The Latvian parliament has agreed to allow the state to acquire airBaltic airline’s bonds.
The Saeima agreed with the request from Minister of Transport Kaspars Briškens to acquire airBaltic bonds worth no more than EUR 100 million or equivalent volume.
It is decided the state investment volume in airBaltic will not exceed EUR 136 million or equivalent. LETA previously reported that from the aforementioned amount airBaltic’s debt to the State Treasury – EUR 36 million – will be transferred into new bonds.
The minister of finance will perform the purchase of bonds in accordance with the recently passed amendments to the Law on Budget and Financial Management and the government’s decision on the acquisition of bonds.
The state will participate in the implementation of investments in this matters in accordance with the condition applied to private investors.
As previously reported, the Latvian government has decided to participate in the purchase of airBaltic bonds worth up to EUR 136 million. Investment into bonds will be done in accordance with market rules and EU regulations of state support.
Acquisition of airBaltic bonds would provide the state long-term economic benefits. The state, like private investors, will receive interest payments every quarter. It is expected airBaltic bond purchase offer may be opened next week.
Briškens explained the government decided to participate in the acquisition of bonds because “there is a clear economic benefit from interest payments the state would receive. This would also benefit the development of Latvia’s capital market”.
“The state will become involved not only as an investor in the finance sector, but also in strategically important state companies,” said Briškens.
Last week, the Saeima passed the government’s proposed amendments to the Law on Budget and Financial Management. These amendments provide the minister of finance the authority to use state budget funds to acquire fixed income securities in capital associations in which the state has decisive influence.
The Ministry of Transport noted that the acquisition of airBaltic bonds will have no effect on the state budget deficit.
Briškens mentioned at a press-conference that “the state does not invest to stimulate other investors, but the state does consider investing on conditions similar to private investors while gaining revenue from profits”.
The Latvian state owns 97.97% of airBaltic shares, while 2.03% of shares are owned by financial investor, Danish entrepreneur Lars Thuesen, who also owns Aircraft Leasing 1.
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