Ministry limits biofuels production in SEZ's

According to the EU Accession Treaty, only the processing of rape oil into biofuel is allowed within SEZ's, while the production of oil from rape grain must take place outside SEZ's. This can affect the plans of Elstar Oils, a bourse-listed company which has already announced it will invest zl.27 million in a biofuels production plant, which will create 90 new jobs. It will have to transfer its first stage of production outside the Walbrzych SEZ. The ministry interpretation will also affect the plans of two German and one Spanish company that will each invest about EUR 15 million in the Kostrzyn-Slubice SEZ as they will also have to shift the first stage of production outisde the zone. On the other hand, Skotan has withdrawn form its plans to invest zl.220 million with Alchemia in biofuels production in Kraków Technological Park and Torun, which will result in the loss of the company's biofuels concession. (Puls Biznesu, p.13) J.L.