In brief: Polnord & Energobudowa; Japan Tobacco may lay off; Invest-Bank

Prokom Investments group member Energobudowa and Polnord construction companies say they will merge before the end of this year, thus creating a serious player on the Polish construction market. The new body's yearly revenues could be as much as zl.500 million, specialists say.(Parkiet, p.4)...Japan Tobacco has denied it is withdrawing from the Polish market. The company, fighting the crisis on the domestic tobacco market, says it may look for savings through lay-offs. (Puls Biznesu, p. 3)...Invest-Bank has confirmed it is interested in purchasing the ailing Bank Staropolski. The bank, which went into receivership some time ago, is worth zl.139 million. (Prawo i Gospodarka, p.1) J.K.