Stalexport restructuring plans pave the road to face foreign competition

The president of Stalexport Ryszard Harhala said yesterday that the part of the A4 highway between Krakow and Katowice should be ready before Christmas. Even though the cost of this enterprise appears to be over budget the firm still wants to invest in building highways. Harhala assures that the restructuring of the firm, including frequent layoffs, has been successful so far and it is prepared to face foreign competitors, even if one of them becomes a strategic investor in one of the competing Polish foundries. Stalexport will still search for a strategic investor but according to its president the contract will not be signed before 2001. (Gazeta Wyborcza, page 26)