Analysts see a good H2 ahead following recent positive economic data

Industrial output figures exceeded expectations, consumers are more eager to spend money which results in the dynamic growth of retail sales. One of the reasons for this was the slight increase in wages and a decrease in unemployment. One of the sectors which are the chief beneficiaries of the improving economic situation is the construction sector, with some companies declaring an increase in their order portfolio's by as much as 50%. "The increasing wages and employment, as well as low inflation, result in the fact that households have more money. Therefore consumption increases. The consumption demand will increase in Q3 by over 3% and by over 4% by the year's end," speculates Piotr Kalisza, economist with Bank Handlowy. According to Richard Mbewe, chief economist with the Warsaw Investment Group, Poland has just entered the first phase of a growth trend. "Now everything has to be done in order to sustain this situation," he adds. (Puls Biznesu, pp. 1, 10) A.K.