GREECE will finalise "immediately" a EUR1.2 billion (US$1.3-billion) sale of its regional airports to Frankfort's global airport operator Fraport as well as reopen bidding for a majority stake in Piraeus port, said a privatisation official.
Greece reportedly ready to sell airports and seaports 'immediately'GREECE will finalise "immediately" a EUR1.2 billion (US$1.3-billion) sale of its regional airports to Frankfort's global airport operator Fraport as well as reopen bidding for a majority stake in Piraeus port, said a privatisation official.
Cosco Pacific, China Cosco's global port operator, which already manages two Piraeus terminals, and is among five preferred bidders.
"The issue of regional airports will be concluded immediately," the official at Greece's privatisations agency HRADF told Reuters on condition of anonymity, noting that an announcement could be expected by May 15.
The asset sales had been in doubt after Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras' leftist government took power in January, but may be the latest concessions to secure a bailout from creditors, Reuters reports.
The Greek finance, shipping and economy ministries involved in the sales declined to comment.
The Tsipras' government is trying to renegotiate a EUR240 billion bailout and has said it would review the sales, though various Greek officials have offered contradictory statements on the fate of both the airports and the Piraeus deals.
Greek port workers are due to stage a 24-hour strike on Thursday to protest against the privatisations of Piraeus and Thessaloniki ports, saying the government has broken election promises.
