Initial signs that the gray economy is beginning to recede

According to the Central Statistical Office (GUS) and some analysts, the gray economy is losing its importance. Despite that, Rzeczpospolita's research proves that every fifth Pole had some revenues from illegal work over the past 12 months. "Entrepreneurs are leaving the gray economy," said Henryka Bochniarz, president of the Polish Confederation of Private Employees (PKPP). Bohdan Wyżnikiewicz from the Market Economy Research Institute (IBnGR) also claims that the recent growth of the official GDP may the result in more companies leaving the shadow part of the economy. Prof. Friedrich Schneider from Linz University in Austria says that according to his estimates, the gray economy will constitute "only" 25.1% of domestic GDP in 2004 against 26.3% a year ago. (Rzeczpospolita, pp. A1, B1) M.M.