Uzbekistan rules void 6 plant privatization tenders

Interfax November 9 Uzbekistan's State Property Committee has ruled null and void tenders for the sale of state stock in six industrial enterprises to foreign investors. A source with the committee told Interfax that Ammofos (a major nitrogen phosphate fertilizer producer), Elektrokhimprom, Dzhizakplastmassa, Kokandspirt, Andizhan Biochemical Plant and Uzmetkombinat (the country's only ferrous metals plant) had been on the auction block. New tenders for these enterprises are not planned, the source said. The committee suggests starting preparations for direct negotiations with potential investors. The size of the stock interests on offer may be increased while prices are reduced, the source said.