Sale of public assets seen raising 3.6 bln for Treasury
Government revenues from the agreed sales of public assets in the last two years are projected at 3.6 billion euros. Of that amount, 1.9 billion has been already collected and the rest is still pending, according to Yiannis Emiris, the managing director of the privatization agency (TAIPED).
About two-thirds (2.4 billion euros) comprises proceeds from the privatization of gaming company OPAP – the recent sale of 34 percent of its shares and of new or extended licenses for games of chance.
The failed sale of the Public Gas Corporation (DEPA) earlier this year was a major setback for the privatizations program, as it would have also facilitated the sale of the government’s stake in Hellenic Petroleum.
Of the total amount, 2.9 billion is seen being collected in lump sums and the rest over varying periods of time. The latter include guaranteed income from the State Lottery and licenses from cell phone operators.
