Offset deal finally signed - the details

On Friday Prime Minister Leszek Miller, Defense Minister, Jerzy Szmajd ziński, Finance Minister, Grzegorz Kołodko and Economy Minister Jerzy Hausner signed four contracts concerning the purchase of 48 F-16 fighter jets for $3.5 billion. During the ceremony held in Dęblin, the government representatives signed delivery, financing, and credit contracts as well as a deal concerning the offset program, which states the value of American investments in Poland as a form of compensation. Jerzy Hausner announced that the government has agreed to 43 offset offers worth $7.5 billion. After taking into account "offset multipliers" the amount reaches $12 billion. Hausner has emphasized that further negotiations are taking place and this sum could add up to even more. The head of the Offset Committee, Michał Kleiber said that the offers chiefly concern new technologies. "Jointly the offset program will create tens of thousands of new jobs," said Jerzy Hausner. (Gazeta Wyborcza, April 19-21, p. 26) A.K.