Gov't hints at its private plans

Treasury Minister Andrzej Mikosz has announced plans to float shares in coke producer JSW and press distribution network Ruch in 2006.

"We plan further public offerings of shares in Police and Puławy by the end of the first half of next year. The program also calls for offerings of JSW and Ruch next year," Mikosz said. The government plans to earn zł.8 billion from privatizations and dividends from state-owned companies in 2006, but is facing opposition from the small parties it depends on for parliamentary support.

JSW is one of the best performing companies in the turbulent coal sector and the previous left-wing government had also developed a plan to float it in the short term to take advantage of high world coal prices. (Reuters)