Agrofert planning bid for leading chemical producer

Agrofert of the Czech Republic is planning to submit a purchase bid for ZCh Police, one of Poland's biggest chemical production bases. The plant, located north of Szczecin, earned revenues last year of zl.1.4 billion. Agrofert is already in negotiations with a Moroccan company, which according to Puls Biznesu is probably OCP, for the supply of phosphorite for the plant. The treasury ministry has postponed the deadline for submitting bids from May 25th to June 4th, and Agrofert officials say they will make use of the additional time to put the final touches to the cooperation agreement. Meanwhile, Agrofert has lost its chance to buy shares in another major chemical industry player, ZA Kedzierzyn, after it failed to appear on a treasury ministry shortlist for the plant's privatization. Among those that did make the list were Farm Agro Planta and Ciech. (Puls Biznesu, p.4) M.K.