Economy Minister convenes expert group to review proposed spending cuts

Economy Minister Janusz Steinhoff has organized a panel of experts to review the size of next year's budget, as estimated by the finance ministry. The panel, composed of leading economists, will also make recommendations on the proposed spending cuts. Explaining the need for such a group, Steinhoff, who is also Deputy Prime Minister, said, "It is the intention of the government that the whole macroeconomic prognosis concerning the 2002 budget should be as close to reality as possible. That's why we have convened the group of experts." He went on to say that the independent economists will also provide the new government elected in September with a clear and unbiased picture of the situation, as it deals with the problem of the budget deficit. (Rzeczpospolita, p. B1) A.K.