The Czech competition authorities have approved Rautakirja's deal to sell its 50% share of the CZ Retail a.s., a Czech kiosk operator, to its French partner Hachette Distribution Services SA.
The deal was completed in December 2005. The capital gain on the divestment amounts to some EUR 5 million.
Following the deal, Rautakirja is the market leader in kiosk operations in Finland, Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania. In addition, the press distribution has also expanded to Romania and Russia.
Rautakirja is part of SanomaWSOY.