Polish economy grew 4.1% last year, not enough to stop unemployment rise

The Polish economy grew by 4.1% in the year 2000, with growth slowing to 2.4% in the last quarter, reported the Central Statistical Office (GUS) yesterday. GUS also reported that unemployment rose to 15.8% in February. Some economists are already describing Poland's economic situation as a recession. Although the classic definition specifies negative GDP growth as a sign of recession, that refers to the situation of developed countries, particularly the United States, said Finance Ministry adviser Stanislaw Gomulka. However, in Poland's condition, even growth of 3%-4% means rising unemployment, he stressed. Many economists believe that after a slowdown at the end of 2000 and in the first quarter of this year, growth will pick up and eventually reach approximately 4% for this year. (Rzeczpospolita, p.B1) T.J.