In Brief: Optimus; strategy; Elektrim reserves; Second quarter bank profits

Yesterday, the Supervisory Board of Optimus, a top player on the IT market, accepted the company budget for 2002 and mid-term strategy. Optimus will focus on producing computer hardware and not on software or hardware integration. The full strategy will be announced later this week. (Puls Biznesu, p. 6) ... Elektrim has created a reserve of zl. 259.2 million in the second quarter to cover the future costs of servicing its liabilities. The reserves had a great impact on the zl. 285 million loss the company recorded in the second quarter. (Gazeta Wyborcza, p. 20) ... The unconsolidated net profit of ING Bank Slaski rose to zl. 69.3 million for the second quarter, which was 4.9% higher than in the same period of 2001. Meanwhile the unconsolidated net profit of Bank Handlowy grew to zl. 60.5 million in the second quarter, which was 9.2% up in comparison to same period of 2001. (Reuters). P.W.