Govt has '8-10' bids for Termini Imerese
Scajola says Fiat's decision to leave Sicilian plant is 'final'
08 February, 18:02
(ANSA) - Rome, February 8 - The government has received
"eight to ten" offers to take over the Sicilian plant where Fiat
intends to end automobile production at the end of next year,
Industry Minister Claudio Scajola said on Monday.These offers, he added, will be examined on March 5 when government, Fiat and union representatives resume talks on the future of Termini Imerese, near Palermo.
According to the minister, a key point in evaluating the offers will be whether they ensure employment levels in the economically depressed area.
Unions at the Sicilian plant said on Monday that "we don't need stop-gap solutions or investors attracted by the prospect of state aid. What we need are serious solutions which are overseen by the government".
"We need a serious investment plan, one which will ensure jobs," unions added.
In regard to Fiat, Scajola said "their decision is final.
However, the group has said it will help and not create any obstacles to alternative options".
Fiat, he continued, "has said it intends to close Termini Imerese as part of its reorganisation in Italy. While we believe it could still stay there, we recognise that it has decided to reduce its domestic production facilities to four. However, we have asked that Fiat boost car production in Italy from 650,000 to 900,000 vehicles".
In a related development, the head of Italy's industrial employers association Confindustria, Emma Marcegaglia, said that some of the offers for Termini Imerese, "are worthy of consideration".
Termini Imerese, she observed, "is a plant which for logistical and efficiency reasons" is unfit to produce automobiles.
In judging the offers for the Sicilian plant, Marcegaglia said, "the deciding factor must be whether the new activity there can stand on its own and compete on the market".
