PKO BP loans to SME's likely to be easier following EU/EBRD program

PKO BP has signed a loan agreement with the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) under which the it will receive euro 20 million which can be granted as loans to small and medium-sized enterprises. PKO BP may additionally obtain euro 3.8 million from the European Commission (EC) for upgrading the quality of customer services and expanding the bank's activity in this market area. The agreement is part of the EU/EBRD SME Finance Facility program which PKO BP recently joined. The program is running in 10 EU aspiring countries from Central and Eastern Europe. (Rzeczpospolita, Feb. 22-23, p. B5) A.Z. In Brief: Gdynia Shipyard; Nokia recycles; New telecoms licenses; Silesia protest The Supervisory Board of the Gdynia Shipyard (SG) positively evaluated the management's program to improve the shipyard's financial condition. At the same time it has requested the management to explain the activity regulations of Synergia, a company responsible for the development of 73 hectare of land owned by the shipyard. (Rzeczpospolita, Feb. 22-23, p. B2) ... Nokia has launched the collection and utilization process of its used products including telephones, batteries and accessories. Its customers can bring redundant equipment to 40 service centers Club Nokia across the country. (Rzeczpospolita, Feb. 22-23, p. B1) ... Netia Telekom and Petrotel have received telecommunication licenses from the Telecommunication and Postal Regulation Office (URTiP). (Rzeczpospolita, Feb. B1) ... Traffic jams, gridlock in city centers, halted trains, delayed buses - this how Silesia looked during Friday's day of protest organized by the regional chapter of Solidarity. Nearly 10,000 workers participated in the protest. At 7 a.m. railway workers started blocking trains in Tarnowskie Gory. (Gazeta Wyborcza, p. 7) A.Z./A.C.