Prime Minister Zurab Zhvania stated that the joint bid of Russian “EvrAzHolding” and Georgian-Austrian “DMC-Ferro” was selected as a winner in privatisation offer for Chiatura manganese factory and Vartsikhe hydro power plant. The joint bid won over the offer of Ukraine’s “Interpipe”.
Initially, each of the three companies submitted separate bids, however later EvrAzHolding and “DMC Ferro” decided to re-apply with the joint bid.
As a result, the selling price was set at 132 million USD, payable by the winning bidder upon the conclusion of the transfer of property.
According to the State Minister Kakha Bendukidze “EvrAzHolding” bid was preferable as the company “promises to pay more than others, and faster than others”, while offering attractive investment and job-creation opportunities.
Representatives of “Interpipe” Igor Yaroslavtsev said the joint bid offered “unfair advantage” to EvrAzHolding as the Zestaponi Ferro-Alloy factory, owned by “DMC-Ferro” represents the part of the technological process necessary for functioning of the Chiatura plant.