Finance Minister reveals debt-GDP ratio and prays the zloty won't strengthen

For comparison, the relation amounted to 46% at the end of 2002. Raczko added that such a result was actually better than expected and was mainly due to the introduction of the European System of Integrated Economic Accounts. "The basic indicator is at a safe level. We should now try to lower the relation of public debt to GDP and cut the costs of servicing the debt. We are slightly afraid of the exchange rate, as an increase in value of the złoty by 10 groszy causes an increase in debt by around zł.3.7 billion," the minister revealed. According to governmental calculations the relation of debt to the GDP should amount to 54.8% by this year's end. (www.pb.pl) A.K.