Confusion over Kulczyk role in PKN Orlen privatization

Prominent businessman Jan Kulczyk is rumored to have become involved in the privatization of PKN Orlen, after forming a consortium with MOL of Hungary with the intention of bidding for a 17.6% stake in the Polish fuel giant. According to an anonymous source quoted by Puls Biznesu, Kulczyk Holding and MOL are currently negotiating who gets what share in the PKN Orlen stake. Analysts say that by working together the two companies want to boost their chances in the competition with OMV of Austria, which is also bidding for the PKN Orlen stake. However, Austrian newspaper WirtschaftsBlatt reports that Kulczyk has agreed to play a role in the privatization only as a consultant for MOL. The paper adds that MOL has hired Kulczyk in view of his business connections and his experience as a consultant with such companies as South African Breweries. Analysts suspect that it is not Kulczyk himself, but a subsidiary of Kulczyk Holding, that is providing consultancy assistance. Neither MOL nor Kulczyk Holding would comment on the reports. (Prawo i Gospodarka, p. 11; Puls Biznesu, p. 9) A.Z.