EU economists estimate that Poland will maintain 5.5% growth in 2005

They believe that the Polish economy will grow by 5.5% in 2004 and 2005. The rapid pace of development will help boost the purchasing power of the national currency to reach an estimated 48% of the EU average. Experts believe that the GDP growth will soon slow down. However, the country should maintain a 5% growth rate over the next few years, which economists calculate will be twice as high as the EU average. Poland's economy is being fuelled by growing internal consumption, competitive exports and the inflow of EU funds, which constitute 4-5% of national GDP. (Rzeczpospolita, p. B1) M.M.