In Brief: Citigroup gets permit; Breweries improve; From shoes to Internet

Citigroup has received permission from the Securities and Exchange Commission (KPWiG) and the Banking Supervisory Commission (KNB) to hold more than 50% of votes in Bank Handlowy. Citigroup filed for permission to hold up to 75% of votes, but central bank regulators want to protect Handlowy's minority shareholders and the bank's Polish identity. (Reuters) ... Polish breweries sold almost 6.4 million hectoliters of beer in the first four months of this year, over 6% more than in 1999. (Puls Biznesu, page 8) ... Stock exchange-listed shoe manufacturer Ariel is changing its name to Internet Group, and, quite appropriately, changing its sphere of activities to telecom services. (Parkiet, page 3) T.J.