Consultant selection resumed

The European Commission decided to resume the consultant selection for the privatisation of Electrica Moldova and Electrica Oltenia, on the grounds of inconsistencies between the reports of the Evaluation Board and of the Commission’s observer. The bids of the five candidates are being reconsidered, with the name of the winner to be announced by the end of February, sources close to the negotiations told Ziarul Financiar. They say the decision to reconsider the consultant selection process is common practice for the European Commission, which may use this solution whenever in doubt. The decision would not harm Electrica’s branches’ privatisation in any way, Lucian Silviu Boghiu, Electrica general manager was quoted as saying by Mediafax. One of these documents is drafted by the consultant Evaluation Board, comprised of representatives of the Industry and Resources Ministry, the Office for State’s Interests and Industrial Privatisation and Electrica. The second report includes the recommendations of a European Commission official, acting as an observer of the selection process. ZF