Optimus looks East to Ukraine for new computer market

Optimus is negotiating a three-year contract with Ukraine, estimated to yield up to zl. 480 million in profits. The company's new strategy, details of which have yet to be revealed, includes investments, cost reduction by up to 8% and an increased profit margin, but will focus on the computer hardware market as its core business. "It is too early to say what we will do with the remaining companies," said Optimus president and shareholder Andrzej Widerszpil, adding that selling off the companies would not be very profitable at present. The company has an opportunity to extend its contract with Ukraine on the supply of PCs, but it is difficult to estimate the value as the draft agreement does not specify the number of orders. "We are pushing for $120 million," said Widerszpil. In Q2 of 2002, Optimus reported a devastating loss of zl. 73 million. (Puls Biznesu, p. 7) K.S.