- Greece: The Greek State intends to sell 10% of the capital of NATIONAL BANK OF GREECE, the country's main bank, of which it directly and indirectly holds some 40%, to Greek and foreign institutional investors. This operation could raise between 450 and 500 million EUR. It also announced the sale of 6.7% of PIRAEUS BANK, the fifth-largest bank in the country, which could bring in 96 million EUR. This year, Greece hopes to shed holdings in companies, to raise 3 billion EUR to help pay off the national debt. -Romania: the Romanian Economy Minister has retained eleven candidates for the privatisation of PETROM (60% of national market share in petroleum products): OMV (Austria), ENI (Italy), MOL (Hungary), PKN-ORLEN (Poland), GAZPROM (Russia), HELLENIC PETROLEUM (Greece), CONOCO PHILIPS (United Kingdom), OCCIDENTAL OIL AND GAS CORPORATION (United States), ALON INC (United States), GLENCORE (Switzerland), and the consortium formed by the Russian TNK with BP- BRITISH PETROLEUM. A total of fifteen groups or consortia had expressed an interest in buying the package of 33.4% of the capital of PETROM being sold by the government, which could raise up to 1 billion dollars for the Romanian State.