Transport and Communications Minister J. Schling said in a BBC radio interview yesterday that expecting Cesky Telecom’s sale this year is unrealistic. Given that the market is already sceptical about the official privatization schedule (recommendation of tender winner by October) and given that the Czech finance minister made a similar warning recently, the transport minister’s statement should not cause much damage to the stock. The transport minister also said that the government has not yet issued an advertisement announcing the privatization because of the ongoing negotiations concerning Cesky Telecom’s acquisition of the remaining 49% stake in Eurotel.
(Ondrej Datka)