“Someone stated we want costs to be borne by taxpayers. I state strongly in the name of suppliers, this is not what we are asking for,” said Marica Vidaković
Representatives of the largest suppliers of Agrokor met on Wednesday with Special Commissioner Ante Ramljak, with the procurator of Kraš, Marica Vidaković, announcing there will be no planned cessation of delivery on May 29, 2017, stating that she also has information that banks will extend the deadline of recourse bonds, as reported by Hina on May 24, 2017.
The first demand of suppliers was directed to financial institutions, asking them to extend the validity of the memorandum between suppliers and financial institutions until the deadline for the registration of claims (9 and 20 June, 2017).
“What is most important is that we have information that banks will extend the deadline for recourse bonds, which is positive at this moment,” said Vidaković, before adding that the general conclusion of Wednesday’s meeting with Ramljak was to “continue with joint efforts in reviving this system as it is in our joint economic interest.”
Ramljak stated that the meeting was used by Agrokor to try and answer the questions of suppliers regarding the concern.
Suppliers also demanded for the Special Commissioner Ramljak and Deputy PM and Economy Minister Martina Dalić to state whether or not all bonds of suppliers have equal status in the special administration procedure, meaning that all debts according to recourse bonds rights are debts of Agrokor and not of the suppliers.
They also requested for Ramljak to obtain a new loan for Agrokor in the shortest period and according to law, pay a portion of the old debt to suppliers before special administration was enacted.
”I don’t believe all the issues and problems (regarding this matter) can be resolved in one meeting, but we attempted to respond to most topics, to call the participants in this procedure,” said Ramljak.
Vidaković stated that, from Commissioner Ramljak, they heard about a line of activities being undertaken to stabilise Agrokor’s system and obtain a new loan, with Ramljak adding “the issue of equalising all types of bonds will be resolved when all the claims are received,” but that they hold a joint position on this.
Vidaković ascertained that suppliers do not expect someone else to pay their debt, but for the burden to be shared with banks.
“The idea circulating in the media lately is that suppliers want someone else to pay for their debt. This is not true. We all understand what the recourse right means and are aware that we have to pay for this. This is another issue – suppliers demand from banks to share an equal amount of the costs which will be incurred during the settlement if there are write-offs or discounts. Suppliers ask for that cost to be split evenly. Someone stated that we want that cost to be borne by taxpayers. I state strongly in the name of the suppliers, this is not what we are asking for,” she said.
They both stated the new loan will be used to repay part of the debt to suppliers, but that the amount needs to be arranged.
