Privatization of PKO BP put on hold

Southern Energy Concern (PKE) privatization could also be delayed, he said. The ministry insists, however, that initial public offerings of the school textbook publisher WSiP, chemical producer Ciech, and Polmos Białystok vodka producer will go ahead this year, as planned. The announcement could spell the end of hopes to meet this year's privatization revenue target of zł.8.83 billion. "I am obliged to follow the guidelines set in the budget," the minister added. "It is, however, possible that the full amount will not be raised. I will try and get as close to the target as possible." As of February 18, the ministry had raised zł.1 billion, mostly due to a sale of its remaining stake in Silesian Power Plant. (Rzeczpospolita, p. B3) A.N.