Slovenia to restart privatization of state-owned firms

Slovenia on Tuesday announced it would restart its planned sale of state-owned companies.
The announcement comes one month after the outgoing cabinet decided to freeze privatization procedures before the appointment of a new government.
The sale of majority shares in three state companies -- Aerodrom, Telekom Slovenije and NKBM bank -- are expected to be completed before the end of the year, Slovenia Sovereign Holding chairman Matej Pirc said.
"The offers in all sales are of high quality and we are happy with the response from bidders," he added.
Financially-troubled Slovenia decided in June 2013 to sell state-owned stakes in 15 companies, including flag carrier Adria Airways and the country's second-largest banking group New Credit Bank Maribor (NKBM).
According to media reports, two state-owned firms have so far been privatized, while deals involving airport operator Aerodrom Ljubljana and telecoms operator Telekom Slovenije have entered the final stages.