Bank Handlowy calls on Pollena Ewa to pay debt

Bank Handlowy has demanded a guarantee on the zl. 3.5 million loan it granted to Pollena Ewa and will secure payment of the debt by establishing a mortgage on the company's real estate. The fate of the loss-making cosmetics producer will be known by the end of March, when CDM Pekao brokerage house plans to sell its 33% stake in the firm. Pollena Ewa's net sales in 2002 were zl. 45.5 million - 20% down on 2001 - its operational loss in the same period reached zl. 2.9 million and its net loss zl. 3.3 million. According to Jolanta Markowska of Pollena Ewa, the company has prepared a restructuring program and is planning to reduce costs and take as many orders under different brands as possible. (Parkiet, p. 6) J.K.