- France: Five banking/insurance groups have made a firm bid for the takeover of HERVET, the last state-owned bank to undergo privatisation, announced the French Finance Ministry. The bidders are BNP PARIBAS, CCF (British group HSBC), CAISSES D'EPARGNE, CREDIT DU NORD (SOCIETE GENERALE) allied with the Franco-Belgian group DEXIA, and the mutual insurance company GROUPAMA. All foreign bidders have pulled out of the race. The short-listed candidates will be announced in February and the final decision is expected for March. A major criterion for selection of the winning bid is the price, expected to range between FRF 1.5 billion (corresponding to HERVET's equity) and 2.5 billion. The successful bidder will also have to undertake to keep on the 1,400 employees and keep 80 agencies open. Initially slated for autumn 2000, privatisation of the bank was delayed, and the French Government opted instead for a trade sale. See, among others, EI of 28 July 2000. - Greece: Five companies have expressed an interest in acquiring a majority share in OA -OLYMPIC AIRWAYS-, announced Greek Government spokesman Dimitris Reppas, who did not reveal the names of the interested parties. Bids are expected to be submitted by other candidates before the bidding deadline of 31 January. See EI of 11&12 December 2000. - Italy: The fifth stage of the privatisation of the Italian oil group ENI, expected to involve 5% of its capital, could take place in late spring 2001, announced Enrico Micheli, Secretary to the Presidency of the Italian Council. In December, Treasury Minister Vincenzo Visco announced the government's plans to sell 5% of the state's 35.33% share in ENI. The transaction is expected to take place prior to the second stage of privatisation of the electricity group ENEL, planned for the latter half of this year. See, among others, EI of 7 December. - Norway: The Norwegian Government is considering selling 27% of DNB Bank in March, reducing its share from 61% to around 34%, announced the daily Aftenposten. This operation is expected to raise some NOK 10 billion. It could take place in a single transaction in the spring, or in two stages, the first in the spring and the second in the autumn. - Jordan: Jordan plans to privatise partially the state-owned phosphate company, JPMC -COMPAGNIE DES MINES DE PHOSPHATE DE JORDANIE, a pillar of its economy. Jordan is one of the world's leading phosphate producers.