Karins to urge government not be hasty in selling large state companies
Minister of Economy Krisjanis Karins will propose the Cabinet of Ministers not be hasty in selling large enterprises with state-owned shares, LETA was informed by the minister^apostrofs;s advisor for public relations, Ieva Ziberga.
Minister of Economy Krisjanis Karins will propose the Cabinet of Ministers not be hasty in selling large enterprises with state-owned shares, LETA was informed by the minister's advisor for public relations, Ieva Ziberga.
Karins will hand in proposals for the state position pertaining to privatization of state-owned shares in the following companies: the fixed telecommunications operator "Lattelekom", mobile telecommunications operator "Latvijas Mobilais telefons" (LMT), Riga heating utility "Rigas siltums" and the "airBaltic" airline.
Since the decision on selling state-owned capital shares in "Ventspils nafta" (Ventspils Oil), the proposal on the company is not included in the minister's report.
Karins believes that the state is not to deal with entrepreneurship but must provide for a favorable business environment, taking into account development of the national economy and the interests of residents.
"Lattelekom", LMT, "Rigas siltums" and "airBaltic" have been included on the government's declaration as companies which capital shares can be sold only in cash.
Karins believes that selling of state-owned capital shares in "Lattelekom" and LMT should not be carried out hastily.
The minister pointed to a lack of clarity in the entering of the third UMTS operator on the Latvian telecommunication market.
Digitalization processes in Latvian regions, launched by "Lattelekom", must be completed, Karins said.
The minister believes that the state-owned capital shares in "Rigas siltums" are not to be sold yet, as the company provides important services to residents and the state must be sure the company would offer its quality services for an acceptable cost in the future as well.
Taking into account voluminous reforms at the Riga International Airport, the government should postpone a decision on state-owned capital shares in "airBaltic" until the situation in the airport stabilizes.
The state holds a 52.6 percent stake in "airBaltic", 51 percent in "Lattelekom", 49 percent in "Rigas siltums", and five percent in "Latvijas Mobilais telefons".
Janis Bagatais LETA
Copyright © LETA
Karins will hand in proposals for the state position pertaining to privatization of state-owned shares in the following companies: the fixed telecommunications operator "Lattelekom", mobile telecommunications operator "Latvijas Mobilais telefons" (LMT), Riga heating utility "Rigas siltums" and the "airBaltic" airline.
Since the decision on selling state-owned capital shares in "Ventspils nafta" (Ventspils Oil), the proposal on the company is not included in the minister's report.
Karins believes that the state is not to deal with entrepreneurship but must provide for a favorable business environment, taking into account development of the national economy and the interests of residents.
"Lattelekom", LMT, "Rigas siltums" and "airBaltic" have been included on the government's declaration as companies which capital shares can be sold only in cash.
Karins believes that selling of state-owned capital shares in "Lattelekom" and LMT should not be carried out hastily.
The minister pointed to a lack of clarity in the entering of the third UMTS operator on the Latvian telecommunication market.
Digitalization processes in Latvian regions, launched by "Lattelekom", must be completed, Karins said.
The minister believes that the state-owned capital shares in "Rigas siltums" are not to be sold yet, as the company provides important services to residents and the state must be sure the company would offer its quality services for an acceptable cost in the future as well.
Taking into account voluminous reforms at the Riga International Airport, the government should postpone a decision on state-owned capital shares in "airBaltic" until the situation in the airport stabilizes.
The state holds a 52.6 percent stake in "airBaltic", 51 percent in "Lattelekom", 49 percent in "Rigas siltums", and five percent in "Latvijas Mobilais telefons".
Janis Bagatais LETA
Copyright © LETA
