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D. Fayyad: a positive atmosphere on PALTEL-ZAIN deal and we are very interested to complete it

2009-04-01

Dr. Salam Fayyad the prime minister said that  the government is very interested in completing a merger between JAWWAL and Zain, and the negotiations on the deal between JAWWAL and the government reached a very advanced stage, and agreement was reached on all items except one item concerning the claim of  the government for separation between the company"s mobile offering cellular telephone services and the Palestinian telecommunications company providing fixed line services (ground). Dr. Fayyad said in answering the question on PALTEL- ZAIN deal that the disagreement on this item is not due to the financial demands of the government, but the basis is a regulatory requirement concerning the promotion of transparency and competitiveness in the telecommunications sector. He added: the completion of the deal after agreeing to the separation item, is to improve the performance of the telecommunications sector, including cellular service to the consumer, especially with the calls with the Arab countries will become less expensive than it is now significantly. Furthermore, the Government strongly welcomes Kuwaiti and Arab investment, and in this deal; is an irreplaceable opportunity to encourage such investment. Dr. Fayyad hopes to continue the positive atmosphere that prevailed in the negotiations with JAWWAL so far. He reiterated the Government"s desire for JAWWAL- ZAIN to see the light as soon as possible.