Aug
9
Competitive tendering for Alfageme sale
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Minister of Economy and Industry of Xunta de Galicia, Javier Guerra stated the activity of the company should be ensured. (Photo: Xunta)
Competitive tendering for Alfageme sale
SPAIN
Thursday, August 09, 2012, 23:10 (GMT + 9)
The Galician Institute for Economic Development (Igape) approved the conditions through which “there would be willingness to transfer” the rights the entity has on Alfageme SA canning plants in Ribadumia and Vilaxoán and the brand Miau.
According to the Minister of Economy and Industry of Xunta de Galicia, Javier Guerra, the objective of this measure is to “ensure that the activity of the company is maintained for at least 10 years.”
After a meeting with the committee representatives of the company and several mayors of the region of O Salnés (in Cambados), the Galician minister recalled that after the Court of Justice issued “the second and final sentence” on the decision that would allow the payment the guarantees, the Galician Executive proceeded to such payment.
Thus, the Xunta acquired “rights on the brand and on the two ships,” added Guerra, the agency Europa Press reported.
In order to “save as many jobs as possible and support the creation” of new jobs, the Galician government decided to adopt a number of conditions that will be transmitted to the court and to the bankruptcy Administration.
Once they are published, companies interested in acquiring Alfageme will have a period of 15 days to submit a proposal meeting the conditions set by Igape.
The Institute will have five days to review the bids and then will inform the competitive tendering administrators about the best option, and the final decision will be made by the Court of Justice, newspaper Faro de Vigo reported.
One of the interested firms would be the group El Consorcio from Cantabria.
In this regard, Guerra said that the company would request a loan of EUR 9 million to “make the company progress” if it is achieved with the factories.
He also guaranteed the “collaboration” of the regional government, but clarified: “Legally, we can not arbitrarily offer something that has cost EUR 30 million of public funds to a company.”
Moreover, Guerra announced that the regional government “is analysing the possibility of starting” action against those who have assessed the canning group’s assets, which were valued at EUR 37 million, when their value is close to EUR 4.7 million.
After meeting with Guerra, the secretary of the Agri-Food Federation of CC.OO. Galicia, Xosé Francisco Vilar, was satisfied with the explanation given by the Council and considered that “if these deadlines are met,” the plants will be allocated in September.
While Michael Cuña, a member of the CGT, said that the contractor will have to comply “with the conditions that had been agreed.”
Last March, in the Commercial Court 3 of Vigo, the prosecution and the competitive tendering administrators of the company Alfageme SA accused the owners, Juan and Gustavo Lago, of “illegal” management.
Another defendant is José Álvarez – a member of the canning firm board –, who also faces a possible 10 year ban and fines ranging from EUR 18 million to EUR 55 million.
Related article:
– Alfageme owners face fines worth millions and debarment
By Analia Murias
editorial@fis.com
www.fis.com
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