Aral Polska investment to reach DM 1 billion when retail network is finished

In May, Aral Polska, a subsidiary of a German company will open up its eightieth gas station in Poland in Krakow. The company has already invested DM 300 million, not including land costs. "After the expansion of the network is finished, to include 200 gas stations, our investments will have amounted to DM 1 billion. At the same time our share in the retail sale of gas will increase to 10%," said a press release from Ingo Paap, a member of Aral Polska's management board. According to him the price competition started by Polski Koncern Naftowy (PKN) is a big problem yet investments will be developed, because the Polish market is very promising due to the rapid increase in the number of cars. Aral is not planning to take part in the privatization of Rafineria Gdanska or storage and transport firm Dyrekcja Exploatacji Cystern (DEC). (Prawo i Gospodarka, page 2, Gazeta Wyborcza, page 20) E.B.