VUJOVIC: We won't put Telekom Srbija up for sale at any cost

(Dusan Vujovic)

Economy Minister Dusan Vujovic stated Wednesday that Telekom Srbija, the national telecom firm, was not going to be privatized at any cost but when and if the conditions for that were met, adding that a capital increase was in the pipeline for the Electric Power Company (EPS).

In his guest appearance on TV B92, Vujovic said that the Government would consider all the possibilities of privatizing Telekom Srbija if a good opportunity for the change of current ownership status emerged.

- If the Government is unable to keep up with the technology, then it should consider the possibility of privatizing the telecom firm. This does not mean that it will push Telekom Srbija to the privatization process at any cost. Privatization options will be taken in consideration when and if the conditions for that are met - the economy minister said and stressed that Telekom Srbija would be sold by tender.

When it comes to the Electric Power Company of Serbia (EPS), Vujovic pointed out that the plan was to recapitalize the company and find some kind of strategic partner for it.

Seven or eight serious investors have expressed interest in Zelezara Smederevo, Vujovic said and added that the tender for that steel mill would be announced either in July or August.