“We want to list other companies as well, not just energy companies. Next year we plan to list a company in the extracting industry or some other industry,” Nita said at a conference organized by Ziarul Financiar.
Asked what company authorities are considering, Nita said Cupru Min has potential.
Cupru Min holds around 60% of Romania’s copper reserves. The company was put up for sale in 2012 at a starting price of EUR57.3 million, but the procedures was halted over differences between the state and the winner of the auction.
Following the failure to privatize it, the Economy Ministry was authorized to seek an investor to help finance Cupru Min’s activity. The prospective investor would have to contribute a minimum EUR40-50 million.
Romania tried last year to sell Cupru Min’s copper concentrate but the two interested companies did not submit final bids.
Romania has listed minority stakes in Romgaz, Transgaz, Nuclearelectrica and Transelectrica and the government has promised the International Monetary Fund it would list minority stakes in Hidroelectrica and Complexul Energetic Oltenia as well. Romania also pledged to list a majority stake in Electrica.