“Djezzy” to be nationalized in 2011: Minister reveals

The Minister of posts and telecommunication technologies Moussa Ben Hammadi has yesterday revealed that the Algerian authorities will start negotiations for the nationalisation of the mobile operator “Djezzy” as from the first semester of next year.

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• M Ben Hammadi has indicated that a bank will be appointed on January 2011 to present a project to the government for taking over the Algerian branch of the group Orascom Telecom Holding (OTH).
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• The minister has further noted that the operation will take time because it requires the withdrawal of the list of specifications and discuss the offers then select a bank that will assist the government in the assessment Orascom Algeria assets.
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• Ben Hammadi has asserted that “ The  deal will not be easy to reach because the operation is not limited to the real estates only in the sense that Djezzy is a company with employees, equipment and counts 15 million subscribers”, expecting the completion of the transaction in 2011.
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• Talking on the sidelines of the MPs’ discussion of the government’s program at the parliament, Moussa Ben Hammadi has indicated that the negotiations with the Russian group Vimpelecom will not affect the future discussions “ The negotiations will be with Orascom Telecom Holding because it’s the government’s unique associate and the owner of the permit’’
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• He further added” We’ will not discuss with any other party except Orascom Telecom Holding the group with whom we sealed the deal”.
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