HAFEEZ DIRECTS FOR SPEEDY COMPLETION OF PRIVATISATION PROCESS OF FESCO & JPC BY DECEMBER 2003

Islamabad, November 19, 2003

The Federal Minister for Privatisation and Investment Dr. Abdul Hafeez Shaikh has directed the Financial Advisors for Faisalabad Electric Supply Company (FESCO) and Jamshoro Power Company (JPC) to speed up the process of the privatisation of both the entities to bring forward both companies close to the bidding point by next month. He was chairing a meeting to review the process of privatisation of Faisalabad Electric Supply Company (FESCO) and Jamshoro Power Company (JPC) here today. The meeting was attended by the entire stakeholders and financial advisors appointed for these transactions.The Secretary, Ministry of Water & Power who was the key participant issued directions to all the Corporate entities under the administrative control of his Ministry who were also present in the meeting i.e. PEPCO, NTDC, WAPDA, JPC, FESCO etc. to resolve these issues in the shortest possible time. The deadlines were set for certain steps for the completion of the task within the targeted period. NEPRA representatives informed the meeting regarding the steps taken to resolve the tariff related issues. The matters pertaining to lenders' consent for the loans spent on FESCO and JPC, transfer of assets, clearing of land titles, tariff determination, tax exemption etc. were also discussed in detail. The Minister hoped that the speedy follow up of the decisions taken and the directions issued wouldensure timely closing of these privatization transactions.