Highwood demands explanation from Agros' majority stakeholder Pernod

One of the minority shareholders of Agros is afraid that majority stakeholder Pernod Ricard may be interested in the privatization of Polmoses without involving Agros. "Agros has all rights to place an offer for buying Polmoses, as it would allow it to combine Polish rights to domestic with international vodka rights. We are surprised with the fact that Agros is silent," said Highwood officials. According to Highwood, Pernod may be interested in eliminating Agros from the race for Polmoses as it would clear the field for itself. Pernod and Diageo have recently placed an offer for acquiring Seagram's activity in the spirits sector, which includes Absolut vodka distribution. "We are afraid of whether it will cause harm to Polish vodkas," said Highwood. "Lack of answers to shareholders questions, hiding information about management salaries, suspected transfer of profits abroad are just examples of minority shareholders rights violation," said Individual Investors Association (SII) official Michal Maslowski. (Parkiet, Sept. 2-4, page 1, 3)