PC receives EoIs by 8 major business groups for PIA privatisation

Source: The Nation

ISLAMABAD - The Privatization Commission has received expressions of inter­est by 8 major business groups for the privatisation of Pakistan International Airlines (PIA).

In response to the invitation of expression of interest (EoI), for divestment of Pakistan International Airlines Corpo­ration Limited (PIACL), pub­lished advertisement in lead­ing national and international newspapers on 2nd & 3rd April, 2024, Privatisation Commis­sion has received Statement of Qualifications from (1) Fly Jin­nah, (2) Air Blue Limited, (3) Arif Habib Corporation Limited, (4) Sardar Ashraf D. Baluch - SHANXI CIG Co Ltd (China), (5) Gerry's International (Private) Limited, (6) Consortium Lead by Y.B. Holdings (Private) Limit­ed, (7) Consortium Lead by Pak Ethanol and (8) Consortium Lead by Blue World City. The last date of submission of EoIs/Statement of Qualifications was 1600 hours on 17th May 2024.

Privatisation Commission will now carry out the pre-qualifica­tion process in line with the crite­ria laid down in the RSOQs, under the PC Ordinance 2000 and rules & regulations framed thereunder. Accordingly, the pre-qualified parties will be invited for the next stage of bidding process. Federal Minister for Privatization, Board of Investment and Communi­cations Abdul Aleem Khan has said that the extended time for submitting offers for the priva­tization of PIA has ended and so far the Privatization Commission has received expressions of inter­est by 8 major business groups.

He added that these EoIs have been submitted by these busi­ness groups in the form of in­dividuals and consortiums and now Privatization Commission will conduct the pre qualifica­tion process as per the rules and regulations of the PC Ordinance 2000. Federal Minister for Privatization Abdul Aleem Khan said that these 8 institutions have submitted their Statement of Qualification and Expression of Interest within the stipulated time and now the Privatization Commission would invite the eligible institutions for the next stage of the bidding process.

Meanwhile, Federal Minister for Privatization and Invest­ment Board Abdul Aleem Khan inaugurated the 3-Day Pakistan Lifestyle Furniture Expo in Is­lamabad. Talking to the media as a chief guest on this Furniture Expo, Federal Minister Abdul Aleem Khan said that Pakistani products are of quality and low cost who can compete in any market. He added that especially Pakistani furniture is of interna­tional standard, which should be promoted in domestic and for­eign markets. Federal Minister Abdul Aleem Khan indicated that our medium and small industry can gain a place in the market with proper publicity and oppor­tunities because our private sec­tor is producing the best prod­ucts. He said that through trade abroad we can increase in our foreign exchange and create em­ployment opportunities as well. Abdul Aleem Khan congratu­lated the organizers of the 3-Day Pakistan Lifestyle Furniture Expo and wished them success while he also took a round of the exhibition there and witnessed the furniture displayed there and appreciated quality and method­ology of the management.