“We want Air Moldova to develop and offer high-quality services to travelers and the brand to be maintained,” Vladimir Baldovici, director general of the Public Property Agency, stated in a news conference held to launch a new privatization round that will take place during July 27 - September 3. The airline Air Moldova is privatized and will be exhibited for sale at an initial selling price of 48 million lei, IPN reports.

Asked by the journalists if the price is not too small, Vladimir Baldovici said so far this year Air Moldova accumulated debts of 150 million lei and the company’s debts now total over 1.2 million lei. Thus, the initial price was set taking into account the state-owned airline’s debts that will have to be cleared by the potential buyer.

Vladimir Baldovici reminded that Air Moldova has only three aircraft. The other planes are used in operational leasing. It is a small company and the buyer could form an alliance with larger companies so as to improve the services provided for travelers. “The experience of forming alliances exists and this helps modernize the air fleet and attract passengers in transit,” he noted.

According to the functionary, if Air Moldova is not privatized, it could go bankrupt. The decision to exhibit the company at a commercial contest is opportune, while the final selling price, if there are more bids, could be higher than the initial one.

Vladimir Baldovici voiced hope that the 11 road companies “Drumuri” will find the buyers. As regards the shareholding in the tobacco company “Tutun CTC”, which was repeatedly put up for privatization, the director said this works and has sufficient production areas. “Now tobacco production is less popular than several years ago. We would like this company to be bought and probably restructured,” he stated.

The state-owned property in the new privatization round is exhibited at an estimated price of 1 574 984 665 lei.