New firms on the up while government prepares to ease life for entrepreneurs

Last year saw the number of registered firms in this country grow by 3.2% on 2002’s figures, according to the official Report on Entrepreneurship in 2004, which was yesterday accepted by the government. The bulk of this growth was comprised of small companies employing up to nine people. However, the increased number of registered companies entering onto the market did not result in any investment growth in the economy as a whole. The government is expected to soon announce its proposals to improve conditions for the country's entrepreneurs, including changes to regulations regarding building investments, the shortening of court procedures in economic matters and changes to the tax system. "We want to accelerate the investment processes. It is our priority," Deputy Prime Minister Jerzy Hausner declared. However, the exact proposals are not likely to be ready until January 2005. (Parkiet, p. 7) A.F.