Budapest  - Shares in Hungary's electricity company MVM and motorway operator AAK could be available from early next year as a programme aimed at encouraging people to invest gets underway, the daily Napi Gazdasag said Wednesday.

The government earlier this year announced plans to sell shares in key companies to ordinary Hungarians. MVM and AAK were believed most likely to be floated first.

AAK shares could be available in January while MVM could be floated in March, the newspaper said, citing a briefing written for Prime Minister Ferenc Gyurcsany.

National lottery operator Szerencsejatek and the postal service are also expected to be partially sold off, although official details on which firms will be sold when are not expected to be available until the end of the month. (dpa)