The Ukrainian government with the support of Prime Minister Volodymyr Groysman has approved of changes to the method of evaluating objects to be privatized, proposed by the State Property Fund (SPF), which will reduce the starting price of Odessa Port-side Chemical Plant.
“I believe we should allow the SPF to put the plant up for sale at the price that will attract more bids. And then we will approve of it”, he said.
Interior Minister Arsen Avakov demanded the postponing of making the decision as the members of the People’s Front faction doubt it.
“We have a coalition government”, he noted.
At the same time, Groysman insisted on making a positive decision, but instructed the State Property Fund (SPF) to hold a public debate with the factions and justify the new starting price.
As reported, the SPF announced a tender for the sale of a 99.567% stake in Odessa plant with a starting price of 13.175 billion UAH (about $527 million), taking into account the debt of more than $700 million, but it failed because none wanted to buy it. (Interfax/Business World Magazine)