Telekom Srbija is in pole position to buy Ipko Communications, one of the leading providers of telecom services in Kosovo.
According to Balkan Insight, the Serbian incumbent has lodged the highest bid for Ipko, which has been fully owned by Telekom Slovenije since 2018.
Although Telekom Srbija is bound by a non-disclosure agreement and will not reveal the size of its bid – believed to be the highest – for Ipko, Shpend Ahemti, the major of the Kosovan capital Pristina, has said it has offered €155 million.
Ahemti has also called for the bid to be blocked, citing similar actions taken by Serbia when receiving offers from Albanian companies.
Telekom Srbija is 58% owned by the Serbian state and embarked on an acquisition spree, both in its home market and neighbouring countries, in late 2018.