Booming industry exports drive GDP growth, but unemployment worsens

Poland's thriving industry is driving the economy, shows Central Statistical Office (GUS) data, according to which GDP grew by some 6% in the second quarter of the year. Industrial output sold in the first half of this year was 10.2% higher than in the respective period last year. This boom was possible thanks in large part to growing exports, as domestic demand shrank. Industrial productivity, measured as output per one employee, grew 18% as compared with the first half of 1999. However, not all news was good - the unemployment rate in June was 13.5%, against 11.6% in June 1999. The total number of people employed in the economy - 15.9 million - was also lower than a year ago. Another problem is inflation, which is higher than last year. (Rzeczpospolita, page B1) T.J.