Slovakia’s state-run railway company Cargo could end up in the hands of Czech entrepreneur Zdenek Bakala, as he has openly expressed an interest in privatising the company as it fits into his business strategy.
Zdenek is one of the richest men in the Czech Republic, owning several energy companies and Europe’s largest player on the rail market Advanced World Transport. He also owns the publisher Ecopress, which produces economic daily Hospodarske Noviny.
Bakala’s interest in cargo, published last week by Hospodarske Noviny, has pleased transport minister Jan Figel, who relayed information to Bakala that privatisation would be up to the next government after the early elections in March 2012.
[…] Earlier this week the state-run railway infrastructure company ZSR negotiated a 5% hike in salaries from 1 January, adding to the discontent of the workers at Cargo. ZSSK Cargo is set to be privatised after the elections in March, with interest already shown by wealthy Czech businessman Zdenek Bakala. […]