IT News In Brief: Bankier.pl looking good; Softbank-Ruch; EU funds for IT

Bankier.pl, a financial Internet portal owned by bmp AG fund and Wrocław-based listed company MCI, posted an operational and Q1 net profit thanks to record revenues from advertisements. The overall revenues of the portal increased by 80% in comparison with Q1 2003. (Parkiet, p. 5) ... Softbank, a listed IT company, signed a contract worth zł.4.22 million with press distributor Ruch to implement its integrated IT system in its distribution center. (Parkiet, p. 5) ... About EUR 6 billion out of EUR 8.6 billion from EU structural funds may be allocated for developing the IT infrastructure, claim government representatives. Three IT companies: Cisco Systems, Intel and the domestic branch of Microsoft, have launched a joint program called "ITeraz Europa", which is aimed to help gain funds for investments in IT. (Parkiet, p. 5) E.B.