Local government input sought for euro20 billion National Development Plan

On Friday, representatives of the government and members of the Social-Economic Strategy Council (RSSG) discussed the National Development Plan (NPR), which includes a strategy to use EU subsidies after Poland's accession into the European Union. A final NPR will be sent to Parliament by the end of November. According to under-secretary of state in the Economy Ministry Ewa Freyberg, the program is currently being submitted for consultation with various bodies such as local and regional governments. The role of the NPR is to present a plan upon which Poland can negotiate levels of financial support from EU funds. According to the Economy Ministry, to implement the plan will cost euro13.9 billion of EU funds and euro6.2 billion from the state budget. Members of the Council pointed out that many issues still need to be worked out, as the plan is full of errors and contradictions. Major problem include the lack of information on what the taxation system will look like, as well as how to assist small and medium sized enterprises once Poland becomes an EU member. (Rzeczpospolita, Sept. 28-29, p. B2) A.Z.