February 21, 2006	Tuesday	Muharram 22, 1427

ISLAMABAD, Feb 20: The Privatization Commission has received nine expressions of interest (EoIs) from investors for acquiring 90 per cent shares of Hazara Phosphate Fertilizers Ltd (HPFL).

An official announcement issued on Monday said that the parties which submitted EoIs, included Al-Hamza Ship Breaking Company and Group, Karachi; Allah Din Group of Companies, Lahore; Al-Tuwairqi Group of Companies, Karachi; Amjad Textile Mills Limited, Lahore; Chanar Sugar Mills Limited, Lahore; Ibrahim Fibres Limited, Faisalabad; Nishat (Chunian) Limited, Lahore; TN Associates, Islamabad and Zaver Mining Company (Pvt) Limited, Islamabad.

The HPFL is owned by National Fertilizers Corporation of Pakistan (NFC), located at Haripur, NWFP. The factory is situated on 57 acres, which includes plant, housing and other amenities.

HPFL produces 90,000 tons per annum of Granular Single Super Phosphate (GSSP) and 30,000 tons per annum of Sulphuric Acid required for the production of GSSP. The plant was rehabilitated and re-commissioned in April 1999.

Information memorandum, bid documents, and a tentative timeframe for the process will be provided to pre-qualified parties only. The due-diligence of the transaction will commence during March while bidding is being targeted in April 2006.