06/02/2008 (Agence Europe) - On Wednesday 6 February, the European Commission announced that it had extended the investigation period of the proposed acquisition of French electrical goods distributor Rexel. The Commission postponed its deadline for reaching a conclusion on the purchase of Rexel by it Dutch competitor Hagemeyer from 8-22 February. To respond to the concerns of DG Competition on this transaction, Rexel proposed to sell its activities in Germany to French group Sonepar, and, in return, buy Sonepar's activities in Sweden. (C.D.)