Zambia has shortlisted four firms to take a 75 percent stake in the state-owned telecommunications company Zamtel. The bidders who shall proceed to the next round are India's BSNL, Libya's Lap Greencom, Unitel/Angola Cables of Angola and Russia's Altimo Holdings. Zambia's privatization agency ZDA held a board meeting on 11 January and approved the recommended shortlist after detailed analysis by an evaluation committee. Acting Director General of the ZDA Muhabi Lungu said he was happy with all four participants who have gone through to the next stage of the process. He said the bids submitted were compelling, and set the stage for an exciting next phase. The four bidders will now be invited to participate in the next round of bidding, which is expected to begin during the week commencing 18 January. At the beginning of this phase shortlisted bidders will be given details of the requirements and timing for the next phase of the process. Details of the bids will not be disclosed at this stage as doing so would prejudice future phases of the privatization.
