TAIPED chair change entails sell-off delays
The change at the helm of the state privatization fund (TAIPED) has resulted in additional delays to the sell-off program.
The deadline for submissions of binding offers for the key privatizations of OPAP gaming company and gas firms DEPA and DESFA is being extended by two weeks: Those interested in OPAP must table their bids by April 22, while those aiming at acquiring DEPA and/or DESFA have until April 29.
The change in TAIPED’s leadership, with outgoing chairman Takis Athanasopoulos to be replaced by Stelios Stavridis, will be conducted next week, after which the program will restart.
There have also been problems with the sale of some of the six state properties that TAIPED is taking care of, especially that in Belgrade. Legal snags appear to be taking that asset off the sell-off list for now.
National Bank of Greece (NBG) has also given a 10-day extension to the process for the submission of offers for the Astir Palace Hotel in Vouliagmeni, southern Athens, upon the request of investors who are interested in the complex.
The new deadline is March 29, as opposed to next Tuesday, with interested parties now having until March 20 to submit questions regarding the tender’s process.
