Shortfall in the 2000 budget could put additional strain on next year's deficit

Maintaining the economic deficit of the 2001 budget at the projected level of 1.6% of the GDP may prove to be impossible because of lower-than-expected budget revenues this year. According to economists, because of a shortage of funds this year, some expenditures may be postponed until 2001, putting additional strain on next year's deficit. "[This year's] budget deficit will not be higher. Some spending will be put off until next year... The economic deficit of the budget in 2001 will increase," said Krzysztof Rybinski, chief economist at ING Barings. Meanwhile, Monetary Policy Council (RPP) member Boguslaw Grabowski warns that since 2000 budget revenues had been overestimated, a threat exists that next year the same thing will happen. (Puls Biznesu, p.6) T.J.