Outgoing Economy Minister claims his successes outweigh his failures

Janusz Steinhoff, the departing Economy Minister, has admitted to some failures during his tenure, but contends these were outnumbered by the successes. Among the latter, he lists restructuring of the coal mining industry, which he claims is viewed as excellent by Western experts. Steinhoff is also satisfied with the progress in harmonization of regulations with European Union law, and the influx of foreign investment into Poland. His list of failures basically describes the current state of the economy: the increase in unemployment, the increase in the trade deficit, the slow development of small and medium-sized businesses. These are the areas he recommends that the new government focuses on. Steinhoff also warned the new government against giving the Finance Minister excessive power and against limiting the independence of the National Bank of Poland (NBP). (Puls Biznesu, p.7) T.J.