Government involvement in Szczecin shipyard raises fears of a trend

After government's substantial involvement in the Szczecin shipyard's problems, many economists and politicians are afraid a number of other companies in similar situations will soon form a queue for help from the State Treasury. The possibility of convincing the government to secure loans and credit reduces management's fear of continuing widespread abuse of power and mismanagement, because the one responsible will once again be the government. "I think [the Szczecin shipyard] is an absolute exception and there will be no more such cases," said Rafal Antczak, head of the Industrial Development Agency (ARP). "This decision was crucial to save the whole shipyard industry and all trading partners of the Szczecin-based company." (Puls Biznesu, p.7) A.K.