Government to sell larger than planned stake in G-8 group

The government yesterday agreed to sell a larger stake than it had originall y intended in the G-8 group, which encompasses eight energy plants in northe rn and central Poland. This step was taken as it proves more profitable for the Treasury and does not complicate company management. "Only a fool gets r id of something, receiving only a third of the value and keeps almost no con trol over it," concluded Finance Minister Marek Belka. The companies fightin g for the stake of up to 85% include El-Dystrybucja managed by entrepreneur Jan Kulczyk and German energy consortium E.ON Energie. According to speculat ion in Prawo i Gospodarka, E.ON Energie is tipped as the front runner to rec eive exclusive negotiation rights with the State Treasury over the shares. "The final decision on which company will receive these rights will probably be made on Wednesday," said Treasury Minister Wies3aw Kaczmarek. (Gazeta Wyb orcza, p. 22; Prawo i Gospodarka, p. 1; Parkiet, p. 1) A.K.