The week's events covered in Poland AM

The draft of the National Development Plan, prepared under the lead of Jerzy Hausner, envisages continued strong economic growth, a decrease in unemployment, and entry to the Eurozone in 2009. The government expects a systematic increase in the inflow of foreign direct investment after EU accession, with zł.18.6 billion ($4.5 billion) coming in 2004 and roughly zł.40 billion ($10 billion) annually by 2009. Despite earlier fears, there have been no queues for the so-called EU tax identification numbers (NIP) needed by individuals and companies wishing to avoid paying double VAT as a result of trading with the EU. According to the European Commission, the Polish economy will grow by 4.2 percent this year, whereas 'the old fifteen' states can expect at most growth of 1.7 percent. Since 1992, this country has been developing at a rate between two to three times faster than those countries of the present EU, apart from a short period between 2001 and 2002 when growth levels were equal. Furthermore, exports from this country are expected to increase by 11.2-12.2 percent this year, greatly surpassing anything likely to be achieved by the other 24 countries of the enlarged union.