Infrastructure Ministry unveils new plan for transport

The Infrastructure Ministry (MI) plans to transform General Management of Public Roads and Highways (GDDPiA) into an independent partnership. MI's deputy minister Wojciech Janczyk gave his assurance that the project would be passed to the Sejm for approval in July. "The transformation of the company will allow for its activities to become more commercial," said Janczyk. The transportation sector will receive loans later this year amounting to euro 500 million from the European Bank for Development and Restructuring (EBRD) and the World Bank. Part of this money will also support Polish State Railways (PKP). PKP's management hopes the ministry will try to persuade the Treasury to increase the level of guarantees for the railways from the current zl. 3.9 billion to zl. 6 billion. "The guarantees for PKP have to be increased to help the company regain financial liquidity. The railways' financial balance is closely related to the privatization of companies belonging to the PKP group, in particular PKP Cargo," said deputy minister Janczyk. In 2003 MI will introduce an EU system of granting permits for independent railway companies, which will be more objective than the present system. (Puls Biznesu, pp. 1, 6) M.M.