Government privatization plans for 2004-2006 drawing to a close

According to a government program which was discussed yesterday by Deputies from the Sejm Treasury Commission, budget revenues from privatization between 2004-2006 will amount to zł. 8.8 billion for each for the three years. "One of our aims in this program is a concern about the capital market, that is why we want to privatize as many companies as possible through a public offer," said Treasury Minister Piotr Czyżewski. Plans for 2004 envisage floating the shares of bank PKO BP, publisher WSiP, the Southern Energy Concern (PKE), Polmos Białystok, a pharmaceutical holding, PGNiG, and Zelmer. In late 2004 or early 2005, an IPO is planned for power giant ENEA, Ciech, Ruch and bank BGŻ. The privatization of insurer PZU is planned for 2005 and power group BOT in 2006. The State Treasury plans to keep strategic control over several sectors, namely airports, railways, energy, gas, the oil network, as well as strategic warehouses, the post office, and public television and radio stations. (Parkiet, p. 9) A.K.