Karakoyunlu: The Most Important Privatization Target Is Sale Of Shares Of Petkim And Turpas And Privatization Of Tekel And Telekom

ANKARA - State Minister Yilmaz Karakoyunlu said on Tuesday that the most important privatization target in the following term was the sale of shares of Petrochemistry Holding Inc. (Petkim) and Turkish Oil Refineries Inc. (TUPRAS) and privatization of state-run Liquor and Tobacco Administration (TEKEL) and Telekom.
Following his meeting with International Monetary Fund (IMF) Turkey Desk Chief Juha Kahkonen, Karakoyunlu told reporters that privatization of energy companies, including 27 production and 19 transmission companies, and 28 sugar factories under the control of the Industry Ministry were among the most important privatization targets of Turkey in the following term.
Karakoyunlu said that he informed IMF officials about how former privatization targets were achieved and noted that 216 companies had been taken within the scope of privatization so far.
Only 26 of those companies were still within the scope of privatization, Karakoyunlu stated.
Noting that he also informed the delegation about future privatization targets, Karakoyunlu stressed that the delegation asked him some questions.
Karakoyunlu went on saying, ''they asked questions about when majority of sugar factories will be taken within the scope of privatization, about the legal arrangements necessary for privatization of Telekom, and roadmap and schedule of privatization of Tupras and Petkim. Privatization strategy of Tekel will be prepared by a consultant company till the IMF meeting to take place in mid-November. We also think of new privatization methods appropriate to market conditions related with Tupras and Turkish Airlines (THY). Agreement is reached by Treasury and IMF about this issue.''
''Some giant oil companies and oil distribution companies have stated that they are interested in Tupras. I explained it to the delegation,'' Karakoyunlu said.
Karakoyunlu pointed out that he told the IMF delegation that legal changes necessary for privatization could not be made in this legislative term but could be made after the elections.
He pointed to employment problem, one of the most important issues in privatization, during the meeting, Karakoyunlu stressed.
Karakoyunlu continued, ''the unionist system still cannot understand the importance of privatization in Turkey. Efforts are under way to bring some obstacles. I hope a method which will lift obstruction of unionist system and which does not block privatization can be adopted after the election.''
Upon a question, Karakoyunlu said that November 3 elections were not brought to the agenda.
Responding to a question about Tupras, Karakoyunlu said that they would complete their initiatives about privatization of Tupras and start to activate the tender till the end of this year.
Karakoyunlu stated that they had recorded significant progress in privatization.
Noting that they would take a very important step and realize Tupras in November or December, Karakoyunlu said that they could sell even 100 percent of the shares.