In Brief: ORFE; Orbis shortlist; Steel sector; Skoda Fabia; Phone licenses

Pharmaceutical distributor ORFE has promised to acquire at least two smaller distributors before the end of the year, if it is to weather the stiff competition on the market. (Puls Biznesu, page 7) ... The Treasury Minister is expected before Jun. 20 to draw a shortlist of buyers for Poland's largest hotel and catering chain Orbis S.A. (Puls Biznesu, page 23) ... The Treasury Ministry has backtracked on its earlier plans to consolidate the steel mills. Analysts in the sector believe the Treasury's plan to leave the mills as separate entities will facilitate a speedy restructuring. (Puls Biznesu, page 4) ... The management of Skoda Auto Polska have authorized dealers to start selling the new Fabia model prior to its official Polish premier expected at the Poznan Auto Show. (Prawo i Gospodarka, page 2) ... The Treasury Minister is expected to dish out inter-city phone licenses to all the firms that bid. Another license for the Warsaw region will be given to a consortium of Polskie Sieci Elektroenergetyczny (PSE) and KGHM Polski Miedz S.A. (Parkiet, page 1) S.M.