BNP Paribas, Arthur Andersen and Lovells to assist sale of ZUS liabilities

A consortium consisting of BNP Paribas, Arthur Andersen and Lovells will draw up a draft bill concerning the sale of Social Insurance Company's (ZUS) liabilities, the result of an agreement for rendering consulting services signed yesterday by the Finance Ministry. Although formal signing of the agreement took place on Monday, the companies have already been providing work and expertise for ZUS for the past month. The results of the consortium's initial analyses indicate that sales of ZUS liabilities will yield some zl.2 billion this year. A report by the consortium to be completed in the middle of April will include suggestions about changes in Polish law necessary for realization of the plans. The agreement with the consortium is valued at euro 200 thousand, which will be paid by the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD). (Prawo i Gospodarka, p.10) M.T.