PKN Orlen warned to stay away from Rafineria Gdanska

The Competition and Consumer Protection Office (UOKiK) would block the possible takeover of oil producer and distributor Rafineria Gdanska by sector investor Polski Koncern Naftowy (PKN) Orlen. UOKiK said the new company would dominate the market. "I only agree to those globalization processes that do not limit competition," said UOKiK president Tadeusz Aziewicz. PKN produces 60% of Poland's oil and Rafineria Gdanska controls 20% of domestic demand. "The effect of the merger would be a company controlling 80% of the market and able to affect the market very strongly. The new privatization program says there should be two organizations that should be able to genuinely compete," said Aziewicz. The Cabinet will make the final decision about the possible takeover Aziewicz did not want to comment on the possible takeover of Rafineria Gdanska by PKN preventing foreign companies from entering the fuel market. (Puls Biznesu, page 8, 9)