The Greek economy needs to continue its privatization program to enter a new phase of growth, the head of the country’s privatization agency HRADF Stergios Pitsiorlas told a Greek radio station on Monday.
“The steps which have been taken recently show the government is working effectively, despite individual problems. For the Greek economy to pass into a new phase of development, I think this privatizations program should have taken place anyway,” he told Vima FM, discussing the agency’s ongoing projects.
“The government and HRADF are making a difficult effort to move ahead with a program of privatizations which, even with previous governments, faced problems in the general political system in Greece – and not in society – and it is therefore logical to be facing some discord,” he added.
Commenting on the concession of “Eleftherios Venizelos” international airport, Pitsiorlas said the airport’s BoD agreed to start negotiations for its extension, noting however the process will be long. “It is a difficult and technical negotiation. It will conclude in a few months, but I believe it will have a positive outcome because it will provide a prospect of stability for the airport,” he said, noting that the company running the airport is doing very well.
Possible improvements
Concerning the other major ongoing privatization at Athens’ former airport Elliniko, Pitsiorlas said the agency is negotiating with the investors for possible improvements in the existing contract. “We aim to finish the negotiations in April and have an agreement so that we can proceed with the licensing and implementation of this project,” he said, adding that the surrounding municipalities are in accord with the plan and are participating in the talks.
“I believe we’re very close at completing this phase of negotiations. We estimate it will create about 40,000 new jobs,” he noted.
On the sale of Piraeus Port to China’s Cosco, the head of HRADF said the agency is waiting for the Court of Auditors to approve the paperwork after which the deal will be tabled in parliament for a vote. The Competition Committee will also have to give the green light for the deal.
In January, Cosco was the sole bidder for a 67 percent stake in Piraeus Port and is set to be named the preferred investor.
“Piraeus will become one of the largest ports in the world and this will help immensely with jobs and the economy and the emergence of Piraeus as hugehub,” he said, noting that Cosco’s recent merger with China Shipping Group, makes the company the largest in the world in the sector. “The fact that this giant will manage the port for the next 40 years, gives us the opportunity to make the most of our geographical position and emerge as a key gateway of Asia’s products to Europe,” he added.
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