In Brief: Zywiec loss; Belvedere vodka promotion; zl.50 billion for telecoms

The consolidated net loss of the Zywiec Group of breweries was zl.105 million last year, compared to a loss of zl.463 million in 2000. Despite the improved performance, the Zywiec management does not rule out the possibility at some time in the future of withdrawing the company from public listing. (Prawo i Gospodarka, p. 8) ... Philips Millennium, the US investor in distiller Polmos Zyrardow, plans to invest some $15 million this year in promoting the Belvedere vodka brand. The company plans to launch a campaign to promote both Belvedere and Chopin vodka in Europe and Asia. (Puls Biznesu, p. 7) ... Deputy Infrastructure Minister Krzysztof Heller has said the Ministry aims at increasing mobile phone penetration to over 50% within four years, and fixed line penetration to 38% to 39%. Heller estimates around zl.50 billion investment is needed to meet these targets. (Rzeczpospolita, p. B3) P.J. i Correction: An error occurred in our issue, Wednesday February 27, on page 1. The headline "Ministry plans ...privatization of LOT" should have read: "Ministry plans partial and gradual privatization of PPL". The ministry unveiled future plans for Polish Airports (PPL), not the national carrier. We regret the error. Poland AM