The Cabinet launched a tender for a privatization adviser yesterday. The deadline for offers is February 20 and the adviser should be selected by May 30. The adviser should propose a favored privatization method (currently a direct sale or placement on the market or their combination are considered as possible options) and a timetable by end-June. A privatization tender should then start in H2 2004.
Separately, České radiokomunikace signed an agreement on local loop unbundling with Cesky Telecom yesterday. Cra is the second alternative operator to agree to CT conditions since the beginning of 2003. Low interest from CT's competitors has been expected due to the rather high fees required by CT. Neutral.
Jitka Oppitzová