Privatization moving apace with 90% accomplished in first 12 years

Of 8,500 state-owned enterprises that existed in 1990, a little over 800 remained unprivatized at the end of last year. According to a report issued by the Treasury Ministry, the most significant investors for the largest Polish enterprises were foreign companies. Of 803 companies, at least 100 still seem very attractive to potential investors. These companies are usually large enterprises belonging to the Treasury. Only half of the remaining concerns can be privatized, however only following major restructuring programs. As a result of the transformations, the Treasury became a shareholder in 1,762 companies as understood under commercial law. These are companies which fully belong the Treasury as well as those in which it holds minority stakes. The value of all the shares owned is estimated at around zl. 140 billion. (Rzeczpospolita, p. B2) A.K