Ruch announces zl.350 million investment until 2005

Poland's biggest press distributor, Ruch, has announced a five-year, zl.350-million development strategy that will see it make a significant breakthrough onto the Internet market. Within the next two weeks Ruch plans to launch its "prasa w prenumeratcie" mini-portal, allowing access to on-line subscription and title lists. By 2005, Ruch plans to be established on the Internet market. Its other goals include the development of its network of representatives, the expansion of its subscriber base, improved cooperation with the Chamber of Press Publishers (IWP), and the more extensive use of information technology. The company, which is owned wholly by the State Treasury, is planning to raise zl.140 million of the capital it needs for its development from the markets, if its restructuring program is not given the go-ahead by the Treasury soon. The planned sale of 40% of Ruch to French company Hachette was canceled by the Treasury in 1996, and the company has been at the center of a legal battle ever since. However, Ruch chairman, Miroslawa Nykiel, says, "I think that there is a chance for the company's privatization. There is an enormous interest in the company." (Rzeczpospolita, p. B3, Puls Biznesu, p. 10) P.J.