Foreign investment in oil companies halted by Treasury

The treasury is blocking foreign investment in the ports of Gdynia and Gdansk. The foreign oil companies affected plan to complain to the European Union (EU). Swedish company Preem wants to build a zl. 100 million liquid-fuel terminal in Gdynia, but it has been trying unsuccessfully for four years to rent land for the development. German terminal operator Oiltanking has a similar problem. It wants to build a $100-million terminal in Gdansk, but Treasury Minister Emil Wasacz has not yet issued a permit for the investment, even though his office received all the necessary documents six months ago. Nafta Polska, which is responsible for the privatization of Polish oil companies, is believed to be trying to protect domestic oil companies from foreign competition. "I believe this is artificially hindering competition in our fuel market," said the head of Polish Liquid Fuels Chamber (PIPP) Andrzej Szczesniak. (Puls Biznesu, page 3) T.J.