In the spotlight: Leszek Balcerowicz
According to the competition's organizers: "It is thanks to Balcerowicz's Plan that Polish companies are able to compete with the strongest international branches on the Polish market."
The plan, which was introduced 15 years ago and completely changed the Polish economy, was also recognized at the Super Wektor competition this month. Balcerowicz was awarded the coveted statue for being consistent in putting across his own economic concepts.
The NBP's president is also a long-distance runner, literally. He once represented his country in the 800 meters discipline and still runs two kilometers a day to keep in shape.
The author of the 'Polish economic miracle' became the Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister in the first non-communist government in 1989. It was then that he worked out the plan of fast stabilization and transformation for the abysmal Polish economy.
In January 2001, Poland's Sejm appointed Leszek Balcerowicz as the president of the Polish National Bank. A strong supporter of Poland entering the eurozone, he says the key to the country's development is long-lasting public-finance improvement. According to Balcerowicz, Poland, which exports 60 percent of its production to eurozone countries, is susceptible to disadvantageous currency fluctuations against the euro.
"I am often asked whether the unemployment rate can be reduced, and when Poland will catch up with the West and enter the eurozone. My answer is that everything is possible, depending, however, on how many people will say to themselves that it can be done and will draw the proper conclusions from it."
Talking about the intricacies of life, Balcerowicz admits, rather cryptically: "Being active in public life I got used to the fact that it has to be perceived as a natural life, and in nature different specimens appear."
A.B.
The plan, which was introduced 15 years ago and completely changed the Polish economy, was also recognized at the Super Wektor competition this month. Balcerowicz was awarded the coveted statue for being consistent in putting across his own economic concepts.
The NBP's president is also a long-distance runner, literally. He once represented his country in the 800 meters discipline and still runs two kilometers a day to keep in shape.
The author of the 'Polish economic miracle' became the Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister in the first non-communist government in 1989. It was then that he worked out the plan of fast stabilization and transformation for the abysmal Polish economy.
In January 2001, Poland's Sejm appointed Leszek Balcerowicz as the president of the Polish National Bank. A strong supporter of Poland entering the eurozone, he says the key to the country's development is long-lasting public-finance improvement. According to Balcerowicz, Poland, which exports 60 percent of its production to eurozone countries, is susceptible to disadvantageous currency fluctuations against the euro.
"I am often asked whether the unemployment rate can be reduced, and when Poland will catch up with the West and enter the eurozone. My answer is that everything is possible, depending, however, on how many people will say to themselves that it can be done and will draw the proper conclusions from it."
Talking about the intricacies of life, Balcerowicz admits, rather cryptically: "Being active in public life I got used to the fact that it has to be perceived as a natural life, and in nature different specimens appear."
A.B.
