The Polish Information and Foreign Investment Agency (PAIIZ) has informed

that Korean investor Hyundai/Kia has shortlisted Poland and Slovakia as potential countries as the location for its planned car production plant. Initially the investor was in negotiations with four countries in Eastern and Central Europe, including Hungary and the Czech Republic. According to PAIIZ president Andrzej Zdebski, the fact that Poland passed the first round of talks is a success, however it has to be remembered that Poland is now entering the most difficult part of negotiations. Sector analysts claim that both PAIIZ and the Economy Ministry have done a lot to attract the investment. In recent years Poland lost out to neighboring countries in the battle to attract major investments from Toyota and Peugeot. The final decision by the Korean car manufacturer will be announced in the first quarter of 2004, while by next December the construction of the plant worth $1.1 billion producing 300,000 cars annually and employing around 4,000 people, will commence. (Puls Biznesu, p. 10) A.K.