IMF give the thumbs up to the Hausner plan

IMF's experts believe that the inflation rate is likely to drop to 2.5% in 2005. Interest rates hikes are unlikely, "As raising them by as much as 125 base points since June shows the will of the Monetary Policy Council to lower the CPI to the inflationary target," said Susan Schadler, the head of IMF mission in Poland. According to the Fund, the economy will grow by 5.5% in 2004 and 4.75% next year. Schadler believes that the most beneficial outcomes of Hausner's plan include limiting unnecessary expenditures and employment revival. However, there are already delays in introducing some of the important reforms, particularly in the health sector and social benefits. (Rzeczpospolita, pp. A1, B2) M.M.