News Parkiet

Conglomerates

Elektrim closer to sale of Park Praski

Elektrim power and telecoms group is once again trying to unload its Port Praski property in Warsaw. Former WSE blue chip is waiting for administrative permits and an advance payment from an unnamed investor for undeveloped property located on the banks of Vistula river. Sources close to the company say it expects over 100 million zloty from this transaction.

Elektrim took possession of Port Praski in return for building a bridge across the Vistula in the year 2000. The group initially wanted to use the site to build several office towers, but Warsaw city authorities tried to force the company to build a housing complex instead.

Elektrim has already tried to sell Port Praski to Pol-Mot Holding industrial group in early 2001, but the sale was called off after delays in obtaining zoning permit for the project.

Politics

Polish lawmakers need to brush up on their accounting skills

Members of the Polish Sejm know far too little about accounting and tax laws, parliamentary speaker Marek Borowski said on Friday after presiding over an informal debate on mutual funds. Mr. Borowski added he will ask Ministry of Finance to arrange a special training course for the deputies.

Information Technology

Karen Notebook on road to recovery

Karen Notebook laptop distributor sees double-digit growth this year after several years of red ink. The firm, which markets its own notebooks under ?California Access? brand, says its sales will increase to approximately 100 million zloty ($25 million), posting first ever earnings since 1999.

Utilities

MPEC to build heating plants

MPEC municipal utility is hoping that Poland?s entry into the EU will force local authorities to eliminate laws that are forcing Polish heat distributors to run their business as a non-profit public service. In the meantime, MPEC is working on plans to build several smaller heating plants in its home city of Wrocław, using renewable energy sources. MPEC is also expanding its broadband Internet network. The firm has signed up over 4000 subscribers after launching inexpensive high-speed Internet access services earlier this year.