Last remaining State-owned tobacco producer prepares for privatization

The privatization of Poland's last-remaining state-owned tobacco plant, Zaklady Tytoniowe z Lublina (ZTL) may be completed this year, or by the end of the first quarter of 2002 at the latest. Analysts suggest that the buyer is likely to be a tobacco company with operations in Europe, but which is not yet present on the Polish market. "With a sector investor our company will be able to promote an international brand of a more expensive cigarette," said ZTL president Marek Maj. ZTL plans to spend up to zl.10 million on investments this year, and a further zl.9 million to zl.10 million in the years 2002 and 2003. (Puls Biznesu, p. 11) A.Z. .