Government announces preferential loan scheme for victims of flooding

The government has announced the details of a program, under which people who have lost their homes during the recent flooding will have the possibility of obtaining credit on preferential terms. In addition, Prime Minister Jerzy Buzek has promised that this year the government will spend at least zl.200 million on repairing the damage caused by the floods. People affected by the flooding may apply for their preferential loan from one of four designated banks, Bank Gospodarstwa Krajowego, Bank Gospodarki Zywnosciowej, Bank Unii Gospodarczej, and BIG Bank Gdanski. According to preliminary estimates, in total the government may have to spend as much as zl.40 million on providing aid for the flood victims. An additional zl.1 million has already been offered by the National Fund for Environmental Protection and Water Management (NFOSiGW). It remains to be seen whether Poland can count on help from other countries. The head of the UKIE, Poland's office for European integration, Dariusz Saryusz-Wolski, is currently involved in negotiations with the European Commission, in the hope of obtaining a commitment that European Union funds will be made available for flood assistance. (Rzeczpospolita, p. A3) A.Z.