SCANDALOZE: Government Plans KEDS Nationalisation · Global Voices

Well informed sources within the Ministry of Economy have confirmed For Periscope that Prime Minister Albin Kurti, along with Finance, Labour and Transfers Minister Iron Murati, are planning to send Kosovo on an adventure that could cost Kosovo's economy, Kosovo's budget, as well as bilateral relations with Turkey.

Periscop is already confirmed by two separate sources that a close circle of the Government of Kosovo, without co-ordination with the rest of the government, since September of this year are exploring options for nationalising the privatised KED power network.

According to these sources, Kosovo's prime minister and finance minister have talked openly about this idea even with several donors, seeking financial means to carry out the move, but have found the doors closed by the international community.

KEDS is the private company founded after the privatisation of the KEK network, in a procurement that has brought many accusations from the then opposition, led by Vetevendosje.

The United States of America has strongly supported this transaction, to help Kosovo Government stabilise the supply of electricity to family economies. In post-war Kosovo the key problem was the lack of stable belt. After privatisation and investments, the supply has been markedly stabilised, but in the signing period, Vetevendosje activists had physically attacked the American ambassador before the Kosovo Assembly, where the signing ceremony was scheduled.

Kurt had denied the attack, which had provoked Ambassador Jacobson to publish the hand photo of physical injuries.

According to Periscop's sources, Kurti wants to use the energy crisis and increase prices as justification for nationalism, meaning violent asset purchase and the return of KED to state property.

According to sources, this plan is being rejected by the economy minister, who has advised Prime Minister Kurti not to take steps that jeopardise investors' credibility in Kosovo. Such an action would also create a unique risk of indictments and arbitrations that could cost Kosovo up to 1 billion euros.

According to sources, the LIMAK company/ CALIK, which is also investors at Pristina International Airport, has already alarmed the Turkish Embassy for these plans.

On October 2nd 2008, the Government of Kosovo made its decision to privatise the distribution and supply of the Kosovo Energy Corporation (KEK).

After completing the deadline for delivery of pre-qualification applications, four companies that had applied announced April 6, 2011. These were Calik Holding and Limak Holding registered in Turkey, Egypt-registered Elsewedy Electric, and Concorsium T AIB EIldizlar registered in Turkey and Bahrain.

On June 9th, 2012, the Limak-Calick Conserium is declared the winner of the ECDS privatisation after offering the largest amount -- 26.3m euros. The offer was 3.5m euros higher than Elsewedy Conserium bid. /PERISCOP/