14th Economic Forum in Krynica
      The 14th Economic Forum in Krynica debated under the motto "European Challenges - Security, Solidarity, Efficiency". It was attended by some 1,400 politicians, businessmen, scholars and experts from Europe (chiefly east-central Europe), the United States and the Middle East.Debates revolved around panel discussions focusing on macroeconomic, business, energy, international politics, science and culture topics.  The EU accession represents the most important challenge facing the countries of east-central Europe, the panelists agreed. It required finding a compromise between defending the national economic interests and embracing the high standards of human rights and free market economy.

    President Aleksander Kwasniewski took part in the panel opening the whole Forum and used the occasion to sum up 15 years of the Polish economic transformation from a state-controlled to a market economy. NBP governor Leszek Balcerowicz praised the lower budget deficit planned for 2005 and urged more restrictions in spending. He also voiced opposition to a harmonization of tax rates in the EU.

    Polish Post plans 7 pc annual sales growth 
    Poczta Polska wants to increase its proceeds by 7 pc annually and achieve the level of profitability equal to that of leading European operators by 2006. The proceeds should grow to 7.5 bn PLN in 2006, from 6.3 bn PLN expected this year. PP plans that its profitability will improve by 3 pc annually, resulting in a net profit of 230 m PLN in 2006, compared with 90 m PLN in 2003. PP plans call for investment outlays this year to the tune of 704.57 m PLN.

    Eurostat: Poland's employment lowest in EU 

    Poland's employment rate in 2003 was lowest among the EU countries, with only 51.2 percent of production-age Poles pursuing regular work (the average for 25 EU members is 63 percent). Denmark had the highest employment (75.1 percent), the EU's Eurostat statistical office in Brussels reported. Poles work longest of all EU citizens (averagely 41.5 hours weekly), placing third after Britain and Latvia (the EU average is 40.2 hours). Italy has the shortest working week (38.7 hours). At 18.4 percent Poland has the EU's highest agriculture-employed population.

    Research 

    Scientific research conducted in Poland is not tuned to the needs of industry and ties between researchers and entrepreneurs are weak, a debate held recently in the Ministry of Science and Informatics suggested. The share of high technologies in exports is low and the Polish society cannot be termed science-oriented.The first step leading towards a more innovative approach and an improved competitive potential of Polish companies is to be the implementation of so-called RSI, or regional innovation strategies. They will help unite the scientific, research and business communities in a given region in the implementation of joint ventures.