Bids for Distrigaz validated

The privatisation committee for the two gas distribution companies Distrigaz Nord and Distrigaz Sud has validated the expressions of interest submitted by German Wintershall and E.ON/Ruhrgas companies, by Gaz de France (France), Gazprom (Russia) and Enel (Italy), the Economy and Trade Ministry on Monday announced. The short-listed companies are expected to submit preliminary non-binding bids, with the signing of the privatisation contracts possibly done by the end of the first half. Distrigaz Nord is the more alluring of the two, a company that supplies gas to 20 counties in Transilvania, Banat and Moldova. All five bidders submitted expressions of interest for it by January 14, with four of them (Wintershall preferred not to) also bidding for Distrigaz Sud. ZF