Opposition Warns Against Privatizing Railway
The opposition New Rights Party has demanded that the authorities not sign any major privatization deals before the parliamentary elections, in particular one on the Georgian state-run railway.
The Economy Ministry invited interested parties to express an interest in buying Georgian Railway Ltd last October. The deadline for the submission of proposals expires on Friday, January 25.
“It is obvious that through privatization of the railway the authorities are trying to fill empty coffers,” the statement issued by the New Rights Party says. “We believe that the government, whose legitimacy is questionable, [the opposition has refused to recognize Mikheil Saakashvili as the legitimate president], should refrain from privatizing major state assets, especially those of strategic importance.”
The party has also called on potential investors not to enter into any major privatization deal with the current authorities.
An expression of interest by a potential investor, according to the Economy Ministry, does not oblige the Georgian side to sell any entity. The Economy Ministry said it reserves the right at to withdraw from the purchasing procedures any time; or suspend or change the procedure, or exclude any interested party from the purchasing procedure.
The list of potential investors in the Georgian railway is expected to become known on Friday evening, January 25, once the submission deadline passes.
