UMTS proceeds will make it possible to cut the budget deficit by zl.3 billion

After awarding third generation mobile telecom UMTS licenses to the three incumbent GSM operators, the government can expect to receive the first zl.1 billion license fee installments from each of the operators next year. This would allow Finance Minister Jaroslaw Bauc to forward an amendment to the 2001 budget, lowering the deficit from zl. 21.7 billion to zl. 18.7 billion, but keeping the economic deficit at the previously planned level of 1.6% of GDP or zl.13 billion. However, this figure is still rather uncertain, as it is possible that the Sejm will not accept the government's proposal to save zl.1.8 billion by amending the Teachers' Charter. (Puls Biznesu, pp.1, 3) M.M.