FDI up to $9.1 billion in 2000; less optimistic figure predicted for 2001

Foreign direct investment (FDI) in Poland reached $9.1 billion in the year 2000, up from $8.3 billion a year earlier, but is expected to drop to $7.1 billion this year, according to Economy Ministry forecasts. According to the ministry's head, Janusz Steinhoff, foreign investments are the driving force behind Polish export growth. He also said that the government will introduce so-called investment grants to lure more investors, thereby compensating them for the limited possibility of obtaining tax breaks in special economic zones. Poland had to curb these privileges for investors as a result of adjusting its regulations to those of the European Union. Last year's FDI inflows brought total foreign investment in Poland since the 1989 fall of communism close to $50 billion. (Gazeta Wyborcza, p.20, Reuters) T.J.