Poland's exporters badly affected as a result of the strength of the zloty

Tobacco, food and beverages, chemical products, machinery, and transport equipment are the industries that recorded the highest export growth in the first two months of the year. However, despite increases in sales abroad of up to 40%, Central Statistical Office (GUS) figures show that producers did not necessarily manage to achieve higher profits. The strength of the zloty meant that many exporters suffered losses, among them food processing companies Smak, Hortino and Apipol-Krakow. And a spokesman for Lodz-based textile producer Telimena complained that the high exchange rate of the zloty forced the company to reject most of the orders it received from the West. Other firms recording a high increase in sales included cosmetic companies Pollena Ewa and Kolastyna, Warsaw-based pharmaceuticals producer Warszawskie Zaklady Farmaceutyczne Polfa, aeroplane producer PZL Swidnik, and Fiat Auto Poland. The GUS figures show that Poland is increasing its exports to developing countries, which now account for 14% of all sales abroad, up from 7% in 2000. (Rzeczpospolita, p.B1) M.K.