The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), the current owner of the Free International Port of Giurgiulesti (PILG) is reportedly looking for a buyer. According to a government statement, the EBRD is in talks with several potential investors from various countries, including Romania, Turkey, the Kingdom of the Netherlands and Denmark.
The executive statement also said that Giurgiulesti operates two separate port infrastructure entities: PILG, which belongs to the EBRD, and the State Port, which is owned by the Moldovan state. There is no discussion on the sale of the State Port.
The Romanian government is discussing a memorandum on the purchase of the Port of Giurgiulesti in the Republic of Moldova from the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development. The purchase would be made through the National Company “Administrația Porturilor Maritime” S.A. Constanța, a commercial company under the authority of the Ministry of Transport in Bucharest.
The Romanian Prime Minister, Marcel Ciolacu declared at the end of September 2023, that Romania intends to buy the Free International Port of Giurgiulesti in the Republic of Moldova. The decision came amid an ownership and legality scandal, in which the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) took over the port following allegations of fraud against its former employee, Thomas Moser. At issue is the embezzlement of foreign wealth by former Bemol decision-makers.
Subsequently, the EBRD came up with a reaction and said that it does not intend to sell Giurgiulesti Port.