Minister remains optimistic while unemployment reaches new high - 18.6%

Economy and Labour Minister Jerzy Hausner said on Thursday that the be ginning of a much awaited economic recovery is being delayed. "We are waiting for the impact of events from the third and fourth quarter, and then we will have to wait for the influence of the first quarter," Hausner told a news conference. The government hopes that economic growth will be 3.5% in 2003 as compared to last year's estimated 1.3%. The situation might be more complicated as the latest statistical data shows that unemployment reached a new high of 18.5-18.6% in January, rising from 18.1% in December, "While in February the growth (of unemployment) is clearly slower," Hausner told reporters. He added that Monday's Cabinet meeting might consider lowering taxes. (Reuters) M.M.