After three years of falling FDI, the state begins to take the initiative

The government estimates that in 2004-2005 the new program promoting Poland abroad will attract foreign investment worth $6-8 billion annually, said Deputy Labor and Economy Minister Andrzej Szejna. "We have seen a decrease in direct investment for the past three years and the aim of the program is to reverse this trend," he added. The program will promote Polish brands abroad so as to lure investors and support Polish exporters. According to the Polish Agency for Foreign Investment (PAIZ), direct investment amounted to zł. 6 billion last year. "We have to bear in mind the fact that a decrease in investment is currently a worldwide phenomenon, nevertheless the influx of foreign capital to Poland is smaller than it ought to be," concluded Szejna. (Rzeczpospolita, p. B3) A.Z.