11.   Wolff said she thought Casino, Comptoirs Moderne SA, as well as Tesco and other foreign operators, might be interested.

12.   As duckpin alleys closed, their machines were bought by foreign operators, mainly in the Philippines and Argentina, he said.

13.   But developing countries in Asia have been reluctant to hand over field production to foreign operators.

14.   Ekasit Limsuwan, a member of the Engineering Institute of Thailand, suggested the government speed up the establishment of a profession council to issue licences to foreign operators.

15.   Foreign operators in Germany must obtain a licence.

16.   He also said the venture would inhibit foreign operators from entering the market.

17.   However, if Thai firms do not improve, foreign operators will take over the market, he added.

18.   In a statement, EDF sought to defuse Italian concerns, citing opportunities for foreign operators to expand into the French market.

19.   Malaysia, Shearer said, is an interesting market for foreign operators.

20.   Media Capital President Miguel Paes do Amaral said his company wanted to form a partnership with a foreign operator to provide pay-per-view and digital TV services in Portugal.