In Brief: Duda; PPWK; LNG terminal; PKP Cargo privatization in 2004?

Meat producer Duda will open a new zl. 20 million meat processing plant on Saturday. Further investments are likely with capital raised through public offering. The new plant is among the most modern in the country and meets all EU hygiene standards (Prawo i Gospodarka, p. 6, Oct. 26-28) ... Polskie Przedsiebiorstwo Wydawnictw Kartograficznych publishing company will survive at least for the immediate future. Today the firm will inform the media about debt payment agreements with creditors, with the money coming from the sale of shares purchased by the previous government (Puls Biznesu, pp. 1,6) ... At the beginning of the third quarter of 2002 the sale of black coal stood at zl. 217.1 million, which is zl. 165.2 million less than for the same period last year. The Economy Minister puts the reason for this down to the economic downturn. (Rzeczpospolita, B2) ... Konrad Jaskola, the author of a plan to build a liquid natural gas (LNG) terminal is determined to go ahead with his concept despite the fact that the towns of Police and Dolna Odra have pulled out of the consortium. Jaskola has started talks with PGNiG and a foreign investor. (Puls Biznesu, p. 6) ... The government has agreed to privatize PKP Cargo in 2004 after negotiations with the EU over transport policy. This would enable PKP division to remain viable after EU membership and once the market becomes free in 2007. Independent analysts say 2006 is a more realistic date for Cargo's privatization (Puls Biznesu, p. 7) J.K.