Unemployment slowly falling, but still a long way to go to reach EU levels

In 2005 the rate of those without a job should drop below 17%, which translates into 500,000 people finding jobs. According to the Economy Ministry's own estimates, in mid September there were 2.99 million unemployed, with the rate likely to reach 18.9% by the end of the month. "We will reach EU levels in 2008," said Hausner. He stressed that in order to maintain the drop in the level of unemployment, annual economic growth must be kept above 5%. Hausner believes that in 2004 and 2005 this condition will be met. In the following years, GDP growth will depend on investments and, "We are already witnessing symptoms of investment revival, but we are far from a boom in investments," concluded Hausner. (Parkiet, p. 7) M.M.