Regulations for support of financial investment creates hopeful forecast

According to the Economy Ministry, economic growth in the fourth quarter will reach 1.7% and the year-on-year growth will probably be 1.2%. This means that the projected economic growth in 2002 will exceed the economic forecasts by only 0.2%. Consumer spending figures this year will be higher than expected (2.1% against the expected 0.8%). However, the projected investments will be 5% lower than in 2001. Despite the far-from ideal numbers, the Minister is not worried and maintains that the situation is becoming clearer and on the whole it is even improving. There is hope that regulations supporting financial investment will take effect at the beginning of 2003 and will spur investors into putting more money into assets. Also, the growing number of foreign direct investments may positively influence next year's results. (Rzeczpospolita, p. B2, Prawo i Gospodarka, p. 1) J.K.