Businesses anticipate lower costs and greater security from e-signatures

President Aleksander Kwasniewski will today sign into law the bill on e-signatures, a move expected to revolutionize the Polish economy. Under the new law, a computerized signature will carry the same authority as one written by hand. Andrzej Klesyk, member of the board of Bankgesellschaft Berlin, says, "The e-signature is going to bring a revolution to electronic banking." Meanwhile, Cezary Szczekocki, president of e-store Wirtualna Polska, explains, "Companies and institutions using the e-signature will have their costs reduced." The new law will come into effect in nine months. The introduction of e-signatures is expected to bring greater efficiency, since company executives will no longer have to leave the office in order to sign a contract. In addition, the new system will guarantee greater security relating to the identity of the contracting parties and the date of the signature. The Economy Ministry, which will oversee the introduction of the new system, will grant the necessary authorization to the offices empowered with certifying e-signatures. (Puls Biznesu, pp. 2, 4) P.W.