Naftobazy talks stall on Grupa Lotos privatization

The State Treasury again has problems with selling Naftobazy, but it will continue negotiations with Dutch Vopak, which is interested in acquiring a stake of between 51% to 65% in the fuel storage company. Talks began back on April 22, but a final agreement is still nowhere in sight. "Vopak's exclusivity rights expire on July 20, but this date will probably be extended, even by a few months," said a source close to Naftobazy. When the negotiation deadline was drafted it seemed that the privatization results of Grupa Lotos would be known. Since that decision is still being made, there is no possibility of deciding on the future shape of national fuel logistics. "However, it does not mean that there is any kind of disagreement with Vopak," stressed the informer. (Puls Biznesu, p. 6) M.M.