Since August, Pinault has raised more than 4 billion euros for the group by selling assets.

They expect to raise 140 million euros from a capital increase as well as secondary proceeds.

The government wants to raise about 100 billion euros by 2008 by selling assets.

The company expects to raise 14 billion euros.

It was 100 percent state-owned before an initial public offering in 1999 raised 16.6 billion euros ($21.5 billion).

The founders and other early investors held on to 80 percent of the shares, while raising 1.7 billion euros (about $1.5 billion) in new cash.

But last year, its central unit raised 3.4 billion euros in an initial public offering of stock to create a currency it could use for acquisitions.

Last year she raised more than 32.000 euros for the foundation for these sick children.

The sale will raise as much as 2 billion euros, less than had been hoped but enough to help the government's budget.

The company also plans to raise 100 million to 200 million euros by selling liquor brands.