Unipetrol: Agrofert, the Unipetrol privatization winner, has reportedly reached a cooperation agreement with PKN Orlen toward acquiring Unipetrol together, though it is not clear how PKN Orlen would participate in the privatization since it did not take part in the tender. According to Agrofert’s CEO, PKN Orlen is interested in Ceska rafinerska (Unipetrol’s biggest subsidiary, 51% owned by Unipetrol), Benzina (fuel retailer, 78% owned by Unipetrol) and some other companies in Unipetrol.
Separately, the industry minister, Jiri Rusnok, met with Unipetrol, IOC, and CeR representatives yesterday to discuss disputed supply prices in the holding, though the issue remains unresolved. The negotiations are expected to continue, short-term contracts put together when the dispute began expire on Thursday, August 1.
Jiri Soustruznik