About 35 utility companies are planned to be privatized in the Vitebsk region in 2010

January 26, Vitebsk / Sergei Kotchetov - BELTA /. About 35 communal property enterprises are planned for privatization in 2010 in the Vitebsk region, Pavel Kotikov, deputy director of the regional state property fund "Vitebskoblimushchestvo", told a BELTA correspondent. The reform of communal property objects is carried out according to the regional privatization plan developed for the period up to 2010 in accordance with Decree No. 7 of April 14, 2008. The list of objects for privatization this year includes 15 enterprises of regional communal property and about 20 enterprises of communal property of cities and districts. These are mainly legal entities of the housing and communal services system, as well as trade, agricultural and local industry enterprises with a staff of 30 to 300 people. The method of privatization will be determined in agreement with the labor collectives of the enterprises. For example, in Orsha, documents are currently being prepared for the sale by auction of two trade enterprises as a single property complex. In addition, the proposals of potential investors who have expressed their intention to participate in the privatization of communal property entities will be taken into account. Among the objects planned for corporatization in 2010 is the tourist and hotel complex "Vitebsk Hotel", in which the Russian hotel chain Amaks Grand Hotels is interested. Currently, the Vitebsk City Executive Committee is determining the format of the Russian investor's participation in the privatization of the enterprise, taking into account the letter of intent on cooperation signed during the regional investment forum in 2009. Russian JSC "Tutayevskaya Sewing Factory" (Yaroslavl) is interested in cooperation with local industry enterprises, and a visit of investor representatives for negotiations is expected in the near future. Depending on their results, the regional privatization plan may be expanded to include a number of communal property enterprises, Pavel Kotikov added. In 2009, five communal enterprises were privatized in the region, including the transformation of KUP "Vitebskproektrestavratsiya" and three agricultural enterprises in Polotsk and Dubrovno districts into joint-stock companies. Another trade enterprise "Alesya" (Orsha) was privatized by sale at auction as a single property complex. -0-