Chemical industry expresses support for 10-year sector development plan

The majority of the country's chemical companies have given their approval to the Economy Ministry's plan for the development of the chemical sector for the years 2001 to 2010. The plan, which assumes capital expenditure in the sector at the level of zl.7 billion to zl.9 billion, has also been given support by the employers' association, the Polish Chemical Industry Chamber (PIPC). The project envisages the development of plastic and resource processing. Increased production is planned for the domestic market, which according to forecasts is set to grow, since currently only 20 kilograms of plastics are consumed per head of the Polish population, compared to 80 kilograms in Western Europe. Sector analysts point out that the plan has one significant weak point, the shortfall in the national budget, which will limit the cash available for the industry. (Puls Biznesu, p. 4) M.T.