Farmutil front runner in Łmeat privatization

The Treasury Ministry has closed parallel talks with investors interested in the purchase of meat producer Łmeat. According to Puls Biznesu, citing unofficial sources, the sole partner negotiating with the Ministry is now Farmutil controlled by Senator Henryk Stokłosa. "We are interested in a swift completion of the privatization. The slow negotiations is doing us only harm. I hope that now, the process, which is supported by the company's employees, will gather pace'" said the director of Łmeat Mirosław Kursa. Henryk Stokłosa's Farmutil employs 3,500 and owns 16,000 hectares of land. The company comprises of meat processing plants Zakłady Drobiarskie in Koziegłowy, Zakłady Mięsne in Śmiłów, a mill Eko-Młyn in Wałcz, two supermarkets, more than ten livestock farms, one distillery and a recycling company. Stokłosa is also the owner of Tygodnik Nowy weekly and Radio 100 radio station. In related news the Ministry is planning to call a tender for the purchase of another meat processing plant in Grudziądz. (Puls Biznesu, p. 11) J.K.