FIVE POTENTIAL STRATEGIC PARTNERS FOR CRO OIL COMPANY INA

ZAGREB, July 22 (Hina) - On Monday the Croatian Government released a list of five companies short listed as potential strategic partners in the privatisation process of INA. The companies short listed include Austria's OMV, Hungary's MOL, Russia's Lukoil and Rosneft as well at the Italian Edison Gas. #L# The companies short listed will be sent an information package about Ina and an invitation to enter the data room so that they can better investigate the financial, business and other relevant information that may influence their decision to purchase 25 per cent plus 1 share in that company. After a due diligence is conducted, potential strategic partners will submit obligatory offers, the government's public and media relations office reported. The outgoing government held a closed session where it short listed five of a total of ten companies that had lodged interest to purchase Ina. The press release adds that offers to purchase 25 per cent plus 1 share into Ina were inspected by Government advisors for the privatisation of Ina, Deutsche Bank and PricewaterhouseCooper based on criteria that were established in co-operation with the Government and Ina's Board and later endorsed by the Government. The five short listed companies will conduct due diligence checks over the summer and in the autumn be prepared to submit obliging offers to purchase the shares in Croatia's oil giant. (hina) sp ms