The much awaited privatisation of national carrier Air India (AI) is likely to be completed by March 2020 and a lot of interest has been shown by potential investors in the international roadshows for the debt laden carrier, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said in an interview.
The union government is adamant to sell the public sector enterprise by the end of this financial year to complete its divestment target of Rs 1 lakh crore. According to a senior government official, the centre may invite expression of interests (EoIs) by the end of this month or early next month. However, the invitation process might be delayed depending on the response and recommendation from interested parties.
“Post receiving the bids, the higher authority would want to complete the deal in a month or two, which is in line with what the finance minister said,” the official further said.
