BELGRADE (Serbia), March 8 (SeeNews) – Serbia will launch tender processes for the privatisation of petrochemicals producer HIP Petrohemija, chemical fertilizer producer HIP Azotara Pancevo and chemicals group MSK Kikinda by the end of March, local media reported on Wednesday.
The Serbian government is determined to shortly complete the sale of the remaining 100 companies on its privatisation list, news agency Beta reported, quoting economy minister Goran Knezevic.
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The government is having difficulties with 17 companies, including the petrochemical producers, copper miner and smelter RTB Bor, Galenika, PKB and Resavica, Knezevic said on the sidelines of the Kopaonik Business Forum.
He noted, however, that business operations of Serbia's public enterprises are under control. In 2016, they achieved a combined profit of 8 billion dinars ($68.2 million/64.6 million euro) compared to losses of 65 billion dinars two years ago, Knezevic explained.
In January, energy ministry said Azeri companies have shown interest in the potential privatisation of Serbian petrochemical firms.
The Serbian government owns 54.89% of the share capital of the largest petrochemical group in the country, HIP Petrohemija. Oil and gas firm NIS [BEL:NIIS], in which Russia's Gazprom Neft owns a 56.15% stake, controls 12.72% of HIP Petrohemija.
(1 euro=123.789 dinars)