By Vangelis Mndravelis

Greece’s creditors have asked the government to move ahead with the privatization of the country’s ports and regional airports in the first half of 2013, while in the same period the tender for the concession of digital frequencies must take place, as the sell-off timetable is getting much tighter, in a bid to fetch revenues as soon as possible.

The plan dictated by the troika – i.e. the representatives of the European Commission, the European Central Bank and the International Monetary Fund – provides for the government to adopt the new national strategy that will ensure the interconnectivity of ports with the rest of the country’s transport networks by December. Then, in March, the first invitations of interest for the utilization of ports will be issued.

As far as Public Power Corporation is concerned, the government must submit in November the company’s restructuring plan with a view to its privatization as it will include the sections of the company that will be privatized, along with a timetable for their sale.

Also in November, the government must separate the arms of the Hellenic Railways Organization (OSE) that do not concern the operation of train services. TRAINOSE, the railway service operator, will then be passed on for sale in March.