French VINCI (ex SGE; turnover EUR 9.05 billion in 1999) and GTM (LYONNAISE DES EAUX group, turnover EUR 7.69 billion in 1999) are on the point of announcing their rapprochement in the form of a public takeover bid for shares launched by VINCI on GTM. The move should place the two partners in the lead of the public works sector in France, first place so far held by BOUYGUES.