Preparations for the Privatization of Tunisie Telecom

The preparations for the introduction of Tunisie Telecom, the first telephone operator in the country, to the stock market are continuing.
The Telecommunications Minister declared to the National Assembly that an international research department was appointed for the introduction of no less than 120 shares to the stock market by 2013.
According to journalistic sources, Tunisie Telecom CEO, Montasser Ouali, will lead a road show that will take him to Paris, London, Dubai, and New York in late January.
He will present the IPO of 20% of the group capital on the place of Tunis and on Euronext Paris. According to some sources, these actions aim at privatizing Tunisie Telecom. Rumors point to an equity investment by Belhassen Trabelsi, Leila Ben Ali’s brother and an American investor.
The General Federation of Posts and Telecommunications which met for its administrative committee meeting on December 10th reviewed the social situation of Tunisie Telecom and discussed the administration prospect of laying off a number of employees.
The committee criticized the introduction of a portion of the company shares to the stock market and considers this action as the beginning of its privatization. A call for a general strike on January 19th was launched at the end of this meeting.
Otherwise the Minister denied any intention to dismiss the employees