Berisha calls for acceleration of privatizations

TIRANA, May 13 – Prime Minister Sali Berisha has reiterated his request to accelerate the privatization of state-owned property. Speaking during a meeting of the task force on privatizations, Prime Minister Berisha described the privatization process as fundamental for the country’s economy and the fight against corruption.
Berisha called on the ministers of finance, economy, agriculture and public works to close the privatization process as soon as possible and with efficiency.
Earlier this year, government said it hoped to collect 100 million euros from the privatization of some remaining public assets during 2010.
Economy Minister Dritan Prifti said that the remaining state-owned shares of the fixed-line operator Albtelecom, oil refiner ARMO and the Energy Distribution System Operator (OSSH) would be sold.
The insurance company INSIG, whose privatization process has failed despite being put up for sale several times, is the only remaining important company in which the state owns 100 percent of the shares.
The privatization list also includes more than 200 plants and enterprises as well as 450 military bases identified by the Defense Ministry. Some small hydropower plants will also be privatized.
Government collected 230 million euros from the privatization of state-owned properties last year.