The Ministry for Investment, Industry and Information Technology said yesterday that the government will soon open negotiations with GASCO over the commercialisation of the Gas Division of Enemalta Corporation.

In a press release issued last night, the ministry said the decision had been taken following yesterday morning’s Cabinet meeting. It said it had informed the Privatisation Unit that the Government had accepted the recommendations of the Adjudicating Committee regarding the procurement process in connection with proposals for the commercialisation of Enemalta’s Gas Division.

The Adjudicating Committee had recommended that GASCO be selected as the preferred bidder in this process.

GASCO is a consortium composed of a Maltese Company, Multigas Ltd, and Liquigas SpA of Italy, each holding a 50 per cent shareholding.

The ministry said that the Privatisation Unit yesterday advised bidders in this process of the the government's decision and will proceed to open negotiations with the preferred bidder.

The Cabinet also decided that, in the event that a final agreement is reached, Enemalta Corporation Gas Division employees will be given the choice of either joining the new operator or remain employed with the Corporation.