The Ministry of Economy should announce tenders for the privatization of Lasta and Petrohemija by the end of June, which means that in the coming months, slightly more than 3,000 employees in these companies could get a new owner.
The state does not give up the search for potential buyers or strategic partners for companies that are under its jurisdiction, of which, according to the latest data, there are slightly more than 70.
Of that number, it is uncertain for at least 30 when the sale will be announced due to disputed property-legal, court or some other problems. What is certain is that by the end of the year, at least five strategically important companies will enter the privatization process, and the first on that list are Lasta and Petrohemija.
According to Blic, the ground has been prepared for them to announce a tender in the coming months, because the preparation of the necessary documentation is being completed by privatization advisors, and it is up to the Ministry of Economy to define the manner and conditions that could attract potential buyers or strategic partners.
From these conditions, it is about the price, the status of employees, but also investments, it depends on whether the companies that have shown interest in talks with government representatives in the previous period, will respond to the official invitation.
The unions of these companies have different knowledge about announcing tenders. Lasta is not familiar with the plans, while Petrohemija says that they have information that the tender for them should be announced in the coming months.
The Ministry of Economy did not want to comment officially, but it was officially announced that the plan is for at least four large companies to get new owners by the end of the year, including Lasta and Petrohemija, Blic reports.
