In Brief: Afgan contracts; ITI/Optimus; Joint bid for G-8; BH Q1 results; MK

Polish firms may take part in the reconstruction of Afghanistan, the Labor and Economy Ministry announced yesterday. To do this, they should contact AACA, an institution responsible for tenders for projects carried out in Afghanistan. (Parkiet, p. 1) ... ITI has sold a 7.42 % stake of a computer firm Optimus, the firm announced yesterday. Optimus refused to disclose the name of the buyer as well as the price of the transaction. (www.onet.pl) ... According to unofficial news, E.ON Energie of Germany and Electrabel intend to file a joint bid for the purchase of the G-8 GROUP. If the two firms succeeded in the purchase, G-8 would probably be divided between them. (Parkiet, p. 1) ... In the first quarter, BANK HANDLOWY (BH) generated only zł. 10.4 million in net profit as compared to zł. 82.2 million in the first quarter of 2002. The result was influenced by BH's smaller revenues from financial operations as well as the creation of reserves. (Parkiet, p. 4) ... Israeli coffee and chocolate producer Elite is negotiating the purchase of MK Café & Tea. The value of the transaction is estimated at around EUR 40 million. The daily coffee production of MK Café & Tea around 40 tons. (Gazeta Wyborcza, Gospodarka Supplement, p. 3) A.Z.