IFC TO SUPPORT PRIVATIZATION OF CZECH BANK
Brigid Janssen
Phone: (202) 458-4698
Fax: (202) 974-4384
E-mail: bjanssen@ifc.org
WASHINGTON, D.C., October 8, 1998 -- The
International Finance Corporation has met with top Czech authorities to
renew IFC's commitment to making its largest ever equity investment in
banking, a stake of up to US$75 million in the state-owned Ceskoslovenska
Obchodni Banka a.s. (CSOB), on condition that the bank privatizes, as planned.
Deputy Prime Minister Pavel Mertlik and Finance Minister Ivo Svoboda agreed
with IFC Vice President Jemal-ud-din Kassum that it was critical to maintain
momentum on privatizing the bank. The Czech authorities made a commitment
to send the privatization prospectus, including reference to IFC's involvement,
to potential strategic investors in November.
IFC's investment in CSOB is intended to support the bank through the process
of restructuring and privatization. CSOB is one of three major state-owned
banks in the Czech Republic slated for fast-track privatization. The Czech
government’s bank privatization program is considered essential for economic
growth in the Czech Republic and to support its aspirations to join the
European Union.
After privatization, CSOB forecasts more mobilization of savings and a
better ability to serve its traditional niche in the Czech corporate and
foreign trade sectors as well as to expand into the retail sector, according
to Mr. Pavel Kavanek, chairman and CEO of CSOB. The transaction will
bring new technology and skills to the Czech banking sector. And
it should spur the privatization of the remaining state-owned banks.
"Restructuring the financial sector is the government's highest priority
and the privatization of CSOB is a key part of that process," Mr.
Mertlik said in reconfirming the government's plans for the bank. Mr.
Kassum added that the successful privatization of CSOB would send the international
community an important signal of the Czech government’s commitment to
economic reform, and become a model for other state-owned banks to emulate.
IFC, part of the World Bank Group, fosters economic growth in the emerging
markets by financing private sector investments, mobilizing capital in
the international financial markets and providing technical assistance
and advice to governments and businesses
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