Large deficit in balance of payments due to pre-EU membership panic buying

As a result, the current account gap swelled from EUR 101 million in February to EUR 519 million in March. However, higher imports can partly be attributed to a one-off increase in demand caused by fears of higher prices following EU accession, noted the NBP. On a positive note, investment purchases have also contributed to the growth of imports, giving further evidence of surging economic growth in Q1, possibly exceeding 6%. (Gazeta Wyborcza, May 15-16, p. 29) T.J.