The final countdown has begun for the privatization of Maroc Telcom, Morocco's state-owned telecommunications company, with the submission of the tender’s documents for King Mohammed’s approval.
State authorities and company management have already reached an agreement on the technical and financial aspects of the privatization project. However they are still differing on the tender’s opening date.
While Maroc Telcom presses to go ahead with privatization by the end of September, both economy and finance ministries hope to delay the process until next December, in order to be able to include expected revenues in the 2000-2001 budget, according to a ministry official.
Company sources stated that bids for the tender, open to national as well as foreign companies, have already been placed.
The privatization of Maroc Telecom is a major step in Morocco's market liberalization. Other large state-owned companies, including the national carrier, Royal Air Maroc, and the national bank, Banque Popular, are expected to be next on the privatization list. — (Albawaba-MEBG)
© 2000 Mena Report (www.menareport.com)
