Lower House approves electricity and gas market liberalisation

The Lower House of Parliament has passed an amendment to the energy law under which the Czech electricity and gas markets should be liberalised by 2007. As of next year large companies should be able to choose their supplier of natural gas. Deputies approved the proposal including the Senate's recommendation that the amendment take effect on the day it is published in the Collection of Laws. The bill as passed by the Chamber of Deputies was originally meant to come into force two weeks ago. The amendment is yet to be signed by President Vaclav Klaus.