Italy govt plans to privatize post office in next few years

The Italian government plans to sell stakes in the Poste Italiane-run post office, and in publishing house Istituto Poligrafico e Zecca dello Stato SpA in the next few years, the Radiocor wire agency reported, citing a draft copy of the government’s 2008-2011 economic and financial planning program (DPEF).

The DPEF, which sets the country’s medium-term objectives and the broad ways to achieve them, is due to be approved later today.

Poligrafico e Zecca dello Stato is a publishing house for Italy’s official journal and other government publications as well as the country’s mint.

In the next few months, the sale on the stock exchange of a stake in Fincantieri is also expected, with 51 pct of the ship-yard staying in the hands of the state, Radiocor reported, citing the document.

The DPEF also includes plans to privatize state-ferry company Tirrenia.

The document also defines as strategic stakes in companies in the energy and defence sector.

The State still has stakes in Eni SpA and Enel SpA in the energy sector and in Finmeccanica SpA in the defence sector.

The document also confirms the State’s plan to continue to sell real estate.