The ministry will assign RON3.7 million for consultancy services and RON1.5 million for evaluation services. The ministry also plans to spend RON200,000 on advertising during the process to select a privatization consultant.
A Transport Ministry official said in June the ministry was considering a different privatization strategy for CFR Marfa and planned to sell a 51% stake in the company on the stock market.
In February, Prime Minister Victor Ponta said the Transport Ministry was going to select a consultant to resume the privatization process of CFR Marfa.
Romania tried to privatize the railroad operator in 2013 but the deal fell through when GFR, CFR Marfa’s competitors, owned by businessman Gruia Stoica, failed to make payment by the October 14 deadline. After the failed privatization attempt, the government promised the International Monetary Fund (IMF) it would restructure the company and sacked 2,500 people, around 30% of the staff.