Government spokesman Inocêncio Impissa said yesterday in Maputo that within 21 days the distribution of the 91% of state shares in Mozambique Airlines (LAM) could be known.

On February 4, the Executive authorized three companies in the State Business Sector (SEE), namely Hidroeléctrica de Cahora Bassa (HCB), Caminhos de Ferro de Moçambique (CFM) and Empresa Moçambicana de Seguros (EMOSE) to sell their state holdings in LAM.

"I think that in another 15 days, another 21 days, we'll have a very clear position from the companies, and then either the companies themselves or the government will be able to announce how the company will be divided up," he said at a press conference on the current government's reforms.

 On another occasion, the Minister for State Administration and the Civil Service explained that the government's measure was aimed at injecting capital into the almost bankrupt LAM. In the Executive's view, this was the best option in the face of a possible privatization of the company.

The operation is intended to raise 130 million dollars. The amount will be used to acquire LAM's own fleet of eight aircraft.

Meanwhile, social reactions have considered the possibility that the problems of corruption and mismanagement suffered by LAM could affect profitable companies and, as a result, they could be dragged into the financial abyss.

In this regard, during yesterday's session, Impissa assured that the government is taking steps to ascertain the risks involved in the deal.