Railway restructuring plan accepted by Government

The Infrastructure Ministry has accepted a new program for the restructuring and modernization of Polish State Railways (PKP) prepared by PKP's management. According to the head of PKP's supervisory board, Adam Wieladek, the program will pave the way for the privatization of companies from the PKP group. Under the program, PKP Intercity will be privatized in 2004 whereas PKP Cargo, and commuter services in the Gdansk area and Warsaw will go under the hammer in 2005. "One scenario envisages transforming the firm into a holding consisting of local rail operators servicing selected lines," explained Wieladek. According to Infrastructure Minister Marek Pol, foreign companies will also be invited to participate in PKP's privatization. The program does not specify the privatization formula of PKP's regional services.(Puls Biznesu, p. 8) A.Z.