(Reuters) - Cyprus approved a roadmap on Thursday to start privatising state companies in two years, a requirement of international lenders who threw the island a 10 billion euro ($13.6 billion)lifeline in March.
Under the terms of the bailout from the International Monetary Fund and European Union, Cyprus must initiate a privatisation plan to raise at least 1 billion euros by 2016, and an additional 400 million euros by 2018 at the latest.
The process would start with the Cyprus telecoms authority, known as Cyta, government spokesman Christos Stylianides said.
"The first divestment will take place after a two-year preparation period, during which it is anticipated (Cyprus) will overcome recession and enter a period of recovery," Stylianides said.
He said the government did not expect to fully privatise any state-owned asset. Employees would have an opportunity to take part in the process.
The east Mediterranean island in March became the fifth euro zone member to require aid since the onset of the bloc's debt crisis, after the two main Cypriot banks buckled under their exposure to Greece.
Cyprus is following a 3-year economic adjustment programme to restructure its banks and correct fiscal imbalances. The bailout was conditional on the island shutting one major bank and confiscating deposits to save a second. Both were excluded from external bailout money.
reuters.com
Under the terms of the bailout from the International Monetary Fund and European Union, Cyprus must initiate a privatisation plan to raise at least 1 billion euros by 2016, and an additional 400 million euros by 2018 at the latest.
The process would start with the Cyprus telecoms authority, known as Cyta, government spokesman Christos Stylianides said.
"The first divestment will take place after a two-year preparation period, during which it is anticipated (Cyprus) will overcome recession and enter a period of recovery," Stylianides said.
He said the government did not expect to fully privatise any state-owned asset. Employees would have an opportunity to take part in the process.
The east Mediterranean island in March became the fifth euro zone member to require aid since the onset of the bloc's debt crisis, after the two main Cypriot banks buckled under their exposure to Greece.
Cyprus is following a 3-year economic adjustment programme to restructure its banks and correct fiscal imbalances. The bailout was conditional on the island shutting one major bank and confiscating deposits to save a second. Both were excluded from external bailout money.
reuters.com
No comments:
Post a Comment