Prime Minister S. Gross said yesterday that he is against a privatization of CEZ and even against a sale of a 16% stake on the market at the moment, while he supports the Cesky Telecom privatization. He has however admitted that a discussion about a floating of the minority stake will be held. Note that the Industry Ministry holds a similar position and is in favor of keeping the entire 67% stake in CEZ, while the Finance Ministry is largely in favor of the float. Further discussions among the government members are expected and it is too early to anticipate their likely outcome. Source: CTK.
Separately, the deadline for submitting renewed binding bids in the Slovenske elektrarne privatization tender is September 3. Recall that the privatization committee has asked three investors - CEZ, Enel and the Russian UAS - to clarify the conditions and assumptions of their bids. CEZ has submitted the second highest bid of SKK 31bn (EUR 0.77bn) for all SE's assets excluding the A1 and V1 blocks of NPP Bohunice. The privatization should be completed this year if an investor willing to buy the whole company is found. Source: Reuters.
Jan Hajek, Patria Finance