B92 reported that the deadline for submitting offers for a strategic partner forŽelezara Smederevo steel mill,which expires today,will be extended by two more months.
According to Radio Television of Serbia,the deadline will be extended for the second time,now until February 28.
The government had approved the previous deadline extension at the request of the only bidder,Russia's Uralvagonzavod(UVZ),as the company asked to be given more time to make an offer.
In March 2003,the steel mill,which then went by the name of Sartid,was sold to U.S.Steel for USD 23 million.The Serbian government bought backŽelezara Smederevo from US Steel,since the company was withdrawing from the business due to losses and falling prices of steel on the global market.
The government initially issued the public invitation for the selection of a strategic partner on April 18,amending the invitation later to extend the deadline for the submission of binding bids to December 26.Uralvagonzavod was the sole bidder.
The majority of the 5,000 employees inŽelezara are on paid leave,receiving about 60%of the regular earnings,while a smaller number are working at the facilities as maintenance staff.
