet space have set out for sale their distributive power networks at present, and the number of companies pretending to their purchase is limited, which may affect the price cut.
Avagian said that the process of privatization of the distributive power networks is based on new approaches. He voiced his hope that its successful realization will allow "dissolve the fixed negative view of the society on the privatization as such".
The winner of the tender for privatization of 4 distributive power networks of Armenia is to be announced by February 28, 2001, while the process is expected to end in March 2001.
On December 5 the Armenian Government and the European Bank of Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) signed an agreement on direct sale of 19.9% of shares of each of the 4 networks, presented in the international tender.
The following 3 companies pretend to the purchase of the Armenian power networks: the Spanish "Union Fenosa", the American "AES Silk Road" and the Swiss-Swedish "ABB". In spring 2000 the Russian "Itera" company was debarred from participation in the tender. -0-
