EU funding spells jobs bonanza in environmental protection sector

In 2004 the value of contracts signed within the ISPA program will exceed EUR 1 billion, while next year the figure could be twice as high. In the first quarter of this year BOŚ granted loans worth zł.560 million for environmental related projects, which is a 530% increase in comparison to the same period last year. Polish municipalities will designate zł.2.7 billion for new water treatment plants and sewage systems, which according to government estimates will create 55,000 new jobs in administration and maintenance by 2015. Construction companies stress that the projects can only be carried out by large and financially fit companies. However, foreign competitors have little chance of winning the projects, as domestic enterprises are far cheaper. (Rzeczpospolita, pp. A1, B5) M.M.