Turk Telekom Bids for Privatized Kyrgyz Telekom

The KT contract is the second international bid for TT. Thirteen firms, each with an annual income of at least $100 million, were invited to bid on the KT contract. Ownership of KT is divided among the state’s 77.8 percent, pension funds’ 12.5 percent, and the private sector’s 9.7 percent. KT officials said Swedtel of Sweden ranks first with its bid of $15.6 million, and Russia is second with its bid of $15.2 million. TT’s bid is $12.3 million. Bidding results will be annouced in the coming weeks, after an evaluation by the KT Bidding Commission. The winning bidder will receive control of $5 million of KT’s investment capital, and will be required to modernize KT, develop radio and television broadcasting, and invest in rural Kyrgyzstan.

Fatih Ugur / Istanbul / TURKEY