Today’s Zaman – Turkey’s Privatization Administration (OIB) Deputy President Ahmet Aksu has stated that privatization deals will bring in high revenue this year and that total earnings could even exceed the projected USD 10.4 billion target. Speaking to the Anatolian news agency, Aksu predicted that 2010 will be a “historic year for privatizations” and outlined possible steps to be taken for the privatization of the state's operations in the energy sector, particularly in electricity distribution.

According to Aksu, tenders for electricity distribution companies serving four regions (Camlibel, Firat, Uludag and Vangolu) will take place in February, with tenders for three other regions to take place in June.

He added that his administration plans to begin work on the privatization of state-owned power plants in the first quarter of 2010, pending approval from the Energy and Natural Resources Ministry.

Aksu noted that tenders for the privatization of electricity distribution companies in Coruh, Osmangazi and Yesilirmak were completed last year and are now in the approval and contract-signing phases. These distribution channels will be controlled by their new owners after the deal is approved by the Competition Board and the Energy Market Regulatory Agency (EMRA).

The administration wants to complete the sale of a number of state-owned enterprises in 2010. The deadline for final bids on portfolio B of the Turkish Sugar Refineries Corporation (TURKSEKER) is January 21, Aksu said, adding that the deadline for this and other TURKSEKER tenders will not be postponed.

In addition, Aksu said the privatization of bridges and highways will commence immediately after the relevant bill passes in Parliament within a few months.