An inter-ministerial committee has recommended to cancel the tender for Unipetrol privatization advisor

An inter-ministerial committee has recommended that the state National Property Fund (NPF) cancel the tender for a Unipetrol privatization advisor due to insufficient tender transparency, the Czech Press Agency reports. The NPF should discuss the issue at an extraordinary meeting today. At the moment it is not clear whether the NPF will launch a new tender for an advisor or choose one directly. The news is not encouraging as a privatization advisor is scheduled to be appointed by the end of March, but the stock is unlikely to react.

Separately, Reuters reported yesterday that the Polish PKN Orlen and Hungarian MOL might submit a joint bid for the 63% stake in Unipetrol, which is not surprising given their current regional-expansion plans. OMV, Rotch Energy, and some Russian companies are also expected to bid.

Jan Hájek