Despite strong zloty, exports are blossoming and seem set to grow in 2003

The current account deficit narrowed to $519 million in December from $744 million in November, beating analyst expectations of a $680 million shortfall, National Bank of Poland figures showed on Friday. Exports amounted to $3.3 billion in December, up from $3 billion in November, while imports were at $4.2 billion over $4.08 billion in November. "The figures are a pleasant surprise to everyone," said Grzegorz Wojtowicz, a member of Monetary Policy Council. "The statistics show that domestic companies have been doing quite well on foreign markets," he added. Exports are expected to grow throughout 2003 but less dynamically, with imports rising a little faster than last year. (Rzeczpospolita, Feb. 1-2, p. A1, B1, Parkiet, Feb. 1-3, p. 6, Reuters) J.K.