Market structure

"Privatization deadlines will not be extended"

BELGRADE -- The deadlines for privatizing companies that are under restructuring will not be extended, Minister of Economy Zeljko Sertic said on Monday.

Cyprus aims to launch the privatization process for state telecoms company Cyta by May in inviting potential bidders to submit nonbinding expressions of interest, the island?s privatization commissioner said on Friday.

Constantinos Herodotou told a business conference the target date for the completion of the process, which will be in three phases, was the end of 2015.

Prime Minister Aleksandar Vucic said Serbia's government would decide who won an important bid to manage a troubled steel mill on Tuesday.

BELGRADE - The privatization of restructuring enterprises cannot be completed by May 31, when the state should stop assisting the firms under the privatization law, so the deadline should be extended, Director of the Privatization Agency Ljubomir Subara said on Tuesday.

Prime Minister meets with Foreign Investors Council

Prime Minister Aleksandar Vucic discussed on Monday with Foreign Investors Council (FIC) representatives "ways to improve the business climate in Serbia."

They also spoke about "engaging major companies in the privatization program," Tanjug said, quoting a government release.

PM meets with Foreign Investors Council

BELGRADE -- Prime Minister Aleksandar Vucic discussed on Monday with Foreign Investors Council (FIC) representatives "ways to improve the business climate in Serbia."

They also spoke about "engaging major companies in the privatization program," Tanjug said, quoting a government release.

BELGRADE - Serbian Prime Minister Aleksandar Vucic discussed on Monday with representatives of the Foreign Investors Council (FIC) ways to improve the business climate in Serbia, and engage major companies in the privatization program.

France's Socialist government survived a no-confidence vote initiated by the opposition conservatives over planned economic reforms.

The motion was backed by 234 lawmakers, with 289 votes in favor needed for the no-confidence vote to succeed.

188 companies to be declared bankrupt - minister

BELGRADE -- Of some 512 companies that are currently looking for new owners through the Privatization Agency, 188 will be declared bankrupt, Zeljko Sertic has said.

The Serbian economy minister also explained that procedures to sell about 90 companies have been abandoned.

Electricity, gas markets to be liberalized

BELGRADE -- A full liberalization of the electricity market, allowing citizens to choose their suppliers in an open market, will begin from the New Year.

The liberalization of the gas market is set to start as well.