The tender launched by the Serbian government in order to find a strategic partner for the country's only steelmaker Zelezara Smederevo, formerly US Steel Serbia, expires today, February 28. The government aims to retain a 25 percent stake in the company, while the remaining 75 percent will be sold to the highest bidder. To date, the only company which has shown interest in purchasing the stake in Zelezara Smederevo is Russia-based industrial group UralVagonZavod.
Meanwhile, UralVagonZavod CEO Oleg Sienko has stated in the Russian media that the company is going to make a final decision on the issue in the month of March. Accordingly, UralVagonZavod is still evaluating the matter due to the critical financial situation of the Smederevo steel mill and the conditions of the facilities.
It is now up to the Belgrade government to decide whether to extend the tender deadline, in the hope of attracting of other bidders, or to proceed with negotiations with UralVagonZavod.