Prishtina, 29.02. 2012 – The Government PTK Privatization Committee (GPC) informs the public that the selection process for the Transaction Advisor for the Post and Telecommunication of Kosovo (PTK) privatization is concluded.

Initially, twelve companies and consortia competed in this process, of which six were prequalified. Five of the six prequalified companies or consortia took part in the second bidding phase and competed for the process’ transaction advisor post.

Below is the list of prequalified companies or consortia, which submitted their bids in the second phase:
• Ernst & Young, Poland
• ING Bank NV (in consortium with K&L Gates LLP)
• Lazard Freres  S.A.S, (in consortium with Raiffeisen Investment AG)
• PWC, Poland
• Zagrebacka Banka, UniCredit Group (in consortium with Schoner Rechtsnawalte, Baker Tilly Makedonija and Analysis Mason)

The Government Privatization Committee had selected a professional evaluation commission to analyze bidding documents, comprising of senior civil servants of every ministry taking part in the GPC.

After analyzing technical and financial bids of all participating companies, as recommended by the Evaluation Commission, Lazard Freres  S.A.S (in consortium with Raiffeisen Investment AG) was selected the Transaction Advisor of the Government of Kosovo, respectively of the PTK Privatization Government Committee for the sale of 75% of PTK shares.

GPC considers that the participation of a large number of internationally acknowledged companies in the process and the selection of a rather successful consortium, with global and regional experience in the provision of transaction services, guarantees a high level of services to be provided. The selection was subjected to the highest global standards on such processes.

The consortium of this tender’s winning companies comprises two well-known entities.

Lazard is one of the most renowned financial consulting companies in the world, active in 27 different countries around the globe. This company operates since 1848 and offers advisory services on merges and acquisitions, strategic matters, capital structuring and restructuring, capital development and corporate finance matters, as well as asset management among various associations, partnerships, institutions and individuals.

On the other hand, Raiffeisen Investment AG is the leading Advisor in European Corporate Finances. Raiffeisen Banking Group is one of the strongest commercial and investment banking networks in Central and Eastern Europe with representative offices around the globe with over 3,200 branches and 60,000 employees.

In addition to experience in other countries, Raiffeissen provided transaction advisory services to over 250 privatization processes in Central and Eastern Europe, and was rather active in the telecommunication sector in the last decade, taking part in most major privatization processes conducted in the region.