MOL and Slovnaft plan chain of filling stations across southern Poland

Hungarian fuel concern MOL, in cooperation with Slovakian oil corporation Slovnaft, has drawn up plans to open a chain of filling stations across southern Poland. The two companies envisage building up a string of around 80 filling stations by 2005. "Not all the stations will be built from scratch. We also plan to buy some working stations, as well as to expand through franchising," says Slovnaft CEO, Peter Gelacik. A main strategic aim of MOL is to enter the Polish market. However, after recent reverses in its attempts to become a strategic investor in both Rafineria Gdanska and PKN Orlen, MOL has turned to its partner Slovnaft, in which it already holds a 36.2% stake. Slovnaft owns three filling stations in Poland, and last year it imported more than 200,00 tons of fuel into the country. A decision on whether to go ahead with the filling station plan will depend on the outcome of the privatization of Rafineria Gdanska, and the possible purchase of shares in PKN Orlen. (Puls Biznesu, p. 6) A.K.