Ankara Municipality To Privatize Its Gas Distribution Company

ANKARA - Ankara Metropolitan Municipality is set to launch a tender for the privatization of its natural gas distribution company, mayor said.
A total of 30 bidders are expected to participate at the tender where one-fifth of them would be disqualified at the first round, Melih Gokcek told a press conference on Tuesday.
Gokcek stated that the winner of the tender would be able to buy natural gas from foreign suppliers such as Russia, Iran, Azerbaijan, Egypt and Turkmenistan.
Ankara mayor predicted that city's demand for natural gas will double up in 10 years time to reach some 60 billion cubic meters, and further up to 250 billion cubic meters in 30 years.
Gokcek said revenue from the privatization will be allocated to subway and water projects as well as to cover municipality's debts to Turkey's oil and gas pipeline authority and the Treasury.
(YMB-MS)