Instead of the planned 102,837 meters, the footage of only 77,346 meters was achieved. Drilling operations were suspended in February and August due to the high well pressure. A similar situation was observed on Shah Daniz field. Besides local investors, foreign companies are also encouraged to take part, the Ministry said in a statement Tuesday. Bidders are to forward their investment programs and offer the transfer of at least AZM700 million to the state budget plus 20,000 privatization vouchers and at least AZM1 billion plus 24,000 vouchers, respectively for the two JSCs.
Foreign bidders are to submit privatization options instead of the vouchers.
Technical Aid For State Committee On Securities Work has started on the second technical assistance project for the State Committee on Securities under the auspices of the Azerbaijan President. The project is expected to commence in 2002.The Committee said in a statement on Tuesday that the second project, valued at EURO1.3-1.5 million, will span institutional development of the securities market. He said the project would be financed by British Export Credits Agency, which is not asking AzAL for state guarantees. Crop Capacity Of Grains Rising As of August 16, grains had been picked from the area of 719,926 hectares from the total sown area of 727,730 hectares. This year's yield capacity made up 25.9 metric centners per hectare, or 2.5 centners over 2000, the Ministry of Agriculture said Tuesday.