Romgaz, unlikely to be listed on the Bourse this year

Valentin Ionescu, Bucharest Stock Exchange (BSE) general manager, has publicly doubted Romgaz, the biggest domestic gas producer, could be floated this year, as preparations for the launch of a stock offering have not started, yet.
"There is a question mark regarding Romgaz as floatation will be carried out through an IPO, which implies a long process, and I am not aware of the state having started preparations," BSE official stated during a workshop organised by Intercapital Invest brokerage.
Contacted by ZF yesterday, Florin Staicu, Economy Ministry spokesperson, could not come up with an official position on this statement. Romgaz officials could not be contacted.
This is the first message coming from the part of a BSE official questioning the extent to which the Government will keep its pledge of privatising several energy companies the state is a stakeholder in on the Bourse.
The privatisation list includes Transgaz and Transelectrica, already listed, and in which the state has committed to bring additional stakes on the Bourse this year.