(ANSA) - ZAGREB - Three non-binding bids, all amounting to 2.5 billion euros, but with different concession periods, from 30 to 50 years, have been made in the tender process for the concession of about 1,000 kilometres of motorways in Croatia.

This news was reported by Jutarnji List, daily newspaper in Zagreb, that quoted some sources. According to the newspaper, among the bidders there would be US investment bank Goldman Sachs along with a consortium of Croatian pension funds (for a 40 yr concession period), Australia's Macquarie (30 yr) and Austria's building company Strabag (50 yr). According to Jutarnji List, even "Autostrade per l'Italia" would be interested in making a bid, but the project was stopped since their Canadian financial partner have renounced it. In the coming days, Croatia's Infrastructure Ministry will start direct negotiations with bidders in order to get in spring the final and binding bids, that, according to some statements released by Minister Sinisa Hajdas-Doncic, may be far greater than 2.5 billion euros. After the final choice, the future licensee will have to pay the full amount in order to start managing about 1,000 kilometres in September 2015.(ANSA).