Trenitalia states interest in Trainose
Trenitalia has confirmed its initial verbal interest in Greece’s Trainose in writing, as it has sent a letter to state sell-off fund TAIPED regarding the privatization of the Greek rail service operator.
The Italian state company, which is part of Gruppo Ferrovie Stato Italiane, submitted its interest well before the deadline set by TAIPED, which is next Friday, April 15.
The care Trenitalia has shown in its offer for Trainose is attributed to its intention for immediately becoming a legitimate suitor for the Greek company. The Italians’ objective is to obtain access to data concerning both the privatization project and the Greek rail operator itself. However, as reliable sources note, this particular offer remains nonbinding and will not necessarily lead to a binding bid by TAIPED’s deadline set for May 31.
The sell-off fund considers the Italian interest very important, and its officials say that more expressions of interest could come by the deadline, such as from Cosco or another Chinese company, as well as Russian Railways (RZD), which has returned with an expression of interest in acquiring a 100 percent stake in Trainose.
