Investors await State Treasury's delayed decision on Impexmetal deal

Two entities willing to purchase the company - stock-listed Boryszew and British fund Bancroft are fighting fiercely to take over the stake, which is worth zł.170 million. The first entity, in cooperation with its strategic investor, has already pu rchased 30% of Impexmetal shares, while the UK-based fund has doubled the price that it proposed for the stake in Impexmetal. "I neither deny nor confirm. We are waiting for the Treasury to make a final decision and until that time we cannot provide any information," said Sławomir Ludwikowski from Bancroft, which is patiently awaiting the announcement of the State Trea sury. However, Boryszew is more impatient to see a conclusion and its p resident, Sławomir Masiuk, has been quoting statements from deputy Treasury Minister Tadeusz Soroka concerning completion of privatization by the close of 2004. The Ministry would not be drawn on the matter, stating that the decision should be expected soon. (Parkiet, p. 1) M.M.