RCSS head evaluates economy, advises RPP to lower interest rates
Government Center for Strategic Studies (RCSS) head Jerzy Kropiwnicki
evaluated the condition of Polish economy with "moderate optimism" at the
end of 2000 and called on the Monetary Policy Council (RPP) to lower
interest rates. Kropiwnicki expects Poland's GDP growth to be at the level
of 4.5%-5% in this year, which would allow Poland to remain in the group
of most rapidly developing economies in Europe, but would be insufficient
to lower unemployment. He said that the high real interest rates are
slowing down the Polish economy. He also named the major threats to the
economy, such as the 14.8% unemployment rate, the slowdown in growth of
industry and construction sectors and increasing indebtedness of private
companies abroad. (Rzeczpospolita, p.B2, Reuters) M.M.
