Hydrobudowa Gdansk may be taken over in latest move by Swedish NCC

Over the next few weeks Hydrobudowa Gdansk may be taken over by Swedish concern NCC. National Investment Fund (NFI) Jupiter, which holds an almost 50% stake in Hydrobudowa, conducted talks with interested companies, including Polimex-Cekop and Budimex, for half a year. "We are in an advanced phase of talks with NFI Jupiter, but I cannot reveal any details. We will be trying to take full control of the company," said NCC Polska president Janusz Puzia. NCC is also looking for other companies for takeover in order to begin a future highway program. The Swedish concern previously paid zl. 50 million for 40% of PRINZ engineering company. For the planned stake in Hydrobudowa, NCC would have to pay over zl. 50 million. "I know only that talks are not be conducted with NCC exclusively," said Hydrobudowa Gdansk president Wieslaw Ochnik. Hydrobudowa has its contract calendar for 2001 completely filled, with projects possibly including the modernization of the water route between Szczecin and Swinoujscie worth $50 million. Hydrobudowa should record a net profit of zl. 5 million this year, with revenues amounting to zl. 85 million. (Puls Biznesu, page 1, 5)