Poland inches up international ranking, but still has a long way to go

For the third time in a row, Finland won the ranking of the most competitive countries list published by the International Economic Forum yesterday. Poland advanced 5 places from 50th position to 45th out of 102 countries on the list. However, according to the authors of the report, the business environment has deteriorated in Poland. Due to this, Poland is the lowest ranked country among the ten that will join the EU in May 2004. The low position was due to the nation's terrible infrastructure, enormous government subsidies to obsolete industry, backward agricultural policy and lack of transparency in the decisions taken by officials. Poland took over three Latin countries, which are going through tough times, as well as Gambia and Namibia. The main reasons for the advancement in the ranking were low inflation, credit worthiness and centralized decision making process relating to the economy. Poland scored points due to low wages, growing labor efficiency and improved concern for the environment. The highest ranked EU candidate country was Estonia, which came in 22nd on the list. (Rzeczpospolita, pp. A1, B1) M.M.