By Vangelis Mandravelis

The activity report presented on Wednesday by the state privatization fund (TAIPED) provides for the promotion of four more sell-off projects within this month, these being Egnatia Odos, regional airports, small ports and marinas, and the package of 28 state buildings that will be sold and leased back by the state.

The report, which concerns activity in the last quarter of 2012, suggests that eight privatization projects will get under way within the first quarter of this yeat, with four of them having already started. These are the Thessaloniki Water Company (EYATH), the Horse Racing Organization (ODIE), the Astir Palace Hotel at Vouliagmeni, and a selection of properties to be sold separately.

The new planning reveals that four other sell-off projects have been put off until the second quarter. These are Hellenic Defense Systems (EAS), Larco, Hellenic Post (ELTA) and the Hellenic Vehicle Industry (ELVO).

According to the report, significant progress has been made in the settlement of pending state issues, as to date 56 of the 87 outstanding issues have been resolved.

“The remaining unresolved government issues are proceeding in tandem with the TAIPED privatizations timetable,” the report says, citing the monthly account provided to the prime minister’s office.

The report further refers to revenues of 5 million euros in the last quarter of 2012, from the sale of shares in Alpha Bank and Piraeus Bank. In the same period, TAIPED also saw losses of 1.8 million euros, of which 0.7 million came from the formation of provisions for projected revenues from highway projects.

TAIPED launched on Wednesday the process for the privatization of a property at Aghios Ioannis Sithonias on the Halkidiki peninsula in central Macedonia. The plot, covering an area of 257,000 square meters, will be conceded for tourism and housing development to private investors who have to submit expressions of interest by April 26. Those interested will need to prove the ownership of funds of at least 25 million euros.

The privatization fund also published the invitation for a consultancy company to implement the master plan and strategic environmental impact study for the Alimos marina, in southern Athens. Payment for the consultants has been set at 130,000 euros and expressions of interest must be submitted by next Tuesday, March 12.