BANKING/FINANCE

Air France to Buy Stake in Czech Airline: Air France said it and a group of investors plan to buy 40% of Czechoslovak Airlines under the partial privatization of the Czech carrier. Airline analysts said the deal was one of a series of linkups as Western carriers seek access to the potentially rich East European markets. Air France, which is owned by the French government, said it signed an agreement to buy the stake in a deal that values the Czech airline at $150 million after the investment. The Czechoslovak government and other local investors intend to hold 60% of the airline, Air France said.