Greek government speeds up privatisations. The Greek privatisation agency, Tapeid, re-started the privatisation programme in September after five months of delay, in order to raise cash for the country's coffers. It is expected to net some €19 billion by 2015, and €50 billion by 2020. The list includes the sports betting agency (OPAP), planned tourist sites, some 28 public buildings, the ports of Piraeus and Thessalonica, airports, electricity company DEI, bas companies DEPA and DEFSA, Hellenic Petroleum (ELPE), the state cigarette manufacturer, the railways, the state savings fund, the water and sewerage companies of Thessalonica and Athens, along with the Post Office. At the moment, since its creation on 1 July 2011, privatisations to the value of only €1.6 billion have been made and only €300 million is expected to be netted in 2012 (from sale of the state holding in the OPAP, one of the biggest gambling companies quoted on the stock exchange). On 14 September, the government handed over to Tapeid a 17% stake in the publicly quoted electricity company Public Power Corp (PPC) to be sold off (the state owns 51% in total, currently worth €800 million). On 27 September, the state issued an international call for tender for 33% of OPAP (of which the state owns 34%). Ahead of the sale, it has scrapped most of the tax incentives for OPAP, which other betting companies described as unfair competitive advantages. State-controlled OPAP made a net profit of €126.1 million in the second quarter of 2012, up 18% on the same quarter last year. The sell-off will be in two phases and the deadline for bids is 19 October. Four foreign companies have already lodged bids, including Turkish conglomerate Dogan Holding. (IL/transl.fl)