The financial bids for the power distribution utility (ESM) will be opened at 9.00 hrs on Thursday in the Government of the Republic of Macedonia. The deadline for providing the bids has been set for this afternoon, the Ministry of Economy stated.

The bids that will be submitted by 16.00 hrs today will be sealed off in a special box to be then taken to the Government and placed in a safe in a sealed room.

In the first part of the specific procedure, open for the public, the box will be opened and the bids' regularity will be determined, while in the second part of the procedure, closed for the public, the commission will open and assess the bids.

Media and representatives of the interested parties will monitor the procedure live without a sound. After assessing the bids, the commission will provide its conclusion to the Government, which should take its decision on the winning bid for the majority package of shares of the power distribution company in a meeting set for tomorrow at 18.00 hrs.