EBRD interested in playing minor role in the privatization of the WSE

The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) is interested in becoming a minority shareholder in the Warsaw Stock Exchange (WSE). Stock exchange representatives were not surprised by the declaration of Hanna Gronkiewicz-Waltz, who announced yesterday that the EBRD is interested in the WSE privatization. "Non-binding talks have already been held on this subject," said Piotr Szeliga, WSE vice president. Currently, the State Treasury is a 98% shareholder in the exchange, while brokerage houses own the remaining 2%. The statement of EBRD's president is connected to the current work under way at the Treasury Ministry on the WSE's privatization. "No decision to privatize has yet been taken. We do not know how we will be privatized or who will be our partner in this process," said Szeliga. He added, "A shareholder such as the EBRD would greatly increase the prestige of our bourse, but the final decision depends on our owner". (Prawo i Gospodarka, p. 3) P.W.