Rivlin: Bidders for Bezeq should be allowed to pay in installments

GWEN ACKERMAN
Jerusalem Post
08-09-2001
Headline: Rivlin: Bidders for Bezeq should be allowed to pay in installments
Byline: GWEN ACKERMAN
Edition; Daily
Section: Economics
Page: 12

Thursday, August 9, 2001 -- Potential investors in Bezeq should be allowed to pay for the 50.1 percent of the company, estimated at $2 billion, in installments, Communications Minister Reuven Rivlin said at a cabinet meeting this week.

In light of the current crisis in the telecom sector, easing the conditions of payment would encourage participation in the tender for Bezeq, which is scheduled for publication in September, Rivlin said.

The communications minister has already approved an installment plan for cellular operators planning to bid for 2G and 3G spectrum in a tender to be published within the month and completed in November.

Rivlin also voiced concern about the continued delay in the tender's publication, which is the responsibility of the head of the Israel Government Companies Authority, Yaron Jacobs.

Jacobs is waiting for the revision of both company code and security guidelines pertaining to company operations before publishing the tender, steps that need to be taken by Bezeq and the Communications Ministry.

Also yesterday, Rivlin voiced support for Bezeq's request to buy an equity stake in Britannica Learning Channels Ltd. (BLC), which plans to build educational Web sites targeted at Israeli K-12 students, parents, and teachers.

Bezeq is interested in BLC as part of a pitch to boost local digital content and encourage subscriptions to its fast Internet service.

In March, Bezeq asked Jacobs to approve the acquisition of 44.44% of the company's shares for $4m. Final approval of the deal must come from the ministerial committee on privatization.

Keywords: Reuven Rivlin. Bezeq. Investment. Privztization.

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