President appoints new members to Monetary Policy Council

Wojtyna is an economic aide to Kwaśniewski, Sławiński is a professor at the Warsaw School of Economics and serves as the National Bank of Poland (NBP)'s adviser, while Filar works as chief economist at Bank Pekao SA. Economy Minister Jerzy Hausner said he wanted the central bank's newly appointed council to quickly cut official interest rates. "I would be happy with a quick reduction of interest rates, but it's not my decision. I hope that such a move could take place in March," said Hausner. Analysts expect the new ten member panel to keep the current interest rate of 5.25% unchanged at its inaugural meeting next week. (Parkiet, p.1; Puls Biznesu, p. 2,6) A.Z.