Government reveals program to boost development

The government has unveiled an economic program for its entire four-year term. During the coming four years the government plans to spend zl.180 billion on infrastructure investments, including zl. 150 billion on apartment and road construction. The investment would result in the construction of an estimated 140,000 new dwellings annually through 2004, 200 kilometres of expressways and 600 kilometres of highways. Around 100,000 people will be employed in the construction sector, and 200,000 in related industries. "The economic strategy of the government -- entrepreneurship, development and employment -- is a realistic program which will put Poland back on the fast track to development and will enable a decrease in unemployment," announced Prime Minister Leszek Miller. The current state spending cuts, active application of state guarantees to raise private funds, as well as EU and other international aid programs will help the government finance its new plan. (Rzeczpospolita, p. B1; Prawo i Gospodarka, p. 24) A.K.