The Czech Press Agency quotes the head of the Czech energy-sector regulator, Pavel Brychta, who said that the liberalization of the sector may have to be sped up in relation to the Czech Republic’s EU accession process; the domestic market could be fully open by 2003, he said (previously intended for 2006). Swifter liberalization would be positive for CEZ, since it would gain access to clients who are currently not eligible to choose their own supplier, but the stock is unlikely to react.
(Jiri Soustruznik)