Jordan Times
Friday, May 20, 2005
WORLD ECONOMIC FORUM 2005
Supplement and Special Issue
Future privatisation
programme
Compiled by Mahmoud Al Abed
Royal Jordanian
Restructuring completed; non-core business was unbundled whereby five business
units were created, including Jordan Airmotive Limited Company (JALCo).
Privatisation of JALCo is expected to be completed in 2005.
Electricity
National Electricity Power Company has been unbundled into three operating
companies: Generation (CEGCO), Transmission (NEPCO) and Distribution (EDCO).
CEGCO sale is expected this year. Upon completion, EDCO and Irbid Distribution
Electricity Company (IDELO) transactions will be completed by the 3rd quarter of
2005.
Postal Services
Jordan Investment and Financial Bank has been selected as consultant in the
privatisation of the Jordan Post Company. The adviser will be retained for one
year starting January 2005.
Aviation
Civil Aviation Authority is under restructuring, with the help of Lufthansa
Consulting Group. The privatisation of Queen Noor & Civil Aviation Technical
College is expected to be completed in 2005. Future plans include the
privatisation of airports, whose administration will be handled by the private
sector.
The Jordan Phosphate Mines Co.
Phase two of the plan has commenced to include the preparation of bidding
documents for the sale of 40 per cent of government's shares, pending the final
stage. Transaction is expected to be completed in 2006.
Railway Projects
The Aqaba Railway Corporation's privatisation plan will soon witness the
selection of a consultant from a shortlist endorsed by the Steering Committee
and the World Bank. The Amman-Zarqa project, which will be privatised on a BOT
basis, shall be implemented on four phases. Bids from 17 companies are under
evaluation. The contract will be awarded in the second quarter of 2005.
Jordan Petroleum Refinery Co.
JPRC's 50-year monopoly on the sector will end in 2008. It will be subject to
restructuring and privatisation afterwards.