Donbas and LNM to battle it out for Huta Częstochowa

The Treasury Ministry will continue negotiations with the remaining candidates, Ukrainian Donbas and Dutch Antilles-registered LNM Holdings. "I hope that we will choose one company to continue negotiations with by January 16-18," said Deputy T reasury Minister Andrzej Szarawarski. The investor would first have to purchase shares in Huta Stali Częstochowa, which leases the assets of Huta Częstochowa, and only then purchase production assets from creditors. According to Puls Biznesu sources, the expected takeover price is in the region of zł. 150-300 million. The final amount will depend on the fact whether the coking plant will be sold jointly with HCz. Another key issue is the social package for employees who are likely to have high expectations, which means negotiations will be difficult and time consuming. (Puls B iznesu, pp. 1, 8) M.M.