According to a dispatch from the British press agency Reuters on January 5, Siemens is on its way to selling its hearing aid business. Siemens Hearing Instruments, an expert in hearing aid fitting for over a century has been put up for sale by the German industrial conglomerate at the end of 2009 according to its plan to refocus its strategic activities. After months of uncertainty and rumors, Siemens has finally pre-selected five private equity firms and one strategic buyer for the second round of bids on the transfer of this branch of activity. Among them, Bain Capital, Cinven, Hellman & Friedman, and KKR Permira and an industrial whose activity remains unknown. Once it has received firm offers, Siemens hopes to choose the final buyer before the end of February, specified close sources. Siemens, whose representatives have refused all comment on the transaction, hopes to get more than two billion euros from the sale. The hearing aid division, considered as very profitable, employs about 4,000 people worldwide. But whoever is interested to buy Siemens must be aware that the brand "Siemens Hearing Instruments" can not be used any longer than one year after the purchase… This is Siemens Corporate rule. But without the famous brand the hearing aid division of Siemens is not worth very much. And with a new brand the market share could break down…The German group, whose activities are varied from railway equipment to lighting bulbs, gas turbines or medical equipment, wants to reinforce its presence in industry, energy and health by focusing on certain subsidiaries it has judged as strategic. G.B with Reuters