In Brief: F-16 is No.1; Celmar, BRE; Michelin, Stomil; Okecie Airport

Yesterday the Defense and Economy Ministries opened the envelopes containing the bids from prospective providers of Poland's new multitask combat aircraft. Deputy Minister Andrzej Szmajdzinski declared that US-based Lockheed Martin, offering the F-16, had filed the best offer. Swedish-British Gripen International came second and Dassault Aviation's Mirage third, though a final decision has yet to be made. (Puls Biznesu, p. 4) ... Coffee and tea producer Celmar has signed an agreement with BRE Corporate Finance under which the latter is to find a strategic investor for Celmar. Celmar's annual coffee production capacity stands at 20,000 tonnes. (Puls Biznesu, p. 6) ... Michelin has signed an agreement with the Industrial Development Agency (ARP) on the purchase of 4.12% of tire producer Stomil Olsztyn (SO) of which Michelin currently owns 65.78%. (Puls Biznesu, p. 8) ... The Polish Airports Authority (PPL) has signed a deal with a construction consortium of Ferrovial Agroman, Budimex and Estudio Lamela SL on the expansion and modernization of Warsaw's Okecie Airport. The value of the contract is estimated at $198.8 million. (Prawo i Gospodarka, p. 4) A.Z.