In Brief: Bumar; Browar Belgia; BRE Bank; 20% unemployment

The winner was an American consortium NOUR, which offered a much lower price. The winning consortium encompasses two other Polish companies, Ostrowiecki Arms and Polska Izba Przemysłu Zbrojeniowego. Bumar said they would question the outcome of the tender. (Rzeczpospolita, p. B2) ... Browar Belgia, the fourth largest beer producer, which controls a 4% share of the market, announced plans to strengthen its position by introducing its own brands and increasing exports this year. In 2003 the company generated zł.253 million in revenues, around 39% more than in the previous year, and a net profit of almost zł.7 million. (Rzeczpospolita, p. B4) ... BRE Bank has signed a conditional agreement to purchase a 50% stake in mortgage bank Rheinhyp. The value of the transaction was not revealed. (Parkiet, p. 5) ... Following verification of the unemployment rate, the Central Statistical Office (GUS) announced that the level of unemployment amounted to 20% by the end of last year, and not 18% as previously stated. (Parkiet, p. 5) A.K.